Introduction to International Students

Canada has a strong reputation as a desirable and welcoming destination for international students. Over the past several years, there has been a marked increase in the recruitment of international students to Ontario’s post-secondary institutions. These post-secondary institutions have consistently demonstrated that international students are critical to the long-term viability and success of Ontario’s university and college sectors. Statistics Canada (2023b) reported that in the 2021/22 academic year, international students comprised 23% of all post-secondary enrolments in Ontario. However, the Canadian government has recently imposed a cap on international student applications over the next two years, aiming to process approximately 360,000 new student visas for 2024, making it a 35% reduction from 2023 (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC], 2024a). The upcoming changes are expected to shift the upward trends seen in recent years. The government has
implemented these new measures to guarantee that international students receive adequate support upon their arrival in Canada and to prevent institutions from expanding their intake of international students purely for revenue generation. Although Canada is often viewed as a welcoming destination for international students, the current reality is increasingly diverging from this image. There are
concerns about the impact of this cap on institutions, particularly regarding their heavy reliance on international student fees to maintain adequate campus services (Haukaas, 2024). Some schools may have to cut funding for their mental health and wellness centres, which would negatively affect international students by potentially leading to longer wait times, reduced support services, and decreased access to essential resources. Additionally, there is growing apprehension about how these
new restrictions might affect international students’ perceptions of Canada, potentially making the country seem less inviting. Currently, according to ApplyInsights’ (2024) analysis of data released by IRCC, 8 out of Canada’s 10 fastest-growing student demographics originate from African nations. Another concern with this cap is that institutions may shy away from admitting African applicants
due to their historically lower approval rates compared to other regions globally (Zahid, 2022). Post-secondary institutions must proactively adapt to effectively accommodate incoming international students during this transitional period, especially as these students often face discrimination and racism. The unique contributions and lived experiences of international students are also integral in
promoting the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within post-secondary education.

International students provide significant financial contributions to Canada’s post-secondary education system and can also face considerable financial strain while attending Canadian institutions. According to an analysis conducted by Roslyn Kunin and Associates (RKA) (2023) for Global Affairs Canada, in 2022, international students contributed over $37.3 billion to the Canadian economy, with over half of that amount going towards tuition and other fees at post-secondary institutions. This is particularly true for private satellite schools that partner with Ontario’s public colleges. Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk found the net profit margin for them ranged between 18 and 53 per cent in 2020.

Arriving from more than 180 countries, international students who come to Canada are ethnically and culturally diverse, contributing positively to Canada’s multiculturalism. They are also essential in supporting population growth and filling the growing gap in an aging labor force. As Canada continues to experience employment shortages, international students are an important pool for organizations seeking staff. In addition to their economic contribution, international students bring cultural diversity and new perspectives to Canadian classrooms, enriching the learning experience for all students.

The mental health and well-being of international students are important topics for post-secondary institutions to address. Being far away from their home communities, cultural differences in the understanding of wellness, and the age-related developmental trajectory of mental health concerns make international students an important population for institutions to consider when developing supportive mental health and well-being services and programming. Through an analysis of these critical facets of daily life, this toolkit aims to dissect key issues and provide a fulsome understanding of how the unique vulnerability of international students intersects with daily life to mold mental health outcomes. While the issue of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of international students is a complex subject, this toolkit aims to provide a snapshot of the issue coupled with practical strategies for post-secondary institutions to implement that can improve their well-being. As the world is rapidly changing, we acknowledge this is a living document that will be amended as newer sources of information become available.