‘Not everyone understands the struggles’: The cost of belonging for international students

International students at St. Thomas University share stories of resilience, identity, and the challenges of finding a sense of belonging far from home. (Credits: STU Communications)

Between rising expenses, cultural adjustment and the federal government capping admission of international students, it has not been easy to attend university as a non-Canadian. 

Shaun Narine, director of STU’s international relations program, has noticed that the community of international students has decreased in recent years.

“The way the Canadian government is presently handling international students and immigration in general, I think, is creating a greater sense among people that Canada is getting increasingly unfriendly to its immigrants and to its international students,” said Narine.

He said the federal government’s reason for “cracking down” on international students was reportedly that some universities were admitting students who enrolled primarily to obtain a work visa.

“So, you had situations where some universities had hundreds of international students registered who never turned up to class … that happens in a few places, but it’s not typical. But I think in part, what was potentially a real problem, [the government] made it the basis of a larger crackdown.”

On Sept. 7, the St. Thomas University Students’ Union released a public statement announcing the elimination of the international student coordinator position after Saa Andew Gbongbor filled in for Carrie Monteith-Levesque.

Even though Ggongbor was rehired on Sept. 11, students at STU still carry the weight of what happened. 

Sidnel Longuma, a second-year student from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said she took a long time to adjust to life at STU, only feeling settled now after her first year. 

She said she felt more supported by the university last year when Monteith-Levesque was still working as international student coordinator. 

“She really did care and she did her very best to support me in any way … she helped me set up bank stuff and coordinate health appointments and eye care,” said Longuma. “I felt very supported when she was here and that's why I felt disappointed when the university tried to take away that position.”

Longuma said that the need for an international student coordinator is crucial as more international and exchange students come to the university. 

“They're gonna need someone who is specifically dedicated to their cause … not everyone understands the struggles and the realities of being an international or exchange student.”

Longuma said she also struggled with the academic adjustment. Her first semester of her first year was smooth sailing before the second semester put her in a slump.

“[My GPA] went from a 4.1 to 3.8, so that was a big hit, but I am grateful that it wasn't terrible, but it definitely took a toll on my mental health as well.”

Tina Fernandes, a second-year student from Brazil, went through some difficult periods in her first year at STU, but said she felt welcomed by the international student community.

“The most difficult part would be trying to open up more to people, especially in a language that's my second language and not my first one,” she said. “So it's hard to express exactly what I'm feeling in different words.”

Fernandes feels supported as an international student by her professors, but less so by the administration after the temporary elimination of the international student coordinator position.

Like Longuma, Fernandes received help from Monteith-Levesque with medical insurance.

“International students are students as well. International is just a label, it doesn’t necessarily make them different from others. They’re paying tuition, they’re here to gain more experience, to gain more education, they’re here to try new things,” she said.

To Fernandes, the academic system at STU was another big change she had to adjust to, due to the difference in the Canadian grading system compared to Brazil. 

“Other people who are also international [students], they helped me a lot. And experiential learning too, because I got to understand more about work experience and environment.”

The issue of money, amplified by international currency differences, makes Fernandes feel “pressure to make my parents’ money worth it.”

“Especially in work to do with arts, like the musical theatre job market, I feel that international people suffer a bigger pressure than people who are from here, because we need to really fight for our place while people from here have connections,” said Fernandes.

“Why do we pay more? Because it's good to have international students here, you give a name to the university … But we need to pay a lot of money just to represent the university and say that they are inclusive, but it [doesn’t] feel inclusive at all.”

Along with her fellow students, Longuma noticed the significant tuition increase. Not wanting to put financial strain on her family, Longuma has sought out employment and scholarship opportunities, currently working as a residence advisor and marketing and communications assistant for the Tommies.

To deal with rising expenses, Fernandes is seeking out scholarship opportunities and working for Solo Chicken Productions as an intern.

“I have a lot of stuff to do and it’s a bit overwhelming, but I don’t think I can change the situation … I’m trying to balance everything and my social life is kind of going down.”

Narine seeks to reassure prospective international students, “Once you’re here, you should be all right. If you want services from the university that it's either no longer providing, or which are elected to provide, talking to the president, talking to the administration, talking to your student union and particularly the International Students [Association], would be very helpful.”

Fernandes’ advice to new international students is to connect with people in the same situation as much as possible.

Longuma wants future students entering her position to know that how they are feeling is normal – though it may change with time, like it did for her.

“Don't throw in the towel before you've given it a good shot. Put yourself out there … ask for help. There’s so many resources. It’s something I love STU for, the resources that they offer to their students are amazing,” said Longuma.