International students in Canada are facing increasing difficulties due to rising living costs, work challenges, and frequent changes in immigration policies that make their futures unpredictable. As more students flock to Canada, they are met with financial burdens, housing struggles, and limited job opportunities, which exacerbate their stress and vulnerability.
High Cost of Living and Housing Crisis
Housing has become one of the most pressing issues for international students in Canada. With the rising cost of living, students find it increasingly difficult to secure affordable accommodations. On-campus housing is limited, forcing many students to seek off-campus options, often at exorbitant prices. This lack of affordable housing is particularly severe in cities like Vancouver and Toronto, which have some of the tightest and most expensive rental markets in the world.
International students often have to resort to overcrowded living conditions to make ends meet. In some cases, up to fifteen or more students share a single apartment or house, splitting rent to reduce costs. Such crowded accommodations are common in Brampton and Surrey. These living conditions not only create physical discomfort but also contribute to increased stress and anxiety, making it difficult for students to focus on their studies.
Financial Strain from High Tuition Fees and Limited Income Opportunities
International students in Canada pay significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students, often four to five times more. This financial burden is further compounded by the high cost of daily living expenses, including food, transportation, and healthcare. Many international students come from modest backgrounds, with families in their home countries taking out loans or selling property to fund their education in Canada. As a result, students feel intense pressure to succeed academically while also trying to earn money to support themselves and repay family debts.
To manage these financial pressures, international students often seek part-time work. However, Canadian regulations limit students on study permits to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic session. This restriction makes it nearly impossible for students to earn enough to cover their expenses. Some students are forced to work more than the allowed hours or take on cash jobs that are not officially recorded. Such unrecorded jobs place them in precarious situations where they are vulnerable to exploitation. Reports indicate that some employers pay international students below minimum wage, fail to provide proper work conditions, or withhold wages entirely. The story of Satinder Kaur Garewal is just one of thousands of international students who are exploited by employers.
Mental Health Challenges and Lack of Support Services
The mental health of international students is another critical concern. Many students arrive in Canada with high hopes and expectations, only to find themselves overwhelmed by financial stress, academic pressures, and cultural adjustment difficulties. The isolation of being far from home, coupled with the daily struggles to make ends meet, leads to heightened levels of anxiety and depression among these students.
A survey conducted by Khalsa Aid Canada revealed alarming rates of poor mental health among international students, with approximately 60% reporting symptoms indicative of depressive disorders. Female students are particularly vulnerable, with higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their male counterparts. Despite these challenges, many international students do not seek help due to stigma, lack of awareness, or limited access to mental health services tailored to their needs.
Unlike domestic students, international students often do not have access to comprehensive mental health support through their educational institutions. Counseling services, where available, are frequently overwhelmed and unable to provide timely assistance. Additionally, cultural and language barriers can make it difficult for students to communicate their needs effectively, further isolating them in times of distress. In severe cases, this has led to tragic outcomes, with several reported suicides among international students in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for better mental health support systems.
Exploitation in Work and Housing
The vulnerability of international students extends beyond financial and mental health challenges; many also face exploitation in the workplace and housing market. Reports from advocacy groups such as One Voice Canada highlight widespread cases of labor exploitation, where students are forced to work under the table in unsafe conditions, receive lower wages than promised, or are pressured into paying illegal fees to secure employment.
Housing exploitation is equally concerning. With limited knowledge of tenant rights in Canada, international students are often at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords who charge excessive rent, neglect property maintenance, or impose unfair rules. Some students have reported being crammed into overcrowded living spaces with insufficient amenities, yet feel powerless to speak up for fear of losing their housing or jeopardizing their immigration status.
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Educational Institutions and the Profit Motive
The growing number of international students in Canada has become a significant revenue source for post-secondary institutions, with tuition fees from international students making up a large portion of their funding. Many universities and colleges aggressively recruit international students through overseas agents, often making unrealistic promises about life and work opportunities in Canada. While this influx of students benefits Canadian educational institutions financially, the services and support offered to these students often fall short.
The “education-industrial complex,” as it has been described, sees international students primarily as cash cows. Institutions sometimes fail to provide adequate support services, leaving students to navigate complex and unfamiliar systems on their own. As tuition fees continue to rise and institutions become more reliant on international student income, there are growing concerns that the quality of education and support services is being compromised.
Unstable Immigration Policies
Frequent changes to Canada’s immigration policies further complicate the situation for international students. Recent government moves to tighten rules around low-wage temporary foreign workers and consider lowering permanent residency targets have created an uncertain path for students hoping to settle in Canada after their studies. These policy shifts discourage businesses from hiring international graduates, leaving students with fewer job prospects.
The closed work permit system, which ties workers to a specific employer, worsens power imbalances, leaving international students more vulnerable to exploitation. A United Nations report recently described Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program as a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery,” reflecting the severe risks faced by workers in these precarious conditions.
Social Costs and the Need for Reform
The current system places enormous pressure on international students, who are caught between the need to study, work, and manage high living costs, all while dealing with cultural and emotional challenges. The financial and social costs of Canada’s international education system are not being adequately addressed, leaving students vulnerable to exploitation, mental health crises, and sometimes severe financial hardship.
Experts and advocacy groups are calling for comprehensive reforms to improve the conditions for international students in Canada. Recommendations include regulating and reducing tuition fees, increasing funding for specialized support services, and implementing stricter oversight of employers and landlords to prevent exploitation. Additionally, there is a need for greater transparency and honesty in the recruitment process, ensuring that prospective students are fully informed of the realities they will face.
Conclusion
International students come to Canada with dreams of better opportunities and a brighter future. However, many find themselves struggling under the weight of financial burdens, work restrictions, housing challenges, and mental health issues. To truly benefit from the contributions of these students, Canada must invest in stronger support systems, fairer policies, and a more compassionate approach that recognizes and addresses the unique struggles international students face every day. Without meaningful changes, the promise of a Canadian education may remain an unfulfilled dream for many who come seeking a better life.