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Are

International Students  

welcomed?

Words and Photos by Myungsook Lee  

Rise and fall in numbers of international students

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, every year more than 136 countries send their students called international or foreign students to Canada. Last year, 85,140 new students came to Canada. Most of them are from Asia: China (19.2%), South Korea (11.2%), India (6.7%) and Japan (3.8%) while USA (5.3%) and European countries such as France (5.3%), Germany (2.7%), UK (1.6%) comprise less than 6% of all students.

It is interesting to notice that the number of international students change, as their countries’ economy and social development go up or down. In 1990s the top 5 countries sending students to Canada were Korea (16%), China (10%), US(9.4%), Japan(9.1%), France (6.4%) yet in 2009, the rank was dramatically changed: China (19%), Korea (12%), India (5.7%), France (6.4%), and Saudi Arabia (6.2%). Obviously, we can see China has become the leader and the student numbers from Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, Hong Kong are declining.

The power of BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China: emerging countries because of their potential power in population and resources) are starting to show up in the number of international students.

Who are international students?

There are several different groups of students coming to Canada: university students, other post secondary students, K-12 students, trade students and others who are enrolled in language training programs to improve or practice English (In 2009, the level of study was University 43%, other post-secondary 21.9%, K-secondary 19.5%, Trade 8.3%, other 7.2%).

Under the group of K-12 students there are two different types: Students live with or without parents (it means students either stay with home-stay families or parents). The district they choose depends on what is best for the children. Burnaby School District doesn’t allow children younger than 12 years old to come to school without a parent, yet Surrey School District accepts them if they have a legal guardian in Canada.

 If we categorize them according to how long they stay in Canada, there are only two types: short term students who stay less than 6 months, which doesn’t require student visa. And another group of students are long term, which means more than 6 months, and they require a student visa to enter Canada.

Why do they come?

The reason that international students come to Canada can differ from country to country. But when you look at a case study, it will give you a hint. For example, according to Statistics Korea, the college entrance rate in 2009 was 81.3%. In 1990 it was 33.2%, in 1994 45.3%, in 1997 60.1%, in 2001 70.5%, in 2004, 81.3%, in 2008 83.8%. However, Korean college graduates employment rate was only 55% in 2009. As you can see, college students must do something more competitive than others to win in the job market. Overseas study and work experience in English-speaking countries are preferred in the globalized business environment.

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