Cuenta General de las Empresas Públicas de la Comunidad Autónoma

Among these students, SE is the only interviewee who expressed his intention to seek long-term settlement in St. John’s. His success in obtaining a major-related part-time job not only built his confidence in his future employment in this province but also increased his confidence in the development of local economy. In addition, his wife’s satisfaction with life in St. John’s, the close friendship with other international students, and reception of Newfoundlanders were all the factors that made him decide to stay.

4.2.7.1 Secure a major-related part-time job

SE thought the limited number of job opportunities did not mean that people cannot find jobs. “Without trying, how do we know we cannot find a job in St. John’s?” At the same time, he did not think he will have better employment opportunities in big cities because “competition is intense”. More importantly, he has already secured an off-campus job as a web developer for a local association. He was very happy with this job because it was related to what he was learning at the university. “That job is in my research area, and I can create some fantastic website to the users. I can gain a sense of achievement in that position.” Because he has already found a

satisfactory part-time job, he was optimistic about his future full-time employment opportunities here. “I haven’t graduated, but I have already got a good job.”

4.2.7.2 Confidence in the local economic development

SE also acknowledged the fact that the employment opportunities were much fewer in St. John’s; however, he was confident of the great potential of this city. From his point of view, he thought a developing city offers more opportunities than a developed city.

I strongly trust a truth that any cities or provinces will try to make them better in the future. If a place is developed. That means the space for improving itself is less. But on the other hand, if a place is developing, that means the space for improving itself is higher. We can get more chance.

He believed that the trend in economic development of St. John’s is irreversible. “St. John’s will grow, after ten years, who can say St. John’s is not the important city in Canada? That’s why I plan to live in St. John’s.”

4.2.7.3 Spouse’s satisfaction with life

Both SE and his wife were MUN student, majoring in the same program. His wife also enjoyed her life in St. John’s. Her supervisor treated her well and she has been working hard on projects. She appreciated the serenity and natural environment in this city. They both preferred the quiet country life and disliked the fast pace and severe competition in large cities. “We don’t have enough energy to meet the busy living environment.” They have made a plan to build their home and have children in Newfoundland.

4.2.7.4 Close friendships with international students

SE had made friends with several international students he met after he came to St. John’s. When he first arrived, he had been invited by several international students to join some activities such as playing soccer and watching movie, which made him feel being welcomed and accepted.

When you come to St. John’s, the first time, you have no friends, no families, so you are alone here, how can you make yourself feel warm in a foreign country, so the people, but if the people never talk to you, never invite you, how can you feel warm.

4.2.7.5 Friendliness of local residents

SE felt the local people are “super” friendly. They were tolerant of his wife’s accented English. His co-workers respected his eating habits when he ate some Chinese dishes with special smell. “They try to accept what you are doing instead of shouting at you or showing their strange face to you.” In addition, he was glad and proud to answer the question of “where are you from?” “I like that question, I will say I am from China. The reason is, first, I make myself better than others, and then they will know Chinese people are good, better, diligent, hard-working.”

Though SE has never been treated unfairly so far, he thought discrimination is

unavoidable. “I have to say China is a developing country, we more or less will be discriminated by some other western country people.” He thought the only way to eliminate discrimination was to work hard and to better himself. “Instead of just saying that don’t discriminate me, I work hard, I just use my personal behavior to show Chinese people are diligent.”

Chapter Five – Discussion

Some aspects of life in Newfoundland appeal to international students. These virtues include closeness to nature, clean atmosphere, and a gentle pace of life. In particular, some students think Newfoundland is an ideal place to start their families and raise their children. Though they extol the advantages of living in Newfoundland, few of them decide to settle permanently here. That is to say these virtues are not sufficient to keep these students in this province, as some other factors may push them to leave. These pushing factors include the lack of meaningful connections, discrimination, the lack of supports for accompanying spouses of international students, the lack of career opportunities in sectors other than oil and gas, and the lack of city services such as public transit and snowclearing. Therefore, general policies are needed to improve these areas in order to make Newfoundland more attractive to international students. In this chapter, I first present discussion in depth about these pushing factors in order to shed light on the areas which the government, the university, and the local community could work together to retain international students in this province. I then present the limitations of the study and make future research recommendations.