This research article presents the findings of a comprehensive literature review related to the employment and immigration experiences of international students participating in the two-step immigration process to Canada. The purpose of this study is to assess the current state of research related to international students' experiences of transitioning to employment and permanent residence in Canada. This research study also examines the settlement support needed by international students to participate in employment programs and seek permanent residence in Canada.
This literature review provides a deeper insight into the barriers that international students experience when looking for work and permanent residency. Over the past decade, the number of international students seeking employment and permanent residency in Canada has grown significantly. The research questions limit the focus of this study to the barriers that international students experience when seeking employment and permanent residency.
The literature review for this research study found a variety of different themes related to barriers experienced by international students in Canada. Chapter two presents the findings of an extensive literature review on transition problems and barriers experienced by international students when seeking work and permanent residence in Canada.
Internationalization, Recruitment and Retention Policies…
This chapter also discusses the internationalization of higher education and the increase in the recruitment of international students in the countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Finally, the chapter discusses the introduction of employment programs and permanent residency pathways designed to retain international students in Canada. There is significant interest among international students in Canada to participate in employment programs.
The rise in the number of international students in developed countries around the world is largely due to the internationalization of higher education and globalization. According to Canada's Bureau of International Education (CBIE), the growth of international students in Canada between 2008 and 2015 was approximately "92%". The recruitment of international students is a source of income for both Canada and post-secondary institutions (Gopal, 2016, p. 131).
First, the "quality of education" in Canada is higher than the developing countries from which many international students come. The large presence of international students in Canada has immediate and long-term economic benefits. The internationalization of higher education in Canada and the increasing recruitment of international students in accordance with the economic agenda of the Government of Canada to respond to the economic and demographic needs of the country.
Therefore, the retention of international students as skilled migrant workers contributes to Canada's overall economic prosperity.
Transition Barriers to Employment and Permanent Residency…
Lack of Employment Preparation and Barriers to Labor Market Integration Literature on this topic identifies that international students face barriers when entering the Canadian labor market. This perception among employers leads to discrimination against international students and negatively affects their opportunities to secure employment and permanent residence. Qian (2017), who interviewed Chinese international students and the staff of an international student office, reached a similar conclusion.
In some cases, international students stated that there was a lack of internship opportunities in their specific programs (Qian, 2017, p.44). International students viewed an internship as an opportunity to “connect with industry professionals” and they felt the lack of such opportunities left them unprepared to enter the job market in Canada (Scott, et al, 2015, p.8) . Cox (2014) pointed out a lack of “initiatives” among institutions in offering “post-graduation employment readiness programs” for international students (p.43).
Qian's study acknowledged that in addition to the lack of employment readiness programs, the experiences of international students from outside Canada were "undervalued" by employers in Canada. Roach (2011) who studied the service needs and service gaps of international students found “differential service provision”. An international student office in Roach's study acknowledged that providing immigration advice and services to international students was beyond their capacity.
International student office staff interviewed in Qian's study (2017) confirmed that one of the serious challenges of international students is navigating. In reviewing the results of a survey of international students in the Atlantic regions, Belkhodja notes ( 2013) the lack of awareness among students about their options for immigration. Community attachment and identity; and perceptions of discrimination” are among the most important barriers to integration for international students (Scott, et al, 2015).
Scott and colleagues (2015) argue that “socio-cultural adaptation” of international students remains a problem affecting their integration into the host society. Lu and et al (2009) found in their study of Chinese international students that “social and emotional support”. It is clear from the research that international students experience difficulties entering the Canadian labor market due to a lack of employment preparation and Canadian employers' preference for Canadian experience.
Settlement Policy and Best Practices
The lack of support for settlements negatively impacts their immediate settlement and long-term integration of international students in Canada. There are calls for support for settlements for international students at a time when “Canada's. For example, international student offices are charged with assisting international students seeking employment and permanent residence in Canada.
Post-secondary institutions, particularly their international study offices, have a significant role to play in facilitating the transition of international students to work and permanent residence. Research reveals a number of measures that policymakers in Canada could adopt to ease the transition of international students to work and permanent residence. This chapter offers a critical analysis of the challenges international students experience when seeking employment and permanent residence in Canada.
Therefore, these supports must grow to ensure a successful transition of international students to employment and permanent residence. Provincial and territorial governments have significant roles to play in the socio-economic integration of international students. Post-secondary institutions should also combine their available institutional resources to assist with the labor market integration of international students.
Through these adaptations, postsecondary institutions will increasingly involve international students in responding to their needs. The diversity of the international student population contributes to the social and economic prosperity of Canada in a balanced way. The federal government should also ensure a balanced distribution of international students in different regions of the country.
Future research should examine the impact of co-op and internship opportunities on the labor market integration of international students in Canada. Research should also examine the integration of international students into the labor market in different regions and disciplines in Canada. Understanding the factors influencing the recruitment and retention of international students as regulated health professionals in Canada.
Retaining international students in Canada for postgraduate study: Understanding the motivations and drivers of the decision to stay. International students as 'ideal immigrants' in Canada: A disconnect between policy makers' assumptions and the voices of international students.
Discussion and Recommendations
