For Mohak Varshneya, an international student from India in Durham College’s Business – Finance program, the federal government’s announcement of an international student cap earlier this year came as no surprise.
Despite the addition of new skills to his skillset, Varshneya recognizes the challenges posed by the growing number of international students in Canada, particularly in terms of housing and access to resources.
“I think the government is taking the right step,” he says.
Against this backdrop of personal stories such as Varshneya’s, the federal government’s new policy to limit international student admissions casts a shadow over the future of global diversity in Canadian education.
The government of Canada says international students offer diverse perspectives to universities and colleges, which supports Canada’s economic, social, and cultural aspects.
More than two thousand international students from more than 60 countries attend Durham College, bringing their unique individual experiences to the post-secondary institution.
The federal government’s announcement in January to cap international student numbers, varying by province, has stirred mixed feelings. Varshneya understands the frustrations but also sees the problems firsthand.
“Being here for the past two years, I’ve seen the problems myself,” he says. “I get where [the government] is coming from.”
On the other hand, Fathima Mohammed Ahamed, an international in the college’s Data Analytics program, says the cap is overwhelming.
Mohammed Ahamed says it’s shocking when federal policies are implemented so quickly, leaving no time to adjust. “We know what we’re signing up for, but the problem happens when things change rapidly.”
She explains the issues with the cap are particularly disconcerting due to the frequent information changes affecting current international students.
Mohammed Ahamed says after the announcement, the federal government made several alterations to the cap’s details, causing significant confusion among students. “It’s not a blog post; it’s a rule. You cannot just edit [a] rule within three days,” she says.
Thom MacDonald, dean of International Education at Durham College, also recognizes the difficulties international students face and the potential financial implications of the new policy.
He says that international students have many challenges and “they don’t need to have more things heaped on to them.”
Despite these challenges, MacDonald stresses the importance of keeping Durham College accessible to all students, underscoring its commitment to inclusivity and support for its diverse student body.