International Students as Future Citizens

Project Description:

Universities are increasingly focused on recruiting fee-paying undergraduate foreign students to increase their revenues and enhance their international profiles and networks. Simultaneously, the Canadian government has begun to develop strategies for attracting foreign students as future citizens, including an initiative to make it easier for these students to obtain permanent residence status. This study examines the experiences of two groups of international students at the University of Western Ontario. In the first group are international students in their first year of university, while in the second are pre-university students enrolled in an English as a Second Language program on campus. Using surveys and focus groups, the project examines the sociological and psychological predictors of successful adaptation and academic performance and identifies indicators of success. The research tests the applicability of theoretical models of migration to the experiences of international students and will provide evidence-based advice on how to improve the retention and success of international students in Canada.

Leads (Names and Cities of researchers):

Danièle Bélanger, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON
Wei Wei Da, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON
Victoria Esses, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON
Wolfgang Lehmann, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON

Start Date: July 2010

Deliverables:

Report
Presentations
Publication in peer-reviewed journal

Funder: The University of Western Ontario

Pilot cities/sites (if relevant): London