ISSUES WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FUNDING FEATURES

“I wanted to come to Canada because of discrimination,” says Parneet Kaur. A handful of years ago, Kaur traded her home in Northern India for the occluded forest view from a North Shore rental. The recent Business Administration graduate loves being near the water — fitting, maybe, since she’s spent the last half hour reflecting on the isolation of her experience as an international student at Capilano University (CapU).

Kaur’s the kind of girl who greets her days, often from the tiny square of a Zoom screen, in a “Hello Monday!” t-shirt and a smile. It’s the sort of optimism worn bravely between the milieu of 18-hour days filled with online classes, club responsibilities, peer mentorship and a part-time job at Walmart. It’s also a reminder that, like all immigrants caught in the undertow of adjusting to a new life, Kaur wants to belong, and she’s not simply happy to be here.

The road to academia for international students starts by paying three semesters in advance at a tuition rate roughly five times higher than domestic tuition. Many families like Kaur’s pool together finances, just enough to pass the requisites, before pulling back to make ends meet. “$35 [CAD] is like 500,000 rupees. It’s hard for them, but they’d never tell me that.” *editor's note: $35 CAD is the equivalent of 2073.23 rupees at the time of writing.

When COVID-19 hit, borders closed, and students were left stranded thousands of miles from support networks. For Kaur, that’s when the cracks began to show. Despite working the maximum number of hours she’s allotted by the government, in 2020, Kaur found herself buried under tuition, rent and MSP. She came up short, and like many of her domestic peers, turned to financial aid.

“My friends and I believed that when you get good grades, you’re awarded scholarships,” Kaur explains. Sitting at a 4.0 GPA, her first trip to the Financial Aid office had the same brand of optimism she wears on her sleeve. Until the advisor told her: “we don’t expect international students to apply for scholarships. Your parents should’ve paid three semesters in advance.” Kaur says after this trip, she became aware of four possible scholarships she could apply for — none of which she received.

In the last decade alone, international student enrollment in Canadian universities has more than tripled. In September 2020, international study permits issued in British Columbia increased by 43.9 percent from 2019, compared to the national average increase of 1.7 percent. The figures across other provinces vary widely given how international tuition is generally unregulated, but it highlights a nationwide problem. With international student tuition averaging four times that of domestic students, institutions are becoming increasingly reliant on foreign money while leaving students like Kaur without adequate support once the tuition cheques clear.

CIC News, a national Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship media outlet, reports that international students add an annual $22 billion to the Canadian economy, a figure which tops Canada’s export of auto parts, lumber and aircrafts. While many, like Kaur, describe feeling excluded and unwelcome — an experience that often begins in the classroom.

As Morgan Poteet and Bianca Gomez write in the study “It’s Both Ways” in The Journal of New Brunswick Studies, “The sense of belonging [that they] developed as international students [was] detached from the local community, and even from Canada.” Gaps in services related to lack of support and resources for international students directly impact integration and academic success. They advocate for long-term policies and programs, including financial aid, for international students.

CapU policy documents call for “equity in competition and distribution” regarding award and scholarship criteria and “fair and wide distribution of funds.” At present, only 17 of the 301 University-wide awards on the Financial Award portal are for international students. There is no reference within official policy documents to the criteria listed on the Financial Aid website pertaining to being a citizen, permanent resident or landed immigrant. CapU includes a specific page for international student funding, however, there are no distinct criteria provided, as it redirects to the general award criteria page.

A sitting member of a CapU Department Scholarship Committee who wishes to remain anonymous out of respect for the award process explains, “we nominated multiple students [for an internal scholarship] who were declined on the basis that they were international students.” Another anonymous internal source claimed in an email that the Patsy & Crissy George entrance bursary meant for female students of African descent has not been awarded for years, if ever.

Both Associate Registrar Harb Johal and Registrar Kyle Vuorinen report that it’s typical for donors to exclude international students. “The criteria is established based on the donor’s wishes and intent of whom the award will support. This practice is not unique to Canada,” said Johal. “The Capilano excellence scholarship [and] athletic entrance award is available to international students,” Vuorinen added, stating that in 2020 and 2021, 215 international students received funding through the CapU Cares Student Fund.

In April 2020, CapU announced a $242,000 grant from the Ministry of Advanced Education to assist students experiencing financial hardship exacerbated by the pandemic. The grant consisted of $140,000 in supplemental emergency financial assistance to students and an additional $38,000 to supplement Indigenous emergency assistance while encouraging international students to “pursue alternative sources,” including government scholarships.

In response, the Capilano Students Union (CSU) introduced the Student Society Emergency Assistance Fund (SSEA) with $75,000 of emergency funding for both domestic and international students. “One of my coworkers got [SSEA],” said Kaur, who adds that she didn’t meet the criteria herself. “You have to show them you really need it. There’s nothing [CapU] can do besides provide us scholarships, but they don’t.”

“Financial Aid told [the CSU] they had to be classified as emergency funding,” explains former CSU President Emily Bridge. If there is no wording in internal policy to restrict international students from awards, Bridge, like many, is left to wonder where — or from whom — the exclusion originates. “If it’s not a policy [issue], if it’s coming from donors, [we need to] encourage the opening of criteria.”

Bridge encourages any students struggling financially or with finding appropriate answers and resources through Financial Aid to contact the CSU. The more students reach out, the more they help strengthen CSU advocacy and open doors for challenging inequitable practices for international students. Bridge emphasizes the importance of the role domestic students can play in pushing the conversation on equity for their international peers. “If international students are the only ones speaking up, it’s easier for people to not take it seriously,” she said. “We try [to] get people to see [that] these issues are bad for all students, it benefits all of us to see a more equitable process.”

Today, Kaur still lives in North Vancouver. Since graduating last summer, Kaur is still floating in the in-between of a resident and a temporary visitor with a work permit. Eventually, she landed a job in the insurance industry — the kind of job that can be used to apply for permanent residency. Although Kaur hasn’t seen her family in India for over two years, between flight bans and the ongoing pandemic, she tells me how thankful she is that they’re okay — she’s just glad I asked.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: AS TOLD BY THE STARS

Cosmic astrology-based gift giving guidance

ALEXIS ZYGAN (SHE/HER) Contributor

TALIA ROUCK (SHE/HER) Illustrator

POV: The holidays are quickly approaching, and you're unsure what to purchase your pal as a way to say thank you for listening to your gripes about dating, school and work. An avid hobbyist western astrologist, I provide gift suggestions that reject cisnormativity based on the twelve zodiac signs. The dates listed beside each astrological sign reflect a person’s sun sign. When taking into consideration gift ideas ask a friend for an in-depth look at their birth chart so you can also identify their moon and rising.

Aries

(March 21 - April 19)

For the headstrong and bold Aries, buy them a book that'll help manage their anger. It won't work in the heat of the moment, but will appeal to their playful side. Let Your Shit Go: A Book of Intricate and Detailed Swear Words featuring drawings intertwined with filthy words that are sure to have you labelled a potty mouth if you utter them out loud.

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Taurus is known for leading a hedonistic lifestyle where they indulge in soothing scents—until you disagree with them on an issue and their stubborn nature is revealed. An ideal gift for a Taurus is the Stone Diffuser in the colour blush paired with a warm yet passionate aroma such as Fireside by Vitruvi—perfect for cozy nights at home. After all, Taurus is a homebody.

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

A Leo would appreciate it if you purchased them a compact mirror. They would carry it with them always and utilize it to touch up makeup on the go because how dare a person perceive a Leo when they're not looking their best. Pair the compact mirror with a personalized letter featuring ten reasons why they are the best friend ever!

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

I have never met a Virgo who isn't excited about brand new office supplies to organize their workspace. A journal is a perfect gift to curb anxiety and bring a sense of happiness. Because a Virgo is a firm believer that if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail, and preparedness may as well be their love language— potential lovers take note.

Gemini

(May 21- June 20)

The twins tend to dominate a conversation. Mercury, the planet of communication, rules Gemini, so it's no surprise they're social butterflies. Buy them a minimicrophone to go out into the world and record their conversations and share them on TikTok. Again, it shouldn't shock anyone that according to Lickd, the most popular star sign among social media influencers is Gemini.

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Purchase the Cancer in your life a weighted blanket, so they have another excuse to stay in bed snuggled up in a protective layer that emulates the shell of a crab. If a Cancer has welcomed you into their lives, they likely care about you deeply. So keep them nearby but don't ever surprise them unless you want to see their pincers in action.

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)

For this idealistic and bubbly air sign, purchase them a gift to encourage relaxation. Libra is probably exhausted after overbooking their social calendar and could benefit from a night at home chatting with friends on FaceTime. Consider purchasing them the intergalactic bath bomb from Lush. Even though they'll be at home, their bath will transform into a starry night sky. As a sign who values justice, they'll love that you supported a company that doesn't test their beauty products on animals.

Scorpio

(October 23 - November 22)

Scorpios rule sex organs, making them the most erotic sign of the zodiac. So for the passionate, mysterious, and horny Scorpio, buy them a gift certificate to Intamo Pleasurables. A boutique sex shop that recently opened up in Gastown emphasizes inclusive sex education and consent, and sells products designed to make sex more enjoyable.

Sagittarius

(November 22 - December 21)

For the free-spirited fire sign, buy them a plane ticket, but that may be too outlandish, so maybe instead give them the gift of experience through Whistler Bungee. They would be delighted to live life to the fullest by jumping from a bridge 160 feet above ground just above the Cheakamus River and then bouncing back up.

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 19)

For the determined Capricorn in your life who has a hard time having fun, give them a back and spine massager because they're also probably stressed from overworking for not enough pay — capitalism, am I right? Alternatively, book them a massage at Breathing Space Bodywork.

Aquarius

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius, the water bearer, is often mistaken for a water sign. But their unapologetically quirky personality radiates air sign energy. Encourage their creativity by purchasing a disposable film camera, and you'll likely be surprised by what adventures they take it on.

Pisces

(February 19 - March 20)

The final sign of the zodiac, Pisces, is constantly shifting between fantasy and reality—depicted by two fish swimming in two different directions. Allow them to connect their subconscious to their conscious mind by purchasing a Dream Journal by Annie Tarasova. The journal also features bedtime rituals to encourage tranquillity before entering the dream world.