International Students First 48 Hours
In collaboration with the Office of the Associate Vice-President, International Student Experience and Centre for International Experience, the Innovation Hub sought to identify a small and diverse group of 8 international students who were willing to document their first 48 hours in Canada using journals, video diaries, and participating in interviews. The data and stories collected were used to better understand the needs on incoming international students as they arrive to Canada for the first time. We hope the insights from this research will help the University of Toronto create future programs and services to support international students.
Fall/Winter 2023 - 2024
What do International students experience when they first arrive in Canada?
International students enrich the University of Toronto with their diverse perspectives and experiences. Our team took a human-centred approach, using in-depth qualitative research methods and design thinking strategies to foster rich data collection and elicit honest stories from students about their perspectives. We translated their stories into 3 themes that will build a better understanding of what it is like for international students when they first arrive in Canada.
OUR APPROACH
In the summer of 2023, we initiated a widespread call for participants for an opportunity called, International Students First 48 Hours in Canada Project where we identified 8 International students to document their first 48 hours in Canada. Students recorded their journeys through video diaries and journals. Before the students left for Canada, we conducted interview sessions where we asked them about their experiences and their preparation to study abroad. In September 2023, we held a Welcome Celebration & Filming Day, where we facilitated an event for the international students to meet and share their experiences. We conducted a series of interviews to better understand their journey and initial month settling in Canada.
The results of these interviews were compiled into the documentary, International Students: First 48 Hours in Canada. In October 2023, we conducted interviews to further learn about student experiences settling in Canada and U of T. Our data was transcribed and de-identified and included the interview transcripts, journals, and summary of the video diaries. In our examination of the data, we used grounded analytical techniques to gain a deeper understanding of the core needs students communicated and developed a vision based on our insights.
KEY FINDINGS
The University of Toronto increasingly welcomes diverse global perspectives that defy current boundaries of knowledge
We found that international students arrive at the University of Toronto with a natural sense of curiosity that allows them to see Canadian perspectives through an exploratory lens. Students described facing both excitement and instability at the cultural shock of arriving in a new country and shared how these experiences challenged their understanding of the world. The international students we spoke to willingly embraced change amidst the discomfort of adjusting to life in a new country, allowing them to broaden their worldviews in exciting ways. With new experiences came new learning for our participants, and we saw how valuable their perspectives became in academic conversations and beyond. We envision learning spaces that empower international students to confidently leverage their unique experiences within and across global cultures to challenge and interconnect existing knowledge systems.
Arriving in Canada to Study: International students demonstrated a sense of persistence and determination in their journey to Canada. They also emphasized a sense of belonging in unfamiliar landscape. The importance of feeling secure is also vital to them.
Expanding Identity as a Global Citizen: Embracing their cultural heritage allowed students to be grounded while navigating unfamiliar environments. In addition, they excitingly explored their identities as independent individuals within the context of becoming residents in Canada to study.
What is Home?: Students expressed the importance of retaining a connection to their original home and country of origin while transitioning to life in Canada. They also experienced tension between homesickness and excitement, where they have to explore their aspirations and goals while studying abroad.