Exploring Resiliency Among International Students

This project included three specific research questions:

Specific Research Questions:

• RQ 1: How Diverse are the ISs from India Pursuing a Bachelors’ Degree in the GTA: Differentiated by the type of institution attended (Universities and Community Colleges) and their Geographical Locations within the GTA (Downtown/Inner and Outer Suburbs)? What is the volume of ISM from India to the GTA between 1981 and the present (at the time of data collection)? What are the socio-demographic characteristics of ISs from India in the GTA (e.g., gender and age at migration, the province/village/city in India, specific disciplinary backgrounds/ types of institutions attended prior to migration, language proficiency), and how are they differentiated by the type of institution (i.e., Universities and Community Colleges) and their geographical location within the GTA (Downtown/Inner and Outer Suburbs)? How and why do Indian ISs choose which type of degree they should pursue, which institutions to apply for and where? How does the selection process affect the socio-demographic profile of ISs from India to the GTA? What strategies do institutions adopt to attract ISs from India to the GTA? Are there any differences between the universities and the colleges in this regard? What role do transnational institutional and social networks play in the recruit process as well as in ISs’ own decision making?
• RQ 2: What are the Similarities and Differences in the Barriers Faced by ISs from India Pursuing a Bachelors’ Degree in the GTA: Differentiated by the type of institution attended (Universities and Community Colleges) and their associated Geographical Locations within the GTA (Downtown/Inner and Outer Suburbs)? What are some of the similarities and differences in academic and non-academic barriers faced by Indian ISs attending Universities and Community Colleges in the GTA? Does the geographical location of the institution have an impact on enhancing/minimizing the barriers? What role do transnational institutional and social networks play in mitigating some of these challenges faced by this specific cohort of ISs from India?
• RQ 3: What types of Settlement Service are Needed/Available/Accessed by ISs Students from India Pursuing a Bachelors’ Degree in the GTA: Differentiated by the type of institution attended (Universities and Community Colleges) and their associated Geographical Locations within the GTA (Downtown/Inner and Outer Suburbs)? What types of on and off campus services are needed/available/accessed by Indian ISs living in the GTA? How do these differ by type of institutions and their geographical locations within the GTA? What role do transnational networks play in providing support to this specific cohort of IS from India?

By June 2019 data collection for all three research questions was completed.

1. Student Research Papers and MRPs: The undergraduate student RA were encouraged to write their 4thyear research paper using the research findings, while the MA students were encouraged to write their undergraduate research papers and MRPs on a related topic.
2. Research Briefs and Journal Articles: The PI wrote co-authored research briefs and journal articles with co-PIs and the community partners.
3. Workshops: The PI organized one-day workshops at the premises of the community organization and at the universities/community colleges in collaboration with the international students’ organizations, to disseminate the research findings.
4. Domestic and International Conferences: The research findings were presented at domestic (CAG) and international conferences (AAG).