International Student STORIES: Global Flows of Education, Labour & Dreams
STORY 8 (Interviewing with Tenzin – International Student Experience in Canada by Isabelle Brown)
Moving from home countries to host countries, settling down from coast to coast; here, we offer Stories from International Students in Canada. These are students’ voices and may echo your own experience. Even though they may not be known personally (names are protected for privacy), we invite you to hear: why they chose Canada to study, how they have worked to build new lives here, the ways in which they contribute and make a difference both at home and here, and significantly, how their lives cross paths with Jesus Christ.
From Bhutan, Tenzin is now a student studying at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC. Moving to Canada with his wife, Tenzin enjoys his study while finding out many barriers and stressful moments only international students may experience. Read more to know how Tenzin and his wife are still grateful for the most part in their Canadian life.
Story 8 – Interviewing with Tenzin, by Isabelle Brown
(Author, Isabelle Brown is a student in the Honours program in English Writing at Redeemer University, where she is a reporter for The Crown, their student-run newspaper)
Tenzin comes from a small country in the eastern part of Himalayas called Bhutan. He and his wife currently reside in British Columbia, where Tenzin studies Leadership at Trinity Western University. Tenzin came to Canada with a diploma in tourism management, hoping to broaden his horizons. He was formerly a travel guide in Bhutan but when Covid-19 took place, hospitality and tourism in Bhutan shut down. Tenzin thought this was a good time to upgrade his education and came to study in Canada in 2023. Feeling grateful to be able to study in Canada, Tenzin has nonetheless faced many obstacles and “added stresses” that have made being an international student a bit difficult compared to other domestic Canadian students.
Barriers to international students: High tuition fees and changing visa policies
High tuition fees have added to the difficulties of studying in Canada. He and his wife were fortunate enough to have money saved up, and were able to acquire a loan from financial institutions in Bhutan covering approximately 40% of their estimated overall expenses (living, tuition etc.). The loan came up to about $38,000 Canadian dollars.
“International students pay almost five times more than what domestic students pay,” says Tenzin. On top of this, currency exchange rates between developed and developing countries are very different so it adds “increased pressure” to international students.
Student visas and work permit policies have changed for students upon graduation, since November of 2024. “When we initially applied for our study visa, spouses were granted an open work permit for three years, allowing them to support their partners in both emotional and financial aspects during this journey. Upon graduation, students were able to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which also allowed for the renewal of their spouses’ work permits,” Tenzin expressed. However, since 2024, international students have not been automatically eligible for work permits. They must take a language proficiency test and meet the minimum requirement. However, Tenzin stated that before coming to Canada, he and his wife had already taken a language proficiency test as part of the immigration process. This added requirement will leave him with more uncertainty when he graduates.
“Despite our dedication to contributing to the Canadian economy …the recent decision by the government not to allow extensions for spouses’ work permits presents a significant challenge …after years of commitment and integration into Canadian society,” Tenzin relates. He is now faced with the possibility of being separated from loved ones.
Harder adjustment to Canadian society; Finding neighbors with shared values
Integrating into Canadian society has not been easy for Tenzin and his wife. At times, the international student experience inevitably comes with discrimination or xenophobia. He mentions that sometimes people think there are too many immigrants in the country and feel like opportunities are being taken away from them. “Where the domestic students’ lives and dreams start, ours end,” he conveys. He feels that sometimes people seeing so many international students make them frustrated, “and their frustration goes straight to the immigrants.”
However, Tenzin is still grateful for his experience, and ultimately “feels at peace” within Canadian society. He believes that sometimes an experience as a whole isn’t always black and white or either good or bad, it’s both. Meditating on the good has made it an experience that Tenzin remains thankful for.
The resources that have been offered to him by Trinity Western University, including academic advisors and the international student community, have aided Tenzin in “easing the stress.”
“In British Columbia, we are fortunate to have a small but vibrant Bhutanese community, comprising fewer than 1500 individuals. We share many values with our Canadian neighbors, particularly the importance of community support and assistance.” This community has helped Tenzin and his wife feel welcomed and connected while being far away from home.
After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Leadership, Tenzin hopes to find a job in his field or work as a social worker. For his long-term planning, he would like to start a mobile travel company back home. Though life has not been easy, Tenzin stated, “For the most part, my experience has been a good one.”
Want to know more? Join GSC for our International Student STORIES Webinar on Tue. March 24 @ 7 pm ET.
Co-hosted by Canadian Scientific & Christian Affiliation
Email admin@globalscholarscanada.ca for the link.