Recruitment to retention : post-graduation adaptation of international students

Abstract

Coupled with strategic and recent immigration policy shifts, Canada has taken substantial efforts to recruit and retain international students. Viewed as a future Canadian-educated skilled workforce, international students will become part of the country’s future economic prosperity and labour-market. This study explores the impact of immigration policies that are rooted in the post-graduation adaptation of twenty former international students (FIS) through semi-structured interviews. Drawing from on the stress-adaptation-growth dynamic theory, the findings suggest previous experience of studying at the post-secondary level in Canada plays a role in the student-to-work transition. In addition, internal and external factors impact the stress and adaptation of FIS during their post-graduation transition as well as influence future intentions to apply for permanent residence. Oscillating between two choices, clear immigration policies and crucial support to enter and contribute to the Canadian labour market are necessary to retain international students. Discourse on future research is explored.