Supporting a growing international student population at Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Abstract

This thesis examined how can Saskatchewan Polytechnic Student Services (SPSS) and the School of Business more effectively support international students to improve the student experience. This is a timely topic, as it is not only a local phenomenon, but also a global trend in internationalization. Using action research engagement with an appreciative lens, the international student experience was examined with interviews and focus groups. Adhering to Royal Roads University and Saskatchewan Polytechnic ethics policies, experience from the perspectives of international students and SPSS staff and faculty were examined. Two broad themes with four subthemes each emerged as the key findings from this study. The theme of institutional factors included admissions, orientation, communication, and supportive staff, and the theme of individual factors included academic experience, social experience, language, and basic necessities. The eight recommendations presented cover the areas of increasing educational opportunities, improving communication, increasing social media presence, and building infrastructure.