In Canada Indian students are facing a major problem which is lack of job opportunities amid India-Canada strained relations in the wake of accusations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India.
According to data, in 2022 India was the top source country of new international students entering the North American country.
Erudera’s data indicates that across all education levels, including higher education, there are a total of 807,750 international students in Canada. Out of these in 2022, 551,405 students received study permits in Canada. As per Erudera data, India has the most study permit holders in 2022 in Canada with 226,450 students.
An Indian student reported to PTI saying that, “I am not concerned about the India-Canada rift so much. I am very concerned and worried about my future. There is a huge shortage of jobs here, and I don’t know whether I will be able to get a work once I complete my studies.”
Another student who is following a course in health services at an institute in the Greater Toronto area said that he is worried about getting work.
He added, “In Canada I know a lot of Indian students with medical degrees are struggling to find a decent-paying job and they end up working in stores and driving cabs, this is a very difficult situation which we are facing,” reported PTI.
“Our parents have spent a lot for us, to study in Canada. We had high hopes that we could find good jobs which will sustain us and also help us to take care of our families in India. We are unable to do that,” he said.
From Haryana an Indian student said, “We came to Canada, thinking that once we complete our education here, we will be able to get well-paying jobs and help our parents and families back at home in India. But there are no jobs; the cost of living is very high, healthcare is back-breaking and we are having a hard time to make ends meet,” reported PTI.
At the end of December 2022, there were about 320,000 Indian students with active study permits, which is a steep jump of 47% as compared to 2021 figures, according to ICEF Monitor. ICEF is a market intelligence resource for the global education industry.
ICEF Monitor mentioned, “Indian students reported for nearly four out of every ten foreign students in Canada as of the end of 2022.”
One student told PTI that, “Parents have had to sell lands, properties and take big loans to pay for the higher education of their children in Canada.”
Indian students expressed their worries and anxiousness over their future career prospects, since their parents in India had gone through many hardships to send them for higher studies abroad.
