Challenges faced by International students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Ashiq Ali Shah; Alexander Lopes; Linah Kareem

doi:10.32674/jimphe.v4i1.1408

Authors

Ashiq Ali Shah Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8636-6067
Alexander Lopes Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Linah Kareem Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jimphe.v4i1.1408

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the challenges international students face during their studies at Kwantlen polytechnic university. The research focused on the English language, study-related and financial issues, and adjustment to life in Canada. The participants were 25 females and 38 male students of 18- 35 years old from China, India and the Middle East. The materials included a challenges questionnaire, coping and religiosity scales, adjustment in Canada and religious involvement scales, and a demographic questionnaire. The data were collected at three campuses of KPU. The main challenges reported by the majority of international students were high tuition fees, high rents, part-time work, and missing the families. Most international students liked small class sizes, were satisfied with the education, felt comfortable communicating with professors, were welcomed by their peers and had adjusted to Canadian culture. In general, international students who used both emotion-avoidance and problem-focused coping strategies were better at facing challenges.

Author Biographies

Ashiq Ali Shah, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Syed Ashiq Ali Shah, Dr Phil, is a professor in the department of psychology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, BC, Canada. He has also worked at the universities in Germany, Pakistan and Malaysia. His research interests include social-psychological issues, cross-cultural differences in human behaviour, development of indigenous scales and the role of religion and spirituality in human behaviour. He has published in the areas of prejudice and stereotypes, social attitudes, depression, child abuse, drug abuse, culture’s impact on human behaviour, spirituality and religiosity in psychotherapy. He is the consulting and associate editor of a number of international Journals.
Alexander Lopes, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Alexander Lopes, BA, is a graduate in psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. He has worked as a research assistant in different research projects including challenges faced by international students at KPU. He is currently pursuing a degree in specialized nursing. He has multidisciplinary interests with regards to research.
Linah Kareem, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Linah Kareem, BA, is a graduate in psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She has worked as a research assistant in research project on “challenges faced by international students at KPU.” She is working as a student advisor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.