Should I stay or should I go? The challenges and best practices for retaining international students in rural communities

Statistics Canada reports that 50% of international students who remain in Canada post-graduation relocate from the city in which they studied for another region of Canada, and the provincial retention rates were considerably lower in the Atlantic provinces, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan (Choi, Crossman, Hou, 2021). Yet, research remains scarce on the drivers that influence international students’ decisions to leave or remain in their rural setting after graduation.

This webinar is focused on this issue. We seek to explore what universities, municipalities, and community organizations are doing to support international students’ retention, integration, and employment in Canadian rural communities. We are also interested in understanding the impact of the 2024 new policies on international education on rural communities, specific challenges students encountered, and potential solution. Our hope is to make clear what is at stake and advise on best practices overall.

Speakers

• Larissa Bezo: President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE).
• Andrew Champagne: President and Chief Executive Officer of EduNova.
• Aurélie Lacassagne: Full Professor, School of Conflict Studies, Saint-Paul University.
• Franklin Mafouo: International Student Retention Program (ISRP) Manager for CAFi, New-Brunswick.
• Meighan Wark: Chief administrative Officer (CAO) of the County of Huron, Ontario.