Please think twice before coming to Canada as an international student, personal opinion

[Romin1995]

Please think carefully before deciding to come to Canada as an international student.

I came here full of hope — dreaming of quality education, a better future, and a clear path to permanent residency. But the reality has been far more difficult than I ever imagined.
The rules keep changing. IRCC has made the path to PR uncertain and incredibly competitive, even for those of us who have followed every step, worked hard, and done everything "right." You can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars, only to graduate with a degree that doesn’t carry much weight in the job market! Do you really want that?!
The stress is constant — about your immigration status, your finances, your future. And now, many of us are facing the heartbreaking possibility of being forced to leave the country we hoped to call home.
On top of that, discrimination and isolation are very real experiences here. It’s painful and disillusioning. Canada is no longer the welcoming land of opportunity it claims to be — especially not for international students.
Please, do your research. Talk to people who are living this reality. Be careful before investing your time, money, and dreams. I wish someone had told me all this before I made the leap.

 

[canuck78]

Please think carefully before deciding to come to Canada as an international student.

I came here full of hope — dreaming of quality education, a better future, and a clear path to permanent residency. But the reality has been far more difficult than I ever imagined.
The rules keep changing. IRCC has made the path to PR uncertain and incredibly competitive, even for those of us who have followed every step, worked hard, and done everything "right." You can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars, only to graduate with a degree that doesn’t carry much weight in the job market! Do you really want that?!
The stress is constant — about your immigration status, your finances, your future. And now, many of us are facing the heartbreaking possibility of being forced to leave the country we hoped to call home.
On top of that, discrimination and isolation are very real experiences here. It’s painful and disillusioning. Canada is no longer the welcoming land of opportunity it claims to be — especially not for international students.
Please, do your research. Talk to people who are living this reality. Be careful before investing your time, money, and dreams. I wish someone had told me all this before I made the leap.

I don’t think most are open to hearing the challenges although maybe slightly mot than they used to be. Have been discouraging international students from attending many schools especially colleges and doing certain degrees for the past decades and most are not even willing to consider the advice. Within the past month think multiple people on their forum have been actively trying to tell a potential international student to not do an MBA at a private university. Stressed that the degree would be poor qualify, most employers would not have heard of the university and it would not lead to career opportunities in Canada. Also that the amount of money they have saved was not sufficient to live in most of Canada wave if they planed on living a very frugal lifestyle. They refused to listen. Sadly many of the people pushing the false narrative that life in Canada is easy are actually fairly recent newcomers and international students. The cost of living and the job market are struggles for most in Canada although still better than other places in the world. People need to do their research and have realistic expectations. This has always been the case but as the world faces more challenges it is more important.

 

[Romin1995]

I don’t think most are open to hearing the challenges although maybe slightly mot than they used to be. Have been discouraging international students from attending many schools especially colleges and doing certain degrees for the past decades and most are not even willing to consider the advice. Within the past month think multiple people on their forum have been actively trying to tell a potential international student to not do an MBA at a private university. Stressed that the degree would be poor qualify, most employers would not have heard of the university and it would not lead to career opportunities in Canada. Also that the amount of money they have saved was not sufficient to live in most of Canada wave if they planed on living a very frugal lifestyle. They refused to listen. Sadly many of the people pushing the false narrative that life in Canada is easy are actually fairly recent newcomers and international students. The cost of living and the job market are struggles for most in Canada although still better than other places in the world. People need to do their research and have realistic expectations. This has always been the case but as the world faces more challenges it is more important.

I myself graduated from UBC(master's) and still DISCOURAGE students from studying inCanada. I know the truth is harsh, I wish I knew this before , unfortunately life doesn't have undo buttons.

 

[Romin1995]

I don’t think most are open to hearing the challenges although maybe slightly mot than they used to be. Have been discouraging international students from attending many schools especially colleges and doing certain degrees for the past decades and most are not even willing to consider the advice. Within the past month think multiple people on their forum have been actively trying to tell a potential international student to not do an MBA at a private university. Stressed that the degree would be poor qualify, most employers would not have heard of the university and it would not lead to career opportunities in Canada. Also that the amount of money they have saved was not sufficient to live in most of Canada wave if they planed on living a very frugal lifestyle. They refused to listen. Sadly many of the people pushing the false narrative that life in Canada is easy are actually fairly recent newcomers and international students. The cost of living and the job market are struggles for most in Canada although still better than other places in the world. People need to do their research and have realistic expectations. This has always been the case but as the world faces more challenges it is more important.

I agree with every bit of it. I come from a well-off family so I didn't struggle financially, however, I've seen people living a really frugal life style, lining up at the food banks! Is it worth it?? Is this the life they were aspiring?!

 

[canuck78]

I myself graduated from UBC(master's) and still DISCOURAGE students from studying inCanada. I know the truth is harsh, I wish I knew this before , unfortunately life doesn't have undo buttons.

Not sure what type of masters you did but the current value of a masters degree (even from a reputable school) and whether it makes sense to pursue one is a larger discussion not related to immigration.

 

[Romin1995]

Not sure what type of masters you did but the current value of a masters degree (even from a reputable school) and whether it makes sense to pursue one is a larger discussion not related to immigration.

Let's keep the type of degree aside, one last thought is that education is not a guaranteed pathway for PR. I've met with people who have been here for more than 7 years, after spending a lot on education, with no PR.

 

[canuck78]

Let's keep the type of degree aside, one last thought is that education is not a guaranteed pathway for PR. I've met with people who have been here for more than 7 years, after spending a lot on education, with no PR.

It was never a guaranteed pathway to PR just like many other countries.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

It was never a guaranteed pathway to PR just like many other countries.

Agreed. Absolutely. This misconception still exists. The expectations were incorrect and, as a result, disappointment but there's nobody here to blame.