Hidden Voices in Transnationalism: International Post-Secondary Student Experiences of Precariousness and Belonging in Ottawa by Dzifa Binka A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario © 2019 Dzifa Binka Abstract International post-secondary students have been highlighted as potential solutions to the skill and talent gaps in the Canadian economy by federal and provincial governments. Despite this, there are gaps in the literature surrounding these students in relation to their lived experiences during their stay. By applying a theoretical framework composed of transnational feminism, precarious immigration and belonging and citizenship literature, this study contributes to the current research by exploring the factors that affect the experiences of international students. Additionally, through semi-structured interviews with international students and associated staff at Carleton University and policy analysis, this study investigates whether federal, provincial and post-secondary institutions are instrumental in producing a sense of belonging or precariousness for these students. The findings indicate that though there are many resources available to foster a sense of belonging and safety, the lack of integration and knowledge across institutional scales produces precarious environments for international students. Key words: international post-secondary students, belonging and citizenship, security and well- being, racialization, transnational migration ii Acknowledgements I would like to first acknowledge and thank the international students and staff who work with them at Carleton University for participating in this study. A special thanks to the Graduate Students’ Association for being such willing participants and helpers in this project. Without all of you, this study could not have happened, and I am truly grateful. Thank you to my supervisor, Dr. Jennifer Ridgley, for your guidance throughout this process. Without you, I would not have been able to accomplish this feat or even begin this program. Your support and generosity were the reasons I was able to come to Canada and start this process, and you have been an amazing encouragement throughout these last two years. Thank you, also, to my committee member, Dr. Amrita Hari, for your invaluable comments, insight and excitement for the project. I would also like to thank my Simunye community for their endless support from afar. Thank you to my connect group and friends at KC for their emotional support and prayers through all the stressful times. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Geography Department and the Department staff and faculty for their guidance and insight, and for answering my numerous questions. Finally, I would not be here without the prayers, and emotional and financial support of my family. My mother, sister, father and brother all contributed to my safety and kept my motivation up while I was here at Carleton. I am also thankful to God. Without my faith, I would not have finished this challenging task. iii Table of Contents Abstract................................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... iii List of Appendices ................................................................................................................ vi 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Research Background .............................................................................................................1 1.2 Context and Justification.........................................................................................................3 1.3 Research Questions .................................................................................................................6 1.4 Thesis Structure ......................................................................................................................7 2 Literature Review and Theoretical Framework ................................................................... 9 2.1 Introduction to the Literature Review .....................................................................................9 2.1.1 International Student Mobility .................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.2 Neoliberal Immigration Policy: The Economic Benefit of International Students.................................... 13 2.1.3 Gaps in the literature ................................................................................................................................. 15 2.2 Introduction to the Theoretical Framework .......................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Belonging and Citizenship ........................................................................................................................ 18 2.2.2 Precariousness ........................................................................................................................................... 22 2.2.3 Transnational Feminism ............................................................................................................................ 25 2.2.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................ 29 3 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 31 3.1 Feminist Methodologies ......................................................................................................... 31 3.2 Recruitment .......................................................................................................................... 34 3.2.1 Recruitment for Organization Contact Interviews .................................................................................... 35 3.2.2 Recruitment for International Student Interviews ..................................................................................... 36 3.3 Research Methods ................................................................................................................. 37 3.3.1 Policy Analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 37 3.3.2 Interviews .................................................................................................................................................. 40 3.4 Reflections on the Research Process ...................................................................................... 43 4 Analysis of Sociopolitical and Economic Resources .......................................................... 47 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 47 4.2 Resources and Recruitment ................................................................................................... 48 4.3 Work and Funding ................................................................................................................ 51 4.4 Healthcare ............................................................................................................................. 56 4.5 Safety and Well-Being ........................................................................................................... 59 4.6 Unasked Questions ................................................................................................................ 62 5 Analysis of International Student Experiences .................................................................. 65 iv 5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 65 5.2 Access to Healthcare ............................................................................................................. 67 5.3 Finances and Finding Work .................................................................................................. 69 5.4 Racialized Awareness, Culture Difference and Community Connection ............................... 73 5.5 Safety, Resources and Well-Being ......................................................................................... 76 5.6 Things to Consider ................................................................................................................ 81 5.7 Policy Suggestions and Analysis Conclusions ........................................................................ 82 6 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 85 6.1 Post-research Process Reflections .......................................................................................... 85 6.2 Limitations ............................................................................................................................ 87 6.3 Suggestions and Future Research Ideas ................................................................................ 88 Appendices