The primary reason students choose to study in Canada is its outstanding quality of education, better job opportunities, and more research opportunities that benefit their future careers. Some students indicated that Canada's cultural diversity and welcoming environment also attract them to the country.
Students experienced a range of challenges, including a sense of belonging, competing with other students, paying tuition, securing accommodation, having an accessible support system, adjusting to the climate, and difficulty finding employment.
The findings revealed four distinct themes that align with existing literature and research questions, including the following:
- Microaggression Experience: When it comes to experiences of microaggressions on campus, survey respondents conveneyed mised sentiments, with some expressing uncertainty about the prevalence of microaggressive incidents while others reported feeling generally at ease.
- Influence on the Sense of Belonging: Regarding the psychological aspects of microaggression experiences, international students expressed feeling that the university is perceived as showcasing diversity and inclusivity but falls short when it comes to providing support to international students.
- Coping with Microaggressions: Coping with microaggressions can be challenging, but the participants provided insights into various strategies for coping with microaggressions, including effective communication, self-talk and empathy, distraction and eotional regulation, and social support and dialogue.
- Suggestions to Minimize Microaggression: International students suggested several steps to be taken by the universities to minimize microaggressions on campus, including training and implementation, ignorance and cultural bias, revise and review policies, increase diversity in staff and faculty, open communication, accountability and consequences, collect data on microaggression and discrimination, and create clubs and other support groups.