What is this research about?

Over the last decade, there has been substantial growth in both the number of international students in Canada and the total number of mature student immigrants applying for permanent residency through the international student education pathway. 

Mature international students are over 25, have typically been out of school for several years and have work experience; many are married and parents of young children. 1 in 5 international students is estimated to live with their dependants during their studies. 

Despite their increasing aspirations to settle in Canada, international students are still perceived as temporary visitors, and their families largely remain invisible. Little to no research explores the lives of international student families and their housing experiences are often overlooked in Canada’s immigration and housing planning and policy.  

The goal of this research is to examine the housing experiences of postgraduate international student families living off-campus in the Waterloo Region, analyzing (a) economies of housing (experiences of affordability in relation to financial security), (b) meaning of housing and home making in transience, (c) housing as space of caregiving-receiving.

If you are an international student living off-campus with your dependants in Waterloo Region, please consider participating in this research with your family. If you have questions, please contact us.