Ottawa’s decision to allow foreign students to work more than 20 hours per week until the end of 2023 is a major change in the lives of thousands of students, including myself. Although many people remain skeptical about the correctness of such a provision, on social networks, many international students have welcomed the news.
Posted at 1:00 p.m.
People who are skeptical of this measure believe that it could harm graduation rates and thus compromise the possibility of having skilled workers in future generations of temporary immigrants to Canada. Although this possibility remains significant, I firmly believe, in the light of my own experience, that it is possible to work full time and to succeed in your studies full time.
Have faith in international students, they have faith in Canada.
When I put my suitcases on Querbes Avenue in Montreal on September 13, 2019, it was with the intention of returning six months later to my country of origin with a Microprogram diploma in public health.
However, a few weeks later, by force of circumstance, I was registered for the DESS in global health with an option to register for the master’s in public health when admissions next opened in the fall of 2020. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures, online classes, and the seemingly long and endless time. It then occurred to me to apply for a second admission to the master’s degree in international development management at the faculty of administrative sciences (FSA/ULaval) at Laval University, in addition of course to the master’s degree in public health at the University of Montreal (ESPUM/UdeM) in progress.
A helping hand to the healthcare system
Meanwhile, in the face of COVID-19, with the idea of lending a hand to the Quebec health system, I, the Beninese pharmacist who graduated in 2012, was then called to a CHSLD of the CIUSSS de l’île de Montreal as part of the “I contribute” program, as a clinical service assistant, before being retained as an infection prevention and control officer at the Montreal regional public health department (DRSP/Montreal ). I therefore held the position of Planning, Programming and Research Officer in the Infection Prevention and Control Brigade of the DRSP/Montreal from July 13, 2020, first full-time, until August 31, 2020, then part-time, i.e. 20 hours per week until August 1er April 2022.
At the same time, in September 2020, I started my two master’s courses. At the height of my occupation time, I slept about 5 hours a day, I had 18 credits (UEC) to validate in the two universities, and I took care of my two children simultaneously. Today, 106 UEC1 later, with 51 CEUs obtained at FSA/ULaval and 55 CEUs obtained at ESPUM/UdeM, nearly $70,000 in tuition fees paid, I obtained two master’s degrees in Quebec with averages above honours: 3.86 at ULaval and 3.963 at UdeM.
Yes, it is therefore possible to work full-time and devote yourself conscientiously full-time to your studies.
As for the fear of seeing foreign students abandon their studies, this is easily verifiable by Canadian immigration, especially since many renew their study permit before the end of their studies, renewal conditioned by proof of having studied full-time.
This measure will certainly allow us to increase not only our work experience in Canada, but also to increase our income for the good of the Canadian economy.
Have confidence in foreign students, they are proud, they are aware that they must study to position themselves in a new society which they aspire to integrate.
1. Continuing education unit commonly referred to as a credit.