Studying in a new home; geographies of international student housing at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

Foroutan, Maryam (2024) Studying in a new home; geographies of international student housing at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

International students are vital to Canada’s economy and immigration systems, with their contributions surpassing $21 billion annually. Despite their significant economic and immigration impacts, they face housing insecurity, a lack of affordable options, and exclusion from government-funded settlement services. Limited research exists on their experiences outside major metropolitan areas, posing challenges for smaller urban centres like St. John’s and Corner Brook. My research aims to address this gap by examining MUNL international students’ housing experiences and their perceptions of (un)welcoming communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Grounded in concepts of international student mobility, geographies of student housing, and welcoming communities, this study incorporates a mixed methodology, involving interviews, a photovoice study, and a survey. The findings highlighted significant housing challenges faced by MUNL international students, exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic as well as mobility challenges due to the pandemic’s travel restrictions. Results also revealed a generally welcoming atmosphere in NL communities, with student participants describing friendly interactions and a sense of neighbourhood but expressed their incomplete sense of being at-home. Thus, this thesis calls for comprehensive solutions to address the housing needs of international students in NL while contributing to broader discussions on immigration and housing.

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