International Student leaders deliberate on their issues and brainstorm ideas with Consul General Apoorva Srivastava, at CGI on enhancing their profile in Canadian Society.
Toronto, Ontario. January 2023 — “Chai with CG”,-a special event was organized by International Youth Canada (IYC) on January 24, in Toronto. The event brought together 22 student leaders from Ontario Colleges and Universities, educators , and members of the community youth groups. Student leaders discussed several key issues and challenges faced by international
students in Canada. These included difficulty in finding rental accommodation, safety and security while travelling on public transits, precarious employment, exploitation, racial profiling and need for more support from Canadian authorities. Student leaders shared their concerns with the Consul General that many international students are being misguided by some unscrupulous agencies until boarding flights in India and when they arrive in Canada things are often quite different. Odd work shifts/conventional shifts often lead students to reduced ability to focus on their academic program, or adding more stress to an already stressful life of newcomers to Canada.
Student leaders brought up out more
than 20 areas where some forms of
interventions are essential or desirable. Mrs. Apoorva Srivastava, the Consul General endorsed the need for an action plan to redress or to minimize the impact of most pressing issues, and offered her support. Consul General also encouraged International Youth Canada to create more awareness before or as and when students need it. Providing more platforms for students to stay connected and reaching out to resources is a key area where IYC and Community agencies can work together.
IYC is a non-profit organization that supports students new to Canada to enhance their capabilities to through various measures like networking events, awareness building, and guiding and connecting them to resources. The Consulate General of India has
been taking a keen interest in ameliorating the challenges through various channels and directly interacting with students and community organizations.
Jerin Raj, President of International Youth Canada welcomed the Consul General and appreciated the participants for joining the program. Prashant Srivastava, Director, for International Business Development Seneca College moderated the discussions highlighting key issues involved.
Nagasarath Pandurangi, presented a preview of the most updated version of the International Student guide for wider circulation among International students. Jose Varghese, acknowledged the great support offered by the Consulate General’s Office and thanked CG Apoorva Srivastava, for her extensive initiatives connecting International students.
The ‘Chai with CG’ is a platform that has come up as the inspiring driving force for international students in Canada.
For more information about this event or International Youth in general, please contact Jerin Raj at 647-525-0486, info@internationalyouth.ca | www.intyouth.org
