Kapish Chhabra
To all my fellow international students out there, remember that you are not alone —
embrace the journey, because in the end, it's these experiences that shape us into who we are meant to be.
VFR: Kapish, tell us about yourself and your journey to Canada as post-secondary student.
Kapish Chhabra: I came to Canada in September 2022, and my journey here has been filled with exciting opportunities and various challenges. When I first arrived here, I was completely clueless about local food and resources. I didn't know where to shop, what to buy, or even how to cook; and I ended up skipping meals more often than I'd like to admit. I was essentially living on instant noodles, which were neither healthy nor sustainable.
After almost 25 days in Canada, I got my first part-time job in Canada as a call centre agent. Managing studies, work, and other home chores was stressful. Living on my own was challenging, and there were some instances where I almost burnt my house down while cooking; but with time, I learnt everything. Realizing that I couldn't survive on noodles forever, and that my cooking skills needed a serious upgrade, I turned to my lifeline – video calls with my mom, where she would patiently guide me through the basics of cooking. My mom became my cooking mentor, even from thousands of miles away.
Over time, I discovered local grocery stores and started experimenting with the local cuisine. I started interacting with various people on campus, such as the college nurses. I became aware of the help that my college (Columbia College) provided to students, in terms of easy access to foods, such as grocery items once every two days, snack kits, and gift cards to purchase groceries.
Over time, I also developed a deeper understanding of the challenges that international students face in Vancouver. It was not just about the food; it was also about adapting to a new culture, learning to navigate a different education system, finding decent work and affordable housing, and building a support network.
VFR: Part of your work with the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition has been exploring how food insecurity and navigating new food systems impacts international students and you have your own experiences with these issues – please share.
KC: Working with the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition has provided me with a deeper understanding of critical topics, such food insecurity and lack of sufficiently accessible food programs.
The impact of food insecurity on international students is significant. While my work during this practicum has given me deeper insights into these issues, I have also personally navigated through some unspoken difficulties. As an international student, I have encountered moments where I have had to tell lies to my family or friends about having enough to eat to avoid causing concern to my loved ones.
There are times when I feel like returning to my home country because of the unbearable hardships here. This longing is not just for the familiarity of my homeland, but it's also connected to the sense of food security I once had there. The idea of going back where you do not have to worry about having enough to eat is an emotion that many international students can relate to.
VFR: Tell us more about some of the key challenges international students face when it comes to accessing food on a regular basis.
KC: International students face numerous challenges when it comes to accessing food – for example, financial constraints, limited time, the combined demands of work and studies, finding culturally appropriate food options as well as being unfamiliar with a new food system.
The workload and academic stress can be overwhelming; adjusting to a new education system can be hard; and, at the same time, working part-time adds even more pressure. Being occupied by various tasks and daily stresses leaves many international students with no time to access healthy food, cook, and eat properly.
It is important to note that international students often pay significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students, leaving them with limited financial resources to live on.
For example, the tuition at Simon Fraser University for domestic undergraduate students is approximately $6400 annually; however, for international undergraduate students the fees are $33,000 each year. At the University of British Columbia, tuition fees are just over $5840 (first year domestic Arts student); but if you are an international student in the same program, you will be paying approximately $44,900 in tuition fees. These financial pressures place extreme stress on international students.
Coupled with restrictions on work hours, this makes it even harder for many international students to afford the basics, like food and housing. While the Living Wage is $24.08 per hour in Vancouver, most international students work minimum wage jobs paying $16.75 per hour, which hardly helps them survive, when you factor in rising inflation and housing affordability. As a result, they are barely left with any money to purchase enough food after paying rent and other bills. Therefore, many international students are left with no choice but to skip meals or eat less.
VFR: International students have shared some personal stories with you. Can you please share what they have to say on this issue?
KC: For this article, I interviewed more than 25 international students to have a deeper understanding of the challenges that my peers face. It broke my heart to witness the unspoken difficulties my friends went through; and, sadly, a number felt shame over their circumstances.
In one of the interviews, a student said that he was unable to find affordable housing when he initially came here, and he had to spend a night or two at a bus stop awake the whole night. Completely unaware about the food system in Canada as well as scared and embarrassed to ask for help, he was compelled to skip meals for two consecutive days. He also added, “I wish there was more awareness about accessible food programs, so that no other student has to go through the problems I faced.”
One of my classmates shared: "As an international student, I've faced many challenges in Canada in terms of finding an accommodation, a job, and struggling with food when their is rising inflation. I came here back in Summer 2023, and I’ve lost over eight pounds since then. I didn’t know food insecurity is such a major issue in Canada, neither was I made aware of this. I work minimum wage and pay around $800 for rent and $200 for basic bills — and after that, I am barely even left with any money to afford groceries. All I can get now for $50 is milk, eggs, bread, and some basic veggies that barely last."
Another student added, "I sometimes skip meals to save money. The high cost of living here is really challenging. Everything here is so expensive. I recently came to know about the College’s snack kit program, and I have been relying on the food banks and other facilities since then. Sometimes, I feel embarrassed for doing so."
One student emphasized the urgency of action — to come up with possible solutions to these problems. She added: “It's not enough to merely acknowledge the problems. We must implement some feasible solutions before the damage these issues cause is irreversible.”
As a student myself, I want to emphasize this: students must try to seek out help whenever it is necessary. It could be reaching out to college/university nurses, student engagement ambassadors, or your friends – because every little bit of help makes a difference.
VFR: It's evident that food insecurity among international students is a complex and urgent topic. How can we "move the needle" in a positive direction and address this concern?
KC: As an international student in Canada, I have personally witnessed the struggles of my peers in accessing affordable and nutritious food. Food insecurity is a serious issue that deserves attention and action.
By understanding the challenges, sharing personal stories, and advocating for change, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for international students in Canada. It is evident that food insecurity among international students is a complex issue and it has to be resolved as soon as possible.
Accessible Support Services: Universities and colleges need to expand accessible food programs, offer meal plans at lower costs, and provide better financial counselling to international students. Also, activities that can help them in relieving their stress could include workshops for cooking, time management skills, managing finances, and knowledge about nutrition. International students should also be made aware of potential “scammers” and Canadian rights.
Raise Awareness: We need to increase awareness about food insecurity among international students, especially highlighting its racial dimensions, to foster empathy and support for international students living in Canada. Also, awareness about community food programs through emails and notice boards can help students learn about available food supports near them.
Advocacy for Policy Changes: International student organizations, along with local community groups, should advocate for policy changes that address the unique challenges faced by international students. For example, colleges should offer instalment plans for tuition fees, which would give students more time to arrange payment for their tuition with less pressure.
Let's ensure that no student in Canada must choose between education and a meal! 🍎
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