International Youth Canada Organized Chai with CGI

On January 24 in Toronto, International Youth Canada (IYC) hosted a special “Chai with CG” event. 22 student leaders from Ontario colleges and universities, educators, and community members attended the event.
Student leaders talked about several essential problems and difficulties foreign students face in Canada.

Among them were the challenges of renting an apartment, safety, and security when using public transportation, insecure employment, exploitation, racial profiling, and the need for additional assistance from Canadian authorities. Student leaders expressed to the Consul General their worries that many overseas students are misled by some dubious organizations up until they board flights in India, and that once they arrive in Canada, things are frequently very different.

Odd work schedules and traditional shifts can make it harder for students to concentrate on their academic work or add more stress to newly arrived immigrants’ already demanding lives in Canada.

More than 20 areas where some types of interventions are necessary or desirable were mentioned by student leaders. The Consul General, Mrs. Apoorva Srivastava, endorsed the need for an action plan to address or lessen the effects of the most critical challenges and offered her support. The Consul General also exhorted International Youth Canada to raise awareness before, during, or after students’ times of need. The main way that IYC and Community organizations may collaborate is by giving students more ways to connect and access resources.

IYC is a nonprofit organization that helps international students in Canada develop their skills through activities including networking events, raising awareness, and assisting and connecting them to resources. The Indian Consulate General has shown a genuine interest in resolving the issues by using a variety of methods and engaging directly with students and neighborhood organizations.
The program’s attendees were thanked for participating by Jerin Raj, President of International Youth Canada, who also extended a warm welcome to the Consul General. The conversations were chaired by Prashant Srivastava, Director of International Business Development at Seneca College, who focused on the pertinent concerns.

For wider distribution among international students, Nagasarath Pandurangi offered a preview of the most recent edition of the international student guide. Jose Varghese commended CG Apoorva Srivastava for her significant efforts to connect international students while recognizing the excellent support provided by the Consulate General’s Office.
A forum called “Chai with CG” has emerged as the motivating force behind international students in Canada.

Prabhnoor Kaur