Survey looks at challenges, needs, and aspirations of international students and their intentions to stay on Cape Breton Island post-graduation.
As part of an international graduate retention initiative launched in 2018, the Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration (CBICI) commissioned a survey to gain a better understanding of challenges, needs, and aspirations of international students and their intentions to stay on Cape Breton Island post-graduation.
The study, which surveyed 140 students in September 2018, provides the Centre with a baseline for student’s perception of the area and intentions to stay after graduation that can be reassessed annually.
In sharing the study’s findings publicly, CBICI hopes to provide the community — and other community and government agencies — with some insight into obstacles to retention.
The survey finds, among other things, that an overwhelming number of respondents (87%) indicated a desire to stay on Cape Breton Island after graduation.
This finding is consistent with previous research — in particular, the 2016 Urban Rural Task Force International Student Survey. And yet, graduate retention rates on Cape Breton Island continue to be low.
“This research highlights some of the complex challenges that we know both newcomers and long-time residents face. Things like employment and our unique winter climate,” says Sohaila Abdo, Manager, Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration, a non-profit division of New Dawn Enterprises.
“But the study also points to some challenges to our growth that can be overcome – inadequate public transportation and housing, and a lack of activities, entertainment, services, and shopping facilities. In this way, it is a very hopeful study. The Island is a highly desirable place for newcomers, and some of the barriers to increasing retention, once newcomers find their way here, are surmountable,” says Abdo.
