Options Sparse for International Students Impacted by College Strike

In the wake of the longest labour disruption Ontario colleges have ever seen, thousands of students paying some of the highest tuition fees in the province are finding themselves hard-pressed to get full value.

International students are facing a choice between continuing their studies on condensed schedules with the option to apply for $500 in “hardship” relief, or withdrawing for a refund and potentially jeopardizing their study permits and future immigration prospects.

“You came, you made a long-term plan, you forecast your expenses and your time. I think the international students are the ones who are most affected,” said Silvia Sansoni, a Humber College student from Brazil.

Classes resumed Tuesday for 500,000 students after a five-week labour dispute between college instructors and their employers. Upon their return, all students were given revised class schedules, and two options: stay in class with the option to apply for $500 in “hardship” compensation from the college, or withdraw for a full refund and start the semester over again at a later date.

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