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Exploring the Lived Experiences of South Asian International Students in Canadian Higher Education: Implications for Social Work Practice

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Title: Exploring the Lived Experiences of South Asian International Students in Canadian Higher Education: Implications for Social Work Practice
Language: English
Authors: Karun Kishor Karki (ORCID 0000-0002-8712-6831), Ashmin Hari Bhattarai, Charles Gyan
Source: Journal of International Students. 2026 16(4):81-102.
Availability: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Foreign Students, Asians, Postsecondary Education, Student Experience, Student Attitudes, Barriers, Social Work, Intervention, Models, Well Being, Public Health, Adjustment (to Environment), Academic Achievement, Social Influences, Psychological Patterns
Geographic Terms: Canada, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka
ISSN: 2162-3104
2166-3750
Abstract: Canada has emerged as a key destination for international students, including a significant population from South Asia. This qualitative study explores the multifaceted experiences of South Asian international students in Canadian higher education from a social work lens. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with seven international students from four South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka), this study reveals critical themes, including challenges in cultural adaptation, academic pressures, financial strain, and the ability to navigate support systems. The findings highlight the crucial role of social support networks and culturally informed services in fostering student well-being and academic success. This study urges culturally responsive social work interventions and policy reforms to better support international students, promote their integration, and mitigate potential mental health challenges. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the unique needs of South Asian international students, offering valuable insights for higher education institutions and social work practitioners.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502342
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Exploring the Lived Experiences of South Asian International Students in Canadian Higher Education: Implications for Social Work Practice
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Karun+Kishor+Karki%22">Karun Kishor Karki</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8712-6831">0000-0002-8712-6831</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ashmin+Hari+Bhattarai%22">Ashmin Hari Bhattarai</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Charles+Gyan%22">Charles Gyan</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+Students%22"><i>Journal of International Students</i></searchLink>. 2026 16(4):81-102.
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  Data: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
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  Data: 22
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Students%22">Foreign Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Asians%22">Asians</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Work%22">Social Work</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Models%22">Models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Health%22">Public Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adjustment+%28to+Environment%29%22">Adjustment (to Environment)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Influences%22">Social Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+Patterns%22">Psychological Patterns</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Canada%22">Canada</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bangladesh%22">Bangladesh</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22India%22">India</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nepal%22">Nepal</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sri+Lanka%22">Sri Lanka</searchLink>
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  Data: 2162-3104<br />2166-3750
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Canada has emerged as a key destination for international students, including a significant population from South Asia. This qualitative study explores the multifaceted experiences of South Asian international students in Canadian higher education from a social work lens. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with seven international students from four South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka), this study reveals critical themes, including challenges in cultural adaptation, academic pressures, financial strain, and the ability to navigate support systems. The findings highlight the crucial role of social support networks and culturally informed services in fostering student well-being and academic success. This study urges culturally responsive social work interventions and policy reforms to better support international students, promote their integration, and mitigate potential mental health challenges. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the unique needs of South Asian international students, offering valuable insights for higher education institutions and social work practitioners.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1502342
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 81
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Asians
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Postsecondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Work
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intervention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Models
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Well Being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Health
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      – SubjectFull: Adjustment (to Environment)
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      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Psychological Patterns
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Canada
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      – SubjectFull: Bangladesh
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      – SubjectFull: India
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      – SubjectFull: Nepal
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      – SubjectFull: Sri Lanka
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring the Lived Experiences of South Asian International Students in Canadian Higher Education: Implications for Social Work Practice
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            NameFull: Karun Kishor Karki
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            NameFull: Ashmin Hari Bhattarai
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              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 2162-3104
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              Value: 2166-3750
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