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Cooperative Education as a Catalyst for Retaining Talented International Students in Canada: A Qualitative Exploration

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Title: Cooperative Education as a Catalyst for Retaining Talented International Students in Canada: A Qualitative Exploration
Language: English
Authors: Idris Ademuyiwa, David Drewery, Anne-Marie Fannon
Source: Canadian Journal of Higher Education. 2026 56(1):155-170.
Availability: Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: www.cjhe-rces.ca
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Foreign Students, Immigration, Cooperative Education, College Students, Intention, Work Based Learning, College Graduates, Student Experience, Decision Making, Social Influences, Cultural Influences, Student Attitudes, Employment Level, Adjustment (to Environment)
Geographic Terms: Canada
ISSN: 0316-1218
Abstract: This study explores how cooperative education (co-op) influences international students' decisions to immigrate to Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 former international students who graduated from the University of Waterloo's co-op program between 2014 and 2022. Through a thematic analysis of transcripts, we identified co-op's impact on immigration through school-to-work transitions. Participation in co-op enhanced skill development, clarified career preferences and pathways, and strengthened professional networks, resulting in early post-graduation employment, sometimes with a previous co-op employer. Most participants reported that their Canadian employment motivated their application for permanent residency, with some altering their initial plans to return to their home countries. However, immigration intentions were moderated by perceived barriers in Canada's immigration system, sociocultural factors, and aspirations for opportunities abroad. These findings highlight the pivotal role of co-op in supporting Canada's talent import strategy.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504127
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
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  Data: Cooperative Education as a Catalyst for Retaining Talented International Students in Canada: A Qualitative Exploration
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Idris+Ademuyiwa%22">Idris Ademuyiwa</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22David+Drewery%22">David Drewery</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anne-Marie+Fannon%22">Anne-Marie Fannon</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Canadian+Journal+of+Higher+Education%22"><i>Canadian Journal of Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 56(1):155-170.
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  Data: Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: www.cjhe-rces.ca
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Canada%22">Canada</searchLink>
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  Data: This study explores how cooperative education (co-op) influences international students' decisions to immigrate to Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 former international students who graduated from the University of Waterloo's co-op program between 2014 and 2022. Through a thematic analysis of transcripts, we identified co-op's impact on immigration through school-to-work transitions. Participation in co-op enhanced skill development, clarified career preferences and pathways, and strengthened professional networks, resulting in early post-graduation employment, sometimes with a previous co-op employer. Most participants reported that their Canadian employment motivated their application for permanent residency, with some altering their initial plans to return to their home countries. However, immigration intentions were moderated by perceived barriers in Canada's immigration system, sociocultural factors, and aspirations for opportunities abroad. These findings highlight the pivotal role of co-op in supporting Canada's talent import strategy.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 155
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Immigration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cooperative Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work Based Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Graduates
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Decision Making
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Employment Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adjustment (to Environment)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Canada
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Cooperative Education as a Catalyst for Retaining Talented International Students in Canada: A Qualitative Exploration
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            NameFull: Idris Ademuyiwa
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            NameFull: David Drewery
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            NameFull: Anne-Marie Fannon
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              Y: 2026
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