Balancing school and work as an international student can be particularly challenging, especially when you move to a new country with a different culture and lifestyle. For many students, such as Jashan, a graduate of the Fanshawe College CNG Operator program, the first few months in Canada were very stressful. He had to go to classes in the morning, then rush to his job and come home late at night, feeling tired all the time. Managing studies, work, and daily chores like cooking and cleaning was not easy. At first, he struggled to keep up, but later he started writing down his tasks and making weekly plans to stay organized. Money was another challenge because things in Canada were more expensive than he expected, so he learned how to budget, save money, and spend only on important things. When he felt homesick, he would call his family or cook his favourite food from back home, which made him feel better. Jashan also used student support services at
Fanshawe, like counselling, workshops, and student clubs, which helped him handle stress and make new friends. Fanshawe College supports international students in various ways, providing guidance, mental health resources, and assistance with balancing work and study. He says talking to friends who are going through the same things makes a big difference. Mohit, who works at Phantom Ltd, helps international students find fair part-time jobs and reminds them not to forget their main goal, education. Jashan’s story demonstrates that, despite the challenges of life as an international student, with good planning, support, and self-care, it’s possible to succeed.
