LABOUR MARKET PERCEPTIONS OF CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THEIR DECISIONS OF WHETHER TO REMAIN IN CANADA TO WORK OR TO RETURN HOME

Abstract

<p>Many Caribbean international students travel to Canada to complete their post-secondary education. Upon graduation, these students often remain in Canada to work as opposed to returning home. This study identifies the factors that influenced Caribbean international students’ decisions of whether to remain in Canada or to return home and evaluates the relative importance of their labour market perceptions in light of all of the factors influencing their decisions. Factors such as easy labour market entry, high wages, less stringent immigration policies, careers relevant to the students’ degrees, family ties and relationships with loved ones, discrimination in the labour market, lifestyle and attitudes of governing bodies and prominent community members can all act as push or pull factors in Canada, the host country, or the students’ countries of origin. These factors influence the students’ decisions of whether they should remain in Canada to work or return home. However, results support the conclusion that labour market perceptions are the most significant factors in students’ decision making.</p>