Desi Today Magazine
By Surbhi Gogia
Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal discusses the plight of international students from Indian during Covid 19 crises
Most international students transition into university at a time of life when they are also transitioning to adulthood, a period associated with greater than average levels of anxiety. Even in normal times, the international students face extra pressure to manage disparate academic, social and cultural expectations and integrate into unfamiliar communities, while assuming financial independence and personal responsibility. But the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a plethora of additional challenges that exacerbate their vulnerability to mental health issues due to travel restrictions, study implications, visa concerns in addition to being away from family support, financial stress and loneliness. Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal, a Surrey-based international student from Delhi is an active member of One Voice Canada an organization that has dedicated to the cause of helping international students in Canada. In his previous roles, Gurpreet has also served as Surrey Campus representative of Kwantlen Student Association. In an interview with Desi Today Magazine, Gurpreet talks about some of the major concerns of international students amidst Covid 19 turmoil.
DT) Why did you select Canada as your study destination?
I came to Canada in September 2016 as an international student to pursue a diploma from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. I selected Canada because I got admission into a reputed university. I always wanted to come to Canada due to its multiculturalism.
DT) How was your life before Covid 19?
The life of an international student was never easy in Canada. The usual struggles of finding rental suits, juggling between work and studies always added stress. However, COVID 19 has just added more to it.
DT) How has life changed for you and other international students after pandemic? What are some of the major issues that students are dealing and anything particular that has been troublesome for you?
Currently I am on my work permit. I was working when the news of the lockdown started circulating. Although my workplace was operating I took time off my own and just isolated myself for almost three weeks once the lockdown started. It was very challenging for me both financially and mentally. I can say that I was the lucky to have completed my education and retained my job. There are many international students who are studying. They have to pay for their fee but have lost their jobs or have to work reduced hours.
They are also struggling to adapt the new online classes culture. During normal times, the students can go to the university and utilize many resources in person for example, library, in person tutoring, group studies etc. But COVID – 19 has made it really hard to understand the courses and manage everything online.
Financially too it has taken a huge toll. Although government has offered financial support to those student who were working, it is very hard for those international students who came to Canada recently. They are not eligible to apply for CERB. The students who came in January intake were merely settling down to the new culture, new style of study and then COVID hit. Everything has gone crazy for them.
If CERB has taken care of some students financially the mental health issues are haunting them. Personally, I am worried about the mental well being of the students most. I feel that financial and study-related problems are temporary. But mental health concerns can have a long lasting deep impacts on a person’s well-being.
It’s very hard for anyone to cope up with mental health and international students are much more vulnerable to this. The majority of International Students I know are from South Asian communities. There is great stigma attached to the mental health which stops the students further to come out and discuss their problems openly.
DT) How are you coping during these unprecedented times emotionally.
Just like everybody else I am also having challenges to keep myself together emotionally. But I am taking extra efforts to keep myself emotionally fit. like meditation, volunteering, interacting with friends and family on social media.
DT) How do you think has been the community’s support?
The community is trying its best to help the people who are in need. For example, many international students were facing problems in buying groceries. So One Voice Canada a non-profit organization for international student started a food bank at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey and offered free groceries to International Students. Organizations like South Asian Youth Mental Health Alliance, Moving forward families are trying their best to keep international students emotionally fit.
DT) Where can international students can find more help?
International students can reach out to One Voice Canada, a non-profit organization which aims to provide support, advisory and advocacy to international students. international students can reach out to One Voice Canada by emailing them at
