Coming to Canada alone as an international student in Grade 9, I have transitioned between multiple homestay placements and, in these so-called homes, experienced micro-aggression, racism, illegal eviction, and many other things that I am still trying to put in actual words even today. For a long time, I thought that "I just had bad luck getting these placements," "they treated me this way because my English was not good enough," and "I don't deserve to be liked by people because I have mental health diagnoses."
Only in the last couple of years did I start to open up to friends and discuss what happened in these placements for the first time. And -- you guessed it -- I was not the only one; I was not even in the minority. I found so many other young international students who shared my experience and thought that it was their fault or that they just had bad luck. In fact, not only the students but also professionals in the school and other systems that interact with K12 international students. It seems like they are also confused when these students encounter challenges at "home." Even the workers do not know to whom they can report or what's available to support these students due to their legal status and the unique setting of "homestays."
Everyone in this system is confused.
From Struggle to Empowerment
My own experiences of hidden homelessness and housing insecurity during my high school years in Canada shaped my resolve to make a difference. During my studies to become a social worker, I developed a keen interest in the settlement challenges of K12 international students and the policies, or the lack thereof, regulating the homestay industry in Ontario, Canada. The feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability still resonate with me every time I research, write, discuss, and present my work on this topic, reminding me of the countless students facing these challenges in silence today. It's a narrative all too common yet often overlooked, one that I am determined to change through the SafeHabor Project.
The Essence of SafeHabor
To me, SafeHabor is part of a long mission to ensure that no student has to endure the insecurity and violence that come with inadequate homestay accommodations. We're focusing on the Greater Toronto Area, aiming to shine a light on the hidden struggles of K-12 international students, a group particularly vulnerable due to their age, cultural, and linguistic barriers.
This project is grounded in the belief that real change requires collective action. Besides elevating students' narratives on social media and building collaborations with other local organizations, as our main event, we're planning a one-day open forum, a platform for students to share their stories and for the community to listen, learn, and collaborate on finding solutions. This forum isn't just an event; it's the beginning of an ongoing dialogue aimed at fostering understanding and driving systemic change.
The Impact I Envision
As a social worker working on the community level, I think the most valuable thing we can inspire in a community is "the ability to act." Through the SafeHabor Project, I envision not only a future where homestay accommodations are safe, secure, and supportive but also a world where students feel empowered to share their experiences and challenge injustices or outright abuses. This project is about more than just securing housing; it's about building a community of support that recognizes and responds to the unique challenges international students face. It's about empowering these students to advocate for themselves and others, creating a ripple effect of change far beyond individual accommodations.
A Personal Invitation
I invite you to join us in this mission. Whether you're a student who's faced these challenges, a concerned community member, or someone passionate about education and social justice. Together, we can create a future where every student, regardless of where they come from, has a safe harbor to call home while they pursue their dreams in Canada.
This project isn't just my story; it's a collective narrative of resilience, hope, and the belief that together, we can make a difference. Join us as we embark on this journey to transform the landscape of homestay accommodations for international students, one safe harbor at a time.
Author:
Patricia Quan (She/her)
Principal Investigator
SafeHabor Project
Commentaires