Overcoming barriers facing adult immigrant students that prevent them from completing post-secondary education
Subject
Abstract
The present study was conducted to explore immigrant students’ needs regarding institutional support services and programs in order to overcome difficulties that prevented them from completing their higher education at Vancouver Island University (VIU). By investigating immigrant students’ needs by gender and educational level, new services have been recommended to suit the different characteristics of immigrant students at VIU. The object of this study was also to provide an opportunity for immigrant students to have their voices heard and to acknowledge their needs for success instead of struggling in a new educational system. The reasons for the author of the present study investigating the support needed by immigrant students can be explained through both professional and personal perspectives. The main instrument of this present study was a survey designed to reveal immigrant students’ experiences and needs that they sought out after entering the Western post-secondary educational system. From the finding of this study, the stakeholders could re-evaluate the adult immigrants’ needs and provide them an equal opportunity to succeed from the post-secondary educational system.