Hidden Voices in Transnationalism: International Post-Secondary Student Experiences of Precariousness and Belonging in Ottawa

International post-secondary students have been highlighted as potential solutions to the skill and talent gaps in the Canadian economy by federal and provincial governments. Despite this, there are gaps in the literature surrounding these students in relation to their lived experiences during their stay. By applying a theoretical framework composed of transnational feminism, precarious immigration and belonging and citizenship literature, this study contributes to the current research by exploring the factors that affect the experiences of international students. Additionally, through semi-structured interviews with international students and associated staff at Carleton University and policy analysis, this study investigates whether federal, provincial and post-secondary institutions are instrumental in producing a sense of belonging or precariousness for these students. The findings indicate that though there are many resources available to foster a sense of belonging and safety, the lack of integration and knowledge across institutional scales produces precarious environments for international students.