Integration and academic success of international students in a region with low ethnocultural density. The case of CEGEPs in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region
This article highlights the challenges of integration and academic success of international students in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean CEGEPs, a region with low ethnocultural density. This region has been welcoming these students for over a decade. Although present, there is scarce information on the internationalization of education phenomenon in the CEGEPs of the region. The objective of this research is to gain a better understanding of the challenges related to the integration and academic success of international students. To do so, individual interviews were conducted with 21 international students. Results show that students generally have a positive image of the CEGEPs and their teachers. Also, the migratory experience is marked by differences between the country of origin and the country of migration for studies. According to these students, integration is not “a long calm river”; they must persevere to succeed during their academic progress. This article provides pedagogical and social contributions by highlighting the importance of the role of teachers, CEGEPs, and the collegiate and civil communities in the integration and academic success of international students.