Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Geography & Environmental Studies
Program Name/Specialization
Human Geography
Faculty/School
Faculty of Science
First Advisor
Dr. Margaret Walton-Roberts
Advisor Role
Supervisor
Second Advisor
Dr. Terah Sportel
Advisor Role
Supervisor
Abstract
This dissertation examines Indian international student migration to Canada focusing on students from the north Indian state of Punjab, a region with extensive history of migration and transnational social ties to Canada. Punjab has historically been the predominant sending region within India to Canada, and which continues to dominate in the present phase of international student migration to Canada. The pursuit of higher education has become particularly popular in Punjab. Furthermore, Canada has recently emerged as a significant international study destination following its international education strategy aimed to attract and increase the number of international students. The study employs qualitative and quantitative methods with field work in Canada and India to investigate the ways in which socio-economic aspirations of families are closely tied to the pursuit of a higher education migration pathway to Canada. Guided by the intimate geopolitics perspective and aspirations-capabilities framework the research aims to understand migrant agency and how emerging global opportunities, such as international education opportunities in Canada might interact, shape and transform the very intimate scale dimensions involved in migration from source regions such as Punjab. The research contributes to an understanding of migrant aspirations and decision making processes, including various changes within social and gender dimensions of migration. The agency of migrants from Punjab is highlighted by examining their capabilities, including how migrants employ strategies to pursue global opportunities such as those presented by Canada’s international education strategy. The research finds significant changes in gendered dimensions within migration from Punjab with increasing participation of women as independent migrants in various temporary and economic classes of immigration to Canada. Such transformations also indicate women’s enhanced capabilities and improved status socially and support within their families to pursue international education opportunities to Canada.
Recommended Citation
Amber Judge, Neil, "From the Intimate, Regional to the Global: Examining the Indian International Student Migration to Canada" (2025). Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive). 2747.
https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/2747
Convocation Year
2025
Convocation Season
Spring
