Pranay Roy Bochu has been having a tough time living and studying on P.E.I. The Holland College student from India says his income has been the same over the past year while he has to pay more for food and other expenses. (Submitted by Pranay Roy Bochu)
Groups are stepping in to help international students who are struggling to pay for basic necessities due to inflation and the pandemic. The University of Prince Edward Island’s African Student Association has started a grocery support program for international students. UPEI Student Union VP finance Leena Daboo said that requests for its emergency funding program have seen a large increase, with students saying they need help with necessities such as groceries, winter clothing and rent. The student union recently launched another program to give students $50 Walmart gift cards to help with food. On the west coast, Surrey’s Guru Nanak Food Bank has also seen a rise in the number of international students seeking assistance for its food and bedding programs, and is planning to open two new locations to address the demand. The food bank also intends to set up a student orientation to help prepare students for the challenges of living in Canada.