Outsiders-insiders-in between: Punjabi international students in Canada navigating identity amid intraethnic tensions

ABSTRACT

This study explores the experiences of Punjabi international undergraduate students (PIS) at a Canadian university (KPU). Many PIS choose to study at KPU because of its proximity to one of the largest Punjabi communities in the Indian diaspora. By drawing on the concept of ‘intraethnic othering’, the article demonstrates that while the proximity of an ethnic community of the same origin was an important source of support, the large influx of PIS created new tensions with the older, more established community. It highlights the need for universities to move beyond business models when recruiting international students in order to consider the ways in which international students’ intraethnic relations might impact their academic trajectory and adjustment to the host country.

KEYWORDS:

• Punjabi international students
• international higher education
• intraethnic othering
• microaggressions

Acknowledgements

My thanks for the KPU Professional Development Grant for supporting this project. I want to thank Dr Kamala Nayar for reading and commenting on the manuscript and for her encouragement. To the reviewers and editors for their constructive feedback, this manuscript is much better because of your engagement. To the PIS participants for sharing your experiences, knowledge, and challenges with me, thank you.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Kwantlen Polytechnic University [grant number: PD19-079].