The IRCC published public opinion research in March 2022 on the International Experience Canada program 2022.
Approximately 2500 Canadian adolescents and more than 1000 Canadian parents were surveyed for their opinions (obtained through a quantitative survey). And another 108 adolescents and 39 parents were questioned via bulletin boards in order to quantify the following.
- Experience working or traveling abroad.
- Interest in and involvement in the IEC program.
- Motivations, advantages, and challenges of international work and travel.
- Want to travel during COVID-19?
- Different youth organizations hold different ideas (details below).
The main conclusions of that investigation are summarized here.
COVID – 19
It was true that participants were concerned about COVID-19 dangers in 2022 even though the study took place at the start of the year. In addition to affecting academic performance and mental health, the pandemic has also been associated with mental health issues in Canadian youth.
As a result of their increased appreciation for pandemic-related perks, such as a slower pace of life and increased availability of virtual schooling and employment, many respondents have found it easier to deal with pandemic-related “disappointment and isolation.”
Travel
According to IRCC research, despite some people wanting to travel as a result of the pandemic, others were still hesitant due to factors such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and financial constraints.
Recent research conducted by IRCC examined COVID-19, international travel, and the International Experience Canada program 2022.
Both kids and parents were concerned about Coronavirus safety when traveling in the future. In addition to domestic vaccination requirements, international vaccination requirements played a major role in determining the safety of foreign travel. Aside from financial concerns and employment obligations, the expense of travel, and the need for travel companions to make trips with kids safer. The most common obstacles to future international travel were financial concerns, employment obligations, and the need for companions.
This IRCC study also revealed the following about the experiences and opinions Canadian youth have about overseas travel.
- Almost 86% of Canadian youth report taking at least one international trip during their lifetime, either for business or for pleasure.
- Most of the respondents have either worked abroad, studied abroad, or volunteered abroad.
- Among the respondents’ benefits of international travel was the opportunity to learn about new cultures and experience personal growth.
- International experience only increased the chances of young people finding a job in Canada by 53%.
Specifically, this study targeted indigenous youth, children with hearing or mobility impairments, and LGBTQ2+ adolescents. The following four groups are interconnected:
- Youth with disabilities often value public health measures as well as COVID-19 more than other groups of young people.
- Many Indigenous adolescents said that COVID-19 made them more cautious when it comes to traveling and introducing it to their communities.
- Indigenous teenagers in northern and isolated regions identified distance and ties to the family as significant barriers.
International Experience Canada 2022 research outcomes
Children and parents of Canadians have offered IRCC a lot of insight into previous participation in IEC programs, awareness of the program, and willingness to participate in the program in the future.
Youth
Kids reported participating in an IEC less than one out of ten times.
1. Awareness
Although former IEC program participants reported being satisfied with the program, neither survey nor bulletin board respondents indicated they were well-informed about it.
2. Interested in learning more
According to the research, 30 percent of young people were eager to learn more about the IEC program and indicated they would be interested in doing so online, in school, or by word of mouth.
3. Interested in participating in the IEC program in the future
Almost 74% of young people who responded said they would be very or somewhat likely to travel after the pandemic was over, especially for vacation or business. The epidemic, however, has caused 39% of respondents to reconsider moving to certain nations as a result of the outbreak.
The average Canadian adolescent (34%) is generally less worried that they need to feel safe traveling abroad for the COVID-19 rates to fall to zero than before (53% in 2021).
30% of youth expressed an interest in participating in future IECs.
Furthermore, 56% of respondents said they didn’t know how to start working, volunteering, or studying abroad. It is also believed by almost half (49%) of young people that obtaining employment abroad will be difficult.
Parents
1. Awareness
Parents claim that they typically hear about IEC via word of mouth even though they don’t know much about it.
2. Interested in learning more
Parental involvement in IEC education is very popular among parents (44%), and most parents (44%) want to learn more about it online, through school resources, or at IEC awareness events.
3. Concerns
The majority of parents (63%) said they would not want their children to live in certain parts of the world in the event of another pandemic. While 58% of parents said they are likely to advise their children about volunteering or working abroad if it is safe to do so when it is not too risky.
