As an international student in Canada, I feel everything is expensive compared with China. As a result, it’s hard for my parents to support my studying in Canada. If I could have a part-time job here, I could share some burden with my parents; however, as an international student, it’s illegal to work in Canada. Now I would like to discuss whether international students are legal to work in the future.

Actually, the topic that I want to discuss today has been an issue in Canada for a long time. There are two sides on the argument who are international students and the Canadian government. Canadian government thinks that as international students, studying is their first duty. If international students have part-time jobs, it must somehow detract their concentration on studies. Therefore, they don’t spent enough time to study. Moreover, it reduces the opportunities for local students to have part-time jobs if international students grab the jobs. Consequently, international students can’t have part-time jobs becomes a very strict rule.

In July 2002, on account of having illegal part-time jobs, some international students were sent back to their own countries by the Canadian government. It seems like this becomes a serious problem now. From my point of view, international students should be legal to have part-time jobs. First of all, the tuition fee for international students in Canada is very expensive, which is about five thousand per semester. Honestly, that’s a big expense for international students and it’s not easy to afford. Second of all, having part-time jobs can help international students acquire some work experience. Finally, it can help international students involve in the society better. Culture is one thing to study for international students, if international students do not involve in the society, they can never learn the culture here. The three reasons above explain why I think having a part-time jobs should be legal for international students, not only it can help students’ financing problem, but also it can help students acquire work experience and involve in the society better.

All in all, even though working in Canada is still illegal for international students now, I hope some day it could be changed in the future.