Kawalilak, Colleen A.Rempel, Matthew2021-01-222021-01-222020-12-16Rempel, M. (2020). Understanding the Experience of International Students in Cooperative Education (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112988Canadian post-secondary institutions are experiencing significant growth in their international student populations. At the same time, there is a rising demand for work-integrated learning and specifically co-operative education (co-op) programs. The convergence of these topics has created a dramatic spike in the number of international students participating in co-op. The purpose of this research was to learn from the experiences of international students in co-op to provide evidence and recommendations that might help inform higher education and co-op departments in Canada in their approach to supporting and enabling the success of international students. A mixed-method approach was utilized to collect quantitative and qualitative data from international students who had completed co-op at the college level in Ontario. A survey instrument was developed, and semi-structured interviews conducted from a subset of the survey respondents. The results were reported independently on both data sets and then amalgamated into a critical discussion of the findings and relevant literature. The data and findings are presented and organized into themes of preparedness for co-op, experiences during co-op, and the contribution of co-op departments. The recommendations provided call for more research on this topic as well as leveraging experiential learning and alumni and employers in co-op preparatory curriculum. International students are not a homogeneous group and, as such, require tailored supports and interventions, which include individualized services and education such as workshops, one-on-one advising, and the development of tools that enable students to self-identify their readiness and requirements prior to co-op. Lastly, it is recommended that co-op departments are appropriately resourced to meet the needs of international students and enable them to be successful in co-op.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Work-integrated Learning; International Students; Cooperative Education;Education--Curriculum and InstructionEducation--VocationalEthnic and Racial Studiesdoctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/38561