Academic experiences of war-zone students in Canada

• Published in: Journal of youth studies Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 311 - 328
• Main Authors: Stermac, Lana, Elgie, Susan, Clarke, Allyson, Dunlap, Hester
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01-05-2012; Routledge
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Academic success; Adolescents; Canada; Comparative Analysis; Early Experience; Education; Educational Experience; Educational Research; Educational Systems; Enrollment Rate; Foreign Countries; High School Graduates; High School Students; Immigrants; Late Adolescents; Migrant Children; Migrant Education; Migrant Problems; Motivation; Outcomes of Education; Performance Factors; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; School Statistics; Schooling; Self Efficacy; Self-perception; Social Environment; Social relations; Statistical Analysis; Student Experience; Students; Trauma; War; war-zone; Youth; Canada
• ISSN: 1367-6261; 1469-9680
• DOI: 10.1080/13676261.2011.643235

This research examined educational outcomes and experiences of late adolescent immigrant students who entered the Canadian educational system following residence in global war-zone regions or areas of extreme civil unrest. Data from a Statistics Canada data-set of 18- to 20-year-old respondents (N = 658) were used to compare the academic achievements, school experiences and self perceptions of war-zone immigrant high school and post-secondary students with those of non-war-zone immigrant youth and Canadian-born youth. The results revealed that war-zone immigrant students performed well in high school and at generally comparable levels to Canadian-born students, however, had longer times to high school completion. High levels of academic engagement, motivation and expectations were seen among war-zone students. Social engagement was found to be lower for both groups of immigrant students. The results are discussed in terms of the positive academic achievements of war-zone immigrant students in Canada and the potential impact of pre-migration traumatic events.