It’s no lie that international students here at UBC face various unique problems. Many complain about the university’s lack of proper support for international students, or how they have experienced many hurdles with their study permit application and other legal issues. Others complain about the infamous Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test, which many argue to be biased and unfair towards non-native English speakers. I have met many international students who can fluently speak English, yet struggled to pass that test.

A large portion of the international student body is disappointed and frustrated by the ever-increasing tuition here at UBC, which hits us far harder than domestic students. Some say that they may not be able to continue their studies due to the rising costs. But out of all complaints or disappointments I hear from the vibrant and diverse international student body, one stands out: Why isn’t anyone doing anything about our problems? Why don’t we see more solutions to our problems than promises?

The university has tried to listen to the problems of international students, and does want solutions to the problems we face—good news for us. In the past it has often been difficult for the university to properly liaison with the international student body for various reasons. International House and other interested bodies have tried to work with the International Student Association (ISA). The ISA is perhaps the closest international students have to a body that represents us in the university community—and it’s not enough.

It is high time for us international students to unite and fight for ourselves. We can’t complain and hope for the university to just take care of us. We can’t wait for the AMS to create “dialogue” or “work” with us. Only international students understand the struggles of other international students. Unless you are in the shoes of an international student you have few reasons to fight for them.

I believe the greatest problem for international students at UBC is the lack of proper leaders who represent us. There has been much talk to unite and work as a group to address the issues of international students. There are various student associations that are designed to represent students’ home countries or ethic groups, but there has been little or no united representation for international students.

Naysayers may claim that there isn’t anyone who can represent all of us, or that we, the international students, are too lazy to stand up for ourselves. I beg to differ. We have leaders—it’s only matter of identifying them and letting them know they have support.

We need leaders who can be our voice and fight for long-term solutions. Now is the time where we should start to change things. I am confident that if international students start taking up roles and portraying themselves as a united group there will be positive change. This university has been good, in recent memory, at listening to students when they unite in numbers and are clear about what they want. But none of this will happen if leaders do not start being leaders.

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