Tips for Success and Wellbeing for International Students with Red Blood Cell Disorders in Ontario
Going to college or university abroad is an exciting opportunity for new learning experiences for International Students in Ontario! This article provides six tips for success for International Students with Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Cell Disorders.
Being an International Student: An Exciting but Stressful Experience
Going to college or university abroad is an exciting opportunity for new learning experiences. It is also very common for international students to also experience unique stressors, including:
Adjusting to a new environment
Navigating new academic expectations and teaching styles
Dealing with procrastination, academic anxiety, and exam stress
Making new friends
Understanding health insurance and visas
Managing financial stress and pressure
Accessing social and health services
Feeling lonely, homesick, or isolated
International students with Red Blood Cell Disorders (RBCDs), including Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia, must also carefully manage their health. These factors can impact overall wellbeing. Here are a few tips to help for academic success and wellbeing
6 Tips for Success and Wellbeing
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International students with RBCDs experience unique academic, health, and social pressures. This stress, for example, can trigger pain crises for people with Sickle Cell Disease and lead to fatigue in those with Thalassemia.
While post-secondary education is a great opportunity for new experiences, it is important not to overload yourself. Know your limits and prioritize your wellbeing. This may include:
• accessing support and resources
• planning rest breaks
• pacing your education
• living a balanced life – both during your studies and beyond. -
Unfortunately, some student health insurance plans do not cover treatment or medications for pre-existing conditions, including Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Cell Disorders. This can lead to unexpected costs and gaps in healthcare.
To avoid this situation, contact your health insurance company and ask if they cover treatment, including prescription medications, for your RBCD before beginning your studies. If your student health insurance plan is not enough, contact your college or university’s International Student Services or Student Association before you start your studies to learn about buying extra health insurance. -
Ontario’s healthcare system is confusing.
To get familiar with Ontario’s healthcare system, check out your college’s or university’s webpage on health services for its International Students. (Google the name of your school and Health Services). This webpage will list nearby hospitals for urgent medical care and local medical clinics for regular care and non-urgent medical issues. Your college or university may have a “medical centre,” “health centre,” or “wellness centre,” with doctors, nurses, mental health counsellors, or psychiatrists available for students. You can contact and register with this centre as a patient. -
If you have an RBCD, like Sickle Cell Disease or Thalassemia, ask a healthcare provider to refer you to a specialized center for these disorders so you can get comprehensive care. If you are currently in hospital, you can also ask the doctor caring for you to make a referral.
Click here for all Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Treatment Centres in Ontario -
In Ontario, RBCDs, like Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia, are disabilities under the Human Rights Code. This means that schools must not discriminate against people with these disorders.
Public colleges and universities have Accessibility Services, which reduce barriers to education for students with disabilities by providing note taking services, assistive technologies, and other learning accommodations.
Accessibility Services also help ensure that students with disabilities are not penalized for missing class, exams, or assignments due to illness or medical treatments.
Contact your school’s Accessibility Services to learn more about getting registered with accommodations. Your Red Blood Cell Disorder care team can also help! -
Settlement Services offer free programming to support newcomers adjust into Canadian society. Services include:
● Workshops about living in Canada
● Information and referrals to other programs
● Language supports
● Employment support
Click here to see if your school has a partner settlement service organization. You can also find a local settlement services using 211.
Photo by Linkedin
Learn More
Check out Settlement.Org’s Information for International Students
Read International Student Connect’s Ontario International Student Guide
Browse the Government of Ontario’s Information for International Students interested in attending college or university in Ontario
Read the blog post, Post-Secondary Accessibility Services for Students with Red Blood Cell Disorders
Helpful Resources
About the Author
Sinthu Srikanthan is a social worker in the Red Blood Cell Disorders Clinic at UHN. She is passionate about Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppressive practice.
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