(Credit: Roger Farias)
Many international students find it hard to adjust to Canada’s education system, especially when it comes to academic integrity. In some countries, sharing homework or working together is common, but in Canada, it can lead to serious trouble.
Yasmin, an international student from India, shared her experience “Back home, it’s normal to help friends with assignments, but I didn’t know it was a problem here,” she said. In Canada, copying someone’s work, even by mistake, can mean failing a course or even getting expelled.
Academic integrity means doing your own work, citing sources properly, and avoiding plagiarism. Many students don’t realize that even helping a friend by sharing answers can be considered cheating.
The pressure to maintain good grades, balance jobs, and complete assignments can make cheating tempting. Some students also rely on AI tools like Chat GPT to generate answers. While AI can be helpful, using it without proper understanding can also lead to academic misconduct. Professors are aware of these tools and check for copied content.
Colleges in Canada expect students to do their own work and properly credit sources. Many international students struggle with this transition. “You think it’s harmless to share your work with a friend, but if they copy it, you both get in trouble,” She Said.
To stay out of trouble, Yasmin suggests following the rules and never sharing your work with others. “If you don’t understand something, ask your professor,”. Managing time well and using AI responsibly can also help.
At first, she found the rules frustrating, but now she understands their purpose. “These policies ensure fairness. It’s strict, but it makes sense,”. By learning about academic integrity, international students can succeed in Canada without risking their education.
