Canada is an increasingly popular option for students who seek and require a less expensive alternative to studying internationally than they might find in the US.
Canadian universities are now providing equally prestigious degrees as those in the US, often at a more affordable cost.
Canadians place a great amount of importance on learning, and standards in education in Canada are uniformly high.
There are almost 100 universities in Canada, five of which—the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Montreal, and University of Alberta—are ranked among the top 100 in the world. Knowing what subject you want to study is a useful first step.
If you are planning on studying in a specialized field, you may find that the list of colleges and universities that offer your program is already quite short. That would make the decision process easier. Even if the subject you want to study is more common, you’ll want to make sure that the schools you are considering offer it. View online course catalogs from the Universities & College you are interested in and browse their websites.
Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. From west to east, the provinces are: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador. The territories are the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Despite the impressive size of the country, the majority of Canada’s population lives in a concentrated area of cities and towns within 100 kilometers of the US border. The population density in Canada is one of the lowest in the world, at 3.9 persons per square kilometer. Canada has two official languages: English and French. English is the mother tongue of about 59% of Canadians, and French the first language of about 23%.
Eighteen percent of Canadians either have more than one mother tongue or a mother tongue that is not English or French Other languages spoken in Canada include Chinese, Panjabi, Spanish, Arabic, and Tagalog. The most common Aboriginal languages are Cree, Inuktitut, and Innu/Montagnais.
The type of accommodation you choose will depend on your budget, expectations, and how long you plan on staying in Canada.
When sorting out your housing, your first stop should be the international student's office or website of the school you will be attending.
They’ll be able to help you in your search for housing.
Many schools in Canada offer accommodation located on or near campus in the form of dormitories/residence halls, townhouses, and apartments.
Dormitories (dorms) are larger buildings housing many students, and townhouses are detached, housing usually three to six students.
When looking for private, off-campus housing, trying checking with your school's housing office or student union office on campus for a list of nearby rental units.
Remember that these accommodations are not inspected by your school, so it will be your responsibility to contact the landlord and examine the premises.
Canada is a massive country, so having a social life and things to do is always in your favor. Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you could be merely a short drive or a short plane ride from once-in-a-lifetime activities such as:
Before leaving for your destination, make sure you are familiar with your bus route and schedule. Alternatively, taxis are a good way to get home when it is late and dark. Keep the number for a taxi company on hand, just in case. Canadian taxis should all have running meters showing the cost of the ride. Drivers will not try to negotiate a price with you.
Along with the classic taxi, rideshare in Canada is nearly as prevalent as it is in the US. Uber might be the most popular option worldwide, but some savvy startups have given Canada riders more options including but not limited to: • Kangaride • Poparide • Lyft • Carma Carpooling Availability of each of these services will vary upon the location you’re in.
Research which options exist in the province you’re in. Many public transportation systems also offer special assistance for those traveling alone at night. When taking the bus, make sure you know your route and bus schedule beforehand, and choose busy, well-lit bus stops after dark.
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