Why Study in Canada?
- Canadian institutions are renowned for their world-class education, whether university, college, or vocational school.
- There are two national languages in Canada: English and French. Since it is a bilingual country, the country has a unique understanding of how to efficiently teach a language.
- International students in Canada are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week during school terms, which means students can support their living costs.
- Canada is a very safe country, with a tolerant and non-discriminatory society.
- As a very multicultural nation, a fifth of Canada’s entire population is made up of immigrants.
- Canada is one of the largest economies in the world, so there are a lot of working opportunities for graduates. Students are given the opportunity to network with leaders in their field.
- Canada is a world leader in computer and information technology, especially in telecommunications, medical devices, aerospace engineering, lasers, biotechnology, ocean and environmental, and many others.
- Canada also stands out in its amazing natural environment with 42 national landmarks and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- International students may be eligible to apply for a permanent residence in after completing their studies. Canada is reputable for welcoming foreign students and workers into its society.
Canada at a Glance
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles), making it the world's second-largest country by total area. As a whole, Canada is sparsely populated, the majority of its land area being dominated by forest and tundra. Consequently, its population is highly urbanized, with over 80 percent of its inhabitants concentrated in large and medium-sized cities, many near the southern border.
Provinces
Ontario is Canada's most populous province accounting for 38.3 percent of the country's population, and is the second-largest province in total area. It is home to the nation's capital city, Ottawa, and the nation's most populous city, Toronto, which is also Ontario's provincial capital. The province is named after Lake Ontario, a term thought to be derived from Ontarí:io, a Huron word meaning "great lake", or possibly skanadario, which means "beautiful water" in the Iroquoian languages. Ontario has about 250,000 freshwater lakes.
Quebec is Canada's largest province by area and its second-largest administrative division; only the territory of Nunavut is larger. It is historically and politically considered to be part of Central Canada (with Ontario). Quebec is the second-most populous province of Canada, after Ontario. It is the only one to have a predominantly French-speaking population, with French as the sole provincial official language. Most inhabitants live in urban areas near the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City, the capital. The name "Québec", which comes from the Algonquin word kébec meaning "where the river narrows", originally referred to the area around Quebec City where the Saint Lawrence River narrows to a cliff-lined gap.
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime Provinces, and one of the four provinces that form Atlantic Canada. Its provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the second-smallest of Canada's ten provinces. Nova Scotia is Canada's second-most-densely populated province, after Prince Edward Island, with 17.4 inhabitants per square kilometre. "Nova Scotia" means "New Scotland" in Latin and is the recognized English-language name for the province. In both French and Scottish Gaelic, the province is directly translated as "New Scotland".
New Brunswick is one of four Atlantic provinces on the east coast of Canada. According to the Constitution of Canada New Brunswick is the only bilingual province. About two thirds of the population declare themselves anglophones and a third francophones. One third of the overall population describe themselves as bilingual. Unlike the other Maritime provinces, New Brunswick's terrain is mostly forested uplands, with much of the land further from the coast, giving it a harsher climate. New Brunswick is 83% forested, and less densely-populated than the rest of the Maritimes. Atypically for Canada, only about half of the population lives in urban areas, mostly in Greater Moncton, Greater Saint John and the capital Fredericton.
Manitoba is a province at the longitudinal centre of Canada. It is often considered one of the three prairie provinces (with Alberta and Saskatchewan) and is Canada's fifth-most populous province with its estimated 1.3 million people. Aboriginal peoples have inhabited what is now Manitoba for thousands of years. Manitoba's capital and largest city, Winnipeg, is the eighth-largest census metropolitan area in Canada. The name Manitoba derives from Cree manitou-wapow or Ojibwa manidoobaa, both meaning "straits of Manitou, the Great Spirit", a place referring to what are now called The Narrows in the centre of Lake Manitoba. It may also be from the Assiniboine for "Lake of the Prairie".
British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. With an estimated population of 5.016 million as of 2018, it is Canada's third-most populous province. The capital of British Columbia remains Victoria, the fifteenth-largest metropolitan region in Canada, named for Queen Victoria, who ruled during the creation of the original colonies. The largest city is Vancouver, the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada, the largest in Western Canada, and the second-largest in the Pacific Northwest.
Prince Edward Island is a province of Canada consisting of the Atlantic island of the same name along with several much smaller islands nearby. Prince Edward Island is one of the three Maritime Provinces and is the smallest province in both land area and population, but the most densely populated. Its capital is Charlottetown. In 1798, the British named the island colony for Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767–1820), the fourth son of King George III and the father of Queen Victoria. Prince Edward has been called "Father of the Canadian Crown".
Saskatchewan is a prairie and boreal province in western Canada, the only province without natural borders. It has an area of 651,900 square kilometres, nearly 10 percent of which (59,366 square kilometres) is fresh water, composed mostly of rivers, reservoirs, and the province's 100,000 lakes. Of the total population, roughly half live in the province's largest city Saskatoon, or the provincial capital Regina. Saskatchewan is a landlocked province with large distances to moderating bodies of waters. As a result, its climate is extremely continental, rendering severe winters throughout the province. Southern areas have very warm or hot summers. Its name derived from the Saskatchewan River. The river was known as kisiskāciwani-sīpiy ("swift flowing river") in the Cree language.
Alberta is a western province of Canada. With an estimated population of 4,067,175 as of 2016 census, it is Canada's fourth most populous province and the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces. Alberta and its neighbour Saskatchewan were districts of the Northwest Territories until they were established as provinces on September 1, 1905. Alberta is one of three Canadian provinces and territories to border only a single U.S. state and one of only two landlocked provinces. Alberta's capital, Edmonton, is near the geographic centre of the province and is the primary supply and service hub for Canada's crude oil, the Athabasca oil sands and other northern resource industries. Alberta is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the most easterly province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it comprises the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador to the northwest. Historically, Newfoundland was home to unique varieties of French and Irish, as well as the extinct Beothuk language. In Labrador, the indigenous languages Innu-aimun and Inuktitut are also spoken. Newfoundland and Labrador's capital and largest city, St. John's, is Canada's 20th-largest census metropolitan area and is home to almost 40 percent of the province's population. The name "Newfoundland" is a translation of the Portuguese Terra Nova, which literally means "new land". Labrador's name in the Inuttitut language (spoken in Nunatsiavut) is Nunatsuak, meaning "the big land.
Territories
Northwest Territories is is a federal territory of Canada. It is the second-largest and the most populous of the three territories in Northern Canada. Yellowknife became the territorial capital in 1967, following recommendations by the Carrothers Commission. The name is descriptive, adopted by the British government during the colonial era to indicate where it lay in relation to Rupert's Land. It is shortened from North-Western Territory. In Inuktitut, the Northwest Territories are referred to as Nunatsiaq, "beautiful land.
Yukon is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three federal territories, and has the smallest population of any province or territory in Canada. Whitehorse is the territorial capital and Yukon's only city. Yukon was split from the Northwest Territories in 1898 and was originally named the Yukon Territory. Yukon's Mount Logan, in Kluane National Park and Reserve, is the highest mountain in Canada and the second-highest on the North American continent. The territory is named after the Yukon River, the longest river in Yukon. The name itself is from a contraction of the words in the Gwich'in phrase chųų gąįį han, which means white water river and refers to "the pale colour" of glacial runoff in the Yukon River.
Nuvanut is the newest, largest, and most northerly territory of Canada. It was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the boundaries had been contemplatively drawn in 1993. Its vast territory makes it the fifth-largest country subdivision in the world, as well as North America's second-largest. Iqaluit, meaning "place of fish", is the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Nunavut itself means "our land" in the native language Inuktitut.
Accommodation
Some schools provide student residence on-campus or nearby the campus. Dormitories are usually larger buildings housing many students, while townhouses are detached, housing usually three to six students.
Dormitories have common areas for entertainment, cooking, and exercise, as well as shared bathrooms and shower facilities. These dormitories sleep one or more person per room, and are managed directly by the school. Dormitories are often a suggested housing choice for first-year college and university students.
Townhouses usually contain three to six bedrooms with single occupancy rooms (no roommates) and a main floor containing kitchen and living room area. This style of accommodation is usually reserved for second – fourth-year university students and graduate students.
In both cases, these styles of accommodation may include a nearby cafeteria or food court where you can eat daily, or are situated in close proximity to eating establishments on or off-campus. Both options might include utilities such as heat, hot water, and internet, or offer them at a reduced fee.
Off-campus shared apartments provide students with a single room, in a living space with one or more other roommates. Like townhomes (above) they most often contain a single occupancy bedroom or living space and have a shared kitchen, bathroom, dining, and living room area.
Important: not all schools in Canada can assist in finding you off-campus housing. In these cases, schools may refer you to one or more agencies or expect you to do your own research and connect with the services in the surrounding community.
Rental costs for off-campus housing vary dramatically, especially in the larger cities of Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.
Living with a host family can provide you with a sense of home and security as you start your new life in Canada. Host families normally provide a private, single-occupancy room, and serve one – three meals per day and internet access.
A host family can also answer questions about the city, introduce you to Canadian culture and customs and share mealtimes with you. Shared accommodation may be an option, and also room-only options (without meals) may be possible. Students living in homestay accommodation should expect to travel 30 – 50 minutes by bus or train in order to reach the school. This is a normal commute time in Canada.
There are many safe ways to find a temporary furnished apartment rental prior to your arrival in Canada by using websites such as Airbnb, Craigslist, HouseTrip or Wimdu. These apartments are normally furnished, private rentals. Be sure to read the reviews of each rental and check the feedback from other guests who have previously stayed there.
Renting an unfurnished apartment is also possible, but difficult to navigate for first-time international students to Canada.
Transport
Banking
Other Information
Canada is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the world to live. However, it is still important to follow the same common sense safety precautions in Canada that you would anywhere else in the world. Your safety is your number one priority.
In an Emergency
If you are in trouble or witness to a crime, do not hesitate to call 911. This is a central number for police, fire, and ambulance throughout Canada. If you are robbed, do not try to argue or fight, and if you are assaulted, shout or blow a whistle to attract attention to your situation. If the attacker asks for your purse or wallet, instead of handing it to them, throw it and run in the opposite direction. If you are a victim of a crime, no matter how small, report it to the police.
Transportation Safety
Before leaving, 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; taxi drivers will not try to negotiate a price with you. When taking the bus, make sure you know your route and bus schedule beforehand, and choose busy, well-lit bus stops after dark. Whenever possible, choose a seat up front, close to the bus driver so they can step in if someone is harassing you. After 9:00 p.m., you can ask your bus driver to stop at the street closest to your destination, so you can cut down on walking alone after dark as much as possible.
Walking Safety
When walking alone, be aware of who and what is going on around you. Avoid walking with headphones in or anything else that might distract you from your surroundings. Some areas might be safer than others; ask advice for the best routes to take when going out. Always walk on well-lit, busy streets at night, and travel with a friend whenever possible. Avoid isolated areas, such as parks or alleys. Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. If you feel that you are being followed, change directions and go to the nearest store, restaurant, or pay phone. Avoid carrying large amounts of money or weapons. Weapons are illegal in Canada and can be used against you.
Drinking and Parties
Make sure you know the legal drinking age in your province. An ID or passport will be needed in order to purchase alcohol or to enter a bar or club. If you go to a bar, make sure you go with friends to ensure there are people you know and trust who can help you if you run into any problems. Before you go out, make sure you have a plan to get home that does not involve drinking and driving. This might mean having a friend as a designated driver, taking a taxi, or taking the bus. Never leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from a stranger in a bar or club. Drugs are illegal in Canada and are often dangerous. Do not use or possess drugs; international students caught possessing drugs can be deported. It is also illegal to drink alcohol in public places such as parks, beaches, cars, or on the street.
Apartment Safety
Don’t let people you don’t know into your apartment building or dorm room. If you aren’t expecting maintenance or a delivery, refer them to the building manager. This also means not holding the door open for people you don’t know, which might feel rude, but your safety while in Canada and the safety of your neighbors or room mates is more important. Don’t prop doors open with the floor mat or other blocks, as this can allow strangers to enter the building unannounced. Always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home, and always look through the peephole before you open your door for someone. It’s also a good idea to get to know your neighbors, so you will have people around who can help you in an emergency.
What do you want to study in Canada? Imagine studying marine biology on Canada’s West Coast, learning French-Canadian history in Quebec, or attending culinary school in Halifax! Match your interests with schools and programs in Canada that deliver exciting multicultural experiences taught by some of the world’s leading instructors.
- Get a Study Permit
To study in Canada, you may need a study permit and/or a visitor visa. Prepare to study. Find out what you need before you apply for a study permit in Canada. Determine your eligibility. Apply for a study permit.
- Extend your Study Permit
You should apply to extend your study permit at least 30 days before your current permit expires.
- Work While You Study
It is possible to work in Canada, while you are here as a student, under any Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC’s) work programs for students. In most cases, you will need to apply for a student work permit. You may work on campus at the institution where you study without a work permit if you are a full-time student at a public post-secondary institution, such as a college or university, or a collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, and receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants (currently only private college-level educational institutions in Quebec qualify) or a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees and you have a valid study permit.
- Stay in Canada after Graduation
You can stay in Canada as a permanent resident or find work after you graduate from school. To work in Canada after you graduate, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). If you want to stay in Canada as a permanent resident after you graduate, there are a number of programs available, each with its own requirements.
