Student life in Canada | 7 Essential things to know

Did you know? Almost 1/3rd of the study abroad aspirants consider Canada among their top study abroad destination preferences and if you’re one of the aspirants, you need to understand the important aspects of student life in Canada. Given this level of popularity among international students as well as skilled immigrants, Canada has quickly become one of the most sought-after higher education destinations in the world.

But, even if you’re traveling to a country as welcoming as Canada, you’re bound to have questions about life in Canada as an international student traveling there for their education.

To lessen your doubts, we’ve covered the 7 most important factors you should have information about before you travel abroad. Here are the 7 ultimate factors to keep in mind about the student life in Canada.

1) Provinces and cities

Looking at the sheer size of it, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. From the University of British Columbia to the University of Alberta, Canada houses some of the world’s best universities; 26 of which rank among the top 1000 global ranking universities. Surrounded by the ocean, Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories and each region has its own capital.

1. Newfoundland and Labrador
2. Prince Edward Island
3. Nova Scotia
4. New Brunswick
5. Quebec
6. Ontario
7. Manitoba
8. Saskatchewan
9. Alberta
10. British Columbia
11. Nunavut
12. Northwest Territories
13. Yukon Territory

2) Education system

The Canadian Education system holds an appeal to many because of its flexible, well-structured, and affordable nature. Their educational institutions are divided into 2 types- Colleges and Universities. The main difference between Canadian Colleges and Universities is that colleges offer certifications or diplomas while the universities offer Bachelors and Masters degrees, Certifications, PhDs, and more.

Most degrees have a duration of 2 years while diplomas tend to range between 1-3 years. Depending upon the level of your chosen degree, the 3 major intakes to study in Canadian Colleges and Universities are- January, May, and September. Out of these, September is by far, the most popular intake. The Canadian teaching style is largely research-based and provides many learning opportunities to students whether they’re beginners or experienced in their fields.

3) Weather

Anybody who has seen or heard of Canada has the very first impression of it as a very cold country. While the Canadian climate tends to be on the colder side, that’s certainly never the case all the time. Canada has 4 seasons-

• Summer
• Spring
• Fall
• Winter

As a student moving to a whole new country, it’s important to carry season-specific clothing and other living accessories. For example, you don’t want to get stuck in a cold snowstorm and not have the proper winter wear. This can have serious consequences on your health.

Many students also choose which universities to apply to based on the weather in each of the provinces. So, if you’re a student that prefers a warmer climate to the cold one, make sure you choose Nova Scotia or British Columbia.

4) Universities and courses

Canadian universities are some of the most popular institutions worldwide due to their high education quality, global recognition, research, and innovation. Due to this, students worldwide prefer Canadian institutions for a variety of programs. Some of the top courses in Canada are Computer science, Business administration, Data Science, Finance, Art history, Media and Journalism, Engineering, and more.

The top universities in Canada are-

1. University of Toronto
2. McGill University
3. University of British Columbia
4. Université de Montréal
5. University of Alberta
6. McMaster University
7. University of Waterloo
8. Western University
9. Queen’s University
10. University of Calgary

5) Accommodation

Like most countries, the accommodation options in Canada are separated into 2 types-

• On-campus accommodation: Living in the dorms and rooms provided by the university on the campus. Average on-campus rent is CA$800 per month.
• Off-campus accommodation: There are several living options available for students who want to live away from the university campus. The Average off-campus rent is CA$750 per month.

You can apply for the on-campus dorms using your university website portals. If you want to drastically reduce your cost, you can always choose to live within a multi-sharing accommodation off-campus. That way, your burden of rent will lessen. Some of the websites students use to look for off-campus accommodation in Canada are Craigslist, Kijiji, RentHello, or RentFaster.

6) Part-time jobs in Canada for students

The Canadian government understands international students’ need to gain extra funds while studying and living. A large part of the student life in Canada is taking up part-time jobs to build connections, gain experience, and gain extra money to support your living in Canada.

According to the laws, students can work part-time-

• During academic sessions- 20 hours per week
• During official semester breaks- 40 hours per week

The average salary per hour for a part-time job in Canada can range from CA$17-CA$22 per hour.

7) Student visa for Canada

Before you can even consider traveling to Canada for education, you will need to apply for a student permit. This will be your proof of residence for your entire duration of study. You can learn all about the Canadian Student visa right here. To apply for the Canadian study permit-

1. Get a letter of acceptance from a recognized institution in Canada
2. Check out the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website
3. Fill out the application form on the CIC website and apply
4. If you’re told you’re eligible to study in Canada, start collecting your documents (including proof of minimum funds)
5. Within 60 days, you will have to submit your documents and pay the processing fee
6. Some applicants might be called to attend an interview at the Canadian consulate nearby.

Well, there you go! The top factors you have to consider before you study in Canada. I’m sure you have a lot more questions about jobs, university admissions, fees, and more. Don’t you worry! We have blogs that cover most of your other questions. Just search your questions in the iSchoolConnect Blog.

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