Consistently rated as one of the most desirable places to live and travel to, Canada's buoyant economy has
lead to an annual quota of 300,000 skilled migrants being set in recent years.
The
Country
Canada lies to the North of the USA and, after Russia, is the world's second largest country.
Canadians enjoy 4 distinct climatic seasons, particularly in the more populated regions along the USA border. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35°
C and higher, while winters can get as low as -25° C. Spring and fall seasons have more moderate temperatures.
Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages, English and French. The vast majority (75 per cent) of Canada's French-speaking
inhabitants live in the province of Québec, which is located in the eastern part of the country but there are French-speaking communities throughout
the country.
Canada has ranked as one of the top ten places to live in the world since 1994 according to the United
Nations (UN) and the Economist Intelligence Unit. In the UN survey Canada earned particularly high marks for its access to education, high life expectancy
(due to universal health care system); and low crime and violence rates. In addition, Canada's largest cities -- Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal -- have
been recognized as world class cities in which to live and work, for their cleanliness and safety and for their cultural activities and attractive
lifestyles.
Canada is considered to be a relatively peaceful, safe and orderly country. Its violent crime rate decreased
for ten consecutive years from 1993 to 2003. Unlike its US neighbours to the south, firearms are strictly controlled and generally are not
permitted.
Study In Canada
Canada was ranked for nine
consecutive years by the United Nations to be among the top 3 countries in the world in which to live and study out of 174 countries.
Canadians place great importance on learning, and have developed a first-rate education system with high standards. The country spends more
on education (as a percentage of GDP) compared to the OECD average, and is the second highest among G-8 countries. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate
is well-regarded in business, government and academic circles around the globe.
Education is a provincial responsibility
under the Canadian constitution, which means there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces. However, education
is important to Canadians, and standards across the country are uniformly high.
Canada is a stimulating environment in
which to do business and to learn, thanks to the contributions of many bright and talented scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs. The country is an
international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation and
engineering; and specifically, aerospace, urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydroelectric and nuclear power, lasers and
opto-electronics, biotechnology, food and beverage processing, geomatics; and ocean and environmental industries.
Costs involved
The average cost for a foreign student for one school year
(8 months) in an undergraduate program is C$11,903.
Canada offers the lowest tuition rates* for foreign students
compared to other countries. Rates at U.S. public universities were almost 1/3 higher than fees for Bachelor’s degrees in Canada, while U.S. private
university fees were more than double.
Here are some typical costs for living in
Canada:
Bus Fare One Way (local) $2.00 - $3.00
Average Restaurant Meal $10.00 - $25.00 per person
Movie $8.50 - $12.00
Letter within Canada $0.52
International Postage
(letter) $1.55
Some provinces apply a provincial tax levy to goods and services. All provinces must
apply the federal Goods & Services Tax (GST) of 6 percent to most purchases. As a visitor, a portion of the GST may be refunded to you upon your
departure from Canada. There are restrictions that apply and you must provide original receipts. Contact Revenue Canada or your school for further
information. GST refund forms can be obtained at the information counters at airports and at most shopping malls.
Working in Canada
An international student who is going to school full-time can work
up to 20 hours on campus. This means that if there is a job opening at the school's bookstore or in the cafeteria or somewhere on the school's property,
you may apply for work for that job.
If the program that you are admitted to has a work requirement or co-op program, meaning
that you are required or have the option to work at a job related to your program as part of the curriculum, you may be allowed to do this. There are
conditions to this; for example, the program must be certified or approved to allow students to work.
In some instances, work
and education come together and become almost one and the same. If you are a graduate student working on academic research, you may be paid.
Every year, over 90,000 foreign workers enter Canada to work temporarily in jobs that help Canadian employers address skill shortages, or
as live-in caregivers.
Exams
You will probably be required to take the
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for getting an admission to an Canadian institute. The
school may also have additional tests for students depending upon their course requirements.
The tests are accepted in
Canada.
