Climate in Canada

Being the second largest country in the world, Canada is covered by three ocean borders, the Pacific, Atlantic and the Arctic. The south and the Northwest of Canada are bordered by United States. This contributes to the world’s largest border. Most of the Canadian population is within 300 KM’s of this border. Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The capital city of Canada is Ottawa and the largest city is Toronto. Most of the Canadian terrain is dominated by forest, tundra and the Rocky Mountains.

In Canada, major portion of the year is contributed by severely cold winter climate but the southern areas are warm in summer. However at times there are many climatic changes in Canada , which ranges from typically frozen climate’s that goes below to a -15°C to a lush green vegetations of places in the West Coast like British Columbia. The normal day time temperatures in summers can even rise up to 35°C and higher at times.

Population in Canada

Canada’s first inhabitants were Native Canadians, also known as aboriginal peoples, including Inuit peoples in the North. It was then settled by the British and French, and for a period of time was governed then heavily tied to England. In 1982 it formally severed its legal dependence on the British Parliament with the Act of Canada. Today’s Canada has more real ties with the U.S. (its largest trading partner) than with Britain, though its foreign policy is distinct from America’s and it enjoys strong historical links with Britain (see Government). Canada was a founding member of NATO and the United Nations. Canada’s population is now just over 33 million, which is relatively small for a country of this size. Because much of Canada’s area is still wilderness, most Canadians live in highly urbanized centers in the south; nearly 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 kilometers of the U.S. border. Canada has two official languages: English (59%) and French (22%). Almost 20% speak another language.

Religion

Christianity is the vastly followed religion in Canada with the Catholic churches holding on to the major section of the populations. The statistics of such community comes close to 67 percentage. Then comes the people who don’t follow any sort of religion, which is consumed by 23 percentage of the population. Islam is the second largest religion in Canada, followed by 3 percentage of the population. However, Canadian religious tic statistics shows the above data, but in real the Canadians has no official religion and widely support freedom of religion. This is quiet an important factor for the Canadian political system.

Currency

Canadian currency is called as Canadian Dollars. Its quiet highly valued in the world economy. The code for this currency is CAD and the symbol for the same is $. The Canadian dollars are the fifth most held reserve currency accounting to almost 2% of the global reserves.

Political System

The politics of Canada operates with in a Parliamentary democracy and a Federal system of parliamentary government. Canada works as a constitutional monarchy, under which the Monarch is the head of the state. Canada is governed by its own House of Commons. While the governor general is officially the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, in reality the governor-general acts only on the advice of the Canadian prime minister. While two main political parties tend to go back and forth in terms of who is in power most of the times with the Canadian political system, but Canada’s government in overall is incredibly stable, secure and powerful.

Economy

Canada is ranked among the top ten manufacturing nations. It has been going through a high potential growth in both services and high technology industries. The Canadian economy is completely diversified and is typically knowledge based, growing with innovations and technology every year. It doesn’t solely rely on natural resources for survival. The Canadian GDP had an immense surge since 2003 resulting in a growth faster than any other G8 countries and ever since the employment sector has become stronger than ever.

The major share of Canadian manufacturing sector is located in Ontario and Quebec. Motor vehicle manufacturing has swallowed the major production sector, contributed by other important manufacturers like paper and allied products, food and beverages, fabricated metals, primary metals, petrochemicals and other chemical components.

Canada has both exports and imports of automobile parts, high technology products, oil and gas, metals etc as well.

Cost of Living

International tuition fees in Canada are generally cheaper compare to United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Canadian universities are ranked in the global scale and are among the top 200. The tuition fees vary depending on the university and the kind of course one choose to pursue. But on an average foreign under graduate annual tuition costs are $ 17,571 and the graduate programs being comparatively cheaper at $ 13,498. In addition to it, the services like athletics and other associations will add on to another $702. International students are also obliged to take up health insurances provisioned by the Canadian government and the healthcare cost varies between provinces and institutions.

The dorm accommodations and room accommodations varies from colleges and institution, but on an average it would come around $580 -$860 per month. But the students have an option to stay outside the campus which could be much cheaper than the above rates if pooled in with a few friends together. Many universities also allows off campus work permit programs and other scholarship programs for the students to ease their burden of cost.

Canada is a large and diverse country with many different provinces and municipalities that could make your experience in Canada vastly different depending on where you are located.

Calgary
Calgary is a diverse and prosperous city in the province of Alberta. It sits in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where the rivers Bow and Elbow meet. The place is framed by fresh air, open spaces, parks and pathways, and mountains and rivers. This place enjoys more days of sunshine than any other cities in Canada. Besides the location is less than an hour’s drive from the majestic Rockies. A lot of people who come to Canada are attracted to Calgary since it has the lowest tax rate, strong oil, gas and agriculture industries backed by affordable housing.

Delta
Delta is the largest municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Located in the delta of the Fraser River, having rich soils and water, Delta is one of the most important agricultural areas in Metro Vancouver. North Delta is the most populous of the three Delta communities. Most of its residents are middle class people who commute daily to Vancouver or to other places to work. Tsawwassen is a rich community with beautiful houses. It is also home to the Tsawwassen Indian Reserve. Because of its fertile soil Delta is one of the most important agricultural areas in Metro Vancouver. The regulations of the Agricultural Land Reserve prevent Delta’s land from conversion to suburban housing. One of Delta’s communities, Ladner, is traditionally a farming and fishing village.

Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and the second largest city in the province by population. It lies on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is located in Central Alberta. Canadian statistics shows that in 2006 the population in Edmonton is mostly contributed by Europeans including the Brits, Germans, Irish, Ukrainians and French. Major share of the immigrants in Edmonton came from Alberta. The population within the city has been increasing ever since 2012. Edmonton is proud of being the fastest growing economy among the large Canadian cities. It also has the fourth highest GDP of all Canadian cities. Since 96% of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, Edmonton’s economy typically focuses on the petrochemical industries. Oil supply and services with research and development of new technologies ensures these cities prosperity even during global economic crisis.

Fort Mc Murray
Fort McMurray has a diverse and multicultural community and attracts people from all corners of Canada and the world. Fort Mc Murray is known for its association with the oil sands industry. It’s one of the top employers in the region with many jobs in the oil and other subsidiary sectors. With a humid continental climate and no dry season, Fort McMurray has long, very cold winters and warm, short summers. Fort McMurray is located 435 kilometers northeast of Edmonton and about 60 kilometers west of the Saskatchewan border.

Niagara
The Niagara Region is known for more than just its majestic waterfalls, it has become a much-desired place to settle, particularly for the exotics, students and tourists who visit this place for the first time. The region even has a dedicated website to promote immigrant settlement. Niagara Region offers a wide variety of recreational activities. Spacious arenas, state of the art community centers, green parks, rolling trails and bikeways, and numerous sports clubs make it a popular destination for the active or leisure seeking visitor and resident. Enjoy the fresh air and scenic views when you hike, bike or take a leisurely stroll along the Niagara Parkways while you visit this beautiful city. Niagara College, Brock University and several other publicly-funded post-secondary institutions provide college and university education and training. The Region also has four publicly funded school boards that have schools open to teach children. As well, the public school boards run Adult Education classes through the day and evenings for those adults who are looking to refresh their skills, or to learn new ones.

Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is a proud multicultural city that reflects the rich cultures and traditions of both English and French Canada. The city is overwhelmed by its history, like the Canadian parliamentary building that towers over the city, famed Rideau Canal, etc. Ottawa is the location of most federal government department headquarters, with lots of job opportunities in the public service for the natives and people holding PR’s.. It is also home to many major technology and other companies. With the highest educated workforce in Canada, Ottawa has more engineers, scientists and PhDs per capita than any other city in the country. According to Statistics Canada, it is said to also have the highest median incomes of any Canadian city.

London, Ontario
Located midway, between Detroit and Toronto, London is the heart of Southwestern Ontario. Being the 10’Th largest city in Canada, London serves as a regional and community hub for hub for surrounding people. The city offers affordable housing, beautiful parks, low crime rates, excellent education and health care facilities, and substantial cultural life. Whether you are in the lookout for an urban lifestyle of a big city or the appeal and security of a midsized community, you will find it here. London is a great place to live, raise a family and enjoy life.

Toronto
The city of Toronto is one of the top destinations for foreigners, tourists and students. This fact is not quite surprising as it’s the largest and one of the most diverse cities in Canada with more than three million people. Toronto is considered as the financial and commercial capital of Canada with the country’s largest banks. Toronto is the capital of Ontario and is located to the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Quebec
Quebec is Canada’s largest province and it’s kind of like a French colony. It is the second largest populous province in Canada. Located in the eastern central part of Canada, Quebec extends its territories which sizes almost three times of France. But this province is very sparsely populated. As the cradle of French Civilization in America, Quebec City often plays host to English speaking students who come here for immersing in a predominantly French speaking society. To organize educational visits or student exchange programs with local partners Quebec City schools, colleges and institutes have been actively promoting their services to attract more international students.

Today, Canada remains as a home to a large number of aboriginal peoples, now called First Nations, but it is truly a multicultural and multi ethnic country. Over the past century and a half, it has welcomed 15 million immigrants, thanks to a national policy of multiculturalism. Canada’s diverse customs, cuisines, traditions, sports, and celebrations are a product of its aboriginal and European history combined with its recent waves of immigration from countries all over the world. Canadian culture has been largely influenced by the Europeans and traditions are partly from British and French.

Art and Architecture in Canada

The Canadian art and architecture consists of two kinds of traditions. The art of native people and the art of descendants from Europe.

Prehistoric rock carvings and paintings are the earliest surviving examples of native American art. The exact meanings of these simple images are unknown. Later Indian arts show cased a great variety in design and materials. Colorful geometric and floral patterns embroidered on clothing were common to native tribes across Canada. Drums, masks, and other objects used in religious ceremonies or to mark special events also were richly decorated. Among the most dramatic of all Indian art form where, the carved totem poles of the Northwest Coast Indians.

In the 1800's, native Indian art was produced mainly for tourists. But the last half of the 1900's saw a revival of the traditional forms such as carvings. In addition to that, new forms emerged among the eastern woodland tribes, such as the Ojibwa and Cree. They began to illustrate their legends in striking new paintings. Other Indian artists who do not work in the traditions of native art seek acceptance in the wider artistic world.

Another form of art that rooted in Canada was the Inuit art. The earliest examples of Inuit art are delicate carvings made from bone, ivory, or antler. These carvings are typically in the shapes of faces, figures, and birds. Later, traditional art forms were neglected during the centuries where objects where produced with an intention to trade between the Europeans. Today the Inuit carve in soapstone and ivory. They also engage in newer art forms such as drawing and printmaking. Their work is characterized by delicacy, simplicity, and a reverence for nature.

After 1760, when Canada became a British colony, the main source for styles in art and architecture shifted from France to England.

Sculpture continued to engage themselves with decorative works carved in wood. But painting underwent several new developments in the later era. British officers stationed at forts throughout eastern Canada sought to accurately depict the Canadian landscape in detailed watercolor paintings. More imaginative paintings of nature were produced by immigrant British watercolor artists.

The modern Canadian nation was founded in 1867, and artists were inspired by a new sense of national pride. Landscape artists such as Lucius O'Brien and John Fraser celebrated the country's dramatic natural features. They painted in the romantic style. New sculptural techniques and use of materials such as plaster and bronze allowed artists to portray subjects with greater expression and realism. Quebecois sculptors, including MarcAurèle Suzor Coté and Philippe Hébert, expressed their pride in French Canadian history by producing public monuments.

Notable sculptors working after 1920 included Albert Laliberté, Suzor-Coté, and Elizabeth Wyn Wood. In the early 1950's the modernist styles of cubism and constructivism appeared in the sculptures of Anne Kahane and Louis Archambault. Great diversity in style, material, and subject marks contemporary Canadian sculpture. Sculptors worked with plastic, neon, and fiberglass as well as traditional materials.

Canada's earliest skyscrapers were built in Toronto and Montreal in the 1920's and 1930's. They were among the first buildings to display the curved lines and reduced details of art deco, a style that remained popular until World War II. After 1945, many factories, schools, and offices were built in the international style. It uses simple shapes and modern materials such as steel, glass, and concrete. Later, postmodernist designs, which combine elements of past architectural styles, began to appear in major cities.

Language in Canada

The official languages spoke in Canada includes only French and English. But Canada is a country with people who speak over sixty Aboriginal languages. But enclaves of Korean in New Brunswick, Urdu in Ontario, and even Sign Language along the Maine border often bring with them a story of Canada's melting pot demographic.

Doing Business in Canada

Canada is the optimum country to do business in the G-20 according to the Forbes Magazine. It still is the most welcoming and profitable places in the world to do international business and foreign direct investments. This can be summarized due to the following reasons which include:

• Banks you can bank on
• Highly skilled work force
• Industrial strengths
• Strategic business location
• Life style advantages.

Canadian Holidays

There are typically five nationwide holidays in Canada. The general statutory holidays in Canada can be due to various cultural, nationalistic and religious reasons. This includes Christmas, Easter, thanks giving etc. There are internationally notable cultural holidays as well, like Valentine’s day, Halloween, Mother’s day and Father’s day. They are traditionally observed in Canada as part of their culture.

Aboriginal inhabitants

When the Europeans explored Canada they found all regions occupied by native peoples which they called the Indians. The native people lived off their land by hunting, gathering and raising crops. The Huron Wendat of the Great Lakes region, like the Iroquois, were farmers and hunters. The Cree and Dene of the Northwest were hunters and gatherers. The Sioux were nomadic, following the bison (buffalo) herd. The arrival of European traders, missionaries, soldiers and colonists changed the native way of life forever. Large numbers of Aboriginals died of European diseases to which they lacked immunity. However, Aboriginals and Europeans formed strong economic, religious and military bonds in the first 200 years of coexistence which laid the foundations of Canada.

The European foot steps

European exploration began in 1497 with the expedition of John Cabot, who was the first to draw a map of East Coast Canada.

Exploring Canada

Between 1534 and 1542, Jacques Cartier made three voyages across the Atlantic, claiming the land for King Francis I of France. Cartier heard two captured guides speak the Iroquoian word Kanata. By the end of 1550’s the name of Canada started appearing in the maps.

The New France

In 1604, the first European settlement towards the north of Florida was established by French explorers Pierre de Monts and Samuel de Champlain, first on St. Croix Island, and then in Port-Royal, in Acadia. The colonists struggled against the harsh climate prevalent in this region. The French and the Iroquois made peace in 1701. The French and Aboriginal people collaborated in the vast fur-trade economy, driven by the demand for beaver pelts in Europe. Outstanding leaders like Jean Talon, Bishop Laval, and Count Frontenac built a French Empire in North America that reached from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Besides it was in 1608 the fortress build by Champlain came to be known as the Quebec city.

Fights for the continent

English colonies along the Atlantic seaboard, dating from the early 1600s, became richer and more populous than New France. In the 1700s France and Great Britain battled for control of North America. In 1759, the British defeated the French in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham at Québec City marking the end of France’s empire in America.

The Quebec Province

Following the war, Great Britain renamed the colony as the Province of Quebec. The French speaking Catholic people, known as habitants or Canadiens, struggled to preserve their way of life under reign of the British Empire.

Accommodation traditions

In this era the Quebec act was passed and the same restored French Civil Law while maintaining the British Criminal Law.

Emergence of Loyalist

In 1776, the 13 British colonies to the south of Quebec declared independence and formed the United States. North America was again divided by war. More than 40,000 people loyal to the Crown, called Loyalists, fled the oppression of the American Revolution to settle in Nova Scotia and Quebec. The Loyalists came from Dutch, German, British, Scandinavian, Aboriginal and other origins from Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Jewish, Quaker, and Catholic religious backgrounds.

About 3,000 black Loyalists, freedmen and slaves, came north (Canada) seeking a better life. In turn, in 1792, some black Nova Scotia’s, who were given poor land, moved on to establish free town, Sierra Leone (West Africa), a new British colony for freed slaves.

Eradication of Slavery

Slavery has prevalent all over the world, during this era. The first movement to abolish the transatlantic slave trade emerged in the British Parliament in the late 1700s. In 1793, Upper Canada, led by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, a Loyalist military officer, made the first province in the Empire to move towards the act of slave trade abolition. In 1807, the British Parliament prohibited the buying and selling of slaves, and in 1833 abolished slavery throughout the Empire.

Growth of the Canadian Economy

The first company in Canada was formed during the French and British regimes that competed for the fur trade. The Hudson’s Bay Company, with French, British and Aboriginal employees, came to dominate the trade in the northwest from Fort Garry (Winnipeg), Fort Edmonton, Fort Langley (near Vancouver) to Fort Victoria trading posts that later became cities. The first financial institutions with Canada were opened in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Montreal Stock Exchange was opened in 1832. For centuries Canada’s economy was based on farming and exports of natural resources such as fur, fish and timber, transported via roads, lakes, rivers and canals.

Formation of a Government and confederation

From 1864 to 1867, representatives of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada, with British support, worked together to establish a new country. These men are known as the Fathers of Confederation. They created two levels of government: federal and provincial.

The old Province of Canada was split into two new provinces: Ontario and Quebec, which, together with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, formed the new country called the Dominion of Canada. Each province would elect its own legislature and have control of such areas as education and health. The Dominion of Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867. Until 1982, July 1 was celebrated as Dominion Day to commemorate the day that Canada became a self-governing Dominion. Today it is officially known as Canada Day.

First World War and Canada

Most Canadians were proud to be part of the British Empire. Over 7,000 volunteered to fight in the South African War (1899–1902), popularly known as the Boer War, and over 260 died in the same. In 1900, Canadians took part in the battles of Paardeberg (Horse Mountain) and Lillefontein, and came out victorious which strengthened their national pride as being in Canada.

When Germany attacked Belgium and France in 1914 and Britain declared war, Ottawa formed the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Corps). More than 600,000 Canadians served in the war, most of them volunteers, out of a total population of eight million. In 1918, under the command of General Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps advanced alongside the French and British Empire troops. They came out victorious defeating the German troops, what was called as the battle of Amiens. With the surrender of German and Austrian troops, the war ended on November 11, 1918. In total 60,000 Canadians were killed and 170,000 wounded. The war strengthened both national and imperial pride, particularly in English Canada.

The second World War and Canada

The Second World War began in 1939 when Adolf Hitler, the Nazi dictator of Germany, invaded Poland and conquered major part of Europe. Canada joined with its democratic allies in the fight to defeat tyranny by force of arms.

More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Second World War, out of a population of 11.5 million. This was a high proportion and of these, 44,000 were killed. The Canadians fought bravely and suffered losses in the unsuccessful defense of Hong Kong (1941) from attack by Imperial Japan, and in a failed raid on Nazi-controlled Dieppe on the coast of France (1942). The Government of Canada apologized in 1988 for wartime wrongs and compensated the victims.

The Modern Canada

The discovery of oil in Alberta in 1947 began Canada’s modern energy industry. In 1951, for the first time, a majority of Canadians were able to afford adequate food, shelter and clothing. Between 1945 and 1970, as Canada drew closer to United States and other trading partners, the country enjoyed one of the strongest economies among industrialized nations. Today, Canadians enjoy one of the world’s highest standards of living, maintained by the hard work of Canadians and their trade with other nations, in particular with the United States.

The international tie ups

Like Australia, New Zealand and other countries, Canada developed its autonomy gradually with a capacity to make significant contributions internationally. It joined United Nations and contributed in various resources and operational assistance for various international causes.

The present Canada

As social values changed over more than 50 years, Canada became a more flexible and open society. Many took advantage of expanding secondary and postsecondary educational opportunities and a growing number of women entered the professional work force.

Most Canadians of Asian descent had in the past been denied the vote in federal and provincial elections. In 1948 the last of these, the Japanese-Canadians, gained the right to vote. Aboriginal people were granted the vote in 1960. Today every citizen over the age of 18 may vote.

The idea of multiculturalism, as a result of 19th and 20th century immigration, gained a new impetus. By the 1960s, one third of Canadians had origins that were neither British nor French, and took pride in preserving their distinct culture in the Canadian fabric. Today, diversity enriches Canadians lives.

Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta. Located between the Canadian Prairies and the foothills of Canadian Rockies, is one of the largest Metropolitan areas in Canada. This has happened ever since the discovery of oil in this area during the 1900’s. Besides, the place is renowned for the rodeo event and the Calgary Stampede happening seasonally every year round. This Old West celebration is held over ten days in July with rodeos, chuck wagon races, parades, competitions, crafts and food.

Ottawa
Ottawa is located in the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau rivers in southeastern part of Ontario. This happens to be the capital of Canada. Being the nation’s capital, Ottawa is home to many financial, commercial and federal establishments including Parliament Hill. Running right through the heart of the city is the Rideau Canal which happens to be Ottawa’s major attraction. In winter the canal becomes the world’s largest ice skating ring.

Whistler
Whistler resort is the largest and most famous alpine ski destination in North America. Located in the middle of the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, it’s a two hour drive from Vancouver through the scenic sea to sky highway to reach Whistler. At the base of the two mountains are three quaint villages, Whistler village, Creek side and Upper village.

Vancouver Island
Named after the British explorer George Vancouver is the largest island off the West Coast of the North American continent. Located across the Washington State, it is accessible by ferry through the San Juan Islands from Anacortes, from Port Angeles on the state’s Olympic Peninsula, or from mainland British Columbia. The Vancouver Island is famous for the quaint city of Victoria, the gorgeous Butchart Gardens, the surf town of Tofino and the wilderness in the north, where one can catch a ferry to Prince Rupert and another to Alaska from there.

Quebec City
Capital of the Quebec province in the eastern Canada with a French heritage, architecture and language that makes it looks like a charming European village. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River is Vieux Quebec, the city’s historic district. A walk along the cobblestone streets of the Old City offers encounters with attractions like the Citadel and the Place-Royale, the area where explorer, Samuel de Camplain, established the first North American French settlement. The city’s icon, the stunning Chateau Frontenac, is regarded as the most photographed hotel in North America and offers tours even without an overnight stay.

Toronto
The capital of Ontario, Toronto is the most populated city in Canada as well as one of the largest cities in North America. With a large number of ethnic districts like Chinatown, Little India and Little Italy, Toronto is also one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities. The city’s main tourist attraction lies with the impressive landmarks such as the iconic CN Tower and the fairy tale castle of Casa Loma. Additionally, the Toronto is a popular destination with beaches and a lot of outdoor activities.

Montreal
Montreal is the second largest city in Canada and is the financial and cultural capital of the Quebec province. This is one place in the world which has the largest number of French speaking community outside France. Montreal is a bustling metropolis comprised of a downtown district, a historic quarter, entertainment district and several distinctive neighborhoods. Montreal’s main sights include downtown skyscrapers like the Olympic Tower, the historic buildings of Old Montreal and several family attractions like theme and water parks.

Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a series of three inspiring waterfalls situated on the border of Canada’s Ontario and the United States’ New York. The Ontario side of the falls is called Horseshoe Falls and offers the best views and attractions. The immediate area surrounding the falls is a premier tourist spot teeming up with observation towers, restaurants, souvenir shops, casinos and high rise hotels.

Why study in Canada

Canada being a cultural mix of the aborigines, British and French inhabitants from the late 19’Th and 20’Th century, showcases diverse colors of culture. Canadians literally accept anything that spears through their borders and make it their own. Be it a language, people, education, culture, employment or recreation, anything that blends with the Canadian spirits. This makes it a perfect land to dwell in irrespective of your background or who you were, while you arrived in Canada. Most of the Canadian population is contributed by the immigrants. This is one reason exactly why you get to see people talking, English, French and lots of other languages while you are here. Being the second largest country in the world and a very sparsely populated nation, the opportunities for migrants, students and job seekers are quiet huge. This scenario is contributed by the fact that the country is a hub for manufacturers like paper, high technology equipment, aerospace technology, automobiles, machinery, food, clothing and many other goods. Canada is a developed country with tenth highest per capita income.

In the most densely populated city like Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal, you will see all sorts of people like Indians, Brits and Europeans, Asian, Americans and even Arabs who come down, to spend their life time for education, career, business, entertainments and what not.

• Canadian Geography & Climate: being the second largest country in the world, Canada is covered by three ocean borders, the Pacific, Atlantic and the Arctic. The south and the Northwest of Canada are bordered by United States. This contributes to the world’s largest border. Most of the Canadian population is within 300 KM’s of this border. Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The capital city of Canada is Ottawa and the largest city is Toronto. Most of the Canadian terrain is dominated by forest, tundra and the Rocky Mountains.

In Canada, major portion of the year is contributed by severely cold winter climate but the southern areas are warm in summer. However at times there are many climatic changes in Canada , which ranges from typically frozen climate’s that goes below to a -15°C to a lush green vegetations of places in the West Coast like British Columbia. The normal day time temperatures in summers can even rise up to 35°C and higher at times.

• Canadian Education system:The Canadian education system is mostly contributed by the publically funded and private schools including technical institutes, language schools, career colleges, summer schools and camps, community colleges, university and university colleges. Typically each independent province has their own education regime and system with a few exceptions which leaves room for certain amount of generalization. Canadian education system doesn’t generally follow a system of officially ranking the institutions spread across the country in different verticals. But its quiet easy to find a quality education system that matches your requirement, by considering the type, size and location of the institution.

In Canada, there is typically a fine line that runs which acts as a catalyst to helps one’s decision to choose a college or university. This decision is basically made on the basis of one’s wish to choose a certain kind of work or profession.
Back in the days, the system was set in such a way that if you wanted to pursue a career with some hands on trade and craftsmanship like a plumber, electrician, etc you would choose to go to a college and get a diploma. But in the case of getting a professional degree to become a doctor or lawyer or engineer or teacher you would be left with the option to go to a university to get a diploma. But with time this system has seen quite a bit of a change since people have started using all education institution and universities to get their diplomas and degrees in which ever schools they wanted to choose. Canadian education system has also seen a rise in number of language schools where foreign students come down to learn new languages like French, Portuguese, English and more. Such courses provide all sorts of customization based on various options for the students like Part time, Full time, number of course hours, cultural learning, online etc.
Most of the universities and colleges offer all the foreign students with a plenty of options to specialize themselves in a skilled stream of profession they want to follow. For example in case of Aeronautical engineering they provide semester wise specializations in Avionics, Aerodynamics, Design, Structural design, Material selection, Propulsion, Controls etc.
Many traditional rules of Canadian education system still apply, but a lot has changed since the global education system has started bringing in more immigrants, revenue and potential talents into the Canadian economic system. For the same more schools have been formed in the past decades to help the ambitious students to graduate with either a degree or a diploma irrespective of the campus.

• Canadian Economy: Canada is ranked among the top ten manufacturing nations. It has been going through a high potential growth in both services and high technology industries. The Canadian economy is completely diversified and is typically knowledge based, growing with innovations and technology every year. It doesn’t solely rely on natural resources for survival. The Canadian GDP had an immense surge since 2003 resulting in a growth faster than any other G8 countries and ever since the employment sector has become stronger than ever.

The major share of Canadian manufacturing sector is located in Ontario and Quebec. Motor vehicle manufacturing has swallowed the major production sector, contributed by other important manufacturers like paper and allied products, food and beverages, fabricated metals, primary metals, petrochemicals and other chemical components. Canada has both exports and imports of automobile parts, high technology products, oil and gas, metals etc as well.

• Cost of Living: International tuition fees in Canada are generally cheaper compare to United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Canadian universities are ranked in the global scale and are among the top 200. The tuition fees vary depending on the university and the kind of course one choose to pursue. But on an average foreign under graduate annual tuition costs are $ 17,571 and the graduate programs being comparatively cheaper at $ 13,498. In addition to it, the services like athletics and other associations will add on to another $702. International students are also obliged to take up health insurances provisioned by the Canadian government and the healthcare cost varies between provinces and institutions.

The dorm accommodations and room accommodations varies from colleges and institution, but on an average it would come around $580 -$860 per month. But the students have an option to stay outside the campus which could be much cheaper than the above rates if pooled in with a few friends together. Many universities also allows off campus work permit programs and other scholarship programs for the students to ease their burden of cost.

The general expense tables for various other items that a student might incur during the course of their academics and stay in Canada are as following:

Rent - Bachelor apartment (One room apartment , one month, large city)	$700-$1100
Rent - Bachelor apartment (One room apartment, one month, small city/town	$500-$700
Cell phone package (One month)	$40-$60
Water, gas, electricity (One month)(apartment)	$150
Water, Gas and Electricity (1 month) and Sewage – Single Family house	$400
VOIP Phone	$30- $40
Car Insurance for a mini Van of $35,000, 250 deductible and 2 drivers with very good history	$ 1350
Groceries for one person (One month)	$200-$300
Fast food meals (Hamburger, soft drinks, French fries) per person	$4-$6
Cable television	$25 - $50
Internet Connection (High speed)	$50
1 dozen egg	$2-$3
Bus fare 1-way (local)	$2.25
Coffee from a branded coffee shop	$1.70
Gas-Petrol	$ 1.15 - $ 1.70 per liter
Movie	$ 11.50 - $13
Admission to night club	$0 - $15
Pair of Jeans	$40-$80
Pair of running shoes	$60-$200
Interest rates on savings	0.5%

Languages spoken in Canada

The official languages spoke in Canada includes only French and English. But Canada is a country with people who speak over sixty Aboriginal languages. But enclaves of Korean in New Brunswick, Urdu in Ontario, and even Sign Language along the Maine border often bring with them a story of Canada's melting pot demographic. This makes it easier for all the students who aspire for an international education to make an easier on their decision.

Education System

Canada claims one of the highest rates of post-secondary education completion in the world. According to the 2006 census, six out of every 10 adults between 25 and 64 years of age had completed some form of post-secondary education. Enrolment in post-secondary education has grown significantly in recent years, due to increasing educational demands in the labor market rather than because of population growth. Post-secondary institutions are located throughout the country; there are approximately 70 universities and 80 colleges in Canada.

In Canada, the provinces and territories are responsible for all levels of education including colleges and universities.

In addition to post-secondary options, Canada offers a wide range of independent private boarding schools for younger students noted for their excellence in preparing young men and women for university and college placement

The Canadian education system is mostly contributed by the publically funded and private schools including technical institutes, language schools, career colleges, summer schools and camps, community colleges, university and university colleges. Typically each independent province has their own education regime and system with a few exceptions which leaves room for certain amount of generalization. Canadian education system doesn’t generally follow a system of officially ranking the institutions spread across the country in different verticals. But its quiet easy to find a quality education system that matches your requirement, by considering the type, size and location of the institution.

In Canada, there is typically a fine line that runs which acts as a catalyst to helps one’s decision to choose a college or university. This decision is basically made on the basis of one’s wish to choose a certain kind of work or profession.

Back in the days, the system was set in such a way that if you wanted to pursue a career with some hands on trade and craftsmanship like a plumber, electrician, etc you would choose to go to a college and get a diploma. But in the case of getting a professional degree to become a doctor or lawyer or engineer or teacher you would be left with the option to go to a university to get a diploma. But with time this system has seen quite a bit of a change since people have started using all education institution and universities to get their diplomas and degrees in which ever schools they wanted to choose. Canadian education system has also seen a rise in number of language schools where foreign students come down to learn new languages like French, Portuguese, English and more. Such courses provide all sorts of customization based on various options for the students like Part time, Full time, number of course hours, cultural learning, online etc.

Most of the universities and colleges offer all the foreign students with a plenty of options to specialize themselves in a skilled stream of profession they want to follow. For example in case of Aeronautical engineering they provide semester wise specializations in Avionics, Aerodynamics, Design, Structural design, Material selection, Propulsion, Controls etc.

Many traditional rules of Canadian education system still apply, but a lot has changed since the global education system has started bringing in more immigrants, revenue and potential talents into the Canadian economic system. For the same more schools have been formed in the past decades to help the ambitious students to graduate with either a degree or a diploma irrespective of the campus.

University

Canadian universities offer high-quality education and are very well respected around the world. A degree from a Canadian university holds substantial prestige, thus making Canada a primary target for many international students.

University degrees are offered at three successive levels – bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Bachelor’s degrees normally require three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province. An honors bachelor’s degree involves a higher degree of concentration in the major subject, as well as a higher level of academic achievement, and in some cases, an additional year of study. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study after completion of either a general or an honors baccalaureate program.

Virtually all Canadian universities are public institutions, which is the main difference between Canadian and American universities.

College

A community college is a public post-secondary educational institution that offers a variety of programs to high-school graduates and adults seeking further education or employment training. Public colleges offer vocational programs in a wide range of professional and technical fields including business, health, science, agriculture, applied arts, technology, skilled trades, and social services.
Diplomas are awarded for the successful completion of two or three year programs, while certificate programs most often take one year to complete. Many colleges offer university transfer programs, providing the first two years of a university undergraduate program. Many also offer bachelor’s and applied degree programs. Colleges are much cheaper than universities and more career oriented.

The Canadian education systems are managed by various provincial governments, the way they are grouped and segregated may vary from region, province or individual schools.
It is structured as follows.

• Childhood education – This level of education consists of the pre kindergarten or the junior kindergarten. Later on it gets to Grade primary or actual kindergarten in the consecutive year.
• Elementary education – It consists of Grades ranging from 1 to 8
• High School Education – It consists of Grades ranging from 9 to 12+
• Tertiary Education - This phase of education is where all the international students will be interested in as it consists of College, universities, Graduate schools and Language schools.

The term for colleges in Canada normally refers to the community colleges, arts and science institutions and other post secondary institutions that reward the successful candidates with certificates, diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor’s degree.

Universities in Canada generally refer to those institutions that provide opportunities for higher education, research and grants academic degrees in various subjects. They also provide options for both undergraduate and post graduate educations.

Graduate schools in Canada provide advanced academic certificates, diplomas, degrees and masters.

Language school gives long term and short term language education for the candidates ranging from English, French, Spanish etc.

Scholarships have been an excellent way to help the students to tie through the financial barriers in pursuing their education abroad. Under this system, in consideration with various credentials of the prospective candidates who have been selected for a course abroad may be awarded with scholarships provisioned by the university or the education board or the government at times, in the host country. Education grants are also provided by such bodies in certain countries like Malaysia, Singapore etc, under which the students doesn’t have to pay back the tuition fee granted to them, but might have to commit to work in a national registered company within the host country for a few years after their course duration under such grants.

Country wise Scholarships

The scholarships are widely used for education systems in US, Europe, Asia, Canada and also in few other parts of the world. The valid credentials of the student normally determine the percentage of scholarship; the student can avail on their tuition. The students always have the option to fund the rest of their tuition through education loans or other sources after such scholarships.

The financial aids or the student scholarship option for international students are abundant through various boards and affiliations like Fulbright Scholarships, Rotary Scholarships, Postdoctoral fellowships, Merit Scholarships, college loans etc.

Customizable funding for Tuition:

There is a comprehensive list of awards, scholarships, grants and other financial aids made available for the students. The students can choose the kind of awards or aids available to them through any of the sources that the university or their course supports within the host country. The eligibility factor for the students on such financial aids may depend on a lot of variables like the host countries, universities and the boards. It could also be a mix of previous academic scores, ranks, financial background of the students, country from which the student hails etc.

Most of the scholarships and awards for the international students with relevant universities they have chosen for the academics can be searched through different scholarship search engines dedicated for Europe, US, Canada, Australia, UK and more. Some of such services include Grant search Australia, International Education Financial Aid, Scholarships Canada.com, SFU graduate awards, STOD & Stipendier AB (SOS AB), Student Awards.com, etc to name a few.

Sources of Scholarships

In this era of educational support services and functions, the study abroad options are huge for the students and their opportunity to expand their spectrum of higher studies or academics are fathomless. This is clearly justified by various financial and education boards through such provisioning like the scholarships, grants, fellowship programs, award systems and much more. Most of them are specifically targeted at the international students. Such systems are essentially accredited by different set of institutions or boards or governments to give them the essential reputation they need in the industry.

Few of the US government funded scholarship programs include Fulbright foreign student program, Hubert Humphrey Fellowship program etc. Nongovernmental scholarship boards include Abbey road summer scholarships, The next gen scholarship funds, Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarships, David P. Shpiro Annual Leukaemia Scholarships etc.

Specific scholarship programs for Asian students are made available by various boards like East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships, japan-United States Friendships Commission etc.

Boards like AAUW international fellowships and MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics and SCM Scholarships are specifically designed for women pursuing their academics in US. There are a lot of such boards in Europe as well which provides, scholarships, education grants, fellowships and award system for women.

There are even boards like Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship programme, Mandela Washington Fellowship for young African Leaders, MasterCard foundation scholarships etc which funds the students aspiring to study abroad from developing and under developed countries as well.

Above all, there are university specific scholarships provided directly by the educational institutions purely based on their merit and performances like American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship, Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship program, Harvard university scholarships etc. This is mostly based on the meritorious performance of the students.

From the above details student can browse through a wide range of options which can help them lubricate their passion to pursue their academics abroad with any internationally acclaimed and top ranked universities. These days, the global education sector is carved in such a way that the academics for students are in forefront rather than a minor financial barrier that might take out the right opportunity for a right candidate.

Student centric Scholarships

The scholarships options for the students can be of different kinds. There can be scholarship activities initiated by a group or community or an acclaimed board for almost anything under the sky that you can imagine. Like for example, scholarship for single parent, for religious convictions provided by biblical community or any other religious community, scholarship for environmental activities, scholarship for enjoying an art or excelling in a sport etc. Such scholarship that revolves around a student with relevance to their activities can be categorized as Student centric scholarships. Such scholarships availed by the students can be based on the students interests and their performances with relevance to that interest in a particular community which promotes the same. For example Best Buy provides scholarship programs for new college students interested in community services.
The most common form of student centric scholarship includes the one for the minorities. For example Scholarship for Hispanic students in Canadian colleges.

Exclusive or Unique Scholarships

These are the kind of scholarships that are not essentially inclined to one’s academics or financial proficiency or country from which they hail. They are specifically awarded for some special traits or their interest in certain set of activities like speaking in certain languages, following an exotic culture, protecting wild life, athletics etc. They can avail such scholarships by contacting a specific organization with relevance to such traits or activities and showcasing them with the candidate’s time and resource investment in the relevant sector and meeting other criteria’s laid down by such bodies.

Some examples of such scholarships include Community Service scholarships, First in family Scholarships, Legacy Scholarships, Military Scholarships, Prestigious Scholarships, Average students scholarships, Scholarship for single mom, Scholarship for writing etc.

The student visa processing for Canada can be broken down into few simple steps, for which the students will always have the essential assistance and guidance in each process to make things perfectly smooth via university admissions.

• Attending a counseling session with University Admissions – The student can either attend a counseling session with university admissions online or through a closest branch with our consultant counselors in each country. This will help you get a clear picture on what exactly you need and will be well served with information’s pertinent to Canada, courses available, recommended institutions, career guidance, placement options, stay backs, job opportunities etc.
• Registering with University Admissions – Register with university admissions to kick start your admission and visa processing. We help our candidates with various processes and guide them with essential resource options and alternative that helps in making the overseas education a smooth affair.
• Processing application for admission - Once you have decided what and where you want to study, we will help you complete the application to the institutions of your choice. At the time of application for admission you will be required to submit several documents including proof of previous academic qualifications and in most cases proof of your English language ability. We will also provide you with a checklist for the documents you will need to provide when the time comes to apply for your visa. We also take the hard work out of tracking the applications by keeping in contact with the institution on your behalf.
• Undertaking medical examination – Once the application for the admission is processed, it is quiet essential that the candidate needs to take up a medical examination by a doctor approved by the Canadian government. For the same the candidate will be served with a receipt for the medicals that needs to be submitted at the time of the candidate visa lodging.
•  Arranging Funds - Provide evidence of purchase of a special Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution [currently it is only Scotia bank], for the amount of $10,000 CAD towards the first year living expenses and evidence of payment for of first year’s tuition fee or as an alternate option, students can meet the financial requirement by submitting a copy of the receipt for the first year’s tuition fee payment and a copy of an educational Loan from a Bank equivalent to a sum of $10,000 CAD.
•  Paying Tuition - To accept your offer from an education provider, you must pay the tuition fee as advised by the institution. You can choose to pay this fee through either Telegraphic Transfer (TT) or Direct Debit (DD). Our value added services department at Oceanic Consultants can help you arrange either of these payment methods. Once the institutions have received and processed your tuition fee payment, they will issue you with receipt. This receipt will be needed to lodge your visa application.
•  Visa Lodging - In Canada, a student visa is known as a Study Permit. To lodge your visa application you will need to provide the documents outlined in the checklist. With university admission, we take up the burden of keeping the students posted with relevant visa and application updates at all times.
•  Visa Results - Once we get to know the outcome of your visa application, we notify you and help you out with further proceedings accordingly. In most cases this is a positive response and it means you can also start planning your travel and accommodation for Canada.
•  Travel Services – With University Admissions we help our students make their travel arrangements to ensure a smooth start in Canada. Air ticketing, insurance and foreign exchange can all be arranged through us to make studying overseas easier.

•  Application fully completed (All questions answered), dated and signed indicating your personal mailing address, reliable phone contact and personal e-mail address.
•  Original, valid passport for yourself, as well as a photocopy of the bio data page.
•  Family Information Form and Student Questionnaire (leaving no gaps).
•  Two pass port size photographs with white backgrounds for yourself and each family member requesting for a visa. The photographs should have your name printed on the back, dated and taken in the past six months.
•  Letter of acceptance from your SPP educational institute in Canada stating unconditional admission, course title, duration of study, level of study, star date and latest possible date of admission.
•  Use of a representative form if necessary.
•  IELTS test results taken within last 24 months with overall band not less than 6.0
•  Photocopy of the most recent diploma, experience certificate, degree certificate, school scripts etc.
•  Proof of funds
•  Copy of medical examinations

PG degrees in Canada

There are a number of institutions in Canada that offers Masters Degree programs encouraging a diverse education environment.

Even though Canada has got several types of higher education institutes, only universities offer masters degree programs. Plenty of master degree programs are available in this Canada, ranging from arts and engineering’s to MBAs. General requirements for the students applying for a master’s degree program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, reference letters, a written application regarding the student’s interest in the degree program, and a standardized globally accepted test result, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). International students who are not native a English speakers may have to take the TOEFL, which determines the students language proficiency.

For the international students, tuition fee may vary depending on the school and their program of choice, which normally ranges from as low as around $2,000 per year to $35,000 per year at the highest. Schools located in the smaller provinces like Newfoundland etc are generally less expensive than schools located in the bigger provinces like, British Columbia, etc. Individual institutions awards scholarships to international students who have demonstrated high academic achievements in the past.

The length of a master’s degree in Canada depends on the university, the academic discipline, and whether the student attends full time or part time. Programs range from one to two years and usually include a mixture of coursework and research. Some programs require a full thesis, while others require a project or can be completed even with a internship.

Canada loves international students, which is clearly visible with more than 200,000 of them pursuing their higher studies there. In addition to providing a bi lingual, multi-cultural environment with great winter sports, Canadian schools also provide excellent value for all students, with relatively low tuition rates and high quality schools and education services, with four universities among the top 100’s of the 2012 Shanghai World University Rankings and five MBA schools in 2012 Financial Times being ranked among the top 100’s. Graduates from various programs in Canada will find many opportunities to work in Canada, even if they are or not a Canadian resident.

Graduate programs in Canada

Graduate programs in Canada, typically fall into two main categories – Masters Degree and Doctoral degrees.

Masters programs in Canada are offered in many different fields with two main types of courses – Academic and Professional. Doctoral degrees in Canada are the highest level and require students to produce an original piece of research during while they pursue their academics there. Unlike other countries such as the UK and other European nations, doctoral students in Canada are still expected to complete their coursework and written examinations rather than just focusing on their research.

Master programs in Canada are generally scheduled to complete within 1 to 2 academic years and PHD programs are scheduled to last between 4 to 7 years.

Unlike in other countries, the Canadian education doesn’t work under a central ministry of education or a formal accreditation system. Individual provinces and territories are responsible for their own education programs through a membership to the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada (AUCC). There are currently 92 universities that are members of the AUCC.

The post graduation and graduation programs in Canada combine a system of both the modern and traditional method to ensure a strong focus and quality in teaching and delivery.

Top 10 universities in Canada

•  University of Toronto
•  McGill University
•  University of British Columbia
•  Universite de Montreal
•  University of Alberta
•  McMaster University
•  University of Waterloo
•  University of Calgary
•  Queen’s university
•  Western university

Just like in any other system of education, with Canada as well you need to follow various steps that can help in perfectly placing the candidate with a very feasible and optimum choice enabling their essential objectives and aspirations to cross paths.

Few of the steps involved with applying to US involve:

• Researching the options
• Financing the education
• Filling the application
• Applying for student visa
• Gearing up for departure

Researching the options

The first and the foremost step to pursue your studies in Canada would be, researching on your options to find a college or institution that perfectly fits your needs. You should always be finding choices of schools that can match your interests, rather than taking it the other way round. This ensures that you are in line with your priorities and long term goals. This should typically align with your academic, financial and personal goals as well.

Whilst researching for options, it is essential that the student need to keep in mind that there is no official ranking system for colleges and universities in Canada. The best one is the one that meets your needs and requirements. Such research should essentially be conducted at least 12 to 18 months prior to commencing the academic year. Few of the questions one can consider while conducting their research includes

•  Why do you want to study in Canada?
•  Where do you see yourself fitting in best?
•  Which all colleges or universities will best meet your needs?
•  What kind of financial assistance do you need?
•  What are the essential deadlines?
•  Where do you want to live in Canada?

Also while choosing a graduate or undergraduate program; the candidate must essentially scrutinize the institution for its authorization with relevance to student exchange programs.

Financing the Education

Investing for education abroad should be considered as a self investment. The cost of living in Canada varies from place to place or depending on different provinces like Quebec or Montreal, New found land etc. With proper planning and research, pursuing a higher education in Canada can be made affordable and a lucrative option for the candidate in the long run. This can actually give you high returns on what you invest for your education services in Canada.

For the same we, at University Admissions, highly recommend the students to start the financial planning as early as possible. There are various options by which the students can actually finance their education in Canada, which includes student scholarships, grants, education loans etc. But with each year the competition for such finance options except for educational loans have been significantly increasing, with the rise of number of Canadian educational aspirants. Such application for financial aids, made by the students should generally go along with the application for admissions. We at UA, highly recommend this since we rationalize the fact that, just like any other investments, one needs to evaluate what's best for one’s educational and career goals and how much one would be willing to spend for the same.

The Canadian institutions offer wide array of programs with varying amounts of tuition fees. Canada happens to be a big country and there are places where in you can lead an expensive life or on the other hand an affordable one. So for the same reason the student should be able to assess their funding and how much you would be able to spend for your education and living expenses.

Filling the application

Another important step that needs to considered by the students is filling the application and processing the same. This step covers the general application requirements for the colleges in Canada. This is a task that needs to be done diligently, consuming time effort and energy from the student’s side as it may involve activities like collecting recommendations, generating essays, routing the results of required standard examinations etc. With proper planning and effort, this step can be completed with significant results. Also students need to keep in mind that different institutions have different application procedures, and they need to study them carefully before venturing to do so.

Applying for Student Visa

Please go through the student visa page to ensure that you don’t miss out on any options while making a visa application to Canada.

Gearing up for Departure

This is the final step for a student that can help them to embark an educational journey to Canada. The major components of this step include making the essential travel arrangements, attending pre departure orientations online or offline, gathering the pre departure materials, docs and reporting to the school, if necessary attending their orientations as well.

The UA admission offers pre departure orientations for students gearing up to depart to Canada. University admissions and their Canada alumni’s help the students with information’s and resources that can assist them to prepare for a whole new experience and enhance their skill sets to take up new challenges that they are likely to face during the course of their travel and studies.

Under such orientations we cover topics like cultural differences, motivation, changes from your home environment, academic systems, expectations, accommodations and the essential advices to ensure that you fit in properly.

Accommodation

There are generally two options for students looking for accommodations in Canada. Dormitories on campus or apartments or condos off campus.

On - Campus Housing:

Dorms in a Canadian college or universities are large buildings equipped with the latest facilities where the majority of the students share a room, bathroom and a common area with a roommate. Dorms vary hugely in design, but typically, two students share a room in a hall of about forty students; there are separate bathrooms for men and women and an area where you can all cook and hang out together. Some Universities have pods, in which 6 or so students have their own room, but share a bathroom and common area. Honestly, dorms come in all shapes and sizes, so until you see it it's hard to know exactly what you're going to get. But no matter what form your dorm takes, living in one will provide you with a number of benefits like:

• Built in Social life
• Close proximity to college life
• Convenience – in terms of utilities, furniture, rent etc.

Many colleges and universities provide on campus housing for freshman, and some can provide it throughout all the academic years of your studies. Your university should provide more information on dorm life during your orientation.

Off – Campus Accommodations:

Off campus accommodation is a great option for international students, since it gives you the chance to really make space of your own, become part of a wider community, but also get some peace and composure whenever you might need it, unlike the crowded dorms. Living away from campus gives you the chance to build your perfect home away from home.

Typically students live in halls during their first year, as it help them adjust with the campus life, make new friends, understand the culture and sink in. In their second and third years, some students opt to move into a house or flat which may not be a part of the university. If you do move into a flat or house, you may have to sign a tenancy agreement, with the concerned party. This needs to be done with at most care and diligence to ensure that you comprehend the terms and issues of the contract in case of a breach. In case if you have any doubts, please feel free to talk to your international student advisor who can assist you further in renting such places.

The students can either use UA admissions for procuring such off campus accommodations or have university liaisons officer to help you out to find a new place and settle down.

While taking up an off campus accommodation the student needs to consider these relevant points to be on the safer side:

•  Safest neighborhood in the close proximity
•  Availability of public transport facility
•  General price range and budget for utilities
•  Finding a roommate
•  Scrutinizing the lease agreement before signing the same.

The other modes of Campus accommodation for international students in Canada include.

• Halls of Residence or Dormitories: Halls are a great way to meet new people. They are large buildings divided into flats where you will have either a single room or a shared room. The room itself may be basic, and it may not have an en-suite bathroom but will be having a communal one. Generally the hall will provide basic furniture’s such as bed, desk and chair, but the rest will have to be supplied by the students themselves. Most halls of residence have a canteen where food is supplied to students that are mostly prepaid along with the tuition. As an international student, the food supplied from such facilities may be quiet new to the students, but it is a good way to understand the Belarusian culture. The halls may be either mixed in gender or single, so if you have a preference please feel free to state it during the application process. Apart from that, there are facilities made available to students like TV, pool table etc in the communal area as well.
• Self Catered Halls: Many international students prefer to make food for themselves. For the same, there are halls which give the students an option with communal kitchen, to prepare food for themselves.

A flat or house is generally more expensive than any other option, and you may find it hard to find accommodations which are close to your campus. However many students like the freedom to live where ever they choose, live with whomever they like and choose the type of place they want to live in. With halls, you don't have that kind of flexibility. Students also have the option to take up this facility right from the beginning of their academics, but it’s highly advisable that they do it only after the first few semesters.

General university/ college accommodations/ Hostels:

Most Universities have hostels that can accommodate as many people as possible and offers opportunity for students to have everything necessary for life, study and rest. Rooms for two and for three persons are grouped into blocks. Independent bathrooms and a refrigerator will be made available in each block. At times there will be kitchen facilities with electric cookers on each floor. There will be independent study rooms, a student café, a library, a social and educational assistance center in each campus. And in most of these hostels there are separate internet access rooms for students As off campus housing is a popular option, especially with larger universities it is advisable to start your search early. Contact your universities International Student Office and ask for their advice on how you should go about your search. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People will understand that you are new to the process and will want to make it easy and transparent for you. Prioritize your needs, such as proximity to campus, a nice pool, budget, and then stick to it. Don’t be afraid to be picky but it is advisable to be realistic. Finally don’t be panicked, even if you don’t have something set up by the time you arrive, keep in touch with your university officers and university admissions Canada, let them know where you stand and you will be always assisted.

Air

Due to the huge cities and provinces in Canada, people in Canada normally prefer to use air travels between major cities or provinces. All the major cities in Canada have regularly scheduled flights, flying to and from the cities. At times you might be in a situation were in you would be staying far from the major airports in Canada, in such cases, you might have to use a public transport or rent a car or fly to the nearest major airport to catch a flight to your desired destination. To fly in Canada, you need a piece of photo identification issued by the federal, provincial or territorial government in Canada, or a foreign passport.

Rail

Canada’s rail network runs through the entire country, touching each of the major cities and provinces. It starts from Halifax, Nova Scotia in the east and extends to Vancouver, Prince Rupert and British Columbia in the West. Unlike the train in other countries, the public trains in Canada are quiet clean, safe, cheap and comfortable.

Bus

Buses are the regular source of public transport in Canada. At times it can also be designated as the only major and cheapest source to travel between the cities, provinces and towns. The bus travels are often very long due to great distances that need to be covered between the cities and provinces. One of the major transportation company that runs in Canada is Greyhound.

Ferry

This is the most common form of transportation for people living close to the coastal regions of Canada like British Columbia and the Atlantic region. Ferries are often made available to people as well as their vehicles to be moved from one location to another.

Car

Travelling by car is the most common form of transportation used by the local and international migrants in Canada. This makes long distance travel quiet possible at peoples comfort with the large network of highways and transits. But for the same it is imperative that the people need to get a driver’s license.

Public Transportation system in Canada

The major mode of public transportation system in Canada includes, bus, subway, trains, trams, light rail, street cars, ferries and taxis. Out of which bus is the most common form of transportation for the common people in Canada. To use the public transport in Canada, it is imperative that you get a transit pass. This allows the unlimited use of the public transport for a specific period of time. This way it’s comparatively cheaper than spending for tickets on a daily basis.

Walking and Cycling

Cheapest form of mobility for the students in Canada is either cycling or walking around the cities and towns. Maps are facilitated with the municipal governments and local bike shops that showcase the bicycle networks within the cities, towns and provinces.

• Vancouver Celebration of Lights: This festival showcases the largest fireworks competitions in the world, which prolongs for several nights during every summer in Vancouver. This festival comprises of concerts, food stalls and the seawall challenge.
• The Calgary Stampede: The city of Calgary is quiet renowned for its features like good old fashioned hospitality with a cultural diversity. Each year more than a million people visit Calgary from all over the world to partake in the ten day Stampede party held every July.
• Edmonton Folk Festival: This festival has grown out to be the world’s premier folk festival since the 198’s. This festival is held in every August with a reasonable pricing for entry tickets.
• Toronto international Film Festival: Ranking closely with the Cannes and Sundance, Toronto international film festival is one of the world’s leading film festivals, summoning celebrities and audience around the world. Famous movies like The American Beauty, The Big Chill etc made their premier in this festival. This festival is likely to be held in every September in Toronto.
• Winterlude, Ottawa: This happens on first three weekends of every February, during which the nation’s capital Ottawa, features various events like ice skating, ice sculpture shows, concerts and more. This is to mark the celebration for Canada’s sub zero temperatures.
• Canada day Celebrations, July 1’st: July 1’st celebrations in Canada is quiet similar to what the US celebrates on July 4’Th. This day marks the Canada’s birth as a country. The day is celebrated by the Canadians by dressing themselves in red and white attires, with a lot of fireworks and by drinking a lot of beer. This celebration is special in Ottawa and for the entire nation, it’s a holiday.
• Montreal Just for Laughs comedy festival: This is a festival which summons people together just for fun and laughter. The festival is filled with entertainments featuring world’s greatest comedians in every July. This has also lead to the development of a world television show.
• Quebec Winter Carnival: Celebrated from the end of January to the mid February with a message that is spread across the nation stating that there is no sense in fighting the cold – embrace and celebrate it. This festival was found by the French inhabitants focusing on getting together before they lent to eat, drink and be merry.
• Celtic Colors International Festival: This festival is scheduled for nine days in every October in Nova Scotia. Held in a unique island called as Cape Breton, this festival marks the celebration of the Celtic culture and music in large, majorly contributed by the fiddles and fiddlers.

Banking money and taxes in Canada

Canadian banking system is considered as one of the worlds most sophisticated, safe and best system that is available. Using their existing system connecting to overseas banks and paying for goods and services using international or national debit and credit cards are quit a standard.

Few of the largest banks in Canada include Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto Dominion bank, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce etc.

The banking services are found in most of the major cities and provinces in Canada. International Banking options are very well made available in banks for international students.

The standard and official currency in Canada is Canadian Dollar which is divided into 100 cents and is abbreviated either as CAD or C$.

Opening a bank account is quiet an easy process with the following docs

• Passport and work permit or student permit
• Letter from institution or employer
• Drivers license
• Letter of reference from banks in the student’s home country.

Canadian income tax is applicable based on the residency of the person. If the person is a resident in Canada, then he will have to make tax payments based on whatever he makes anywhere around the world. On the other hand is he is not a resident, he will be required to pay income tax based on the money he earns in the country.

There is provincial taxation and federal taxation in Canada. The taxation is also based on the income brackets. The year end for filing the returns in Canada is every April.

Apart from proving the fact that the candidate can substantiate their expenses in Canada, with tuition and living expenses, in order to get there, they always have an option to avail a lot of work permit programs for international students and their spouses that makes working in Canada along with their studies or other activities quiet a possible option.

Working in Canada helps the student or the candidate open up a window of opportunities in terms of various plausible business opportunities and immigration options after graduation.

Various jobs for International students in Canada include on campus jobs and off campus jobs.

On campus jobs refers to those set of job options where in the student can do part time works within the campus without an actual work permit. On the other hand the off campus jobs for an international student, includes those jobs which the student acquires after completing their course program. There are also options where in a candidate can even travel and work in Canada.

The Off Campus Work Permit Program authorizes you to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays, and spring break).

For the international students, there are Co-op internship programs, where in work permits are made available to international students, whose intended employment is an imperative part of their studies in Canada and the same is certified. Such work programs may consume up to 50 % of the students study portion and if they excel in the same, it may even give rise to permanent work opportunities for the students in Canada.

An international student who desires to work while studying in Canada must be registered as a full time student with an eligible post secondary educational institution participating in the off or On Campus Work Permit Program. For part time work on campus for the first six months of studies, students must prove that they are in good academic standings and are able to manage their studies first and foremost. Part time on- and off-campus work permits are available after six months of studies provided students possess satisfactory academic standing. Work placements (co-op) are often available in the programs of study. Students can get access to up to three years of full time employment in Canada after graduation.

For all the above job hunting and placement assistance, we at university admissions will always strive to help our beloved students through every means we can.