Canada is the world’s second largest country by area of 9,984,670 km2, and almost the same size as all of Europe combined. It is located in the northern part of North America, where it shares its southern border with the United States, while its northern peak goes all the way up to the Arctic Circle. Canadians reside in one of the 10 provinces and 3 territories within the country, with over 35% living in Ontario, followed by Quebec (23%), British Columbia (13%) and Alberta (12%). Canada’s capital city is Ottawa, Ontario. Its three largest and most globally recognized metropolitan cities are Toronto (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec), and Vancouver (British Columbia), all of which are ranked in the top 20 list of QS World Universities Best Student Cities. Given Canada’s massive size and physical geography, temperatures can vary greatly across the country.
Canadian winters can be harsh in many regions, with temperatures ranging between -15°C/5°F and -30°C/-2°F in the interior and Prairie provinces. Coastal regions, such as around British Columbia have much milder winters. Summers, on the other hand, are hot with temperatures ranging between 20°C/70°F to 30°C/86°F, and occasionally exceeding 40°C/104°F. Canada is globally known for its multiculturalism, making it a desirable location for international students travelling away from their family and their home.
Canada offers international students an academic experience that is very hard to beat. Academic excellence, affordability, work opportunities during and post-study, pathway to permanent residence, and a safe living environment are just some of the reasons why Canada is ranked amongst the top ten destinations for students looking to study abroad. With affordable tuition fees, quality institutions, flexibility to work during study, post-study work and immigration options, and welcoming people, it is no surprise that Canada is one of the premiere destinations for international students, drawing in over 300,000 new international students annually.
According to the Canadian Bureau for International Educations (CBIE) 2018 International Student Survey, the overwhelming majority of students (93%) say they are satisfied with their educational experience. One of the biggest reason’s students choose to come to Canada is the quality of a Canadian education. Canadian degrees and diplomas are widely recognized as comparable to those from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Canadian universities and colleges consistently place high on international rankings. In fact, 17 Canadian universities are ranked in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2020. Many are also ranked in the top 100 by reputable sources like The Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Education is highly valued in Canada. The Canadian government invests heavily in the Canadian education system. As a result, Canada has one of the highest rates of post-secondary education completion (61%) amongst the OECD member countries. Unsurprisingly, Canadian teachers, professors, and researchers are also amongst the most qualified academic professionals around the world. Canada also attracts top international faculty because of its investments in cutting-edge research in areas such as medical science, pharmaceuticals, information technology and artificial intelligence.
Canada has ranked 1 in the Best Countries Rank¬ing for Quality of Life for four years in a row now (as of 2019). It is also amongst the top 15 coun¬tries on the UN 2018 Human Development Index (2019 data not released yet), which assesses the three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. Not only is the quality of Canadian education amongst the best in the world, it is also one of the most cost-effective. The tuition fees, as well as the overall costs of living, are generally lower in Canada than in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Another big reason why students choose to come to Canada is personal safety. In a 2019 World Education Services study, over 25% of the international students in the US showed concerns about gun violence at their institution. Prospective international students and their parents can gain comfort knowing that Canada is amongst the safest countries in the world. Canada is listed amongst the 20 safest countries in the world in the 2019 Global Finance ranking of safest countries, with over 82% of people living in Canada feeling safe walking at night. Institute for Economics and Peace’s 2019 Global Peace Index also ranks Canada as one of the 10 most peaceful countries around the world. Canadian culture incorporates flavors from all over the world, and Canadians celebrate events and festivals from all around the world, such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Caribana, Eid, and St. Patricks Day. Canada’s welcoming population and thriving multicultural environment makes Canada a perfect home away from home for students around the world.
The option to work while studying is one of the decision-making criteria for prospective international students finalizing their education destination. International students enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time (30+ hours/week) during scheduled breaks, such as the summer holidays. Most students don’t need a work permit to work while they study, whether their job is on-campus or off-campus. When travelling abroad to study, students usually get temporary status in the country they studying in. That status often expires when their program ends, so they have to return home after graduation. Canada, on the other hand, has programs designed to help international students gain Canadian work experience after gradua¬tion and if they wish, subsequently transition to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), for example, lets students who have graduated from a 2+ year PGWP-eligible program stays and work in Canada for up to three years. Students can also use this work experience to qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
