Canada

Canada is the largest country in North America and consists of 10 provinces and 3 territories. It is located in the northern part of the continent, and the capital of Canada is Ottawa. It is the second largest country in the world territory-wise. With its immigration, friendly policies study in Canada has become easier than ever. Also, it is a popular destination for vocational and diploma courses among international students.

How to study in Canada?

Students always have this question in mind that how they can study in Canada. The first step is to apply to a Canadian University or college. Once you receive admission, you can apply for a study permit for Canada. Also, students should also know the complete application process for Canada.

Education System

The school systems in Canada are different from each other, depending on the province or territory. Education is available in both English and in French in most places, provided there are enough students in that area speaking the secondary language. High school is typical to grades nine to 12. In Québec, high school ends in grade eleven and is followed by a program that prepares the student for university or a technical field called CEGEP.

Beyond this, students can attend either vocational schools or enter a university. At a university, they will first earn a Bachelor’s degree and can continue studies to receive a Master’s or a Doctorate degree. Vocational students will earn certificates and diplomas that will help improve their skills in the various trades.

Popular student destinations:

Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in cities like Toronto, British Columbia, Montreal. The number of Indian students got study permits in the year 2017 rose 58% to 83,410.

Canada is the preferred destination for vocational studies rather than degree courses as the former seems to provide more employment opportunities. Canada is a good choice for immigration as the country offers immense scope for work owing to its low population density.

The most popular higher study courses in Canada would be postgraduate diplomas in areas like Business Management, Media, Engineering, Computer Science and Hospitality.

Safety in Canada:

Canada is one of the safest countries, with one of the highest standards of living in the world. Canada is a free country where people are, by and large, judged on their actions and character, rather than their appearance or country of origin.

Weather

Weather in Canada varies widely depending on where you are. Canada stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, covering five time zones.

Montreal Weather – The weather here in winter is cold and snowy. The cold in Montreal can be especially biting because of the wind-chill factor. Snowfall usually begins in November and continues through March. During winter months, the daytime temperatures are between -6°C to -15°C. Summer temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C.

Toronto Weather – The weather here in winter is milder than most Canadian cities, yet still cold and snowy. Summer temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C. During winter months, the daytime temperatures are between -10°C to 12°C.

Vancouver Weather – It remains wet, yet mild throughout the year. Summer in Vancouver is pleasantly warm with an average temperature of 22°C. Winters are wet, but snow is rare. Average daily temperatures in winters range from 3°C to 7°C.

Lifestyle tips

Canadians are known to be open-minded and proud of their multicultural and diverse population. Like any other country, Canadians have certain expectations of behavior. Here are a few tips:

• Be on time for both professional and social occasions
• Be respectful in conversation and behavior
• Canadians believe in equality between genders, so show respect to the opposite sex
• Don’t crack jokes or make comments that are insulting to people’s race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or appearance
• Avoid personal questions about things like age, salary, marital status, relationships, and the cost of personal items until you are well-acquainted with people

Language problems: Living in a society where you have to use English or occasionally French on a daily basis can be challenging at first. Some language problems you may initially encounter when you arrive are:

• You may not understand the local accent right away. Regional accents vary greatly in Canada. Give yourself time to get used to the local accent.
• Canadians might not understand you right away. You will also have your own accent. Speak slowly and don’t be shy about asking others to speak slowly if you are having a hard time understanding them.
• Canadians use a lot of slang in their speech and it might take you some time before you understand all of it.
• Humour is an integral part of Canadian English. This should be interpreted as a sign of friendliness, not disrespect.
• Canadians use lots of abbreviation in their speech (for example, TA for Teachers Assistant or Poli Sci for Political Science). If you don’t understand something, simply ask the meaning of it.

Participation: It is necessary to participate in all activities during your classes. You may be asked to participate in class discussions, group work or other activities. It is very important to participate outside of the classroom as well. This will provide you with many opportunities to practice your English skills in many different settings.

Making friends: Try not to be shy. Remember that making friends is important to everyone in their first year of university. Saying “please” and “thank you” are important Canadian customs, and your relationships will improve if you express your gratitude and appreciation to those around you.