Canada – brings to mind snowy mountains, frozen lakes, expanses of wheat fields, ice hockey and maple trees. But of late it has also emerged as a major international education hub.
Is Studying in Canada Worth It?
Many students aspire to go abroad to study, as they want to learn new things and have different experiences. Canada is one of the most preferred destinations for international students because of the many benefits of studying in Canada.
A developed nation, it is peaceful and inclusive and the people are warm and hospitable. Canada also has friendly immigration policies, free healthcare, and is abundant in natural beauty – all factors that make it an attractive country to live in.
The many universities and colleges in the country offer a wide range of courses across numerous disciplines.
But what makes Canada a great choice for studying abroad? Let’s take a look at the advantages of studying in Canada:
Affordable
The tuition fee in Canada is very reasonable when compared to other countries – and you get a great return on your investment. That is, your employment prospects are pretty good once you complete your study in Canada. The cost of living is also surprisingly affordable in comparison to other English-speaking countries.
Quality Education
Canada has world-class universities and colleges with excellent pedagogical standards. 26 universities of Canada feature in the highest ranked universities of the world. The Canadian government provides support and encouragement for research in medicine, technology, telecommunications, agriculture economics, engineering, etc.
The campuses are well-equipped, and the professors are highly qualified, approachable, and extremely helpful, offering stellar guidance to students. Students aspiring to earn degrees in various fields have the option of choosing from a broad range of courses over multiple disciplines.
The curriculum is career-focused, and it helps students develop the requisite skills to get started on their chosen career path. The degrees conferred by Canadian Universities are recognized globally, increasing your career prospects. These reasons make studying in Canada very desirable.
Scholarships
Many universities offer scholarships to deserving international students in Canada, and this can ease the burden on your pocket significantly. Grants and scholarships often have certain eligibility criteria attached to them.
Standard Of Living
Canada being a developed country has an excellent standard of living, with the majority of the people having access to a multitude of modern comforts and amenities. Pollution and crime are very low in Canada, and the people are generally friendly and helpful.
Vibrant Student Life
Student life in Canada is exciting and vibrant, and they need not worry about safety either; as an inclusive society, Canada is safe for outsiders. You can enjoy the vibrant and diverse culture and learn about different peoples, cuisines, heritage, and what not. There is also a huge and thriving student community in Canada and you can easily find your group.
The Canadians are fond of the outdoors and physical activity, and you can take this opportunity to learn new sports like ice hockey, skating, snowboarding, and other winter sports.
Part-Time Work
This is a good reason why choose Canada for study. International students are permitted to work part-time while they are enrolled as full-time students at a university/college. Students can work for up to 20 hours a week during school days, and full time during vacation time. You can pick up jobs on campus or outside to earn some extra cash, or work in a related field to garner the necessary experience. The experience of work-student balance that this feature offers, prepares students for their adult work-life balance.
Progressive and Inclusive Society
This is one of the biggest benefits of studying in Canada for Indian students. The Canadian society is highly accepting of people irrespective of race, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, economic background, and so on. An eclectic and diverse subsection of humanity lives in peace and harmony in this country.
Post-Study Work Permit
On the completion of your course, you don’t have to immediately return to your home country. You can apply for a PSWP or post-study work permit, and start your job search.
The work permit duration depends on the course you completed – the maximum is three years, but you can always extend it further. The Canadian system has measures in place to enable students to have a successful career trajectory and this is a huge reason to study in Canada.
Immigration Policies
As a country with low population, Canada has very friendly and convenient immigration policies, and this makes it a great destination for international students who are desirous of settling abroad. Students are allowed to work on permits, and apply for PR cards at the end of the permit period upon them meeting certain conditions, and eventually apply for citizenship if they want to.
For many international students, this is one of the best advantages of studying in Canada, as it gives them a short-cut to Canadian citizenship. Canada is a welfare state and supports citizens who are disabled, unemployed and so on.
Disadvantages Of Studying in Canada for International Students
Though Canada offers umpteen advantages for international students who wish to pursue their higher education in the country, there are a few disadvantages as well. Let us see what they are:
- Extreme winters – while it is clean and beautiful, Canada has one of the coldest winters you can experience, as it is located closer to the North Pole. It can take some time to get used to the harsh winter; additionally, you need a lot of winter equipment like special footwear, heavy jackets, room heaters, and so on to get through the season.
- Long wait for doctor appointment – healthcare is nationalized and free, but it can take ages to get an appointment to consult a doctor, unless there is a medical emergency. Private medical care is also available, but it is exorbitantly expensive.
- Inadequate public transport – the frequency of buses and local trains is very poor and you could end up waiting for over 30 minutes if you miss your regular transportation. This often necessitates everyone to have their own vehicle.
Pros of Studying in Canada | Cons of Studying in Canada |
Affordable tuition fee | Extreme cold climate |
World class university education | Long Waiting period to get doctor appointments |
Globally recognized degrees | Rent, clothing, etc. can be relatively expensive |
Inclusive and diverse society | Need to pass IELTS and other exams depending on your course to get admission |
Safe and clean environment | Poor public transport |
Immigration friendly policies | High Tax Rate |
What Are the Benefits of Studying in Canada as Compared to Other Countries?
Compared to countries like UK, Australia and others, the tuition fee and cost of living is much lower in Canada, while the standard of living is not vastly different. The immigration policies are inclined towards foreigners, unlike in the other nations. The society in Canada is far more inclusive, accepting, and diverse, and everyone is treated equally in social and employment settings.
The people in Canada are a very friendly lot, and very helpful towards newcomers. In the UK, people are a little more reserved; whereas it is almost negligible in Canada.
Conclusion
Why study in Canada? Canada is one of the best countries you can choose to study abroad. Though there are some minor disadvantages, by and large, it is an exceptional place an international student could hope to be in. If you have your heart set on studying in Canada, our study abroad education consultant experts will sit with you and understand your goals, needs, aptitude, and qualification, to guide you towards the best universities and courses. We will also help with your IELTS training, college applications, visa, and looking out for scholarships. At Salve Maria, student’s requirements are our priority and we go the extra mile to help you gain admission into your preferred university or college. You don’t have to worry about how to study in Canada because we are there to help make it happen.