Over the years, Canada has become the ideal destination for higher education. This is why most international students, especially Indian students, prefer to go to Canada to accomplish their higher studies. Top-quality education combined with various internship opportunities, liberal government policies by the country in terms of post-study work, immigration and, most importantly, minimal living costs have indeed added to the attraction.
Study Abroad Assessment FormCanada boasts a long list of the best community colleges and renowned universities. All these educational institutions provide excellent academic standards in shorter durations, and students can make considerable savings on their studies and living expenses in Canada. Read on to learn more about what makes Canada one of the most attractive study destinations globally.
Study in CanadaWhy You Should Study In Canada
Canada is one of the most preferred destinations by international students for higher studies. Given below are some of the main reasons why students choose to study in Canada
1. Quality and affordability of education
Education is considered a provincial responsibility in Canada. Most provincial governments ensure that the educational quality is constantly high throughout the country, irrespective of the colleges and universities. Depending on your eligibility for admission, you can select from a vast range of universities to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree. On the other hand, if you want a much shorter and more appropriate route to get the required skills to become employable, you can go for specialized, advanced and post-graduate diplomas at various Canadian colleges. Canadian universities and colleges provide all types of study programs from different streams, such as IT, economics, healthcare, management, engineering, agriculture, sports, renewable energies, petroleum, accounting, mining, media etc. You will always be able to find an appropriate study program in Canada, no matter what your stream of study is.
For many international students, one of the primary criteria for selecting a higher study destination is the tuition fee rate. Though the expenses for an abroad education can be way high, the average tuition fees for Canadian study programs are much more affordable when compared to other higher study destinations such as Australia, the U.K and the U.S.A.
2. Prime focus on skill development
When we say world-class education, it is not only about what is taught and learned in the classrooms but how a student gets prepared for the challenges in the real world. This is where the Canadian educational system stands apart with its highly resourceful academic system known as the cooperative work (CO-OP) facility for students. The COP facility offered in colleges and universities provides students with real-life work opportunities in their relevant streams of study. This facility introduces the students early to the work environment by maintaining the required work discipline for a particular stream. In a year, four months is the duration for a typical CO-OP program. For instance, a student can avail 16 months of highly resourceful Canadian work experience when pursuing a 4-year degree program that provides a CO-OP facility. Ultimately the student will have a much more competitive advantage over other students or job contestants when looking for a permanent job after graduation.
3. Earn money while you study
Apart from the CO-OP facility, students in Canada are permitted to do part-time weekly work for 20 hours inside or outside the campus. That includes their winter and summer holidays. Depending on the duration of a specific study program, the students can also apply for a post-study work permit of 3 years.
4. Quality of life & cultural diversity
Canada is consistently top-ranked as a safe destination among other major countries worldwide. As an international student, you can enjoy almost all the privileges of any other Canadian. You can enjoy a better quality of life with a clean environment, clean water, and a sense of safety and freedom. Another notable aspect is that the country is devoid of racism, which makes it a safe haven for international students to study and live.
Canada is amiable and welcoming as a big society of many nationalities from different cultures. This is one of the main reasons why people from various countries have happily migrated to Canada for many years. Being a student in Canada, you will be able to partake in and enjoy various festivals and celebrations of different ethnic groups. The country celebrates these kinds of festivals: Diwali to Christmas and Holi to New Year.
5. More accessible college/university admissions
It is much easier to get college/university admissions in Canada compared to the U.S.A, another prime higher study destination for international students. Most Canadian universities will consider your high school academic performance for offering admission to their bachelor’s study programs. On the other hand, to enter colleges and universities in the U.S.A, you must have good scores for the SAT or ACT exams. Furthermore, more emphasis will be given to the overall development of your extra-curricular activities. So, the chances of getting accepted to a Canadian college/university are higher if you focus on your primary academic track record over other criteria.
6. More post-graduate job opportunities
Being an aspiring international student, one of the main aspects for you to select a country for your further studies is the possibility of staying back and working after your graduation. You need to obtain a work permit and find a suitable job after completing your higher studies to accomplish your career goals. The process is simple for getting a Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). You can apply for your PGWP soon after your study or within 180 days of completing your study. You will be eligible for your PGWP if you pursue your study at a legit Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada by having a valid study permit. It would be best if you also remembered that you must enroll in a full-time program of study with at least eight months of duration. This is because the validity of your Canadian work permit can be of eight months to a period of three years, depending on the time of your study program. Therefore, you will most likely qualify for your three-year PGWP when you complete your bachelor’s program.
PGWP is a Canadian open work permit with which you can opt to work in any field/sector regardless of whether the work is connected to the program you selected to study. There are no specific time limitations within which you are supposed to find a job. The good thing is that it is easier for international students to find employment in Canada once they finish their studies.
7. Easier & faster immigration pathways
One main reason why Canada is considered the most preferred international study destination is that it is easier to immigrate to the country and avail your Permanent Residence (PR) status once you complete your study. With Express Entry streams, namely Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), you will be able to earn added points that will help you improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Steps To Follow For Immigrate To Canada
One of the most common ways for Canadian immigration is through higher studies. International students who complete their studies in Canada can be eligible to attain their PR status through various immigration programs. Given below are some of the steps that you can follow if you wish to immigrate to Canada:
Choose A Program And School
The first step is to select a program and school in Canada. Canada has many universities and colleges offering various programs, from undergraduate to post-graduate diplomas and master’s degrees. You should research and find a suitable program that interests you and is apt for achieving your career goals. You can also consider factors such as the cost of tuition, location, and the institution’s reputation.
Apply And Obtain A Study Permit
After you have selected the program and school, you should apply for admission to the school. You must meet the admission requirements, including submitting transcripts, english language proficiency tests and letters of recommendation. Once you are accepted for admission, you must obtain a study permit from the Canadian government. This permit allows you to study in Canada for the duration of your program. You must provide proof of school acceptance, financial capability, and other necessary documentation to get the permit.
Complete Your Studies
Once you obtain your study permit, you can begin your studies in Canada. Working hard and maintaining good academic standing is essential to ensure that you can successfully graduate from your program. You may also want to consider taking advantage of the opportunities for work experience, internships, or co-op placements while you study.
Apply For A PGWP
You may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once you complete your study program. With your PGWP, you can work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. To be eligible, you should complete a program of study that is at least eight months long at a designated learning institution in Canada. It would be best to graduate from a public post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions or a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial or territorial laws to confer degrees.
Apply For PR
Once you have obtained your PGWP and gained work experience in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for PR through various immigration programs. These programs include the EES, PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CCE). Each program has its requirements and selection criteria, so it is vital to research and find the program that best fits your qualifications and work experience. To apply for PR, you must provide documentation such as your educational credentials, language proficiency test results, work experience, and other personal information. You may also need to undergo a medical exam and certificates of police clearance.
Benefits of Settling in Canada
There are numerous benefits of settling in Canada, as mentioned below:
1. High Living Standards
Canada is known for its high standard of living. It consistently ranks near the top of the Human Development Index, which measures factors such as education, income and healthcare.
2. Strong Economy
Canada has a strong and stable economy with low unemployment rates, meaning immense job opportunities and a high quality of life.
3. Welcoming Culture
Canada is known for being a friendly and multicultural society with a diverse population and a reputation for welcoming immigrants from across the globe.
4. Top-Notch Education
Canada boasts a top-notch educational system, home to many renowned colleges and universities. Adding to that, the cost of education is much less and affordable compared to other popular foreign destinations for higher studies.
5. Free Healthcare
Canada’s universal healthcare system provides free medical care to all citizens and permanent residents.
6. Social Security
Canada is considered one of the safest counties, with a low crime rate and a robust legal system.
7. Scenic Locales
Canada is well-known for being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with picturesque natural scenery and locales that include mountains, lakes and forests.
8. Access to Citizenship
Once you settle down in Canada, you may be eligible for citizenship over a certain period, which comes with several benefits, such as the right to vote and access to various Canadian government services.
Overall, Canada is an excellent place for those who immensely value a high quality of life, a solid & stable economy, excellent educational standards, a top-notch healthcare system, a reliable social security system and spectacular scenic beauty.
