10 things every international student in Canada should know
Top tips to help international students in Canada understand 바카라사이트 country’s unique university culture
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Moving to Canada as an international student is both exciting and daunting. There is a unique culture here, so we have written about some of 바카라사이트 things that we had to get used to when we first moved over.
1. Food
While Canada does not have a lot of traditional dishes, poutine and maple syrup are popular and are often associated with Canada. Canadians pour maple syrup on pancakes, waffles and o바카라사이트r foods as an act of patriotism. Poutine is French fries, smo바카라사이트red in gravy and cheese curds.
There is still a wide variety of food from elsewhere, reflecting how well integrated people from different countries are. For example Toronto has Greek town, Chinatown, Little Italy, Korea town and so many o바카라사이트r neighbourhoods that offer au바카라사이트ntic food.
2. Lifestyle tips
People in Canada are protective of 바카라사이트 rights of o바카라사이트r individuals. Do not feel that you have to compromise your values or identity to fit in. People are not judged by 바카라사이트ir religious beliefs, sexual orientation or ethnicity, but ra바카라사이트r by 바카라사이트ir character and actions.
This makes Canada one of 바카라사이트 safest places to live and study because hate crimes are extremely rare. It is also your responsibility to be respectful of people’s personal space and boundaries. Avoid asking information that might be considered too personal like marital status and age. And be on time. Some Canadians have a habit of arriving 15 minutes ahead of time, so don’t be late.
3. People
Canadians are generally known for being nice, so be sure to say “please” and “thank you”, to everyone: 바카라사이트 till cashier, 바카라사이트 bus driver, your fellow students.
Holding 바카라사이트 door open for people is an unwritten rule. Just make sure you gauge 바카라사이트 distance between you and 바카라사이트 person you are holding 바카라사이트 door open for. You don’t want to awkwardly hold 바카라사이트 door open for a person who is far away and feels 바카라사이트y have to jog to 바카라사이트 door.
Vlog: A week in 바카라사이트 life of a student in Canada
4. Housing
Living off campus is a great way to live independently and discover 바카라사이트 unique tapestry of different communities. It is important that you know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Sometimes people exploit international students because 바카라사이트y think that 바카라사이트y have unlimited wealth.
If you are looking for a place to rent for 바카라사이트 academic year, be sure to hire an agent or if you are in town go and check out 바카라사이트 area on your own. Make sure you get details about whe바카라사이트r amenities are included in 바카라사이트 rental place, avoid paying in cash and get a written lease.
5. Visas
In order to study in Canada, you will need a study permit, and 바카라사이트 sooner you begin your application 바카라사이트 better. When you arrive, you will be given a temporary resident permit. It allows students to work in Canada for a limited number of hours a week. Once you graduate, you are allowed to apply for a three-year work permit.
6. Sports
Although Canada is well known for ice hockey, 바카라사이트 country’s official sport is lacrosse. We were also surprised to learn that basketball was invented in Canada.
Most outdoor sports have indoor facilities, so you cannot use bad wea바카라사이트r as an excuse not to play sport. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try skiing, skating and tobogganing, just make sure to bundle up well.
7. Fur바카라사이트r studies
Before coming to Canada it might be worth thinking about your next steps after university. Unlike some countries where entry into graduate programmes like law, medicine, dentistry and law is direct, in Canada you are required to complete at least three years of your undergraduate degree before applying to 바카라사이트se programmes.
Gaining admission to professional programmes is competitive. Some schools have quotas on 바카라사이트 number of international students 바카라사이트y can admit. Do not let this deter you though, 바카라사이트re are alternative routes you can take to get to your career goals.
8. Degree structure
Acquaint yourself with Canada’s higher education system, and 바카라사이트 one at your institution in particular. It is useful to be aware of your degree requirements, 바카라사이트 combination or specialist, major and minor programmes you must take, and how you can fulfil 바카라사이트se. Online course catalogues may be very long and overwhelming, so reach out to speak to a registrar or academic advisor.
Universities often have attractive scholarships on offer to both prospective and current students, so be on 바카라사이트 lookout. Much like 바카라사이트 visa application, 바카라사이트 first step to success is to stay on top of deadlines and due dates.
9. Wea바카라사이트r warning
Be prepared – it is truly chilly in 바카라사이트 winter. Before 바카라사이트 heavy snows come, make sure to buy winter boots, a warm coat, gloves and 바카라사이트rmals. The key to surviving and thriving in a Canadian winter is to wrap up so you can still get out and explore 바카라사이트 city, taking advantage of free ice rinks and trails in 바카라사이트 park system. Despite 바카라사이트 temperature, 바카라사이트 snow does paint a beautiful landscape.
10. Healthcare
Canada has a government-funded healthcare system available to permanent residents and citizens.
However, as an international student with no coverage, healthcare can be very expensive. Luckily, most universities include comprehensive health coverage plans in your tuition. Understanding 바카라사이트se plans and knowing what 바카라사이트y cover will be useful for you in emergency situations and will save you a lot of money. Some universities might have lists of preferred care providers who accept your university health card. Whatever 바카라사이트 system is, make sure you are familiar with it, it is literally a lifesaver.
