Living in Canada
You will find this section a useful guide to living in the Canada throughout your stay in Canada. It explains everything from the basics, such the Canada Climate, Banking system etc. It also includes tips on how to stay Safe and Secure.
Accommodation provided by the school/college enrolled in:
Canadian Schools/ Colleges and Universities provide two kinds of accommodation:
Residence Halls/ Dormitories
In this variety, normally 4-6 students share a flat – like space with individual bedrooms and common living and kitchen areas. This is a good way of making friends, getting to be part of the student community, share chores and exchange cultural tips, while still being able to have one’s own individual space while studying, writing and sleeping.
Gender specific floors or dormitories may be specifically asked for if a student so requires.
Homestays
Many Canadian families enjoy renting out their extra rooms to international students after their own families have moved out. The advantages of such homestays are many. The student gets to stay in a home-like atmosphere and has the benefit of being part of a family. This is often essential for international students, especially the younger students and helps them adapt quicker. It also gives the student a chance to improve their English or French. Typically the student has a room to her/him and shares meals with the host family.
Since homestays are arranged by the school/college the student has enrolled in, every effort is made to match the student profile with the host family to ensure safe and healthy adaptation.
Prices will depend on the location, placement fee charged by the school/college and whether a meal plan is included or not.
Off Campus or Private Accommodation
Renting is a popular system of accommodation. However, in this system, there are no set prices or set of amenities provided. Rents may vary vastly depending on location, the lists of amenities and utilities included. Rents are higher in the city centre areas, especially in larger cities while the suburban accommodation may appear or actually be much cheaper. It is important for the student to make a thorough comparison and read the fine print before signing a lease.
The attending college/ institution may be able to provide a list of renting options within the vicinity. Though recommended by the institution, it is still important that the student makes a thorough study to avoid problems later. Often an entire flat or house is too expensive for one student alone to rent out and so one can join a group who is renting by either checking out new students with similar requirements, or keep a lookout on notice boards, newspapers and the like for any single rooms within a house being advertised.
Landlords may take a damage deposit at the start with rent being payable monthly, quarterly or as a lump sum.
Things to remember when choosing accommodation in Canada:
Try to make arrangements ahead of time but be especially sure to do so if you require accommodation during the summer months, and during holidays and festivals.
If you are staying in a hotel or hostel, always inspect the room on arrival before making a payment. If you are unsure about the location, ask the local tourism association.
Prices can vary greatly according to location and time of year, so try to investigate before you leave. Canada is a friendly and wonderful place, and having made the proper arrangements, you will undoubtedly enjoy your stay regardless of where you choose to live in Canada.
Youth Hostels/YWCA/YMCA
Youth hostels are a boon for students looking for temporary stay because they have not been able to make arrangements in advance for the longer duration. These are ideal for short stays as they are relatively cheaper and provide the basic amenities. Canadian hostels must be inspected and approved by the Canadian Hosteling Association however these may not be ideal for longer durations. Also these are open to travelers from within and outside Canada, so may be also booked up during holiday or peak season. It is best for a student to make arrangements for even such short stints before one leaves one’s homeland.
Money and Measurements
Canada uses the metric system of measurement.
The official currency, the Canadian dollar consists of 100 cents and is available in denominations of paper $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100. Coins come in denominations of 1 cent (pennies), 5 cents (nickels), 10 cents (dimes), 25 cents (quarters), $1 (loonies) and $2 (twoonies).
Though the $1 and $2 coins have been around for the last 10 years, you will still sometimes come across bills of $1 & $2. These are still legal tender but now getting scarce as collector items. Each bill is of a different colour and hence easy to differentiate especially for the new arrivals in the country.
For currency exchange rate visit:
Banks & Currency Exchange, Travellers Cheques
The nationalized banks of Canada are regulated by two bodies and are reputed to be some of the world’s most diversified and best managed institutions.
If a student is not already carrying Canadian money, it is better to have the US dollar changed to Canadian at a bank as most banks do not charge a commission. But since the banks are open only during the week, it would be best to carry some Canadian money to use at the airport and for the first day or so especially in case of arrival on a weekend.
Travellers cheques should also be used for its safety as well as the fact that they are accepted at most stores just like cash, i.e., without paying commission.
At a pinch, one can use one’s US money as well as it is freely circulated, but one must remember that the change returned will be Canadian.
Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
Bank branches are fairly easily accessible and ATMs even more so. You will find one of the other near any shopping area, bus-train-stations, airport and many others scattered over the business centre or tourist spots.
If traveling to remote parts though, it is best to carry some cash. Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro ATMs are also connected to International networks. A variety of credit card companies are accepted, Visa being most popular.
Taxes
There is a 5% Goods and Service Tax (GST) levied on most items and services provided in Canada. The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is 13% and in Ontario. Visitors are entitled to get refund of GST paid at the time of leaving the country; however conditions apply and one must be aware of them.
Climate Of Canada
Canada encompasses a large body of both land and water; hence the climate varies every few hundred miles. The southern belt of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Manitoba is known for moderate temperatures and milder days in the summer months of June, July and August interspersed with thunder storms. Come September-October autumn makes its appearance with frost and December more often than not is snowy. Further up north in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon, weather is more severe, requiring the use of a light weight jacket in summer and warmer clothes the rest of the year round.
With modern technology having advanced and penetrated even the deepest territories, the ambience indoors of a typical Canadian home is kept fairly stable, with most modern housing and transportation being equipped with air conditioning and heating systems.
Canada is experiencing climatic changes recently, what with global warming, greenhouse effect and the likes. However, the government is aware of the effects that it could have on the lives and health of Canadians, and is working on several environmental projects to fight the changes and bring about awareness to stop any detrimental changes that could take place.
High Standard Of Living In Canada
In recent years, the standard of living of the average Canadian has gone up by leaps and bounds. Post World War II, Canada was considered the 2nd wealthiest industrialized country in the world.
Canada has a large amount of natural resources in the form of lakes and mineral deposits making it one of the richest countries existing today. With a population that is small, well educated and modernized, it has not taken long for the average Canadian to improve his lifestyle.
A record number of Canadians own their own homes today. Most homes are equipped with all modern amenities and machines and most Canadian families own a car if not two.
For More Details Please Click On The Following Link:
http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection-R/LoPBdP/BP/prb0223-e.htm
Welcoming Environment
Canada is a melting pot of various cultures. It has migrants from all over the world who lend their cultural hues to the country whilst retaining their individuality. You will see this present in the vibrant range of cuisines and various clubs and associations of different communities.
All major cites have a variety of amenities that help a student adjust to the new country – Shopping malls, entertainment in the form of theatres, restaurants, art galleries, museums and several parks where many cultural events are held during the warm weather. Winter too has its own kind of charm with ice skating and other winter sports being pursued.
Beautiful Environment
Native Canadians value their beautiful natural environment. Endowed with beautiful landscapes, Canada has several national park reserves, forests, beaches and gardens allowing the locals and visitors a host of recreational activities. Besides Jasper and Banff National parks, which are well known tourist destinations, there at least another 25 plus that are open to the public. A student can experience the vast diversity of this country from rugged mountains, limestone landscapes, wildlife reserves and forests to snowbound ski jumps as well as – yes – beaches!!
Little known to most, Canada can boast of the largest shoreline in the world and some great beaches. Long Beach (Vancouver Island), ParleyBeach (New Brunswick), MagdalenIslands, TribuneBay (British Columbia) is some of the most visited.
Students can avail of local guided tours that give an insight into the country’s culture and social life. Maple syrup tasting tours, vineyard tours and Native Indian Reserve tours are a pleasant way of learning more about this country.
Canada: Safe Place To Study
Although it is a good idea never to let down your guard when you are in a foreign country, Canada offers an international student one of the safest environments to study in. This is because it has a relevantly low crime and violence rate compared to some other nations.
In fact its crime rate has been on the decline in the last two decades and is at its lowest since 1973. This is partly because the Government and its judicial and security system are vigilant and tough on criminals.
Another contributing factor may be that the standard of living continues to go higher. As the locals lead a better life in terms of having their basic needs as well as comforts catered to, there is less likelihood of crime increasing.
For More Details Please Click On The Following Link :
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ci-ci/study-etudie/info.aspx?lang=eng&view=d
Canada: High Tech Country
Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council report states that Canada has a sound base and what it takes to take the country forward through Innovation Leadership. Cutting edge Research Work being undertaken in several Canadian Universities will help enhance Canada’s potential in leading the way in fields of technology and innovation.
Canada is on par with the use of latest techno-gadgets especially in the field of wireless communication- both the use of CDMA and GSM based technology as well as 2.5 and 3G mobile technology. The country is ranked 14th as per 2016 updates in the ‘Networked Readiness Index’ only 3 places behind US. Top 10 of the Most High Tech Countries in the World- Canada ranks 8 th in the world as per 2016 update.
CANTAT is Canada’s transatlantic submarine cable that connects it to the US and Europe.
Canada is equally well known in other sectors such as transportation and engineering; aeronautics, medical equipment, hydroelectric and nuclear power, biotechnology, food and beverage processing, lasers and optoelectronics.
For More Details Please Click On The Following Link:
http://www.stic-csti.ca/eic/site/stic-csti.nsf/eng/00036.html
https://wingsinternationaledu.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/dgtp-002-07-bell-Appendix-4.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2009/03/02/canada-ict-ranking.html
Canada has two official languages – English and French. Though a bilingual country, the large majority of the staunch French speaking population is found in Quebec, with a few scattered communities around the rest of the country. A whopping 83% of Quebecers speak French at home and are proud of it!
As a bilingual nation, Canada also offers superior English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as Second Language (FSL), training for students wishing to learn either or both languages. It is estimated that some 800 million people speak English and 250 million speak French