5 Reasons International Students Choose Canada

Canada By Serra Pinto Avimlah April 7, 2023

Canada is the third most popular country in the worldⁱ for international students. With strong and affordable education, a warm welcome, and an exceptionally high living standard,, it has much to offer.

In 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 551,405 new study permits. 41% (226,450) went to students from India. But what makes it so popular?

Here are 5 reasons students from India and around the globe are flocking to the Great White North, as well as a few tips for international students who want to extend their stay after graduation.

Excellent Teaching and Research Standards

Canada offers excellent education standards, showcased by its range of world-class universities. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 count 31 Canadian educational institutions among the very best in the world. This includes the University of Toronto at #18, the University of British Columbia, where 33% of students are international, at #40, and McGill University at #46.

Most university programs include opportunities to get involved in high-quality academic or scientific research, including research for the public good funded by the Canadian government. For instance, Canada’s top two universities, the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, scored particularly highly for research impact in judging the  rankings.

High Quality of Life

In 2022, Canada was ranked as the third best place in the world for quality of life on the US News Best Countries list. It ranks particularly highly for its job market, economic, and political stability, education, safety and public health.

As an international student, you’re guaranteed all the same freedoms, rights, and privileges that all Canadians benefit from, including respect for diversity, equality, and human rights.

English is Widely Spoken

Canada is a bilingual country, with English and French as both official languages, almost 200 languages are spoken across Canada, including more than 70 indigenous languages! Almost everyone can speak English to a good standard though, and it’s the language of instruction for university programs.

This is a significant advantage for many international students and removes potential language barriers, as it’s so common to have English as a second or first language.

Affordable Education Options

There are several scholarship, grant, and bursary programs to help international students access education in Canada. These include the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program—open to students of fellow Commonwealth countries, such as India—Study in Canada Scholarships, plus many universities offer their scholarships and bursaries.

On top of this, tuition fees tend to be lower than in universities and other higher education institutions in the US, UK, and Australia – the other most popular destinations for international students. And most international students are eligible to work up to 20 hours a week off-campus, and many programs include co-op work placements.

So Much to See and Do

If you like to travel, Canada is likely to be a dream come true. From the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains to the beauty of its coastline, Canada is a great place to get lost in natural wonder. It has the world’s longest coastline, more than 10% of the planet’s forest, and more of its surface area is covered in lakes than anywhere else on the globe.

Canada’s cities offer culture aplenty, each with its own distinct personality. And it’s easy to travel around the country to take it all in, thanks to the country’s high quality and well-connected public transport system.

Moving to Canada from India or Elsewhere

Expect a warm welcome

In addition to its people’s global reputation for friendliness and politeness, Canada offers a truly diverse and open society. For the most part, it’s really welcoming to immigrants and maintains a commitment to multiculturalism, promising to ensure all citizens can take pride in their background, preserve their identity, and feel that they belong.

Canada’s multiculturalism is tangible at its universities, where you’ll have an opportunity to make friends from all over the world.

Think about cost of living

Canadian education may be affordable, but remember that not everything is cheap, at least in comparison to much of the rest of the world. This is especially true if you’re moving to Toronto or Vancouver.

Your family may wish to send you money from time to time to help with your studies – or perhaps you’ll manage to snap up an amazing part-time job and want to send some funds back home. Transferring money to and from Canada couldn’t be easier when you use Western Union, online through our website or through the Western Union app.

Want to stay longer-term?

If you fall in love with Canada’s vibrant culture while you study, you might find you want to stay a little longer or even for good.

Canada’s welcoming immigration policies include multiple pathways for international students to acquire permanent residency. You can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once you finish your studies, which will let you gain work experience in Canada. This experience can then be instrumental in helping you gain permanent residence.

 

 

 

ⁱ As of 2020.