1. Quality Education
Canada holds a proud international reputation for high educational standard. Canadian degree's are internationally equivalent to degrees from the United States or Commonwealth countries. To ensure quality standards are met, all academic programs are subject to periodic review by the institutions that offer then, and in some provinces, government bodies. Organizations like the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) have rigorous membership standards that must be met before membership is granted.
2. Programs to Suit your Needs
Post secondary institutions in Canada offer a wealth of program types and disciplines. Colleges offer certificates, diplomas, co-op placements, apprenticeships, and graduate certificate programs. While universities offer three and four year Undergraduate Degrees, Master's programs and Doctorate or PhD programs. Thanks to new trends in education many colleges and universities are coming together to offer collaborative programs which offer the combination of hands-on learning that colleges are known for with the more theoretical approach of university studies.
Most importantly, each school has a style all its own. You can choose to study at a large, research-intensive campus in an urban centre, or if you'd prefer, you can enroll at a small liberal arts institution with a focus on undergraduate education, or find a middle ground where you fit best.
3. Value for your Money
There is no question that studying aboard is a huge financial undertaking. While it is important to think of your education as an investment, you should be realistic about how much you can afford to spend. Did you know that the cost of living in Canada is lower then countries like Australia, England or the United States? Toronto is considered the most expensive city in Canada, yet it is still 25% less per year then life in London, England. Furthermore, according to the Mercer Cost of Living report, living in Toronto is less expensive then New York, Sydney, Los Angeles and Chicago.1
Where you study makes a difference in tuition costs as well. International students who attend an American Public 4-year college Undergraduate program will most often pay "out-of-state" tuition fees, which averaged $15,778 in the 2006/2007 academic year 2. These costs are even higher for anyone who wishes to attend a Private College. Conversely, all Canadian universities receive public funding through the provincial governments, which not only ensures all universities adhere to a code of academic standards, but allows for lower tuition fees. In the same 2006/2007 academic year, international students who enrolled in Canadian Undergraduate programs paid an average of $13,2053 . That's a savings of over $2,000 dollars!
4. Choose your School; Choose your Language
Canada is a bilingual country speaking both English and French which gives you an ability to choose your primary language of instruction. Schools like the University of Western Ontario, University of British Columbia and St. Fancis Xavier offer instruction in English. Other schools like Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, Université du Québec or Université de Moncton offer instruction in French. Others still, like the University of Ottawa, the University of Alberta, and York University, offer instruction in both French and English. Many of these schools also offer English as a Second Language or French as a Second language programs.
5. A National Respect for Multiculturalism
Canadians are very proud of the diversity in their nation. In 1971, Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy. This means Canada recognizes the potential, value and dignity of all people regardless of their racial or ethnic origins, their language, or their religious affiliation.
According to a 2001 census, there are 34 ethnic groups which at least one hundred-thousand members each, and in 2007 it was found that allophones (people whose native tongue is neither French nor English) accounted for one fifth of the country's population 3 4 . What does that mean to you? It means you can be yourself while feeling no pressure to assimilate to prescribed values.
6. They've got Technology and They know how to use it
Canada is one of the most connected countries in the world, and it shows in their education system. All schools have computer labs on campus, and have embraced technology in the classroom. From entire classes taught via distance education to using “clicker” technology in classrooms to allow for instant student polling technology is changing the way students learn, and Canada remains at the forefront of this trend.
Technology also takes focus outside of the classroom. A number of Canadian schools participate in worldwide technology challenges, like the North American Solar Challenge, which is the world's longest solar car race. In this competition, schools must design and build cars that are both fully solar powered, and will adhere to local traffic laws. Currently six Canadian universities are set to partake in the 2008 challenge which will be taking place in the summer.
7. Student Services you can use
Undertaking higher education is not a task to be taken lightly, and schools truly want to do what they can to help their student's succeed. That's where student services come in. Although they may differ in availably from campus to campus the goal remains the same: provide service and support to ensure the success of students on campus. Student services range from personal counselling, health and medical services, to accessible learning services such as arranging note-takers, or offering study skill building workshops.
8. Quality of Life that Can't be Beat
Canada is currently ranked 4th on the United Nations Human Development Index – an annual survey that uses a number of factors (life expectancy, literacy, education, standard of living,and GDP per capita) to determine quality of life.6 They also have the highest ranking cities in North America - according to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting Worldwide Quality of Living Survey 2007, which ranks cities based on safety and stability. Five Canadian Cities ranked with in the Top 25 cities: Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary. Moreover, Calgary took top honours for being the most sanitary city in the world!6
Photo by alexindigo9. Living in Canada Means Living it up!
Never forget there's life outside of your campus too, and Canada has plenty to explore. As the second largest nation in the world Canada has a lot of outdoor activities to offer in many different climates. From skiing in fresh powder out in BC, to whale watching off the coast of Newfoundland, or hiking one of hundreds of trails in Ontario, there is something to please any outdoor enthusiast.
Prefer a little culture in your life? With hundreds of art, music, theatre, food, and drink festivals happening in each Province and territory you don't have to travel fare to find fun and adventure waiting for you.
10. There's a Community Just for you
Education comes from many places, not just the classroom. Universities and Colleges around the country offer many clubs and campus activities that will help complete your education experience. Improve your public speaking by joining the school's toastmasters society. Learn about Student Government and work to improve your campus by joining your school's Student Union. Join a sorority or fraternity and become involved in the proud traditions of Greek life. Or, find some friends who share your particular love of early 1920s swing music and start your own campus club!
Ready to find the school that's perfect for you? Use LearnHub's Canadian School Finder to match you to a school offering your desired program.
References and Notes:
- Living in Canada: Cost of Living in Canada, 2006
- Sandy Baumm and Jennifer Ma, Trends in College Princing 2007 (Washington: The College Board, 2007)
- Statistics Canada: The Daily, September 1, 2006.
- Wikipedia: Canada, January 15, 2008.
