Tips for International Students Studying in Canada

Each year, thousands of international students come to study at Canadian universities or colleges which can be both exciting and scary for some. It’s a time for you to be immersed in a new culture, make new friends, and sometimes even learn a new language.  

With all the new experiences you’ll have, doing a little research before you come will help put your mind at ease and prep you for the best time while studying.

Here are some tips to help you feel more at home in Canada.

Make the most of your time

Although you’ll be in Canada to study, don’t let the opportunity to explore pass you by.

Use your school’s resources

Your host school should have some helpful online resources for international students. They’ll have information about transportation in and around your host city, travel medical insurance for Canada, health and safety, living costs, and Canadian culture.  

Once in Canada, seek advice from the student counsellor and consider participating in school activities/clubs; they’re a great way to meet new friends.  

International Student Experience – Top 10 Tips

Want some ideas for where to visit in Canada? Read 5 reasons to choose Canada for your next trip.

Finding a place to live

One of the first steps in preparing to move to Canada after you get accepted to your program is finding a place to live. There are several accommodation options: on-campus residence (dorms), off-campus apartment rentals or a Homestay (living with a host family).  

The good news is that most colleges and universities offer on-campus housing for students, which can be a great option since you’re new to the area. If you’re looking forward to living on campus, you’re not alone! Many students typically prefer to live in dorms during the school year. So it’s important to remember that  that dorms usually have long wait lists and  fill up quickly; whenever applications open, applying early is best. 

Don’t panic if you don’t find a place right away! There are plenty of options; just be patient, and you will eventually find somewhere that works for you.  

Good websites to search for apartments/places to rent: 

• Craigslist 
• Kijiji  
• Padmapper  
• Facebook Marketplace

You can also check out Facebook groups dedicated to finding student housing in your city or for students from your school.  

Tip: Rental scams are common; check out this resource for the warning signs. Also, before you agree to move in, organize a virtual showing to view the dorm or home so there aren’t any surprises.

Transit

When moving to a new country, another major thing to learn is how people get around if they don’t have a car. Every Canadian city and town has different ways of operating its transit system, whether it be trains, buses, streetcars or even ferries. 

Make sure you understand which type of transit you can take, where it goes, when it comes, and how close to your home it is. Using apps like Citymapper, Transit, and even Google Maps will help you figure out a suitable route for getting to your destination on time. Learning to use the transit system will be a new and confusing process at first, but eventually, it will become easy for you. 

Generally speaking, students use the monthly pass or U-Pass offered by their school or university. However, some transit companies may provide other options for students who don’t study at an institution with a discount fare program; ask your school’s student office for more information. 

Opening a bank account in Canada

When you’re opening a Canadian bank account, you’ll usually need two pieces of identification, including one piece with a photo on it; a foreign passport usually does the trick. Some branches also require you to provide a Canadian home address to open a new account. For more information, read more about money and banking for newcomers.   

Canadian Culture and Customs

While studying in Canada, you’ll also learn about a variety of new cultures with different customs. Canada is a large and diverse country with various regions, people, languages and customs to get used to. Knowing these things in advance will help make your transition smoother!  

Check out this video for some great tips on culture and traditions that will help you in your conversations and interactions. 

Stay healthy

There’s nothing to make you miss home more than getting sick or injured while you’re away! Luckily, Canada has good health care, and there’s travel health insurance to protect you from the cost just in case. 

About travel medical insurance for students visiting Canada

Canada’s health care system is pretty comprehensive; however, health coverage varies based on province. As an international student in Canada, it’s important to get a supplementary travel medical plan for Canada. 

Many post-secondary institutions have various medical plans available to international students. Visit your school’s website to see what kind of coverage they recommend for you. If you don’t want to get travel medical through your school, you can get it through your travel agent or another insurance company in Canada. It should cover you for injuries or accidents that happen during your studies; from a stomach-ache to a broken bone and more.

Planning to extend your stay past school? Learn about provincial health care coverage for Canadian Immigrants.

Where to get medical care

If you think you need professional care for a minor sickness or injury, like a lingering flu or ear infection, head to a walk-in clinic. You’ll find them scattered throughout the city, probably close to your home or school. Keep in mind that you can’t make appointments at walk-in clinics; just show up, and you’ll be allowed to see the first available doctor. Note that during busy times, waiting to see a doctor could take hours.

For serious injuries like a broken arm or leg, severe burn or deep wound, go directly to the Emergency Room at your local hospital or call 9-1-1 for an ambulance, if you’re unable to get yourself there. By the way, an ambulance ride to the hospital isn’t free in most provinces but with the right travel medical plan, your provider should cover the cost when it comes time to claim it. 

Enjoy your time! 

Now that you’re equipped with a few key details about life in Canada, enjoy your time! Meet people, have fun and study hard! Want more info about studying in Canada? Check out the Education in Canada website. 

Happy travels,
Monique 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.