Make the best of your experience as an international student in Canada

Credit to Author: Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer| Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 03:54:18 +0000

Many people choose to come to Canada every year to get an education. Some wish to stay after their studies, either to work for a few years or stay longer as a landed immigrant or a Canadian citizen. Studying in Canada as an international student is more than just obtaining a degree or diploma; it is an excellent opportunity to experience a new culture, improve your language skills, gain new perspectives, try new things, and meet people from diverse backgrounds,  among other benefits.

While spending a lot of your time focusing on school is necessary to be successful, you may miss out if this is all that you do. International student fees are very high – make the best of your experience by also enjoying some of what Canada has to offer.

Meet new people

Some academic programs and some schools are popular among people from the same country. This may mean that a lot of your classmates are also international students who speak the same language and are from the same or a similar culture. While it is understandable that you may want to stick with what you know and feel comfortable with, meeting classmates from other countries will expose you to new ways of thinking and seeing the world. This is also a great opportunity to practice your language skills. Meeting people from different cultural backgrounds and listening to their points of view will greatly enhance your experience.

One of the easiest ways to meet new people and make new friends is to join a group of people who share similar interests. Most schools have student clubs that range from a focus on academic disciplines, to sports, video and board games, and activism such as climate change issues. These clubs are typically open to all students, regardless of their programs or backgrounds.

Other ways to meet people at school are to get involved in the student association, to volunteer at events such as your school’s orientation or convocation, or to participate in other activities organized by the school. Some post-secondary institutions have an international centre which organizes activities such as attending sporting events, going to concerts, city tours, and ski trips.

Get a part-time job

Many international students find it difficult to make ends meet in Canada without getting a part-time job. Working in Canada, whether on or off campus, gives you the opportunity to learn about the Canadian workplace culture and expectations. In addition to learning new skills and gaining experience, you will also learn workplace etiquette such as how employees relate and communicate with each other, how they talk with their manager, and how to greet customers, for example. This is particularly helpful if you plan to stay in Canada beyond your studies.

Participate in local events and activities

One of the ways to enjoy your experience in Canada is to spend some time seeing the sites of the city or town in which you live. You may check out museums, art galleries, and local shops. In the summer, there may be festivals, street parties, and other outdoor activities. For music lovers, there are usually plenty of opportunities to attend live music performances by local artists, both at indoor venues and at outdoor festivals in the summer. A good way to find out about these events is to search your town or city’s website and look for an events section. If you are fortunate enough to live in a city or town that has restaurants and shops offering food from different parts of the world, take the opportunity to try eating something that you are unfamiliar with.

Avoid spending the entire winter indoors

The winter is cold and long in Canada. For many people, it is tempting to just stay indoors during this time, but students who don’t venture out at all will not experience some of the winter activities that Canada has to offer, such as skiing, snowshoeing, and skating. Winter can feel very long, and some people’s mood can be lower in winter. It can help to go outdoors and get some exercise, even if it is just to take short walks. Dressing in layers will help you keep warm and feel more comfortable.

Discover Canada and benefit from more than just the post-secondary education experience. Whether you are in Canada for just a few years or planning to stay longer, there are plenty of things to explore and to learn about.  While Canada’s multiculturalism makes it possible for newcomers to stay connected with their own language, culture, food and religion,  allow yourself to learn and try something new. You will gain so much more than a transcript and a grade point average.

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