Choosing a country to study is an important decision to make. The cost of living, a ranking of educational institutions, area surrounding the institutions, teacher to student ratio, campus life, and facilities, industrial exposure for certain courses, etc. are some of the factors one has to consider before finalizing a country. Of all the countries offering an exceptional education in various disciplines, Canada is the country that offers a safe haven to international students because of the rich diversity and an understanding of all beings to be equal.
In the past decade, Canada has emerged as a prominent study destination for international students to pursue higher education. The education system in Canada has evolved to meet the needs of the students’ desires to gather focused education along with keeping up with the demands of the employers for seasoned candidates. The educational institutes have adapted to the ever-changing marketplace scenario and are thriving to offer world-class education to the students. The deliverance of knowledge, employing experienced faculties, offering state-of-the-art facilities, and an opportunity to quickly start a career in the desired fields has considerably increased footfall of international students desiring to acquire a degree. With a population of 31 million, Canada reflects a mix of ethnicity and culture which makes Canada a favorable country for higher education among international students.
Below are some of the popular cities in Canada among international students to complete their education.
- Montreal, Quebec
Roughly 350,000 students travel to Montreal every year to acquire degrees in various courses offered by the highest-ranking and renowned educational institutions and McGill University is ranked at 24th position in the world. The city has an affordable public transit system with 200 bus routes and more than 50 metro stations and it is also considered to be the 17th safest city in the world. The monthly expense in the city for rent, public transport, and groceries is around $1200 CAD. According to the students, Montreal is a student-friendly country that stands out for its cultural extravaganza, ethnicity, food and entertainment.
- Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver found its place at 17th position among student-friendly cities in the world even though being a bit expensive. The city is known for its breath-taking natural beauty and pleasant environment. It houses two universities ranked by QS, one is the University of British Columbia and the second is Simon Fraser University. Getting around the city is easy through various modes of public transit. The monthly expense in the city for the basic amenities ranges between $1500-$2000 CAD. The city generates impressive employment opportunities for students to work in order to support the high cost of living. According to the students, Vancouver is a multi-cultural city that offers world-class education with a chance of getting ready for the workforce.
- Toronto, Ontario
Being the largest city with a population of 3 million, Toronto is the most popular city among international students to study in Canada. 17% of the total population studying in the universities across Toronto comprises of international students. It is ranked at 34th position for student-friendly cities in the world. Toronto is considered to be the epitome of multi-cultural diversity in the world with 140 spoken languages. The public transit run by the Toronto Transit Commission is accessible and affordable to get around the city. The monthly expense in the city for the basic amenities ranges between $1200-$1500 CAD. Students prefer Toronto for its exemplary educational practices, food festivals, culture, and historical monuments.
- Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, is one of the student-friendly cities in the world according to QS surveys and has a diverse student environment and is an embodiment of diversity. The city is honored by housing the University of Ottawa and Carleton University which are among the top 550 universities in the world. Being one of the safest cities in Canada, Ottawa offers award-winning public transport to the people covering the city through strategic routes. With the best courses in the field of Computer Science, the city is considered to be the Silicon Valley of Canada for the graduates looking forward to work in the IT field. The monthly expense in the city for rent, public transport, and groceries is around $1200 CAD. Ottawa is home to various consulates and embassies and offers a culturally rich and embracing environment for students to study.
- Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City, a French-speaking province, is known for its feel of European architecture. The city is rich with history and lively with the celebration of various festivals. Winter Carnival celebrated within the city is the organizational front for several winter sports. 88% of the students in the city speak French, but there are some courses which are offered in the English language. The city is extremely safe, with a great public transit system, and it also a bike-friendly city with a bike path of more than 170kms. The city offers great education which is affordable and economical for the students and it’s also the cheapest city for international students with a monthly expense of around $850 CAD.
There are other cities with other educational institutions that offer exemplary education experience, but the cities mentioned above are the most popular among the students. The cities are unique in offering experiences to the students just as they are distinguished from each other. The cities focus on the different aspects of enriching a student in their desired field. Hence, it is crucial to be careful while selecting a city to migrate for studies by keeping in mind the future goals and aspirations.
