The general public is aware of the well-known fact that, for the past ten years, international students from all over the world have been choosing Canada as their destination for higher education. But are we really aware of the elements that have made Canada such a prosperous and successful nation that is ideal for studying abroad? Let's take a peek at the factors that have contributed to Canada's ability to establish itself as a leader and obtain a competitive advantage over the many study abroad options that are currently offered to students.
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Multilingual Society
The most universities' rigorous and thorough curriculum, which is offered to students in both French and English at the same time, immediately raises the bar for the diversity of education offered in Canada. Furthermore, because of Canada's effective adaption to multiculturalism over the past few decades, overseas students may frequently find themselves amid a diverse community, giving them opportunity to practice their interpersonal skills. For example, when we compare one of the top colleges in Canada, the University of Toronto, to universities in the United States, we can plainly see that whereas the United States has between 11 and 17 percent of students in the same degree category, Canada has 21 percent of students from over 165 different countries.
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Top-notch Academic Establishments
Canada's unparalleled reputation and the high caliber of education it has attained over the years have earned it the moniker of "education superpower."
Furthermore, Canada has been ranked as one of the top 5 nations that support students by providing them with a stronger higher education system, according to the QS Higher Education Strength Rankings. In addition, four Canadian cities—Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver—as well as the universities of Toronto, McGill, and British Columbia—which are among the top 50 universities in the world at the moment—have recently been included in the QS Best Student Cities in the World list. The demanding Co-Programs that practically all Canadian universities provide are another compelling feature that applicants should take into account. -
Variable Immigration Pathways
The government has significantly loosened the requirements for obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) while also providing a wide range of immigration routes that can be taken advantage of while still retaining student status. In reality, compared to other industrialized nations, obtaining such thrilling opportunities may require as much as 5–6 years of postgraduate work experience.
Furthermore, the government of Canada's commitment to accept approximately 400,000 new permanent residents’ year between 2021 and 2023 unquestionably makes this land of possibility alluring to students who choose it as their study abroad destination right away. -
Affordability
For international students, completing their higher education in Canada is far more economical than in other developed nations. In Canada, a graduate degree can cost an average of $20,000 CAD per year, however in the USA, students can earn the same degree for $40,000 CAD annually.
Let's take a look at the living expenses associated with studying abroad so that international students are not just concerned with tuition prices.
Healthcare is one of the most important aspects of studying abroad. In Canada, students are automatically enrolled in the government's Foreign Health Insurance plans as soon as they enroll, which exempts them from paying for healthcare for the first 12 months. This is unquestionably a better option than having to purchase medical health insurance, which is a requirement for admission to universities in other prosperous, developed nations. -
Friendliness
Without a question, one of the key reasons why students choose Canada over other well-liked study abroad locations are the liberal and impartial society that the country provides to overseas students. Given Justin Trudeau's astute leadership and his forceful social actions promoting women and activism, it should come as no surprise that Canada is one of the most popular study abroad options for young international students.
Ultimately, it would be fair to say that Canada offers a wide range of opportunities and a promising future for the international student community, making it a fierce competitor to major countries like the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and the United States (USA). This is true regardless of the decision made by students when choosing their respective study abroad destinations based on their individual needs.