Student life in Canada is among the top globally. Over 500,000 international students enroll in post-secondary institutions every year. Whether you choose to study at a vocational school, college, or one of the many prestigious universities across Canada, two things are certain; you will receive a world-class education and you’ll have an incredible experience doing so.

Canada values its education system and prides itself in offering a diverse, inclusive and supportive learning environment for students from all over the world. Classrooms foster innovative thinking, academic excellence, and freedom.

Most Canadian educational institutions offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities for international students in Canada, as well as various support groups and online communities to help you ease into your first semester abroad.

International Student Life in Canada: What to Expect

Studying in Canada will not only open up doors for your career but is a great life-experience that you are guaranteed to carry with you in the days ahead. When first arriving in a foreign country, let alone a new college or university, the experience can be quite overwhelming. Most universities and colleges, however, offer fantastic orientation programs to help you meet other students and settle into student life in Canada

A Typical Day

No matter where you decide to complete your studies in Canada you will have unique opportunities to learn and grow. Canada offers an array of study programs; from trade skills to medical qualifications. 

Undergrad Life

Your days at vocational institutions or colleges will be spent applying practical skills, related to your specific career, in real-world environments. In between classes you may find yourself editing your own videos, making your own cabinets in woodworking class or working with patients, if dental hygiene is your chosen field of study, for example.

University life is typically a balance between learning and doing. When not attending lectures, you’ll find yourself in state of the art labs, researching your next assignment in the library or attending student workshops and tutorials. Lecturers and professors are usually available to assist students during office hours and you will also have the added support of at least one teaching assistant to help guide you through the course program and provide extra learning support.

Graduate and Post-grad Life

As a graduate student, you’ll spend most of your time between lectures and doing original research to complete your research project, thesis, or dissertation. You’ll be guided through your study program by renowned lecturers and professors to help you get the results you’ve set out to achieve.

Campus Life

Student Accommodation

There are various accommodation options available for international students in Canada. As an undergraduate, you’ll have both on and off-campus options available from shared dormitories on campus to shared student housing or private student apartment rentals off-campus. On-campus housing is a plus for first-year students as it makes it easier to meet new people, is much more affordable, and offers 24/7 housing support. Private dorms are usually reserved for graduate and postgraduate students.

Off-campus options include both furnished and unfurnished house shares as well as homestays, which is a great option if you are looking for an authentic Canadian family experience. When budgeting is sure to set aside at least 25 percent of your study budget for accommodation