Why Study in Canada?

Canada is the home of some of the world’s top research facilities and academic institutions. It’s beautiful, safe, varied and attracts international students from all around the world.

Canada is an extremely popular study abroad destination, with more than 100,000 international students coming to the country each year. The quality of its degree programs, their relative low cost and the student lifestyle are among the most popular reasons students choose Canada.

So why should you choose to study a degree in Canada? Here are few reasons you should probably look into:

• Affordable, respected degrees and a worldwide valued Qualification:

A degree from a Canadian university is going to improve your job prospects. Canada’s education system is respected around the world – twelve Canadian universities are listed in the world’s top 200 – and will also encourage independent thinking. Best of all, Canada offers affordable education, with high living standards but low tuition fees when compared to study in the USA and the UK.

Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality controls mean that you’ll be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for your future and benefit your career over the long term.

• Safe, inclusive student communities:

Canada is renowned for being a safe country, particularly for international students.  Student safety is a priority on campus, and most universities will have dedicated international student societies to help you settle into life in a new country. While you may have heard of or experienced Canadians’ friendly and open nature, you may not have known that the United Nations consistently ranks Canada as one of the best places in the world to live. As an international student in Canada, you’ll enjoy all of the same freedoms which protect Canadians – respect for human rights, equality, and a stable and peaceful society. Read more about Canada Life and culture here.

• French and English:

Canada is referred as a bilingual country perfect for students who want to improve their language skills. Canada is considered a world leader in language training regardless of whether you want to improve your French or English – or any other language. Study a degree in Canada and you’ll get the opportunity to improve both.

• Jobs and the chance to stay:

Canada likes to brand itself as a land of possibilities and it encourages international students with Canadian qualifications and work experience to apply for permanent residency. If you meet Canada’s immigration rules, you can apply for permanent residency without even having to leave the country. Furthermore, Canadian Universities have the option of Co-op’s- which ensures that a student receive valuable work experience as they study. Read more here.

Over 90% of Canada’s college graduates are employed in their field of study within six months after graduation and 93% of employers are satisfied with graduates.

• Exciting Campus Lifestyle:

Canada’s post-secondary campuses aren’t only wired with the latest in sophisticated technology, but countless other modern amenities as well. From Olympic-quality sports facilities to public concert halls and art galleries, Canada’s post-secondary campuses offer you enormous possibilities for learning and leisure. You’ll also have implausible opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and gain valuable experience through student-run governments, radio, newspapers and businesses.

• Innovative and Abundant Research Opportunities:

Since research is one of the key components of a Canadian post-secondary education, you’ll have ample opportunity to become a part of this vibrant aspect of education. In Canada, government and industry together support research including: telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, computer technology, engineering and environmental science.

• Land of Possibilities:

Under Canada’s highly dynamic and hands-on academic environment, you will not only acquire knowledge and skills in analysis and communication, but you will also learn how to express yourself, demonstrate your creativity, and develop your self-confidence! Teachers and professors are always available and eager to help with lessons, and studies fuse academic excellence with interaction and collaboration in the classroom.

Universities have global links to more than 5,000 active international collaboration agreements with counterparts the world over.

• Possibility of Immigration:

Did you know that some international students with Canadian credentials and Canadian work experience may apply for permanent residency without having to leave Canada? For more info consult your nearest SIEC branch office.

What to do next?

If you’re interested in studying a degree in Canada, you should check out our Canada study guide for more information. Still have some question in your mind, check out our Canada FAQ’s.

Overseas Education: Is It Really Worth It?

Over the course of 16 years of guiding students for international education, our boardroom discussions have inadvertently discussed this topic. As life progresses with time and the scale of economies evolves, we want to ensure that we keep adding value to careers of young aspirants. The biggest achievement of our jobs is to be part of  the positive transformation of lives.

When I started working 9 years ago – I was always consumed with thoughts of – Aren’t we promoting brain drain? Don’t we have best institutions in India?

9 years down the line – I am the biggest advocate of international education as I have witnessed lives transformed. So what makes it special? It’s the LIFE SKILLS learnt that add value at the most critical juncture of life. TOP QUALITY EDUCATION is a bonus.  Sharing what our students have shared with us over the years:

• EXPOSURE: It opens up a new world while studying; the cultural and ethnic mix opens up new vistas and stimulates learning from different perspectives.

• ‘INDEPENDENCE’: From an Indian environment of being dependent on parents; dependent for food, clothing and careers to; having to take independent decisions is a fair distance. It is tough in the beginning but then that strengthens you as a person, for life.

• TIME MANAGEMENT: When you juggle studies, work, laundry, cooking & partying all together – learning how to do manage time better happens automatically. Independence pushes one to start thinking of not only short time goals but long term goals as well. One stops drifting, instead takes control of one’s life.

• ‘MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LEARNING:Best practices in learning and teaching make one understand theories not through ‘Cramming’ but practical application simultaneously. The latest in curriculum and application method makes one more valuable in any work culture. The multi-cultural and international exposure transforms one into a ‘GLOBAL CITIZEN’

• INTELLECTUAL QUOTIENT: Studying at top quality institutions across the globe, learning from professors who are not only MASTERS in their own domain but work strongly with the industry. The courses are designed after thorough intellectual exchanges with the industry honchos ascertaining future needs. It continues to raise the bar.

• ‘RESPECT & ACCEPTANCE’: With so much to do and a short time in hand– our tempers flare and we just have no tolerance levels these days- but when one studies and lives in groups – you learn to accept things, respect and value your own parents, friends and acquaintances better – helping you become a well rounded and a sensitive human being.

• EXCELLENT COOKING SKILLS: Without a choice, experimenting with food when you don’t have your mom to cook for you – this is one skill that you start to flourish at!

These could be few of the numerous things one will gain wisdom on besides study advantages, academic boost and skills learning. See more about this on a beautiful infographic here.

These life skills you gain make it worth the entire effort and money spent as you become a global citizen for jobs and world becomes your playing field. If resources, parents support and circumstances allow- Do try it once in life!!!

3 Ways To Get Practical Work Experience During Studies

1. Internships/Industry Projects: Various Universities across different countries offer internships or industry projects that students can avail during their studies and benefit from the practical exposure in the related area.

Having a the industry exposure helps a lot during the student’s hunt for the first full time job after completion of their degrees.

Some examples of internships in various counties are:

• University of west London, UK offers six months internship during the business and hospitality programs;
• James Cook University, Australia offers internships;
• PIHMS, one of the top hotel management schools in New Zealand has incorporated paid internships in all the programs,
• NIM Singapore offers internships.

These are just some of the examples internships or industrial training for international students

So while selecting a program do check with your career adviser if the course offers internships.

2. Co-op Programs: It’s an unique feature of Canadian Education. Canadian colleges offer opportunities to students to practice in the industry environments, what has been taught in the classes the route of Co- ops.

Co- operative education basically integrates academic study with paid work experience wherein for a term i.e. 4 months, a student is supported to work in an industry similar to his/her field of education, to apply the learning and gain knowledge form the industry environment.

If utilized well this goes a long way form securing good recommendations and experience to better work opportunities while looking for full time work options later after completion of the course.

3. Sandwich Programs (UK): Its an excellent feature of undergraduate studies in UK. A student can take 1 year work option after completing 2 years of bachelor’s degree in UK. This allows the application for the knowledge gained in classrooms in the same industry. While looking for Undergraduate options in UK, a student should ask for universities that give this option.

The advantages could be numerous and worth while, consider internships as opportunities that meet experience. So always have in mind and drop-not the opportunity of internships while you study abroad.

If you’re interested in the other benefits associated with internship , take a look at the infographic below!

Nidhi Vij

Marketing head

SIEC Education Pvt Ltd.

Source: www.bcea.org

Attitude Check: Before You Plan For Your Overseas Education

Getting a visa for any country is not a big deal, if you can understand what is the right way to proceed with your application. And all these years I haven’t seen any problems for genuine students and were not allowed into the study destinations of their choice.

What’s difficult is coping with the new environment. It is of utmost importance to be mentally prepared before you take the step and to understand what lies in ahead so in order to be fully prepared.

Ask the following questions & if your answers are ‘YES’ – bravo you are in the game:

1. Ready to face a hard life: As my MD Ms. Sonya Singh always tell students-

Your life as a student is going to be a tough, trying to juggle different things all at once. In order to build a great global career – one has to be prepared to go through the grind.

In India most of the parents provide a cushioned environment while bringing up the children. How many of us help our moms at home in doing household chores? How many of us study along with juggling part time work? How many of us walk or use public transport these days to get ourselves from one place to another? And many such liberties around us are taken for granted.

During our study years overseas, one has to study, work part time, cook, clean and do everything else without any help. One need to be prepared mentally and to not get bogged down by all that is thrown at you together.

Remember it’ll be first few months that will be tough but once you get used to managing time – it’ll become easier and you’d actually feel pretty happy about yourself being able to handle so much.

2. Focus Right:

You’ll have to prepare yourself for tough situations and FOCUS on the outcome for the hard work and long term goals. Right focus will help you get through all the hardships. Tackle things in steps, one at a time instead to trying to it all together.

3. Mindset for part time jobs:

We understand the importance of earning living expenses while you are studying overseas but what goes wrong is if your primary motive becomes work and studies become secondary.

You’ll meet a lot of people who will have different mind set and will give you all sorts of advice but before loosing your focus – think about your investments and your future.

I have come across students who loose focus and not only loose the opportunity to learn but end up being nowhere. As not studying and attending lectures might lead to failing in the exams or passing with below average marks. The result is either you end up repeating exams or paying more fees or would end up with mediocre jobs.
So the ball is in your court on how you want to shape up your future!

Nidhi Vij

Marketing Head

SIEC Education Pvt Ltd.