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.

How to get involved and socialize abroad

Moving to a new country and molding in, is a challenge for many international students. All new college students whether international or domestic may be a little nervous about starting in a new place and meeting new people. Fortunately, most campuses offer a number of different recreational opportunities for just about every interest a student could have. Whether you are a sports fan, video gamer, or would like to learn something new, chances are there is something for you.

There are various ways to interact with people around the campus.

If you are little more on shy side and don’t prefer to speak to strangers by just poking them and asking them to help you out on something  😉         -you could use the below:

• Interactive Group Study:

Studying doesn’t always have to be a lone activity; you can always form a group and study together on a systematic basis. This seems to work as it always helps to hear other students’ ideas and opinions on a subject or learn new techniques to solve problems. Group study is not just fruitful but fun as well.

• Clubs and Organizations:

Get involved in student clubs and unions at your university with local students. This is one of the best ways to make friends as university is a great platform to connect with students on common interests. One club that you may already know about is the International Student Club; there are clubs for just about anything. There are academic, cultural, social, volunteering clubs to name a few. These clubs are a great new way to meet people and also allow international students the chance to explore new and exciting hobbies with other interested students.

Making friends with locals will only aid you in adjusting towards any changes to life. This will help give you a healthy balance in life where you can study and have other activities included in your schedule that not only help you connect with the university and the place better besides giving you a refreshing break from time to time. You must also understand that this should be a perfect balance, for if grades were to slip, you might have to pay when it comes to finding a good job!

•  Sports:

Just about every college and university offers intramural sports as an on campus recreational activity for students. Students have the opportunity to play a number of different sports year round and meet new people on their teams. Sports can give you and edge to learn and even socialize; making great friends in a sport is always better and easier than anything.

• Getting familiar to local festivals and social norms:

A good way to do this is go for host family accommodation. Off-campus stay also provides with at least two meals in a day and a room and a health in-house company whenever needed. It is one of the best ways to mingle with the locals and feel the essence of the place and culture.

When you leave home you may be initially a bit conservative or you may not reflect yourself that outbound, but you will find that after a few years of studying abroad, your approach to things in life will change drastically. Not only will you be more independent, mature and adapt better, but also will be more globally sensitive and self-relying. Your confidence levels in your abilities will definitely get a boost as enduring and adapting to life in a foreign country is a skill in itself.

All this personal development would never be possible without the help of roommates and friends, that probably will last a life time. All these experiences will help you learn to see things from a broader perspective.

– Sam

SIEC Education Pvt Ltd.

Things to Do Before and After Arrival

Taking a decision to study abroad is indeed a big decision in itself as sometimes things get difficult for students to come and settle in. Problems such as home-sickness, stress, job seeking difficulties, language barriers, food and last but not the least financial problems do come up in some stage of the journey.

These problems may come depending upon your circumstances; in my case homesickness was a big issue! Before going any further I must introduce myself.

I am Sumit Wadhawan a scholarship student at Monash University, Melbourne.

I came here in Melbourne earlier in 2013 but in my initial days this bug called homesickness got over me so much that I returned to India within 21 days (yes 21 days!) kicking my scholarship away worth $10000 a year (and I was the only one from India who got this scholarship) I think this tells you very much about me.

But after returning I realized what I have lost. Then I decided to return back again in the next intake and I feel blessed that my parents stood by my side again and due to exceptional efforts of the SIEC, I got my scholarship back again. Believe me if I am able to overcome my weaknesses so can you.

Before Arrival

• First of all feel blessed that you got this opportunity, not everyone in the world gets this opportunity to go abroad and study in some of the best universities. You just need confidence and self belief.

• It is important that from the beginning of the process you should get involved. Ask questions so that you where you heading to. Set targets before coming. Everyone has its own strengths, focus on them! It really does help.

• Research about the place before coming such as weather, surroundings or anything that is of your interest so that you get some sort of idea that where are you heading towards.

Arrange any short-term arrangement before coming. Learn to cook and laundry. Goodbyes are often the most difficult part of the journey but don’t let emotions overshadow your future.

After Arrival

• Initial days are the transitional days where you get some mixed feelings like being sad, home sick and on the same time being excited as well about exploring the new place. Soon as the days pass by you (like after 10-20 days) homesickness starts to take over. This is the time where you have to believe in yourself.
• To overcome this situation try not to sit idle, engage yourself in some activities, start meeting people, talk to them, try to open up and don’t be shy because some people are waiting for you to make the first move as they are also going through the same phase.

You just have to take the initiative. Build contacts, be friends with students of other nationalities as it helps knowing them and increases your self-confidence and provides you some exposure.

• Once these days are through it is often that students start looking for some job. Jobs are the most essential part of your journey as they financially help the students and gets them some exposure and experience.
• In my case I started working after the first semester as I wanted to first focus on my studies as this is what you come for. Sooner or later everyone gets some job and then you have to start balance your Uni-life with job which is a great learning experience.

• Slowly everything starts to get on the track as with the passage of first year the students start to enjoy the life here and the meaning of the word “struggle” changes to “enjoyment”.

I think if you just backup yourself, believe in your abilities and focus on your strengths then no one can stop you from doing wonders.

-Author : Sumit Wadhawan, Monash University, Melbourne.

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!!!