Canada

Canada

Study in Canada and Discover a Charming and Historical Country

If you have lived in the U.S. for your entire life, you may be asking yourself, “Why study in Canada?”

Here are a few reasons:

  • Besides the many beautiful natural wonders to explore and bustling cities to meet smiling citizens, Canada is one of the most affordable places to live.
  • Not only will you be close to your home in the U.S., but you’ll also experience a totally different country with many positive things to offer.
  • If you decide to study in Canada for a summer study abroad program, you can visit the breathtaking attraction of Prince Edward Island, a small island that is the perfect place to relax on the beach or to go for a hike. You can also see the massive waterfalls of Niagara Falls, which are located in the province of Ontario.
  • A semester abroad in early September can include a trip to Toronto’s International Film Festival, one of the biggest film festivals in the world. Or you can enjoy some first-class alpine skiing or mountain biking at the Canadian ski resort Whistler, which is located in British Columbia.

Any place that you visit in Canada will be fun and exciting, so just take full advantage of your visit to this country.

Study Abroad Programs in Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the world, and it’s much more than just the country located north of the United States. With its heavy influence of French, British, Irish and English cultures, Canada also offers many unique study abroad programs.

  • If you want to study English in Canada or learn quality French, then the A.L.I. Montreal Language Academy in the perfect place to visit. The school has a reputation for providing some of the best French and English language programs in Canada. The school gets international students from all around the world, and also offers classes in creative writing and business communication. Best of all, the school provides free internet access, will find you accommodations and will even organize social events.
  • You can also visit the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), where you can choose from a variety of programs, including communication, education, science and management. The school offers both summer and semester abroad programs, and even offers scholarships to international students.

Other major cities where you can find study abroad universities include Ottawa, Ontario and Quebec. For more study in Canada information, see the Universities section, and for ideas to help pay for your experience see Financial Aid for Study Abroad.

Your Canadian Travel Options

Canada has a highly-developed transportation system because it has over 1.4 million kilometers of roads.

  • The most common way to travel between cities is by train. There are six urban rapid transit systems, as well as a variety of light rail, metro and commuter train systems that shuttle people back and forth between the major cities of Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto.
  • There are also bus systems like Greyhound and Coach Canada that offer tours of the city and take you anywhere that you need to go.
  • Just like in the U.S., there are taxis and car rental services that will help you get to your destination. You can find a complete listing of taxi companies here, and you can use a Canadian service like Discount Car and Truck Rentals to find an affordable car rental in Canada.

Even though you may not be far away from home, you should always follow study abroad health and safety guidelines to prepare you for any unexpected accidents. Canada is a safe place to visit, but that doesn’t mean nothing will happen.

Exchange Rates for Canadian Currency

Just like in the U.S, Canadian currency is known as the dollar. Even though they have the same name, there are still some differences between U.S. and Canadian exchange rates.

Here’s what you need to know about the Canadian dollar:

  • Coins = 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents, $1 and $2 (50 cent rarely used)
  • Bills = $5, $10, $20, $50 and 4100

You can use a Canadian currency converter like the one here to compare other amounts of U.S. dollars against the Canadian dollar.

A Study in Canada Experience Includes a Stop in Ontario

You can not leave Canada without stopping in its most populated province. Ontario is not only home to Lake Ontario, one of the five great lakes of North America, but it’s also home to Canada’s most economic city, Toronto.

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, and it’s known as one of the cleanest, friendliest and lowest crime-ridden cities in the world. While in Toronto you can:

  • Visit the CN Tower, one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world, and you can also find a variety of sporting events and artistic venues to attend.
  • Take a boat tour of the Rideau Canal, which connects most of the major cities and rivers in Canada. During the winter the canal becomes the world’s longest skating rink, and since hockey is such a popular sport in Canada, there’s no better use for frozen water than a skating rink!

Finally, you can visit the capital of Canada, which is Ottawa. Ottawa is a great city to take in some sightseeing of historical homes, museums and monuments. It’s also known for its Tulip Festival and overall friendliness.

Important Study Abroad Canada Information

When you study abroad in Canada you should always keep a list of important numbers with you in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need: