Top 5 Reasons to Study in Canada

Whether it is academic excellence or multi-culture lifestyle, Canada stands tall in offering 360-degree comfort for international students across the globe. The country holds not only a scintillating infrastructure for higher studies but also offers a better environment to adjust and adapt.

As a Filipino student, you can prefer Canada as a study abroad destination to choose diverse courses, to conduct original research, share ideas on prominent issues in your core field, and can collaborate seamlessly with professors (instructors) to shape your professional and personal growth.

Curious to know about the Canadian student visa process? Life of an international student in Canada?

Scholarship of an international student in Canada?

To quench all your study in Canada thirst, we have come up with 5 more reasons that can broaden your views about Canada in various prospects.

1. CANADA STUDENT VISA

The Canadian Government has been taking measures to speed up the Student Visa process for international students. A new act, Study Direct Scheme, was launched under the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Act of Canada.

Under Study Direct Scheme (SDS), you can complete the entire Canada Student Visa process in just 4 to 6 weeks (The usual visa process may take up to 2 to 3 months). When a Filipino student meets the eligibility criteria of the Study Direct Scheme, the applications shall be processed within 20 business days.

The Study Direct Scheme has many stringent rules, regulations, and documentation processes. The following are the eligibility criteria for international students under the SDS Act:
1. Proof of a valid language test result - IELTS score of 6.0 or higher.
2. Proof of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CA $10,000.
3. Proof of full payment of tuition for the applicant’s first year of study.
4. Letter of acceptance from a post-secondary Designated Learning Institute (DLI).
5. Recent secondary or post-secondary educational transcripts.
6. Proof of completing the required medical examination.

2. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CANADA

Over a decade, the Canadian government’s new schemes have been directed at increasing the international student population in Canada. In 2015, over 300,000+ international students were studying in Canada. The Canadian Government achieved this stupendous foot with the help of umpteen scholarships for international students in Canada.
This number is increasing gradually and expected to rise to 500,000 students by the end of 2020. The following are some scholarships for international students in Canada:

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Worth CA $50,000 per year for 3 years)
2. Fonds de recherche Du Quebec Scholarships and Grants (for doctoral studies).
3. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships (Worth up to CA $60,000 per student for a maximum of 3 years).
5. Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (For students from Commonwealth countries to pursue masters or any doctoral studies).

Apart from these, each Canadian Institution offers a scholarship for international students with some self-prescribed eligibility criteria like marks scored, sports achievement and special contribution to the born country.

3. EASY AVAILABILITY OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE

Many Filipino students aspire to study abroad and get permanent residence in a developed country. The Canadian Government is making these dreams into reality with the easy availability of permanent residence for Filipino students.

International students who have studied at a Designated Learning Institute can qualify under the Canadian Experience Class scheme. Under this scheme, to get a PR, an international student must have worked at least a year (Canada) in a firm as a full-time employee.

When a Filipino student satisfies the above-mentioned eligibility criteria, then he/she is eligible to receive a PR in Canada. In fact, in numbers, the Filipino students rank 3rd to receive PR in Canada (after Indian and Chinese students).

4. BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES

Canada is blessed with beautiful landscapes and most of them remain unexplored yet. Did you know? Canada even has a nickname. Yes! The Great White North. Each word has a story behind it.

Great stands for the second-largest country in the world.
White stands for a vast amount of Arctic Frozen snow in the country.
North stands for the country being located in the North of the United States of America.

Also, this country is an excellent playground for Filipino students who love the outdoors. You can visit beaches on the east and west coasts, hike, climb some of the greatest mountains, sky-dive, and experience wild sports such as slopestyle competitions, downhill racing, and dirt jumping. Additionally, you can be involved in the activities organized by the educational institutions and win some handful of cash prizes.

5. SAFE & FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT

Canada is a bilingual nation where English and French are the official languages of the country. The addition of the English language is a constructive step taken by the Canadian government to make each international student feel safer to live in Canada. Added to this, Canada has a democratically opted government where the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms safeguards the people living in Canada (including international students).

In 2016, the Institute of Economics and Peace ranked Canada as the 8th most tranquil country in the world. This is because the Canadian laws ensure its citizens, irrespective of circumstances, are protected from all forms of discrimination (gender, age, colour, religion, and physical disabilities). As such you can wear any religious outfits inside the country; including the educational institutions.

Out of all reasons, in ‘work while you study’ aspect, you are eligible to work up to 20 hours a week with a minimum wage of CA $18/hour (689 pesos). During summer vacation and scheduled breaks, you can even work full-time up to 30 hours a week; without a work permit.