You’ve just been accepted to your dream school in Canada, and you’re about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime! There are so many things you have to do once you get here, but if you’re new to the country and don’t know anyone, it can be overwhelming. How will you afford your education? What documents will you need? And how can you meet new people when there are so many different cultures and languages around? The good news is that there are thousands of other international students just like you who have come to Canada with many of the same questions.
Stay connected with family and friends
If you want to feel more connected with family and friends back home, video calls are a great way to do so. WhatsApp has video call functionality as well as free messaging, which is ideal for keeping in touch with loved ones. Another great feature of WhatsApp is that you can create groups so that you can chat with multiple people at once. FaceTime is another free video-calling app that works across various platforms, making it easy to get in touch no matter where you are or what device you’re using. If you have friends or family back home who don’t have access to smartphones, then services like Skype offer cheap rates for international calls from computers. Google Hangouts also offers voice and video calling through your computer—just remember that when you make these types of calls, they will appear on your bill just like any other call.
Learn about Canadian Culture
The two countries do share some similarities—but their cultures are also quite different. For example, many Canadians still speak French as a first language. With all of these new experiences to encounter and differences to encounter (from health care coverage to shopping habits), it can be hard for international students to adapt. sure you know what to expect when you arrive at your destination. Here’s a quick primer on Canadian culture so that you can make sure you’re set up for success: • Health card: Upon arrival, every international student is eligible for a health card—this will provide access to health insurance through social services. This card is vital, as it allows access to primary care and prescription drugs without any additional costs or fees; without insurance, medical treatment could cost thousands of dollars per year.
Keep your Health In Check
Ottawa is cold. Not mild cold; not freezing cold; Canadian cold. Bundle up for long lectures and try to stay healthy by avoiding those nasty university dining halls (seriously though, how do you make a spaghetti so bland?) as much as possible. Carry hand sanitizer to wipe down campus chairs before sitting on them and keep tissues handy if you need it—you’ll likely be congested your first month anyway. Remember that being ill can lead to dropping courses or even being kicked out of school. Try not to catch any major illnesses while at school, but don’t forget that many illnesses aren’t major in other parts of the world and should therefore be treated like they are here. Some common ailments include: strep throat, pink eye, sore throats/colds/flus, urinary tract infections etc.
Understand the Value of Money
Canadians pay a lot of taxes and get a lot of services for them. In some ways, it’s almost like getting paid to live there because you’re constantly getting free or low-cost access to healthcare and education for instance. This can be helpful as an international student who is working towards paying for school. I recommend taking advantage of these services whenever possible—it will help keep your living costs down. If you don’t need something, don’t buy it! Cheap living costs are one of many perks that come with studying abroad in Canada. Besides saving money on rent by living with other international students and relying on public transportation rather than owning a car, you’ll find that groceries are also much more affordable than back home—especially if you find yourself a part-time job!
Stay Active
One of the most important things you can do to survive your time as a student is to stay active. Like it or not, exercise will be one of your biggest priorities while you’re living abroad. Many international students find themselves gaining weight after arriving in Canada—most commonly due to their sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. To avoid falling into a poor eating and exercising pattern, check out some local gyms near your university and set up a walking group with friends. It doesn’t matter if you walk for five minutes or five hours; just get moving!