Canada is one of the leading destinations for higher education. The high standard of living and the access to high-quality education is revered across the globe. In recent years, there has been an influx of students from Bangladesh looking to pursue their major in Canada. But it’s not always a smooth transition. Along with the prospects of studying in Canada, there are also a few challenges that a student might face there. Let’s have a look.
Prospects of higher education in Canada for international students
Education
The first thing that Canada offers is a quality education at an affordable price. There are 28 Canadian Universities in the QS global ranking which are hailed as some of the best in the world. There are also provincial universities that offer international degrees at a fraction of the cost compared to the US.
Getting into a Canadian university from overseas is also quite easy. You can apply to any Canadian university with IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores. On top of the affordable tuition structure, you will also get access to various scholarships.
Read: Studying Abroad: Major Pros and Cons You Need to Consider
Standard of Living
Canada is ranked as number 1 in the world in 2021 when it comes to the standard of living. The country has a consistent track record featuring in the top 3 for the past few years. The country has a universal government-run healthcare program. The country also has a high employment rate which ensures that each family has a median income of over $78000.
The high-income rate combined with all sorts of government and provincial facilities makes Canada one of the best places to settle. A recent survey has shown that over 51% of the incoming foreign student plans to apply for PR in the country. And this brings us to our next point.
Read Top 10 Best Affordable Universities in Canada for International Students in 2021
Easy PR opportunities
Canada has wonderful immigration rates which is one of the highest in the world. In addition to taking in refugees from all over the world, the country also welcomes expert/ high skilled labor. Canada offered PR to over 110000 immigrants via their express entry scheme. Different provinces have different PR procedures ranging from 2 years to as few as 6 months for skilled employees. So, if you are planning to settle in a foreign country after your graduation, Canada can undoubtedly be a good option.
Career opportunities
The pandemic has hit the job sector across the globe. Every major economy faced a recession and Canada was no different. There has been a 3% job loss over the last year. However, the country is bouncing back stronger than ever.
As an immigrant, you have a good opportunity in the healthcare and the IT sector. Provinces like Ontario offer express PR for anyone holding a full-time IT job in the states. The trend is expected to grow further as the economy keeps adding more and more jobs. As a prospective foreign student, you can be sure about the wide range of career opportunities available in Canada.
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The experience
Lastly, we want to talk about the experience. There really is nothing like getting to live a new life completely on your own terms. People will say adulting on your own isn’t easy. But the truth is, it can also be quite enjoyable given the circumstance and situation. Many people find it to be difficult to live away from their families. But the entire experience of a new environment is something that will get etched in your mind forever. Whether it’s the people, the locality, the culture, all of these together will make it a pleasing experience which you can cherish forever.
Canada is one such country that will offer you that experience. Whether it’s getting lost in the scenic countryside or the bustling cityscapes, you can be sure to make a memory of a lifetime there.
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Challenges of higher education in Canada for international students
The challenges come just like the prospects. After all, it’s a completely new country with a completely new environment. You are bound to face some issues upfront as a foreign student. Let's have a look at some of the common challenges faced by international students in Canada and how can you overcome them.
Cultural shock
There is always a sense of excitement about studying abroad. However, the excitement soon becomes a headache for many. The most common challenge faced by a foreign student in Canada is cultural shock. This is especially true if you are from Bangladesh. Whether it’s the social interactions or general trends, everything will seem new. While many people might look at it as an opportunity to get familiarized and interact with a new culture, it might become a bit overwhelming for many.
It’s even more complicated for Muslim students considering the barrier they might face regarding food. However, the key here is to embrace the difference and use it as an opportunity for self-development. It won’t happen overnight and this is something you’ll need to take in slowly.
The best way to get out of this situation is through communication. Try and make new friends and don’t be hesitant about anything. Be curious and accepting of new things. Over time, you’ll be able to ease up to your surroundings.
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Weather
Bangladesh is situated in the temperate climate zone. Here the temperature ranges from moderate to humid. It might not be easy to get acclimatized to the extreme weather condition of Canada. The average temperature in Canada often ranges in the negative. This might be extreme for someone moving from a temperate climate zone.
The solution here is to get acclimatized slowly. It won't happen overnight. Take warm clothes according to your preference and keeping the weather condition of your province in mind.
Visa
While it's easy to settle in Canada, the main issue arises with securing a visa. Immigration to Canada has never been easy. The process is a long and complex one involving multiple steps of checking and vetting.
The situation is somewhat similar with student visas as well. You will need to get past multiple checks to be eligible for it. Sometimes the process takes months even. In such a scenario, you should check for all the required documents carefully before applying.
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Language barrier
Though Canada is predominantly an English-speaking country, there are provinces like Quebec where French is also used equally alongside English. Majority of the students going to Canada from Bangladesh ha to clear a mandatory IELTS requirement. However, English isn’t their mother tongue and that is bound to create some issues in interaction.
The only way to get around this issue is to learn the language properly. You won't have the native level speaking or understanding skills at first but that’s alright. You’ll get the hang of things soon as long as you keep practicing. Some universities also offer language courses which you can avail of for a small fee.
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Finances
When you move into a new place, you will get this intense urge to go to a new restaurant, buy stuff, and whatnot. However, your means might not always support this. Most of the students that go to pursue their higher studies in Canada or any other country for that matter do so on a limited budget. Many of the students have never dealt with personal finances before. As a result, money management and expense tracking might become a bit too much for them.
The only way out of this is to take responsibility yourself. You can use different money manager app to keep track of your expenses. Set a ceiling for your daily expenses and try to stick to it. it will take some getting used to. But once you do, it’ll be a smooth ride from thereon.
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Homesickness
The idea of a new place with new friends may seem like all fun and games until you start to miss that home-cooked meal. Many people don’t realize how much family means to them until they have stayed alone. This holds especially true in a completely new environment with no friends and relatives. The loneliness gets to you and you start to miss your home.
But the reality is you have to adjust yourself to the new situation. Long distant communication is now easier than ever thanks to social media. You can also try and make new friends. That will help to divert your mind from the loneliness and build new relationships.
Read: How to Pick a College or University Abroad for Higher Education in 2021
Bottom Line
There is always another side to the coin and studying in Canada is no different. It comes with its own set of challenges. However, they aren’t a strong deterring factor. You can still overcome them and look at the prospects of studying abroad. We hope this article will help you to understand whether studying in Canada is your cup of tea or not.