In my travels around the world on behalf of university and college
members of the Canadian University Application Centre, the
misperceptions and flat-out untruths that are told and believed about
studying abroad and studying in Canada are many and varied.
These perceptions mislead and cause ill-informed choices by students and their families.
These mistakes can be costly in terms of finances, time and effort, and can curtail academic, career and other aspirations.
Here are ten important things that international students should know – they might dispel some of those misperceptions.
1. Almost all universities in Canada are public universities
Most colleges and universities in Canada are also publicly funded and accredited.
This
is in sharp contrast to the United States and other common study-abroad
destinations. It is also often in sharp contrast to the international
student’s country of origin. In those countries, the quality of the
institutions and the value of the degrees offered can vary.
An
undergraduate degree earned at any public institution in Canada will be
recognized around the world. A college diploma earned at a public
college will be recognized by Canadian employers as having provided
specific and valuable skills and training.
2. International student tuition in Canada is expensive in real terms, but inexpensive relative to the many other countries
International
student tuition will vary across institutions, but the majority of
undergraduate tuition rates are between $12,000 and $18,000 per full
academic year.
Tuition in the United States is often double or triple of the average tuition in Canada.
Even
a $20,000 scholarship to a US institution is not quite as appealing
when you realize that the balance owing is still greater than the full
tuition cost of a year at a Canadian university.
3. Canada offers students the opportunity to work in Canada while they study and after they successfully complete their studies and graduate
Only
Canada offers the broad range of work opportunities granted to bona
fide and academically successful international students.
4. It is relatively easy to gain admission to under-graduate programs in Canada
In
India, students often require board exam results in excess of 95 per
cent – and sometimes higher – for admission to top Indian universities. A
student with 90 per cent will struggle to find admission to their
institution of choice in India, but that same student is a likely
scholarship award recipient and is even a likely candidate for
competitive entry programs like Engineering in Canada.
5. It is relatively difficult to gain admission to professional programs in Canada such as medicine, dentistry, architecture, law
Most
of these programs are not direct entry, meaning you must have completed
at least one year of undergraduate study and often a first degree
before applying.
Many of these programs are closed to international students or have limited places.
Do your research and know the facts before setting down a road that only the very, very best students will be able to pursue.
6. Canada has a stable and growing economy and vast resources
A
Canadian post-secondary education, whether at a university or college,
can provide the skills and knowledge required to find success in Canada.
7. Canada’s public colleges are outstanding choices for students
Perceptions
of college diplomas as second-class could not be more wrong. Often
colleges are the best choice for specific types of study that can only
be found at colleges. College students have very high post-graduation
employment rates. College students can often transfer to a university to
complete a degree program.
8. You do not have to pay for the information and advice you need to make the right choices for you
Most primary information about university and college programs can be found on their respective websites.
International students often pay unnecessary fees to third-parties.
Fair,
balanced and free advice and counselling is available to students
direct from universities and colleges often in collaboration with
organizations like the Canadian University Application Centre.
9. Bigger is not necessarily better
“I
have to study in Toronto,” or “I have to study at the biggest
university in Vancouver.” These are common refrains that we hear when we
travel. These might be reasonable statements if you can live with
relatives while you study (this can save as much as $10,000 per year,
but can also come with drawbacks), or if that university or college
offers a particular program or major area of study not offered in
smaller institutions.
However, a student can save up to
$40,000 in tuition for the same four-year undergraduate degree just by
choosing a smaller university. A smaller university can also offer
smaller class sizes, greater access to professors, under-graduate
research opportunities, and smaller cities and smaller campuses with a
great sense of community and safety.
10. The best university or college is the one that’s best for you
Taking
all factors into consideration, selecting the right university or
college is really a question of which will offer the best environment
for you to excel and distinguish yourself.
Appeals to
third-party university rankings, which are often based on a university’s
research capacity and breadth of graduate programs, is a very poor
substitute for taking far more important factors into consideration –
factors that can make a difference in the student’s success.
Cost,
program, location, size and type of institution, campus community and
accommodations, your own aptitudes and interests, proximity to family
and friends, and your ability to adjust to different environments –
these, ultimately, are the factors to consider while making the
decision.
– Jason Brennan
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