Arguments for
In Canada, the state spends huge sums on education. This means that one can confidently assert that the quality of knowledge acquired in this country (be it at school, college, or university) will be high and will open the way to further education or a career. Perhaps this can be called one of the most compelling arguments in favor of studying in Canada.
Since education is one of the priorities of state policy, it is easy to guess that Canadian educational institutions are excellently equipped, have a strong research base, and offer broad prospects for learning and research.
Graduates of Russian schools will also be pleased by the fact that Canadian universities are ready to accept them without requiring additional preparation. All that is needed is an excellent school-leaving certificate and passing a language exam. This approach saves not only time but also money.
Canada is renowned not only for its academic programs but also for its optimal combination of study and practice. The country has highly developed so-called cooperative programs (co-op), which allow students to intern at Canadian companies while continuing their studies, gaining necessary practical experience and earning money. As a result, university graduates receive not only a good education that is highly regarded worldwide, but also a very useful entry on their resumes. Internships are possible not only during university studies, but also within certificate and diploma programs.
The strong practical side of education, according to many experts, makes Canada most attractive for middle and senior managers. Many Canadian language schools offer Internship programs that combine intensive study of English or French with internships in large Canadian and international companies in the student's field. Such programs are available, for example, at language schools Pacific Language Institute, Embassy CES, Sprachcaffe, and others. However, one should keep in mind that the internship is unpaid, but you gain invaluable work experience abroad.
Foreigners are also attracted by the legal opportunity to stay in the country for a year to work in their specialty after completing a full course of study at a university. Only three months are allotted for finding a job. But if you recall that during their studies students are already looking for a suitable position and trying their hand at different companies, this is probably sufficient time.
And about the cost of education. It is lower than at universities in Great Britain or America. Moreover, the state funds a number of fields of study (including ecology, environmental protection, natural resources, engineering, forestry, and some others), and it is quite possible to apply for a grant. Everyday life is also cheaper – rent, transportation, and food.
About education
According to statistics, 7-9% of all students from our country who go abroad choose Canada. At first glance, this is an insignificant number, but if compared with data from a year ago, the progress is evident. According to educational agencies, the improvement was caused by last year's "Canadian mission" (a broad delegation of Canadian businessmen who came to our country to develop cooperation in various fields, including education). One result was some simplification of the visa procedure for students. However, some experts note that it is still difficult to obtain a visa for short-term language courses, especially for students over 20.
As a result, Canada has come to interest both schoolchildren wishing to receive a secondary education in the Land of Maple Syrup and then enter a university there, and students of domestic higher education institutions ready to transfer to a Canadian university. Many realize that a country with an open immigration policy like Canada offers broad opportunities to specialists in various fields.
As a rule, our students have good academic training, but they have language problems. If a person has not previously lived or studied in an English-speaking country, even with a high score on a language exam, it will be difficult at first to understand lectures and fully study. Almost always (with very, very rare exceptions) such students require additional language preparation. It can be taken not only in special linguistic centers, but also at the educational institution where you enrolled – secondary school, college, or university.
Sometimes there is difficulty adapting to the new academic process. For example, at Canadian universities students themselves create their own study plan, choosing subjects, lecture times, and seminars. But you quickly get used to it, especially if you are helped.
Those who have already chosen Canada should know that there is no federal Ministry of Education in this country that would oversee all provinces. Consequently, there are no common educational standards. Each province is free to decide how much money to spend on education and which teaching approaches to consider optimal. So do not be surprised if in one place school lasts 12 years, while in another you must complete a 13-year school course. In most provinces, you can enter university at 17 (sometimes at 16), but in Ontario and Quebec, for example, applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Secondary education is free for Canadian residents. Here, as in many countries, there are private schools (though not as many as in Great Britain). They enroll 8-10% of local children. Foreign schoolchildren can enroll in both public and private schools. In both cases, they will have to pay tuition, though in the former it is significantly less. Another option is to go on a school exchange program.
Post-secondary education is paid for both local residents and foreigners. The latter will have to spend more. There are several hundred universities and colleges in the country. As a rule, a master's degree is obtained after four years. In college, in 1-2 years you can become the holder of a professional diploma, and then continue your studies in the 2nd or 3rd year of university. Master's programs for bachelors traditionally last one to two years.
Since Canada has two official languages - English and French - you can study in either of them. In French, for example, at universities in New Brunswick, Ontario, and (naturally!) Quebec.
Combining desires and opportunities
The traditional interest of our compatriots is business programs. And again, as tradition has it, newcomers are guided by rating data and rush to get into a top university. However, not everyone can handle it. Canada has a very flexible education system, so in principle any wish can be fulfilled. You just sometimes have to act in a roundabout way. For maximalists dreaming of a place in the best university, studying at a college can serve as a "back door". You can complete a couple of courses at a domestic university and try to transfer to a Canadian one. For smoother adaptation, some experts recommend starting your studies not even at college, but at school.
The main requirements are a secondary education certificate and language exam results. In principle, you can find a university that will ask nothing more than this "gentleman's set" from you.
Canada trains excellent specialists in economics (and business in general), engineering and agricultural sciences, oil and gas refining. Design colleges produce true professionals who are in demand on the labor market. These are perhaps the strongest areas of Canadian education.
Preparation time
From the moment you decide to study in Canada to the minute you find yourself within the walls of the chosen educational institution, a lot of time will pass. And you will have to spend it on serious preparation.
Each university sets its own basic requirements for applicants, so when requesting information from the university, do not forget to clarify what documents are needed. Some provinces have unified application processing centers for applicants. Typically, a foreign applicant is required not just a good certificate, but a mandatory "excellent" in core subjects. Those planning to study finance need an "A" in mathematics, and those entering microbiology need a good knowledge of natural sciences.
There are no exams in the traditional sense at Canadian universities and colleges. But it is possible that after reviewing your documents, you may have to go through an interview or provide additional evidence of your exceptionality or recommendations. A competition is possible and is usually held where a student must demonstrate their creative abilities. For example, those wishing to study in Fashion Design cannot avoid showing their own portfolio.
Taking a language exam will be an obligatory part of preparation. For "English speakers" it is TOEFL, CAE or IELTS, for "French speakers" - DALF. Those going for master's programs will be required to provide professional exam results, for example, LSAT for lawyers, GMAT for economists and businesspeople.
Do not forget that choosing an educational institution and preparing documents is not everything. It is important not to be refused a visa.
Maria STEPANENKO,
Elena KOPTELOVA