The results of the annual international student survey conducted in 2021 by the Canadian Board of International Education (CBIE) have just been made public. Over 41,000 students from 67 Canadian academic institutions participated in the study, which includes their data. International students discussed their perspectives on all facets of studying in Canada. The reasons they chose to study in Canada, their experiences there, and their plans after graduation were all covered in their responses.
The mission of the nonprofit CBIE is to improve Canadian international education and advertise the advantages of studying in Canada internationally.
One deciding aspect is stability and safety
Canada is a safe and secure country, and many other nations also consider it to be a safe place to live. Over 80% of students stated that safety is the biggest reason they choose to study in Canada.
Safety now surpasses educational prestige as the main factor influencing students’ decisions to study here. 70 %of students rated the standing of Canadian educational institutions as their second most important factor, and over 50 percent of respondents also stated that Canada’s tolerance, diversity, and inclusion made it an attractive place to study.
Nearly 40% of respondents claim they chose Canada, partly because they intend to live permanently in Canada after completing their studies.
How can you afford to study in Canada while paying for school?
Most of the students stated that the financial assistance of their parents, grandparents, and other family members allowed them to afford to study in Canada. A third of the students said they had to rely on personal savings and family support in addition to working off-campus.
Can students from other countries work in Canada?
To be able to work, students must be enrolled in an approved school of higher learning (DLI). For consideration:
- It is necessary for you to be enrolled full-time in a course that lasts at least six months and leads to a certificate or diploma.
- You’ve already begun learning
- Your Social Insurance Number exists.
During the academic semester, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week, and you are allowed to work more than one job to make up for the lost time. During periods when your studies are on break, you are allowed to work full-time.
Employment available on campus
Except for part-time students who are in their last semester and do not need a full-time course load, students are only permitted to work on campus up until the last day they are enrolled as full-time students.
In order to be eligible to work, part-time students must be in their final semester of a full-time degree and not need to take a full course load in order to graduate.
The high acceptance rate for overseas students
In general, students report a good experience living and studying in Canada.
The largest challenge, according to them, was obtaining housing after their initial reasonably smooth arrival in Canada. Although 39% of respondents did mention some difficulty in gaining a study visa, receiving an acceptance letter from a school was rated as the easiest step in moving to Canada.
With other international students from the same country, students say they feel able to establish relationships and a sense of community. However, they had some difficulty establishing contacts outside of these areas.
Being in Canada after graduation
Most respondents said they intend to apply for permanent residency and stay in Canada when asked about their intentions after graduating. Others stated that they would stay in Canada to work for a while before going back home.
Graduates with the desire to stay in Canada after completing their studies have several options for obtaining permanent residency.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
After graduation, more than 70% of students indicated that they intend to apply for a postgraduate work permit (PGWP). You can gain significant Canadian work experience through the PGWP to support your permanent residency application.
With an open work permit known as a PGWP, recent graduates in Canada are able to work for any employer in any position. The permit’s duration, which can be up to three years, is determined by how long your program lasts. PGWPs are not available for programs with a duration of fewer than eight months, and they can be used for up to three years for programs with a duration of two years or longer.
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Candidate Program is unique to almost every province in Canada (PNP). To assist nations and territories in addressing their labor market demands, the PNP. Most provinces offer programs with certain qualification requirements for recent international graduates.
Quebec Experience Class
For international students who finished their studies in Quebec, there is the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). If your age is a minimum of 18 years old with having a good level of French proficiency and want to settle and work in Quebec, you might be qualified for this program.
Additional choices for students
For foreign students to study, Canada offers more than 100 economics courses.
- The Atlantic Immigration Program is open to graduates from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, or Prince Edward Island.
- Hong Kong: Under this program, nationals of Hong Kong who are studying in Canada may be eligible for permanent residency.
- International students who desire to live and work in Canada’s rural areas or in the country’s north should apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program.
