Study Abroad Advisor

Study Abroad in Canada

Get to Know the Other World Next Door

By Glynn Hunter

Canada as a destination for study abroad experience is not a place that many Americans consider. Their neighbor is seen as just too culturally similar, not “exotic” enough for those looking for new experiences.

But though the differences between Canada and the U.S. are often subtle, make no mistake, they do exist. The quickest way to get a rise from a Canadian is to suggest that there are no differences between Canadians and Americans. Ours is a distinct culture with a different philosophy, politics, and values--one in which U.S. visitors can view their own culture through the eyes of one of their closest friends.

Canada is a land of contrasts which somehow works, one that the United Nations for the last three years has rated the best overall country in which to live. Consider that Canada:

• is an independent country which has at its head of state the sovereign of another nation;
• is geographically the second largest country in the world but has a population of only 28 million;
• is one of the most urbanized countries in the world, with 20 percent of the population living in its three largest cities;
• has a population that mostly lives within 100 miles of the U.S.-Canada border.

Many Americans do not realize that Canada is the largest trading partner of the U.S. But while Canada is in every way a close ally of the U.S.--a partner in NAFTA and in NATO and NORAD and other organizations--it chooses its own political course.

Over the last 20 years the province of Quebec has elected three governments whose stated aim is to separate the province from Canada. The current “official opposition party” in the federal parliament is a regional separatist party. Still, while Canadians may appear to live in a perpetual state of imminent disintegration, the society is stable.

Why Choose Canada?

Why should American students consider spending a term or year at a Canadian college or university?

Variety and Contrast. Canada has about 80-degree granting colleges or universities in locations ranging from small towns on the East Coast to a downtown campus in Toronto, Canada’s largest city. The vast majority of universities are publicly funded. Canada has two official languages (French and English) and institutions offer a variety of learning opportunities.

Continuity. Each province in Canada governs its own institutions, yet the caliber of Canadian universities is consistent across the country, and any university offers courses or programs that transfer easily to a U.S. institution. The marking and grading system is similar to that of U.S. schools, causing few problems in adjusting to a new academic system. The Canadian school year is similar to that of the U.S. Most universities offer courses in the spring (May/June) and summer (July/August) periods as well.

Ease of Entry. There are few complications in obtaining a Canadian Student Authorization (student visa). If they have a letter of acceptance from a university, U.S. citizens can obtain their documents at the border when they enter Canada.

Full Integration. One of the best features of Canadian universities is that so few of them offer “study abroad” programs for foreign students. This means that U.S. students coming to Canada for a term or year will register as visiting students and be placed in regular course offerings with local students--no special sections for Americans or foreigners. American students will be integrated into the university life and expected to perform as any other student on campus.

Affordability. Canadian universities can be a bargain. While a non-Canadian will be required to pay a student fee double that of Canadian tuition--from $2,000 per term to $5,000 per term depending on the institution--that’s in Canadian dollars, which in the last couple of years have been 25 percent to 30 percent less than U.S. The cost of tuition for one semester for a U.S. student ranges from $1,800-$3,500. Living expenses in most sites are no more than $450 per month. Quite reasonable actually.

The weather will not be too different from what many Americans are familiar with. Conditions in Vancouver are similar to Seattle. Yes we get snow, but Canadians have learned to deal with that, turning winter into an opportunity for skiing, skating, and winter carnivals and events to celebrate the outdoor sports.

In sum, Canada offers one of the most diverse and interesting, yet underrated, experiences abroad for students--safe, affordable, and yet different enough to satisfy most students’ desire for adventure.

GLYNN HUNTER is Coordinator of the International Student Centre at The Univ. of Calgary.