People from all over the world flock to Canada as it offers world-class education, quality –life, a culture that accepts and acknowledges minorities, and additionally has an ample number of mesmerizing scenarios. A lot of scholars come to Canada to study and to gain access to the pathway to becoming permanent residents in Canada.
If you have been selected as an international student in Canada and have been successfully enrolled in a Canadian University, or still planning to do so then you must be prepared beforehand. The task that tops the list of priorities is to create a checklist. List the items that you must pack before leaving for Canada. Creating a checklist will ensure that you do not miss a necessary item that could hinder your move to Canada.
Here is a guide to the ultimate checklist that you will need before going to study in Canada.
Moving to Canada: A Checklist for Students
Table of Contents
-
Documents that you should be ready with
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will need certain documents at the Border of Canada for a student who will come to Canada from abroad. These documents need to be produced at the international border of Canada.
- Passport
- Temporary Resident Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization) for students who do not belong to the United States.
- Birth Certificate
- Driving License
- A quarantine plan for after arrival (according to COVID-19 travel norms)
- Proof of vaccination against COVID-19
- A COVID-19 negative PCR test result following the travel restrictions
- A student health insurance
You must always check the date of expiration of your documents. While some documents are valid for a lifetime, others may have a date of validity.
-
Planning your finances beforehand
To get a study permit you have to be organized financially and prove evidently that you shall be able to fund yourself for the tuition fee and the living expenses. The overseas scholars who come to Canada to study need proof of financial support. It is one of the many things that you need to do as a student before going to Canada.
How can you get proof of your financial support?
- A document that shows that you have taken a student loan from the bank
- There must be a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) that will enable you to take part in the financial institute of Canada
- A Canadian bank account proof
- A payment receipt for the tuition fees and housing rent
- A draft from the banks that can be transformed as a Canadian dollar
- Last four month’s bank account statement
- A proof of the payment made to you by the school or the person
- If you have received funding, then a justification of the scholarship in the education program of Canada.
-
Get an emergency contact list ready
A student who is enrolled in a university or school in Canada must have a list of emergency contacts submitted to the educational authorities. The emergency contact list must have the names and contact details of your immediate family members, your local guardian, or even a close friend or a relative. This contact information is helpful in cases of medical emergencies and accidents.
-
Acceptance Letter
A letter of acceptance is provided by the educational institute where you enroll yourself as a student. The letter of acceptance is asked when applying for the study permit in Canada.
-
Essentials items to be packed
While it is always recommended that you must purchase the items that weigh more and are bulky in Canada, there are a few items of hygiene and clothing that you must take with you. Here is a list that will give you an idea of the things that you should pack.
What to bring to Canada as a student?
- Books
- Toiletries
- Clothing that is appropriate to the weather conditions
- Bedding linens
- Medications
- Items that resonate with your hobby (instruments or paintings, camera)
- Things that will remind you about your homeland
-
Medical prescriptions and records
Being in a new country means that you will have to look after yourself and your well-being. You must be prepared with vaccination proof and other medical records too. If you have an ailment for which you are receiving ongoing treatment or medications, it must be informed to the concerned facility in your institution. Canadian universities have nurses and clinics on campus to help you if you need medical attention instantly.
-
Decide upon a place to stay beforehand
One of the most important things to do before coming to Canada is to find a decent place to stay. Accommodation should be safe and affordable for a student. You have to start looking for a place to reside as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from the university. There are two main types of accommodation spaces to consider:
- On-campus: Many schools and universities have accommodation facilities for the students on campus. These are dorm rooms that are often furnished with basic entities. Many first-year and sophomore year students like to stay near their classrooms. Students are advised to apply for these residencies beforehand as they are in high demand and only a few students get it.
- Off-Campus: If you do not get a residence on campus or if your university does not serve that facility then your second-best option to go with is the off-campus residency units. But off-campus residencies are more suitable for students who have been familiarized with the local region. There are various types of living spaces, such as a studio, homestays, short-term furnished rentals, and more. You can get a one-bedroom rental apartment or even save money by renting a shared apartment or room.
-
Electronic devices
The pandemic has changed the way of education and changed the lives of many students. Almost all universities have switched to the online mode of imparting education. The students will be required to have an online device to stream this. These personal devices will let you attend classes with the help of the internet. A laptop, tablet, iPad will allow you to take notes and access the study materials and attend online lectures too. Electronic devices have become a need among other college tools. You must also check for recommendations of your faculty and college department instruction before purchasing a laptop.
