Many people dream of studying in Canada. It owes its popularity to innovative classroom culture, part-time job opportunities, and the tools that enable students to flourish in the real world. Adjusting to a foreign culture, however, is a tricky task. In today’s piece entitled, College Culture in Canada Explained, we will try and make things a little easy for you.
Introduction
Here are a few things that you must know and remember before starting college in Canada.
- The timings of your class – Being late on your first day is probably not a good idea.
- Uniform or the kind of clothes that are permitted on campus – Make sure you don’t turn up in the wrong clothes for an important presentation.
- Acquaint yourself with the campus and the layout – This will help you reach places on time.
- Familiarize yourself with the lodging and eating amenities - You surely don’t want to be locked out in the snow or miss dinner, right?
Let us proceed with knowing more about the college and university culture in Canada.
1. Teacher–Student Relationship
Compared to India, it is much more informal in Canada. This might be a foreign concept to Indian students. The fact is Professors in Canada prefer that the students use their first names instead of their titles. This fosters a sense of equality as your teacher are your peers too.
The rules and regulations can be found in academic guidance. There you can find the particular ways and times of communicating with your supervisor. You can talk with them about a host of issues such as credit scores, extra-curricular activities, etc.
2. Participation and Class Assessment
Participation in class is a highly important factor. Group discussions are encouraged to ensure shy introvert pupils can contribute as well. Skits, plays, and experiments are conducted to forge cooperation and compromise. You will have to find a balance between being helpful and owning your own work. So, reach out whenever you need help.
Students are tested year-round for a correct evaluation. There are short tests, quizzes, and mid-term and end-terms that the students have to take. All these are ways to analyze a student’s overall performance. In every field, originality is fostered so that students can develop their academic integrity and creativity.
3. Accommodation
Accommodation entails a significant cost. Therefore, it is important that you have a clear idea before moving. A room or an apartment can cost anywhere between CAD 5000 (INR 2,67,000) to CAD 10,000 (INR 5,39,000). Moreover, big cities like Toronto and Montreal are more expensive. For a student, both on and off-campus residential facilities are available. The latter is preferred by people who are uncomfortable sharing common areas like the kitchen and toilet. Also, living with fellow Indians also helps with homesickness.
4. You can Earn and Learn
This is one of the biggest benefits of living and studying in Canada. The Universities themselves promote this culture of making students independent. You can avail of extra classes. Also, deadlines to submit papers are also extended. Besides this, you can also work part-time jobs to earn a living. For 20 hours a week, you can do off-campus work so that you can both learn and earn. It’s a fantastic way to be independent and be a student at the same time!
5. Daily Transport
The public transport system in Canada is well-developed and pocket-friendly. Rentals such as Uber and other services can burn a hole in your pockets. The bus is the student's favourite. The other modes used by students are subways, trains and streetcars. You must have a daily pass or ticket so that you can use these services.
6. Cultural Differences
While explaining campus culture in Canada, this is a MUST. Just like you, there will be so many students from all over the world. They will speak different languages, eat differently and worship different gods. Thus, you will have to keep an open mind to all these different things. You need to be respectful in your walk and talk. Knowing English, and finding common grounds like hobbies and polite behaviour can take you a long way.
Your ideas on friendships and romantic relationships might also face challenges. You have to familiarize yourself with the concept of consent in almost everything you do.
Conclusion
We hope this article was helpful in explaining some of the basics of college culture in Canada. You can visit VCANXL for in-depth knowledge and professional guidance. An immigration agency to help with your migration process, we provide financial, educational, and work advice. As an all-in-one service provider, we will be happy to help with your immigration woes!
