Life as an International Student in Canada: What to Expect?

As an international student in Canada, life is filled with a welcoming, friendly, polite, and multicultural environment. Throughout the education journey in Canada, students will be exposed to different surprises, challenges, and opportunities. Even as Canada introduces stricter visa caps in 2025 to ease pressure on housing and services, the country still ranks at the top of global study destination lists due to its quality of education, safety, and post-study options. Moving to this country is a surreal experience. Read the article to clearly understand what you need to expect from life as an international student in Canada.

First Impression: Moving to Canada as an International Student

Moving to a new country is always filled with anxiety along with excitement. Students planning their study abroad in Canada will experience cultural diversity, which is one of Canada’s biggest strengths. You will be studying and living in an environment where you can make friends from dozens of countries within your campus and community. In Canada, here is what your first impression of the country feels like:

• A welcoming and multicultural society with people from every corner of the world.
• Friendly locals who value politeness and respect diversity. You can expect the heavy use of polite and respectful words, including please, sorry, thank you, etc.
• Moreover, in addition, bilingual settings are found in some regions that comprise speakers of English and French, among others, mainly in Quebec.

Canada’s Education System for International Students

While studying abroad in Canada, students need to be aware of the education system and academic expectations in the country, as it is different from India. Check the points below to understand what you can expect in an academic setting in Canada.

Top-class Education with World-Recognised Degrees

Canadian universities and colleges are globally respected. International students in Canada can expect rigorous coursework, modern facilities, and a strong emphasis on research and critical thinking. A few of Canada’s flagship institutions, which are leading in research advancement, include the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of British Columbia, etc.

Support on Campus

International students get academic, personal, and professional support through the campus administration at the university. The majority of universities and colleges in Canada offer the following:

• Advice on academics throughout the course
• Career and internship support
• Mental health services
• Student clubs and social events

Financial Planning for Cost of Living in Canada

You need to plan your finances before studying in Canada. As an international student, you need to understand that living in Canada is very rewarding and comes with many benefits and a transformative experience, but it is expensive. Also, the cost of living in Canada varies depending on the city you choose. Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are more expensive than other smaller cities such as Moncton and Winnipeg.

Also, you need to understand that you have an option to work part-time in Canada on a study permit. So, it can help you with managing the living costs there. Tuition fees can be partially or fully waived through scholarships, bursaries, and financial aid.

Estimated Cost of Studying in Canada

• Tuition Fees: The tuition fee depends on the course and university, as well as the province chosen by the students. It is a major part of the financial planning for studying in Canada. Average annual tuition in Canada is generally around CAD 7,000 to CAD 22,000.
• Living Expenses: For international students living in Canada, the cost is broken down into majorly rent, food, transportation, miscellaneous, and more. Generally, the average rent is CAD 600 to 1,200 per month. Food and groceries cost nearly CAD 300 to 500 per month, and transportation is around CAD 80 to 120 per month. The total average living costs are roughly CAD 10,000 to 15,000 per year, excluding tuition.

Housing for Foreign Students

It is crucial to know that finding affordable housing is one of the most important and difficult tasks to do before moving to Canada. Also, it is one of the biggest early adjustments for international students. While finding the accommodation, here are some of the things to consider:

• The rent in Canadian cities such as Toronto and Vancouver is high rents as is the competition for campus or off-campus housing.
• You must start early to find a house due to the housing crisis in Canada.

Types of Housing in Canada for International Students

• On-Campus Housing: It is provided by the university as residence halls or dormitories. These are quite convenient and close to your classroom, but they are highly competitive, and the spots fill up quickly.
• Off-Campus Housing: This is the most common housing choice that includes shared apartments, private rentals, private rooms, basement suites, and many more.
• Homestays: It is a housing type where international students in Canada live with a family and experience cultural integration. It includes means and built-in support as well as cultural immersion.

Where to find it?

You can find the housing options through the following:

• Online Platforms: You can visit online portals where you can find the perfect accommodation by filtering budget, location, and commute.
• You can connect with the university housing services to secure a spot before arriving in the country.
• Social media and student groups in universities or nearby with peers and friends.
• Networking with peers in classrooms can help you through recommendations, sharing housing leads, contacts, etc.

Social Life and Cultural Experiences in Canada

Along with academic studies involving lectures, assignments, and exams at university, Canada offers international students a great social life that is a memorable part of the journey. Check the points below to understand what you need to expect socially from Canada as an international student:

• The country hosts multicultural festivals, food, music, and arts that make student life rich and fulfilling.
• Canada also includes many outdoor activities, including snowboarding, hiking, etc.
• You can socialise here very easily through student clubs, societies, and grassroots communities.
• Managing studies along with a social life is quite easy for those who know how to divide their time between academic studies and other activities.

As an international student studying in Canada, you can expect a very fulfilling life filled with excitement, crises, anxiety, and many new opportunities. It is transformative for students who strategically understand the financial costs, leverage work and academic resources, and engage with communities early. You can take help from the Leverage Edu platform as well, which can support you to plan finances and housing decisions, preventing stress.

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