Deciding to move abroad for studies is a significant decision, filled with excitement and challenges. In this blog, I'll share my journey as an international student who left her home country to study at York School of Continuing Studies in Canada. Buckle up; it's going to be an insightful ride!
Do your Research!
It may sound mundane, but thorough research is crucial before making the move. You need to explore which course to enroll in, which university to attend, and which province to live in. For me, I opted for a postgraduate diploma program since I had already graduated in India and wasn't eligible for a master's program. As a mass communications student, I pursued diplomas in Public Relations and Digital Marketing.
Selecting your course carefully is essential. Look for career opportunities that can follow your course. Decide if you want to take one or two courses, whether internships are part of the program, and which intake to apply for. I started in the January intake, but based on my experience, the September intake is better as it aligns with the academic year and offers a summer break.
Know your Finances!
Researching your programs and university is just one part of the puzzle. Financial planning is equally important. Create a budget for foreseeable expenses, including college fees, accommodation, travel, and other costs. You can check tuition fees on your university’s website. I used the York School of Continuing Studies website to check fees.
Alt Text: Screenshot of York University School of Continuing Studies webpage showing tuition fees and program details for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Digital and Content Marketing.
After addressing fixed expenses, plan for necessary costs once you land in Canada, such as housing, utilities, phone bills, and groceries. Toronto is one of the most expensive cities, so budgeting carefully is vital. Here’s a breakdown of my monthly expenses:
Where will you stay?
As the excitement settles in after, the real questions start to kick in and one of the biggest questions is Where will I stay? Finding an accommodation in a new country can be a bit challenging especially when there is a housing crisis in toronto. But dont you worry, I am gonna share a few tricks through which you can find a home easily.
Alt Text: Image of Campus Accomodation.
Healthcare
Healthcare is a really important factor that one should not neglect. According to the policies laid by the Canadian government, every student needs to have health insurance provided by the college/ university you are gonna study in. As a student of York University we are covered with guard me health insurance. Which provides you with some basic healthcare facilities. Healthcare system in Canada is very different from India, so it is of utmost importance to study your insurance carefully. You can check what all things are covered in your insurance by login into your Guard me account. There is also an apple tree medical clinic situated in York University itself. If you have any chronic sickness and you take medicines, it is recommended that you bring your medicines along with your doctor's note, to make the process in immigration easy.
Alt Text: Entrance of the Appletree Medical Centre with a red sign above the door.
Cultural shock
Last but not the least, this is one of the most important challenges one would face, while moving abroad. Trust me, you will not see it coming. As fun and exciting it may sound to move abroad, it can be quite dull and depressing as well. It is amusing to see the sugarcoated stories on social media but the reality would be totally different. I am not trying to scare here, but am trying to show the reality, In the first few months, you would be excited and happy and there would be alot of new experiences, but as the reality starts to set in one may become homesick and feel alone.
It is important to be aware of all the possibilities in the beginning then to regret it later. Be open and mindful about the new culture you are going to settle in. We all have to adapt and learn to live in the new environment. Thankfully York university has a lot of services to offer. The York International office provides orientation programs, workshops, and resources to ease the transition. You can always seek help and guidance from your peers and friends. York University also provides counseling for those in need. Always remember, it is okay to ask for help.
Conclusion
I want to sum this up by advising you to Research, Research, Research!There is no way to put this better, the more you research, the more you will be prepared about your journey here. The points mentioned above would help make your process smoother. My last advice would be to prepare for the challenges and seek support wherever you need. All the best!