Study in Canada – Your Path to Success
What images come to mind when you think of Canada as a study destination? Is it snow? The great outdoors? Justin Bieber? Or nothing at all?
Joking aside, Canada is increasingly a first choice for many Brazilians – and the world. Since 2001 the number of international students in Canada has increased by 94% to over 265,000 students in 2012 at all levels of study. Brazil is one of Canada’s top sending countries for students with more than 1,165 youth attending elementary or secondary school. Over 6200 students have been successfully enrolled in Canadian colleges and universities with the Ciências sem Fronteiras (CsF) scholarship program.
There are many parallels between Brazil and Canada:
- Multiculturalism: one in five Canadians is foreign born and over 200 languages are spoken as a mother tongue (see note 1) . Immigration throughout Canada’s history has shaped it into the diverse country it is today – very similar to Brazil’s past.
- History: both countries have a colonial past and have risen to prominence.
- Rise to prominence: Canada derives much of its wealth from its abundant natural resources and is developing new alliances with trade partners, including Brazil.
- Olympic Hosts: Canada developed expertise in building its infrastructure leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This knowledge could be useful to Brazil who will shortly host the Summer Olympics.
Why Study Abroad? Global Experience is THE way
Globalized trade and markets have made faraway places closer than ever before. Employers are looking for a mix of intercultural skills (such as languages, adaptability, leadership and self-sufficiency, to name but a few) to fill the ranks of the workplace of the future.
Living somewhere new can be exciting but also challenging – living outside of your comfort zone will allow you to develop these crucial life skills. Plus you’ll be exposed to a whole host of new opportunities that you’d never dreamed of. By developing a network in Canada you are privy to work and research opportunities here and can speak to your peers back home about your positive time ‘up North.’ The simple act of study abroad strengthens ties between our two countries.
Canada’s Education Promise – Access, Research and Hands on Training
“Being an exchange student in the Earth Sciences Program at Memorial University of Newfoundland was the best choice that I could ever have made. I got a project in Planetary Geology. The facilities here at the university are just amazing; they will surely make the difference in my career as I am learning techniques not available at my home university.”
– Bruna Maria Borba de Carvalho, Earth Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Host university in Canada: Memorial University
Canada’s strength is its focus on basic and applied research. Did you know?
- Canada is recognized as a world leader in research in the fields of clinical medicine, ICT, physics, astronomy and cognitive sciences (including neuroscience and artificial intelligence)
- Canada produces 4.1 per cent of the world’s research papers and nearly 5 per cent of the world’s most frequently cited papers, while representing less than 0.5 per cent of the world’s population (see note 2)
- Canadian universities have more than 5,000 international collaboration agreements with counterparts all over the world (see note 3)
Also, Canada’s higher education model differs from many other countries:
- Professors are approachable and accessible – they want to help you understand the material
- Discussion of topics and developing your own thoughts about what you’re learning is embraced, rote learning is not the only way
- Emphasis is on developing links between what you’re learning and ‘real world’ application
- Applying your knowledge through internships, work-placements and research projects on campus, with organizations and businesses is our strength
High Quality and Tailored Experience
“This Canadian experience has put me in contact with experts in the fields of study that are of my area of interest: professors and other professionals who are known worldwide and who are authors of many books that I used in my home university in Brazil.”
– João Batista da Silva Junior, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo. Host university in Canada: the University of Toronto
Compared to other countries, tuition for international students is lower but applicants still have access to world class researchers and facilities at internationally-renowned post-secondary institutions. Canada has a diversity of higher education options, including colleges, polytechnics and universities, which offer a myriad of unique programs and learning styles. No education journey is the same for each person. This diversity allows students to find the program and credential type (i.e. certificate, diploma, degree, advanced degree etc.) that’s just right for them.
Embrace a New Language, New Culture
❝To have another language is to possess a second soul.❞
‒Charlemagne
Canada is a leader in language training due to its cultural makeup of Francophone (French) and Anglophone (English) communities. Students can choose to study in English or French and develop fluency in a new language – a critical skill for communicating in a multicultural and global world. By tackling the language barrier, you can make friends with greater ease. It also makes travel and interactions with your peers in your host country a more enjoyable experience.
Safety and Diversity
Canada is a peaceful, stable democratic country with a low violent crime rate for its over 35 million citizens. It’s a country built on immigration.
In CBIE’s international study survey, the following factors were important or essential in their decision to choose Canada as a study destination:
- Canada’s reputation as a safe country (80% of respondents)
- Canada being a tolerant and non-discriminatory society (77% of respondents)
When you come to study at the institution of your choice, remember that you are not alone. You will receive advice from the students’ services office from the moment you accept your offer of admission. Plus, our international offices are experienced at integrating foreign students and making them feel welcome in their new community.
Make The Leap!
A study abroad experience will reap positive benefits for you in the short term – new friends, fun memories, learning new ways resiliency, more confidence in your abilities – and professional opportunities in the long term.
For more information:
- Learn about opportunities to study in Canada by visiting CBIE Student Centre, istudentcanada.ca
- Browse available scholarships and bursaries at www.scholarships.gc.ca
- Study and gain research and/or work experience in Canada with Ciências sem Fronteiras (CsF) scholarship program http://www.cbie-bcei.ca/brasil
Note 1. Linguistic Characteristics of Canadians. Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-314-x/98-314-x2011001-eng.cfm, 2011.
Note 2. The state of Science and Technology 2012
Note 3. http://www.aucc.ca/policy-issues/global-connections/