What to Prepare for Studying in Canada (Taiwan Edition)
If you plan studying in Canada and have already obtained your student permit and necessary visa, this article will help you understand how to effectively shorten your adaptation period, quickly integrate into campus life, and accelerate your graduation progress. It will also explore how to prepare for staying in and studying in Canada after graduation, working, or even transitioning to permanent residency. Assuming you are enrolling in a diploma program or a graduate-level master’s or doctoral program for two years or more, and your admission is confirmed.
When preparing these documents, it is recommended that you apply directly for English or French versions of the documents, and ensure that any translated documents are notarized by a court or public notary. Additionally, all documents should be saved in both digital and physical formats.
Preparations to Shorten Your Adaptation Period
1. Prepare Sufficient Funds
2. After arriving in Canada, it is essential to prepare funds for your first year’s living and tuition expenses. The following amounts are recommended:
- Living expenses: At least CAD 20,635, though the amount may vary depending on location and lifestyle.
- Tuition fees: Assuming a three-semester academic year, make sure to confirm the total tuition fees and prepare sufficient funds.
- Unless you have other income sources, if possible, it is advised to prepare 1-2 years’ worth of living expenses as a reserve and deposit them in a fixed term account after arrival, as this may offer better interest rates and can also serve as proof of financial support when applying for credit cards.
3. Open a Foreign Currency Account and Confirm Remittance Regulations
Confirm the procedure for opening a foreign currency account and understand the remittance regulations for both inbound and outbound transfers. This will help you manage your living and tuition payments efficiently.
4. Driving and Insurance
If you plan to drive in Canada, make sure to apply for an international driver’s license and ensure you have no traffic violations. Additionally, if you plan to buy a car, prepare a record of your vehicle insurance claims history in advance.
5. Travel Plans to the US
If you anticipate traveling to the United States, it is recommended to apply for ESTA and Global Entry in advance to facilitate ease of travel between Canada and the US.
How to Quickly Integrate into Campus Life and Accelerate Graduation
1. Educational Document Preparation
Graduation certificates, transcripts, and course outlines are essential documents for every student. These documents not only help with credit recognition but also significantly aid in saving tuition and living costs:
- Graduation certificate and transcript: It is advisable to provide third-party academic credential verification.
- Course outlines (Course Outline/Syllabus/Presentation): These documents can help you apply for credit transfers or exemptions.
- If you have professional certifications or national qualification exam certificates, these can assist in applying for challenge exams, allowing you to quickly earn credits.
2. Laptop and Cloud Tools
Prepare a durable laptop with a global warranty of at least 3-5 years, preferably with drop-resistant features. While it does not need to be high-end, the laptop should be reliable enough to support your daily learning needs. Additionally, you should have a personal cloud storage account and at least one AI tool account for spell-checking and grammar correction.
3. Learn to Use Cloud-Base Document Editing
In Canada, many schools manage materials and assignments through cloud-based systems. Learning to edit documents directly in the cloud will be a crucial skill for your daily studies.
4. Writing and Formatting Requirements
In Canada, research paper and dissertation writing skills are trained at the high school level and are considered basic skills at post-secondary institutions. It is important to learn how to write a research paper or a dissertation, especially in terms of citing and referencing academic sources. Understanding academic integrity and mastering correct writing methods will greatly assist in your academic journey.
5. Bookbinding Skills
Although not often mentioned, learning basic bookbinding skills, such as how to apply book spine adhesive and cover wrapping, can be very useful, especially when submitting a thesis.
Preparing for Staying in Canada After Graduation, Working, or Transitioning to Permanent Residency
If your plan is to stay in Canada after graduation, work, or apply for permanent residency, it is important to prepare the following documents in advance:
- Good Conduct Certificate
Prepare a criminal background check in advance, as this is required for many immigration processes. - Entry and Exit Records, and Travel History
You will need to provide records of any place where you have lived for over 180 days in the past 10 years, especially after turning 18. - Identity Documents
Prepare a copy of your birth certificate, identity card, and passport pages that you have used, particularly the pages from the past 10 years. - Proof of Financial Support
In addition to bank statements, it is recommended to provide proof of tax filings (income tax statements) from the past 10 years to show stable financial support. - Employment and Job Verification
Prepare any job offer letters, employment verification letters, or tax records from the past 10 years, especially if you have worked after turning 18.
Conclusion
In preparing for studying abroad, it is crucial that all documents are either translated and notarized or directly requested in English or French versions. Both your academic and immigration-related documents require careful preparation. Remember to prepare and keep both digital and physical copies of these documents to ensure that you are ready for any challenges and opportunities that may arise.
