Study In Canada: What You Need As An International Student
If you have plans to study in Canada or any other foreign country, then you need to get your documents ready and make sure you know what you need.
You should be aware that there are specific items and documentation you must arrange before and after your arrival in Canada.
Some items are simply personal belongings that you’d like to leave behind while travelling abroad, while others are essentials that are useful for your stay and your studies in the country.
Items Needed to study in Canada:
– Immigration Visa Documents (I-20) –
– Acceptance letter or approval by a university/college of your choice.
– Original Passport with at least six months validity from your expected arrival date.
– Medical insurance coverage from your home country (which can be arranged by a medical insurance company, doctor, or clinic).
– Personal photo card (not mandatory but useful) Education Documents –
– Copy of passport or application form if required.
– All education documents must be originals. One piece of each document is necessary (separate application form for each item)
– Letters of recommendation – If possible, have someone who has studied in Canada write a letter for you.
– Written reference letters mailed directly to the University Admissions Office from a school official or professor who has taught or supervised you during your coursework.
Things To Consider Before Applying To Canadian Universities:
1. Study duration:
While some colleges require four years of study, most only require two years. You must choose a curriculum that fits your time commitment and degree of experience. Students must also choose a program that corresponds to their level of job experience.
2. Scholarships:
Receiving financial aid while studying abroad is always preferable. Thus Canadian colleges generously award scholarships to their overseas students. The University or other private contributors will pay for all costs incurred by the student during the study time.
3. Job search support:
Most Canadian colleges have a particular office that helps international students with job hunting. Make sure you choose a university in Canada that offers inexpensive housing choices when choosing a school because these might not be offered at all universities.
4. Acknowledgements:
Please always indicate on your application form that you intend to apply for Canadian permanent residency once your degree program is completed. Comparatively speaking, obtaining a PR in Canada is rather easy. However, doing so immediately may need additional time.
Items To Pack:
You must take a few basic goods for your trip to Canada to study. Some things aren’t actually necessary because you can easily get them in Canada.
Make sure you have some necessary items before leaving the house, such as prescription drugs, extra clothing, etc. Most of the items you want can be obtained from a Canadian store or internet retailer, as was already explained. If you want to purchase particular items, it would be best to bring them along.
Top Scholarships in North America for African Students:
There are numerous scholarship opportunities in the United States, Canada, and other North American nations. International students from all over the world, have access to the many financing options offered in the majority of these industrialized nations.
There are major benefits that students, particularly those from Africa, stand to gain by studying in nations like the United States or Canada.
Countries in North America Where Students Can Find Better Study Opportunities:
– The United States of America:
Many institutions here offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs if you prefer to study here. These programs cover most academic disciplines, including those in education, health, the natural sciences, the arts, etc. For international students who satisfy the requirements and criteria established by the University, the majority of these universities offer full or partial scholarships.
– Canada:
Some institutions in Canada give international students with a high school diploma or job experience full or partial scholarships. This option allows international students to fund their education without being concerned about tuition costs. They will only be needed to cover living costs, such as housing, food, and travel costs.
Some colleges also provide merit-based scholarships, for which candidates must provide documentation of their accomplishments, including research projects, the publication of academic papers, volunteer work in the community, leadership positions, etc.
– Mexico:
Many international students opt to study in Mexico rather than continue their studies in a developed nation like the United States or Canada. Many universities in Mexico have scholarship programs available for non-Mexican students from low-income families who wish to attend their universities. Grants are provided to international students to help with the cost of their tuition, housing, and meals. Scholarships can be awarded on the basis of merit or financial necessity.
– The Caribbean:
When it comes to providing international students with inexpensive higher education, certain Caribbean nations have a solid reputation. A number of scholarships are available for overseas students from underdeveloped nations in Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.
Top Scholarships in North America for African Students:
1. Full Bright Scholarship:
Students in high school who excel academically and have leadership abilities are given this award. They must also be admitted to a US university or higher education facilities. If a recipient attends a school in Canada, the United States, Mexico, or any other nation that qualifies, they are able to apply for this award. They must finish their undergraduate degree program by receiving a diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or above on a scale of 4.0. May 31st is the application deadline.
2. MasterCard Foundation Scholarships for African Students:
People from Africa who want to study for an undergraduate or graduate degree at a recognized institution in Canada, the United States, or another qualified nation are eligible for this scholarship. If a recipient attends a school in Canada, the United States, Mexico, or any other nation that qualifies, they are able to apply for this award. They must finish their undergraduate degree program by receiving a diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or above on a scale of 4.0. Applications must be submitted by March 1st.
3. Liberal Arts Undergraduate Excellence Awards:
Undergraduates in the United States or Canada who are beginning their first year of college are eligible for this scholarship. The recipients of awards must complete their undergraduate degrees by receiving a diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or above on a scale of 4.0. May 31st is the application deadline.
Having the right documents, paperwork and survival items is the first step to making your stay abroad less challenging. The change of environment will definitely tell on you, so go prepared.