Canada is an up and ever growing economy. It is an inclusive and progressive country, safe for international students with bountiful opportunities and currently, a top pick amongst Indian students to study abroad. Canada spends more per capita on its education system than any other country in the G-8 and is also among the top three countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 

Following reasons will help you make an informed decision as to why it is a preferred destination for students in the UG/PG Sector.

1. Canada has an easy pathway for Permanent Residency. (PR)
2. The tuition fees in Canada, as well as the living expenses, are relatively cheaper when compared to other foreign countries. 
3. There are numerous public universities in Canada offering a high quality of education.
4.  Post-study work options are available to students from outside countries. 
5. The visa regulations are simple and straightforward. 
6. Canada also provides scholarships for students based on their merit, which acts as financial aid. There are other preferences given too for scholarships against on-campus research and special talents.
7. With a rich cultural heritage and people belonging to all parts of the world, it is easy to call Canada a multicultural country.
8. Canada is safe for international students, residents, and women; the crime rates are far lower, and security is high.
9. Canada offers one of the most adequate healthcare systems and has more than 20 top colleges ranked in the top 200 Globally.

Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometers, making it the world's second-largest country by total area.
 
Its population is highly urbanized, with over 80 percent of its inhabitants concentrated in large and medium-sized cities, and 70 per cent residing within 100 kilometers of the southern border.
 
Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many other countries. Canada's long and complex relationship with the United States has had a significant impact on its economy and culture.

Its advanced economy is the tenth-largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade networks

The quality of education and living standards in Canada are amongst the highest in the world. These Canadian universities do well in international rankings. According to the Times Higher Education World University Ratings (2018), Five Canadian universities rank in the top 100 universities in the world. The Canadian education system offers three consecutive levels of degrees: bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees. 

1. Bachelor's level students can enter after having successfully completed their Secondary School & Higher Secondary Education. Eligible to apply for Diploma of 2 years / Advanced Diploma of 3 years / Bachelors of 4 Years. Minimum requirement for IELTS 6.5 not less than 6.0 in each module.
2. A Master's Degree typically requires minimum two years of experience after the Bachelor's degree, it is offered by only Universities. They require IELTS of 7.0 bands not less than 6.5 in each Module.
3. Post Graduate Certificate Program requires total 16 years of Education background or 15 years of Education with N number of specializations. IELTS requirement for this needs 6.5 overall no band less than 6.0

As an international student, you are welcome to complete all or part of your education in Canada. Like other countries, there are both public and private universities. Universities and university colleges focus on degree programs but may also offer some diplomas and certificates, often in professional designations. 

A vast majority of degree programs in Canada are taught in English. Therefore, students from countries where English is not the native language will have to prove their English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS.

The Canadian education system draws students from all over the world and is maintained to a high standard by each of the provinces and territories. The Council of Ministers of Education is a forum for education ministers to discuss matters related to education, coordinate education activities and share information. Canada boasts one of the highest rates of post-secondary education in the world, with 6 of every 10 adults between the ages of 25 and 64 having completed some form of post-secondary education.

International students who complete their post-secondary education in Canada may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in order to gain Canadian work experience. The PGWP allows eligible international graduates to work in Canada after their studies for a period of up to three years.

The Government of Canada provides the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program as part of its efforts to attract international students and retain them as skilled workers. The program provides an open work permit, which allows international graduates to work for any Canadian employer in any industry without the requirement of a Canadian job offer at the time of applying.

International students can only receive one Post-Graduation Work Permit from IRCC.

Apart from this once student begin their degree programme, they can work both on and off-campus. As an international student, you are allowed to work under the following conditions:

1. Part-time (up to 20 hours/week) during semesters
2. Full-time (40 hours/week) during holidays

You can also apply for an internship or participate is some volunteering work to make your profile strong.

These options can be easy to reach even for an international student as state of Canada has large number of supporting programs for the same. The most widespread of them is the Youth Employment Strategy, which focuses on three streams - Skills Link, Career Focus and Canada Summer Jobs.

Canada is a safe and peaceful country with low crime rates and extremely popular destination for international students for study. It has been ranked in the top ten countries in the world in terms of quality living. Canadians enjoy a variety of freedoms.

Canada is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the world to live. It is still important to follow the same common sense safety precautions in Canada that you would anywhere else in the world. 

In an Emergency - If you are in trouble or witness to a crime, do not hesitate to call 911. This is a central number for police, fire, and ambulance throughout Canada. If you are robbed, do not try to argue or fight, and if you are assaulted, shout or blow a whistle to attract attention to your situation. Try to protect your body and distract the attacker so that you can escape. If the attacker asks for your purse or wallet, instead of handing it to them, throw it and run in the opposite direction.

While Walking - Many college campuses offer services such as "safety escorts" and transportation to assist students traveling around campus after dark. It’s a good idea to have the numbers for these services programmed into your phone.

When walking alone, be aware of who and what is going on around you. Avoid walking with headphones in or anything else that might distract you from your surroundings. Some areas might be safer than others. Ask advice for the best routes to take when going out. Always walk on well-lit, busy streets at night, and travel with a friend whenever possible. Avoid isolated areas, such as parks or alleys.

Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. If you feel that you are being followed, change directions and go to the nearest store, restaurant, or public place. Avoid carrying large amounts of money or weapons. Weapons are illegal in Canada and can be used against you.

Apartment Safety - Don't let people you don’t know into your apartment building or dorm room. If you aren't expecting maintenance or a delivery, refer them to the building manager. This also means not holding the door open for people you don't know. This might feel rude, but your safety while in Canada and the safety of your neighbors or roommates is more important. Always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home, and look through the peephole before you open your door for someone. It’s also a good idea to get to know your neighbors, so you will have people around who can help you in an emergency.

Transportation Safety - Before leaving for your destination, make sure you are familiar with your bus route and schedule. Alternatively, taxis are a good way to get home when it is late and dark. Keep the number for a taxi company on hand, just in case. Canadian taxis should all have running meters showing the cost of the ride. Drivers will not try to negotiate a price with you.

Many public transportation systems also offer special assistance for those traveling alone at night. When taking the bus, make sure you know your route and bus schedule beforehand, and choose busy, well-lit bus stops after dark. During late hours, try asking your bus driver to stop at the street closest to your destination, so you can cut down on walking alone after dark as much as possible.

Scholarship funding for international students who wish to study in Canada is limited, highly competitive, and available mostly at the postgraduate level. They tend to be granted to students with outstanding academic achievement, although some also recognize volunteer and work experience.

Apart from general one, following are few government scholarships available for students 

Government of Canada International Scholarships Program 
Global Affairs Canada is responsible for the government’s participa¬tion in major international scholarship programs. 

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Open to both Canadian and international PhD students studying at Canadian universities, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is worth $50,000 per year for three years.

Fonds de recheche du Quebec Scholarships and Grants 
The Quebec government offers scholarships and grants through its research funds FRQNT (nature et technologies), FRQs (santé) and FRQSC (société et culture) for doctoral studies, postdoctoral fellowships and short-term research or professional development.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral scholarships
Each year, the Trudeau Foundation rewards up to 15 outstanding doctoral candidates who are enrolled or about to be enrolled in a social sciences and humanities program. The annual value is up to $60,000 per scholar for up to four years.

Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships
The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program aims to help develop the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders, both locally and globally. Though primarily directed to Canadian students, scholarships are also available to students from Commonwealth countries to attend a Canadian university for masters or doctoral studies.

1. Pharmacy 
2. Biosciences, Medicine & Healthcare
3. Psychology & Human Resources
4. Hospitality management
5. Engineering 
6. Computer Science
7. Information technology
8. Business & Finance
9. MBA
10. Law

Canada is a huge country, largely characterized by freezing winters. The biggest part of Canada has a continental climate, although average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary according to the location. The only area where the average temperature exceeds the freezing point (32 degrees or zero degrees Celsius) in winter is the coast of British Columbia, where the climate is oceanic, cool and rainy.

Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces, which experience a continental climate. In these areas the daily average temperatures can be near -15 degrees Celsius and can even drop below -40 degrees, with severe wind chills.

In non-coastal regions, snow can cover the ground almost six months of the year. Newfoundland is the foggiest place in the world. At the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, the cold water from the Labrador Current from the north meets the warmer Gulf Stream from the south. The result is a whopping 206 days of fog a year.
 
On the east and west coasts in summer average high temperatures are generally in the low 20 degrees Celsius while between the coasts, the average summer high temperature ranges from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius with occasional extreme heat in some interior locations exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

Canada is often characterized as being "very progressive, diverse, and multicultural". The culture of Canada embodies the artistic, culinary, literary, humour, musical, political and social elements that are representative of Canada and Canadians. Throughout Canada's history, its culture has been influenced by European culture and traditions, especially British and French, and by its own indigenous cultures. Over time, elements of the cultures of Canada's immigrant populations have become incorporated to form a Canadian cultural mosaic.

Canadian identity refers to the unique culture, characteristics and condition of being Canadian, as well as the many symbols and expressions that set Canada and Canadians apart from other peoples and cultures of the world.

Canada's experience with diversity distinguishes it from most other countries. Its 36 million inhabitants reflect a cultural, ethnic and linguistic makeup found nowhere else on earth. Over 200,000 immigrants a year from all parts of the globe continue to choose Canada as their new home.