Why Study in Beautiful British Columbia Canada
There are many reasons why an international student would want to study in British Columbia. The top 5 reasons why you would want to study there are 1) top-notch universities and colleges, 2) economic advantages, 3) employment opportunities, 4) multi-ethnic population and 5) beautiful beyond beautiful scenery. Even if you base your where to study in Canada on these points only, you will have made a wise choice in the university you attend.
Top-Notched Universities and Colleges
The University of British Columbia (UBC), Victoria and Simon Fraser make British Columbia their home. In addition to this, other high-quality universities offer affordable and notable programs. Some of these are the University of Northern British Columbia, Thompson Rivers, the University of the Fraser Valley and University Canada West. Each of them has their own attraction.
The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
According to Times Higher Education (THE), UNBC is in the top 5% rank of world universities. In 2018, this university made its way into world ranks by making it in the top 250, according to its category; young universities, 50 years or younger. In Canada it ranks in the top 5 small universities and is numbered in Canada’s research-intensive universities. Located in Prince George, BC, it is an ideal university for you to study if you are interested in sustainability, alternative energy sources and the environment. The University of Northern British Columbia otherwise knows as the Green University because of its green energy projects, offers international students 5 faculties and over 60 programs. Because it is a smaller university, population around 3,500, professor-student ratio is 1:8. You can’t beat that for getting to know your professors well, getting academic support and networking with educators in the industry related to your program. Tuition is affordable and it offers international student scholarships.
Thompson Rivers University
Nestled along the banks of the Thompson River, with the Rocky Mountains in the background, Thompson Rivers University provides an aesthetic backdrop to enhance a student’s learning environment. This university offers more than 140 on campus programs and over 50 Distance learning opportunities. It offers international students, programs in the arts, sciences, the environment, social work, business, and tourism, among others. Thompson Rivers University offers undergraduate degrees and diplomas, graduate degrees, and post-baccalaureate diplomas, all at an affordable rate along with international student scholarships. They also offer paid Co-op Work Experience Programs which gives you the practical application to the theory taught in class. Work terms offer students an edge in the marketplace once you graduate.
The University of the Fraser Valley
This undergraduate university is 10 minutes from the US border and has mild winters, average around 7 degrees Celsius. The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) brags that they have only about two weeks of snow per year and otherwise they have green grass all the time. They offer over 100 programs in business, sciences, media, arts, IT and much more. According to surveys their students are very satisfied with their education with figures going up to 95%. Tuition is around $20,000 CAD per year and they have international student scholarships to help cover the cost.
University Canada West
If you are straight out of your Business Administration degree and you want to do your MBA in Canada, then consider University Canada West as it will offer admission to BBA graduates who have neither GMAT or work experience. That is right, no GMAT and no work experience is required for BBA and Commerce students. Located in Vancouver, UCW is an ideal place to study your MBA in Canada as Vancouver is a financial hub with plenty of job opportunities in a market laden with national and international companies and trade.
Economic Advantages in BC
British Columbia’s economy is strong with the provincial government projecting up until 2029, a 2.5 percent increase in professional, scientific, and technical service jobs, according to a BC Business report. Even if the projection is a bit high, it can easily mean 88,000 more jobs available. Work BC reports that with a focus on ties to trade and industrial ties with India, China, Japan, and Korea, it is expected BC’s demand for workers should exceed the supply of potential employees. This is good news for you as an international student, especially if you are studying green technology, digital media, and life sciences. Forecasters also expect a growth in innovation projects in natural resources and a growth in healthcare, high-tech and retail industries.
Employment Opportunities
What does a country’s, or province’s economy translate to for the international student? It means that there are work opportunities ahead once you graduate, especially for that student who includes a work experience component to their degree. And with a large population in Vancouver and the lower mainland and with a projected increase in retail sales, there are bound to be part-time jobs in hospitality industries and retail for the international student who wants to work 20 hours per week while a student.
Diverse Population
British Columbia is an ethnically diverse province, in fact, considered to be the most diverse. According to Welcome BC, about 30% are immigrants and about 25% are categorised as a visible minority. Multiculturalism flourishes in BC where your religious beliefs, way of life and culture will be respected, as you will respect others.
Vancouver has a must visit China Town and a large South Asian population among other diverse cultures. As an international student, you will have a rich exchange of cultures and meeting people from other nations, not only on your university campus, but also in the city where you study.
Beautiful British Columbia
Where the Rockies meet the Pacific
It truly is a beautiful place
You know where someone comes from by the license plate on their vehicle. If you are from Alberta, it says Wild Rose Country, from Manitoba, Friendly Manitoba. But if the person is from British Columbia, their car license plate will read Beautiful British Columbia, and beautiful it is. British Columbia offers the international student the majestic snow-capped Rocky Mountains, Icefields, the lulling waves of the Pacific Ocean against a sandy shore, tall rainforests and hundreds of lakes for fishing, swimming and just exploring. Oh, yes, it has the Okanagan Valley with its orchards of peaches, plums, apricots, and other fruits.
For the more adventurous you can go mountain climbing, skiing, snowmobiling or Whitewater rafting or canoeing on the Thompson River or the Kicking River; now that river will give you a big kick as it is the biggest Whitewater in the Rockies. They do have a gentle course too, but if you are like me and can’t swim, the term gentle probably doesn’t apply.
For those that want a tamer sport, it is possible to go whale watching off the Pacific coast. It isn’t always possible to see the whales, but I promise you seals and sea lions and other aquatic sea life. And then there is the Butchart Gardens, Stanley Park and quite beaches along the ocean front and lakes. There are hiking trails galore and so many other interesting things to see and do in British Columbia. The coast and southern regions of BC are temperate to mild, even in the winter. For example, Abbotsford has an average winter temperature of 7 degrees Celsius.
Included in this diverse landscape is a province rich in history and culture. You will want to check out the murals in Chemainus. When I first saw these murals, I fell in love with them as they are not only done well, but they depict the history and culture of the region.
Chemainus, British Columbia
History told through the town’s murals; this is a must see town.
There is certainly lots to explore on those days where you are not busy studying. And one knows they can’t study all the time.
Have I sold you on studying in BC? I hope so. Take advantage of the benefit of contacting us for assistance on your study plans to British Columbia. And if not BC, then, wherever you study in Canada, make sure to take a vacation from studies and check out Beautiful British Columbia.