5 Top Reasons to Study in Ontario, Canada
Many international students who want to study abroad in Canada choose a university in Ontario, and for good reason. In fact, there are lots of reasons for studying at a college or university in Ontario, but I will only cover 5 of them, Ontario’s world ranking universities, employment, multiculturalism, diversity, and its beautiful landscape.
World Ranking Universities
Ontario is host to 21 universities and 24 colleges which means there are thousands of programs for students to consider. Ontario has more post-secondary education institutions than any other province in Canada and out of all these institutions, four are in the top 200 in the world. While ranking can be an important factor when deciding which university to attend, it shouldn’t be your main reason for attending. I am going to focus on the universities of WATERLOO, WINDSOR, AND TRENT and SENECA COLLEGE.
The University of Waterloo
Waterloo is one of Canada’s top public universities. According to MacLean’s magazine, 2021 rankings, it holds 3rd place for overall best in Canada. It also ranks in the top 250 worldwide. It holds 1st place for connecting students to employers and has the best co-op work experience program in Canada. Some of its top programs are physics, geography, and psychology. Waterloo offers hundreds of programs to its students and its tuition is offset with some excellent scholarships. Getting an undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo is a wise investment in your future.
The University of Windsor
Windsor is a comprehensive and student focused university that offers its students 130 majors and minors in 9 faculties. The University of Windsor is a leader among Ontario universities. Windsor-Essex is Canada’s automotive capital, and this industry is supported heavily by U of Windsor with its automotive related programs and the Fiat Chrysler Canada Automotive Research and Development Centre. Graduates from the University of Windsor find employment at Chrysler and at Ford just across the border in Detroit. Work opportunities abound in both Canada and the US as Windsor is Canada’s busiest US/Canada border city with trade and imports/exports flowing daily through the border crossing.
The city of Windsor is smaller than some other Ontario centres, but it also has a lower cost of living than larger ones. International students who choose Windsor will be glad they did.
Trent University
Trent is Ontario’s #1 university in the primarily undergraduate university category. It’s not only top in rank but also #1 in Canada for scholarships. This undergraduate university holds #1 spot in Ontario for Student Services, Academic Advising and Extracurricular Activities, and it is #2 in Ontario for producing Leaders of Tomorrow. Their Environmental and Biological Science programs are in the top 20 in Canada.
Trent University has 9 facilities and over 100 programs with paid Co-op Work Experience programs, internships, and research opportunities at the bachelor level. So, this university is certainly a contender for your best option for studying in Ontario, Canada.
Seneca College
Seneca’s International Academy is in the heart of downtown Toronto. The college has 10 campuses throughout Toronto and offers 146 full-time programs including diplomas, degrees, and certificates. Top programs are Accounting, Finance, Liberal Arts and Social Service Work. Seneca College also has some unique programs in the aviation industry. With Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, the busiest in Canada, so close, students have lots of opportunities for co-op work experience and employment after graduation. Seneca College is one of the largest colleges in Ontario and it has over 50 pathways to degree programs in the Toronto area and beyond. And their international student tuition is one of the most reasonable in the country. When considering where to study in Canada, consider Seneca College.
Employment
Toronto Canada is the economic hub of Canada with an emphasis on commerce, distribution, finance and industry. Seneca College in Toronto is in an ideal location to prepare students for careers in Toronto’s large employment sector. Windsor has a bustling US/Canada trade arena as it is the busiest US/Canada border crossing. Medical, automotive, and financial industries abound in Windsor-Essex. For those that are technology focused, mining, a booming steel industry and other technology-based industries provide employment for engineers, technologists, and medical specialists. Work experience programs offered at all the universities and colleges put students into the 95% range of graduate employability just months after graduating. If you are an international student who wants to work in Canada during and after their university or college program, Ontario is one of the best provinces for you.
For students who want a US work experience, you can study in Canada at the University of Windsor and do your co-op work experience placement in the US, just across the border in Detroit. Work-wise there is something for everyone.
Welcomes Newcomers
Ontario has the highest number of immigrants to Canada – over 45% end up in Ontario. Large centres in Ontario have a diverse ethnic population with high percentages of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, and other South Asian groups. This diversity flourishes in places like Gerrard Street in Toronto which is a Little India. You can get kabobs, saris, shalwar-kameez, sweets, curries, anything South Asian here. In addition to that, Toronto boasts a Chinatown, a Greektown, a Little Italy, and a Koreatown among other ethnic enclaves. While Toronto excels in ethnic diversity, all Ontario centres embrace international students and cultures.
A Diverse Lifestyle
Whatever you enjoy, it can be found in Ontario. If you like a nightlife, Toronto is the happening place to be. If you like a quieter city, then Peterborough or Windsor is the place to go. If you like natural trails and hiking check out Windsor’s trails or just sit along the Detroit River right on the U of Windsor campus. If you are a history buff, then Peterborough, home to Trent University, has lots to offer with its museums and well-preserved historical sites. Check out their Flag Fen, a Bronze age fen civilization. Ontario also has many festivals during each season of the year. If warm weather is important to you, you will want to go to U of Windsor where they have 8 months of short-sleeve weather, or if you want to experience cooler climates and lots of snow, you will want a university or college further north. Whatever you want, Ontario has a packaged spot just for you.
Great Lakes and Great Scenery
Photo by James Wheeler from Pexels
While Canada sports the largest number of lakes in the world, Ontario has the largest freshwater lakes, better known as the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake Michigan. These lakes lie on the US/Canada border with only Lake Michigan mainly located in the US. If you decide to take a bus trip around Lake Superior, be advised it is a whole night’s journey and more.
Ontario houses the beautiful Niagara Falls, a honeymooner’s dream attraction. Stand below the falls and feel the cool mist spray over you. These majestic falls will be a remembrance of a lifetime. I have only seen them once, but once is never forgotten.
While I have only mentioned two natural attractions in Ontario there are many more to be found in this Great Canadian Shield of Archean rock. Tall forests to the north, mining and other rugged attractions await the more adventurous nature lover. Or go up to Hudson Bay, an Arctic Ocean enclave, and see polar bears. If you want a tamer adventure, check out London Ontario and its Thames River. Yes, Canada has its own Thames River in London – London Ontario that is.
Photo by Dick Hoskins from Pexels
There it is – Ontario in all its splendor and opportunities that await international students. If you choose Ontario as your study in Canada destination, you will be glad you did. For more information on study destinations like Windsor, Trent, Waterloo, and Seneca, contact us today.
Top photo courtesy of Vincent Albos from Pexels