Canada’s Hottest Study Destinations
One of the most frequent questions I get from international students about studying in Canada is this, “But isn’t it cold in Canada?” Well, yes, it can be cold in Canada, but there are some pretty hot study destinations in Canada. If you are looking for a warm place to study, you might want to consider universities or colleges in some of these hottest Canadian cities.
British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia have some of the warmest climates. Hot spots in BC are Abbotsford, Vancouver and Kamloops and of course lovely Victoria. In Ontario, the warmest cities are Windsor, Toronto and Oshawa. Nova Scotia boasts being the warmest province in Canada, thanks to the Atlantic Ocean’s impact on the climate.
British Columbia Hot Spots
The city of Abbotsford nestled in the beautiful Fraser Valley is one hour from Vancouver. This city experiences only a few weeks of snow per year, otherwise temperature is temperate, averaging 7 degrees Celsius in winter. It is home to the University of the Fraser Valley which offers over 100 programs to national and international students. It has one of the lowest tuition rates in Canada and also offers scholarships and paid co-op work experience terms. Their small class sizes mean students get to know their professors and learn hands-on.
Vancouver is BC’s largest city and one of Canada’s economic hubs. And it is no wonder it is a thriving city as their moderate climate (around 7 degrees Celsius in the winter) allows year-round work and building. Many universities and colleges are located in Vancouver, such asUniversity CanadaWest, or in neighbouring communities such as Westminster which is home to Douglas College. Douglas College offers degrees, diplomas and post-graduate diplomas in several disciplines, but their focus is Business programs.
An honourable mention is Kamloops which is located between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean shoreline. The Thompson Rivers University makes Kamloops its hometown. Temperatures remain moderate throughout the year with winter temperatures at about -7 Celsius. It is also a major tourist destination with lots of scenic areas an opportunities to work in the hospitality and tourism industries.
Ontario’s Hot Spots
Some of the hottest spots in Ontario are Toronto and Windsor, even in the wintertime. Toronto can get moist in the winter but daily average temperatures hover around 1 degree Celsius, although temperatures can dip to -17. If there is snow, wind, and high humidity, it can make for a cold spell, but it usually doesn’t last long. Snowfall happens between the end of November to early April. Toronto is home to Seneca College, Canada’s #1 college and also York and U of Toronto. Nearby in the Greater Toronto area is Trent University, Ontario Tech University and Durham College, all located in Oshawa. Trent is Ontario’s #1 undergraduate university and is #1 in Canada for scholarships. Ontario Tech boosts over 100 programs and is a university worth considering. Durham College is located on Ontario Tech’s campus and offers international students diplomas, post-graduate diplomas and some degree programs as well.
Windsor is on the US border and offers international students 7 months of short-sleeve weather. It is parallel to northern California and the average winter high is around 7 degrees Celsius although temperatures can dip to – 6 to make for a colder winter day. Snow lasts for about 1 and one-half month between January and February. Windsor is home to the University of Windsor which offers international students a rich experience in programs, Co-op work experience programs and internships. It is also considered the pizza capital of Canada.
Study at Canada’s Winter Hot Spots
Nova Scotia Weather
Weather in Antigonish Nova Scotia is decent with an average winter high of 1 degrees Celsius and winter only lasts about 3 months out of the year. Snowfall happens between January and February. Nova Scotia is the warmest province in Canada mainly due to the Atlantic Ocean’s moderating effect on the climate. St Francis Xavier University which ranks high on student satisfaction and is one of Canada’s oldest and top undergraduate universities, is in Antigonish. This small university is big on scholarships and programs.
Sunshiny Days of Winter
But lest we forget the rest of Canada, sunshine makes up where temperatures drop. Number of sunny days and warm weather do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. For example, Alberta is perhaps Canada’s sunniest province with over 333 days of sunshine, dry weather (even in the winter) and average winter temperatures around -5 to -10 degrees Celsius. Yes, it can dip to -40 with windchill but houses are well insulated and built with wood or other fibres to keep the cold out. Also all buildings are centrally heated so Alberta is certainly a place to keep in mind when choosing a study in Canada destination. Edmonton is home to the world ranking University of Alberta, MacEwan University and NAIT, Alberta’s 3rd largest educational institution.
Close behind Alberta in sunshiny days is Winnipeg at 305 days, home to the University of Manitoba. Manitoba has a large aerospace industry and Winnipeg has just added an aviation museum to its landscape.
Surprisingly, Vancouver which has one of the mildest climates has very few sunny days.
Whether temperature is important to you or not, there is a program in Canada just for you. And if you want a warmer climate, then there are still lots of programs for you to choose from. To find out more about universities, colleges and their programs, make sure to contact us for assistance.