For International Students: Learn about City Life in Canada
As an international student, you are naturally curious about the city where you will study. While looking at the university or college, it is also important to check out the city life as well. City life in Canada varies significantly depending on the city, but there are some common features and experiences that characterize urban living across the country:
Diversity and Multiculturalism
Canadian cities are known for their diversity and multiculturalism. While most international students think of Toronto and Vancouver when they think of large immigrant populations, cities like Edmonton, Winnipeg, Windsor and London also have significant immigration populations. Even in smaller cities like Prince George, Kamloops and Saint John, international students will be surprised by the ethnic diversity present. These diverse populations result in a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and cuisines. This multicultural environment is reflected in festivals, restaurants, neighborhoods, and cultural events.
Quality of Life
Canadian cities often rank highly in global quality of life surveys. Factors contributing to this include access to healthcare, education, public services, and green spaces. Cities like Winnipeg, Edmonton and Saint John, NB frequently appear on lists of the most livable or best cities in the world.
Public Transportation
Public transportation systems are well-developed in major cities. For example:
Toronto has the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) with buses, streetcars, and subways. For international students who rely on public transit, they will be happy to know that TTC provides transit service to university, college and post-secondary institutions around the city, including various Seneca College campuses.
Vancouver has TransLink, which includes buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus. For international students studying at Columbia College, they can be assured with SkyTrains operating from dawn until nightfall and regular, strategically placed bus routes, public transportation makes exploring and getting to and from your studies easy and safe.
Edmonton has the ETS (Edmonton Transit System) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) with buses and a train system that connects all corners of the city. Students who live in the south-east of Edmonton can easily connect with the LRT train system and commute within 15 minutes to ½ hour to downtown and to the north side. International students will be pleased to know that Edmonton’s major educational institutions, the University of Alberta, NAIT and MacEwan University are readily accessible with the transit system and all these institutions area connected to each other with the LRT.
Cultural Scene
International students can enjoy the vibrant cultural scenes found in Canadian cities. Some events and exhibits may also be free or have student discounts which is a plus for the international student living on a budget. There are numerous museums, art galleries, theaters, and music venues. For instance:
Toronto home to Seneca College and other educational institutions has the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Edmonton home to the world ranked University of Alberta is known for its festivals, including the annual Edmonton Fringe Festival, the second-largest fringe theatre festival in the world and the Edmonton International Film Festival and The Works Art & Design Festival.
Winnipeg home to the University of Manitoba has often been called the “culture cradle” of Canada because of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and its many art galleries, museums and monthly festivals.
Outdoor Activities
Whether you want to live in a large city like Edmonton or a smaller one like Kamloops, Canadian cities offer numerous outdoor activities. Many cities are close to natural attractions and have extensive parks and recreational areas:
Fredericton, home to the University of New Brunswick (UNB), is close to rivers, lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. You can spend summers paddle-boarding, kayaking or biking along the Fredericton Trails. Winter sports include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or even fat biking in the spring.
Edmonton is near the Rocky Mountains, offering easy access to hiking, skiing, and other mountain activities. The city offers the North Saskatchewan River with parks and bike trails along its shores. Just a few hours away are the Badlands where hoodoos and the Royal Tyrell Museum attracts thousands of visitors every year.
London, home to Western University, offers the outdoor enthusiast extensive biking and walking trails along the Thames River. Picnicking, hot air ballooning and zip-lining across Boler’s Mountain at the Treetop Adventure Park.
Kamloops, home to Thompson Rivers University, is the meeting point of the North and South Thompson rivers. Sun Peaks Resort, located to the northeast, boasts hiking trails, a bike park, and numerous ski runs. The British Columbia Wildlife Park, east of the city, is home to cougars and bears. Clay hoodoos (or spires) can be found west of Kamloops Lake. All in all, it’s the perfect study destination for international students who want to experience the outdoors.
Prince George, home to the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), is a nature lover’s paradise. So, if you are an international student who wants to experience Canada’s natural beauty to its fullest, here you will enjoy the Rocky Mountains and numerous lakes and canyons. Even the Pacific Ocean is a short drive away.
Economic Opportunities
Cities are hubs of economic activity with diverse job markets. Outside of Vancouver and Toronto, other cities provide excellent employment opportunities to international students. Winnipeg, the transportation hub of North America continues steady economic growth in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, ICT and agribusiness. Their aerospace industry places them as the third largest aerospace centre in Canada. Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is a thriving hub for technology where Information Technology (IT), oil & gas, healthcare and manufacturing industries lead the way. In 2024, Windsor, home to the University of Windsor, has reported the second highest business activity level in Ontario. It is one of Canada’s major automobile industries and is ideally located on the Detroit, USA border which means international students, with proper visa documentation, can avail opportunities in both the US and Canada.
Housing and Cost of Living
Housing can be expensive, especially in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. The cost of living is also relatively high, with housing being the most significant expense. However, salaries tend to be higher as well, which can offset some of these costs. Some of the most affordable cities to live in are Winnipeg, Edmonton and Windsor.
Safety
Canadian cities are generally considered safe with low crime rates compared to other major cities worldwide. Community policing and public safety measures contribute to this. Universities and colleges also provide support services in the area of safety. For example, a young female student may ask security to walk her back to the dorms after dark.
Education
Cities have numerous educational institutions, including world-renowned universities such as the University of Alberta in Edmonton, University of Waterloo in Waterloo, and Western University in London, Ontario. Most cities will also sport smaller universities too, such as MacEwan University in Edmonton and Trent University with a campus in the Greater Toronto Area. Smaller cities also offer world-class education to students, generally at an affordable tuition coset which makes it attractive to international students who are on a budget. Universities and colleges in smaller cities are St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, UNB in Saint John and Memorial University in Corner Brook – their Grenfell Campus.
Environmental Consciousness
Canadian cities are known for their focus on sustainability and environmental consciousness. Recycling programs, green building initiatives, and public awareness campaigns about environmental issues are common.
Language
While English is the dominant language in most Canadian cities, Montreal and other parts of Quebec primarily speak French. Bilingualism is common, and many public services are offered in both languages. Also, if an international student strolls down any major city street in Canada, they may hear their own language spoken. Chinese dialects, Arabic, Punjabi, Urdu, Spanish and many other languages are commonly spoken in Canada. Canadian universities will offer second language courses in a diversity of languages from French to Arabic to Chinese or German, etc.
Social Life
Social life in Canadian cities is vibrant, with numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs. There are plenty of opportunities for socializing, whether through dining out, attending events, or participating in community activities. While you as an international student might think you will be lonely. the truth is there is so much to do, you just have to get involved and you will find you make friends from all over the world.
Overall, city life in Canada is characterized by a blend of cultural richness, high quality of life, and access to both urban amenities and natural beauty. The world of Canada’s cities awaits you. Now, you as an international student can have not only an academic education when studying in Canada but enjoy a unique educational experience exploring the Canadian city where your chose university is located.
Helen Khan is a Canadian that represents Canadian institutions in Pakistan. She can help you choose the best city for you. Make sure to contact her at Go 2 Canada Education Services.