Study in Canada? But Isn’t It Cold There?
Yes, winters in Canada can be cold but it’s also cold in Lahore in the wintertime. Mid-December to the end of January is horribly cold in Pakistan for this Canadian who grew up in Canada’s northern regions where snow and winter lasts 6 to 7 months out of the year. You may be surprised and ask “How is that possible for a Canadian to be cold in Pakistan?” You will figure it out as you read through this article.
How Cold Is It in Canada?
While temperatures can dip to -40 0C and even colder when there is a windchill factor, this isn’t our normal winter temperature. Temperatures can hover around zero degrees to minus 20 which is quite doable. How can I say that?
Dew Point: For those of you who like to study about climate, you know what dew point is. Dew point is a term we don’t hear a lot about, so if you don’t study weather, then it is understandable if you don’t know what it is. According to the National Weather Service, “the dew point is the temperature the air needs to be cooled to (at constant pressure) in order to achieve a relative humidity (RH) of 100%. At this point the air cannot hold more water in the gas form. If the air were to be cooled even more, water vapor would have to come out of the atmosphere in the liquid form, usually as fog or precipitation.
The higher the dew point rises, the greater the amount of moisture in the air. This directly affects how "comfortable" it will feel outside.” The dew point level determines whether moisture will evaporate from the body, thus cooling the body. So the higher the dew point on a cold winter day the colder you will feel. The reverse happens in the summer when high dew points and high temperatures make for a hot muggy day.
In Edmonton, Canada, home to the University of Alberta and MacEwan University, the dew point in December averages between 1.8 degrees C and -9.2 degrees C. The average dew point in Lahore, Pakistan is around 7 degrees C. No wonder this Albertan feels cold in the winter in Lahore! There are places in Canada where the dew point level is higher, like Vancouver, where December’s dew point is a low of -3.4 degrees C to a high of 9.6 degrees C, but then it is a lot warmer in temperature there too and is on the Pacific Ocean.
When the dew point level is categorized as dry, then winters are a lot easier to bear. That is why studying in Edmonton or other wintry places in Canada is not so cold after all.
Sunshine: Cold areas of Canada gets lots and lots of sunshine. For example, Alberta gets over 312 days of sunshine per year. Prince George, home to the University of Northern British Columbia, has 299 days, Winnipeg 318, and Vancouver 290 days of sunshine. It can be cold outside, but the sunshine can warm you and make the day pleasant.
Buildings: While houses in Pakistan are designed to keep the heat out, houses in Canada are designed to keep the cold out. In Canada, insulation, wood, and other building produces and structural design are used to build warm dwellings, whereas in Pakistan, brick, mortar, and cement are coolants. In Pakistan we go outside to warm up in the sun. In Canada, we go inside to warm up from the winter cold. And many universities in Canada have overhead pedways or underground tunnels that join buildings so students don’t always have to go outside to run from class to class. But you might surprise yourself and want to go outside for some crisp fresh air. There is something exhilarating about fresh winter air. Our malls, shopping centres, buses, rapid trains, and even our bus stops are often heated. We might not have an AC, but we will certainly have heaters and homes and buildings have central heating systems installed. With proper winter clothing, you will find winter in Canada isn’t so bad after all and you can even study. No, your brain will not freeze.
How Can I Survive the Cold?
The best way to survive the cold is to be active, outside. Yes, outside. When my husband first moved to Canada, he often had a cold in the winter and was cold. He didn’t know how he could survive. (He is from Pakistan.) His doctor told him to go outside and walk, ski, skate, do something outside. Now he misses the Canadian winter.
Two boys from Pakistan find winter isn’t so bad after all.
The other thing you want to do is have proper clothing. While you don’t need expensive down-filled parkas, you do need a good winter coat, not too heavy as you want to layer your clothing. Wearing several layers provides an insulation that one heavy coat cannot do. So, take some sweaters with you and a hoodie or fleece-lined jacket. Top it with a winter coat and you will be fine. You can take the coat off while running between classes so that you don’t sweat while studying or listening to a lecture. You will also need to purchase a pair of insulated shoes or warm runners, mitts, gloves and headgear and a scarf. Now you are all set for the winter months. And remember cottons and wool fabrics are warmer than synthetics like nylon and polyester.
And lastly, watch what you eat. In cold climates adding meat to your diet helps you stay warm. Summers you can go back to your veggie diet if you prefer a vegetarian versus a meat diet.
Can I Study in a Warm Canadian City?
But you say, “No way am I going to a cold climate. Isn’t there any warm cities in Canada where I can study?” Vancouver is milder as is Abbotsford, BC. Abbotsford is a short drive from the US border, and they have only about 10 days of snowy, cold weather in the year. The University of the Fraser Valley calls Abbotsford home. Windsor is another border city that is parallel with northern California and this city, home to the University of Windsor has 7 months of short-sleeve weather. Then there is St Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia. Both places sport a temperate climate because of warming winds from their respective oceans.
So yes, there are warm cities where you can study in Canada. If you want to experience a colder climate or if you come from Pakistan’s northern regions, then any study destination in Canada is worth looking at. But if you want a warmer study place, then Canada has those cities too. There is a university destination for everyone. Do you want to know where to study according to your climate preferences? Then make sure to contact us for more information and help in studying in Canada.
Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels