So you have survived all the visa and admission hurdles in your home country and the big day has come; travelling to Canada for your post-secondary education.
Some of the basics you want to know before you board the plane are as follows:
- Book your flights on time. Leaving your flight up to the last minute before booking might mean expensive air fares especially during the peak periods of August to mid September or mid December.
- Perhaps you must have done this during your research for a school, but it also good to read about where you are going to study. Read about the city, the people, environment, social life , politics and current events, etc. Your new environment is going to have some impact on your life style so it is good to have an understanding of what potentially lies ahead.
- Get some Canadian funds. Your local bank might have this option readily available at some reasonable fee. If you carry large sums of a foriegn currency, your only source of exchange might be a Bureau de Change which might carry hidden fees, handling charges, etc. The bottom line is you might lose too much money by the time your money is converted. If you must take this option perhaps change enough to be able to afford a cab ride and to buy a few things if the need arises. Also look into a travellers cheque option.
- Your school's address and phone number
- Address of residence you will be staying and contact of land lord.
- Arrange a pick up from the airport if you can; some schools might offer this service otherwise ask your landlord to pick you up. The other option will be getting a taxi so make sure you have the right address handy. Also watch out for luxury taxi services which can be more expensive than regular taxi service. If you choose a limosine, Escalade, etc as your taxi ride you could be paying too much.
- Carry a thick sweater and socks, it might get cold in the plane. Also bring some snacks just incase you don't like the food served on the plane.
- Know your flight Itineary like your birthday to avoid missing your boarding time or a potential connecting flight.
- The time of the year you choose to travel matters so carry a winter jacket with you if its winter or dress warm for the spring weather. In my opinion the best time to visit Canada is in the summer months especially if you are from a tropical country. If you resume in September and you can make it here by August you can actually help your body slowly adapt to the weather by the time winter comes around.
- Always have your passport and other documents handy. Do not leave them in your luggage. They have been cases where the individual arrives before the luggage. Don't forget the Consular officer might asks for documents that support your visit to Canada. Do not leave your hand luggage un-attended by any means at the airport and be alert at all times.
So when your plane arrives in Canada.
You want to make your way through CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency). Remember if you don't know where you are going, please asks always.
You will eventually make it to the Consular officer who will be issuing you a study permit (remember all you have at the moment is just a visa). The consular officer might asks you several questions pertaining to your stay, as the CBSA did and will eventually read all the rules governing your study permit. Please listen to this rules carefully.
- Take note of the expiry date on your study permit, visa, passport and write it down some where you can never forget. If you over stay your study permit or for some reason cannot renew it past a few months you will be running into issues with the CBSA. Trust me you don't want to be that person. Its really a nasty experience.
...Stay tuned for part 2.
*** Read Part 2 here.
