Canada is fast becoming one of the most sought-after countries for students wishing to complete their higher education abroad. It is not hard to see why Canada has become so popular. The country is home to various renowned universities like the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, etc. which offer excellent facilities and the best faculty for a number of diverse programmes at various academic levels. Furthermore, Canadian universities have reasonable tuition fees, which when coupled with its relatively lower cost of living, makes for an affordable financial commitment to Indian students. Apart from these considerations, Canada’s high standard of living, healthcare, diversity, multiculturalism and embracing spirit is a huge attraction for international students everywhere. That being said, there are some cities in Canada that attract more students than the others, because of a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most popular, student-friendly cities in Canada:
Toronto
The capital of Canada, Toronto ranks 34th on the global list of most student-friendly cities and is perhaps the most popular student city in Canada. With a large population of about 3 million, the city is a melting pot of culture and diversity, with about 150 languages being spoken here. Furthermore, Toronto is known for its rich history and heritage and its famous historical monuments. It offers an unparalleled experience of Canadian culture with its diverse cuisine, art, music, literature, history and heritage. Furthermore, as home to a lot of top ranked universities like the University of Toronto, it is extremely attractive to international students who want to live in the bustling historical core of Canada.
Vancouver
Vancouver is perfect for those wanting a peaceful, quiet student life. It is a city known not for its happening cultural events, but for its natural beauty and scenic views. It has a pleasant environment that is very attractive to students who are interested in experiencing a different side of Canada. With a mixed, multi-ethnic population with lots of immigrants, this city is very welcoming to international students. Vancouver is also great for students wanting to work part time while studying, since the work culture here is encouraging and there are lots of job opportunities easily available. It is also known for its safety index and high standard of living.
Montreal
Montreal is another city that attracts foreign students in hordes, as approximately 400,000 students travel here each year to pursue their higher education. Known as the cultural capital of Canada, Montreal is a city that offers students a cultural experience like no other. It is a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual city, with populations speaking English as well as French. There are always numerous cultural events happening around the city, with more than 120 annual parades and festivals being held here. It is the best Canada has to offer in terms of food, art, music, entertainment, heritage and culture in general. Montreal also ranks highly in the global list of safest cities to live in, and has a huge network of buses and metro trains that are perfect for student life.
Ottawa
Ranked as the safest city in Canada, Ottawa attracts lots of international students each year, especially those from Asia and the Middle East. Known as the Silicon Valley of Canada, Ottawa is a technology and IT hub, which offers career opportunities in those fields to international students. This is why students studying computer science or IT flock here, to take advantage of the approximately 600,000 jobs offered to its students each year. Furthermore, Ottawa is known for its winter sports, its lively and diverse population, all of which offer students a rich cultural experience of Canada.