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 University is the best time to grow in all aspects of life. It’s a time of change, challenging your beliefs, and experiencing life as a more independent person for the first time, for many of us. When deciding where to study, the international aspect of a university is a factor in one way or another. It may be because we want to know if there will be other students from our home country, or maybe we just want to know what kind of community we will be able to find. Regardless, the benefits of “international” education are endless. Almost a year ago, in March 2018, Times Higher Education made a list of the 200 most international universities in the world. Seven on this list were Canadian universities, all of them among the first hundred. In this context, speaking of an international university doesn’t refer only to the number of international students. It’s more about how international students and staff work on respectable research and other projects together. This ranking takes into account the ratio of international versus domestic students, international students versus staff, and the collaborations that ensue. It’s not just that there are international students, but that they are an active part of the university’s academic achievements. Times Higher Education really takes into account how said research is cited, so how it has influenced the field and other aspects of the learning environment. The seven universities on this list are:
The first six of these are also among the Top 200 on their World University Rankings list of 2018. But this made me wonder, do these portray themselves as “International”? And, in what ways can they show this through their websites alone? For that purpose, I looked into the first three’s websites. University of British Columbia From the start, UBC promises prospective students “academic faculties and research facilities globally recognized for their influence and impact.” This university also prides itself in its diverse cultural, recreational and social activities. It explains that the way each person will experience “student life” in UBC will depend on how each individual student decides to build and create it, which honestly applies to any big university. This also implies there is less “separation” from the university’s eyes between what the experience should be like for international or domestic students. The opportunities will be there as long as the student is open to taking them. UBC prioritizes “international engagement,” and the current areas they are focusing on are China, India, and Europe. Their strategic plan is available on their website, but they make it clear that while this is the current area of focus, they expect it to change within three to five years as they keep moving on to other areas as possible. As for the international student experience, they offer a guide that answers questions concerning: immigration, health insurance, taxes, help with academics, managing money, campus safety, diversity and equity resources, among others. Their International Student Advisors are also all Regulated Citizenship and Immigration Consultants. McGill University One of the first things McGill Universities is proud to tell prospective students is that not only do they have students from over 150 countries, but also their student body “is the most internationally diverse of any research-intensive university in the country.” McGill states it is committed to fostering “the very best,” and says it has won more national and international awards than other Canadian universities. The average grades of the students they admit to McGill are also the highest from other universities in Canada, but don’t let that intimidate you. International students make up 31.3 percent of the student population. To make the transition a little smoother, McGill has a Buddy Program that they promote on their International Student Services section. This system has been connecting new international students to current students for 31 years now. This “buddy” can help the incoming student by showing them around campus, Montreal, talk about housing and possible neighborhoods, or simply have a friendly face as soon as they arrive. University of Alberta UAlberta has 7000 international students from over 130 countries. This university takes pride for their high rank on international employability as well so their grads will have the best chances of getting a job in Canada. One of the main reasons that UAlberta gives students to apply, besides its high rankings, is that it is an internationally regarded research institution. Moreover, its international efforts focus on promoting education abroad as well as well-founded global partnerships. UAlberta considers international students “an integral part of [the] university. They enrich the classrooms with different perspectives.” Overall, trying to categorize universities according to how international they are can be quite subjective. While this is how Times Higher Education thinks of “international,” others may prefer a more student-focused approach rather than an academic approach. What sorts of clubs are popular for students in this university? What kinds of cultural activities get attention? How do current international and domestic students feel about their community? Based on these questions alone, perhaps the list would change so don’t let lists and rankings be a limitation. Consider them, look beyond, and then decide. Wendy is an international student from Ecuador who just graduated from Seattle University with a double major in Creative Writing and Theatre. She’s excited to share some of the stories of things she’s learned in her time in the U.S. 
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 One of the most intimidating parts about choosing where you are going to study, besides the university, is trying to decide where you’re going to live. Should you stay on campus? Should you rent a place? What if it’s too expensive? If your school has some sort of Facebook group, it’s possible some people are even starting to plan to move together. Do universities expect you to stay in dorms?
Honestly neither is better than the other. On campus or off campus there are many variables, but let’s get more specific. Really, what are your choices? On-Campus Housing: The Dorms: This is the simplest, and for many of us, the easiest one. A lot of universities in Canada, like in the U.S., offer student dorms and accommodations. Dorms are basically large buildings where students share common spaces like kitchen, tv rooms, laundry rooms, etc. Most times bathrooms are also shared by each floor. However, according to an Insider article, the U.S. puts a lot more emphasis on dorm life than Canada. For a lot of international students this may be good news. When I was applying to American universities, even before I knew that it was mandatory for me to live in the dorms, I felt that social expectation to live on campus. I thought if I didn’t, I’d miss out on a lot of opportunities to meet people and make friends. This was also probably put in my mind by movies I’d watched when I was younger. While it’s true living on campus might help you make friends, you’re not missing out on much if you don’t. There are other ways in all universities to get involved on campus and meet people. Moreover, according to McGill University graduate, Paula Tsvayg on Money magazine, “There’s much more of a culture of independence” in Canadian universities. Students would have to move out after their first year, so definitely there’s less pressure to live on campus. Even when it comes to Greek life, according to Insider, it’s not as big as in the U.S. either. Townhouses: Campbell Cohen Canada Immigration Lawyers describe Townhouses as student accommodations provided and managed by the university, housing three to six students who would most likely get their own room each. In this case, the shared kitchen and living room would be only for these students rather than the whole building or floor. The only thing is usually this type of accommodation will be reserved for upperclassmen, meaning first year students would not be able to stay apply to this. While student accommodations tend to offer reduced prices, depending on the university’s options and availability, it may even be more convenient to find a place off-campus. Nevertheless, the best place to start is the university’s housing website. Even if they can’t help directly, they usually try to include other options for students to look into or will at least be happy to direct you to someone who can help, since it wouldn’t be strange for dormitories to fill out quickly. Off-Campus: Apartments: The biggest pros about renting an apartment will definitely be the sense of independence and the level of comfort. The biggest con will be the cost. According to InternationalStudents.com the prices can vary greatly, as well as quality and availability. Rent can vary from CAD 400 to CAD 1500, especially in larger cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. For international students, signing the lease and talking directly to the landlord may be a bit more complicated so if you plan to rent an apartment, make sure to start looking into it and planning with plenty of time before you need to be there. Homestay: Staying with a host family in Canada can be an interesting choice for those who want that sort of completely culturally immersive experience. With luck, even after your time in Canada ends you will have a second family you’ll want to keep in touch with and come visit. According to the Canadian Education Centre (CEC) Network, “many Canadian families welcome international students.” CEC states the student would be matched to a family with similar interests and encouraged to participate in the family’s community activities. CEC also mentions that Homestay is set up by the school, but it’s under the off-campus section because students would still have to commute to school for an average 30-50 minutes by bus or train, according to Campbell Cohen, though these times would obviously also vary. A Small Exception: While all of these are excellent choices for long-term students, short-term students might find simpler options. InternationalStudents.com points out that there may be some already furnished apartments available. Additionally, CEC mentions that there is a wide range of hotels to choose from, as well as Bed and Breakfasts and Youth Hostels. Remember, especially if you’re studying in Canada long-term, try to find a place that is comfortable and safe. You’ll be in a different country, maybe for the first time; research and think thoroughly so this place can truly feel like a second home. Wendy is an international student from Ecuador who just graduated from Seattle University with a double major in Creative Writing and Theatre. She’s excited to share some of the stories of things she’s learned in her time in the U.S. |
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