Canada

« Discovered » by Jacques Cartier in 1534, Canada is now a popular destination for many Europeans (approximately 360.000 French live there). Whether it is in the context of higher education or of a « working-holiday visa », many are those who adventure themselves into the second largest country in the world, the total area being 9.984.670 km²! The education system and awards are based on the United States’ model and are extremely well recognised on the international stage. Regardless of the studies you would like to specialize in, you will surely find a study program and an institution suited to your needs and aspirations in « The land of our ancestors ».

 

Our knowledge of Canada and its university system allows us to assist you in every single aspect of your orientation, from helping you determine the the institution and program of your choice to organising accommodation and transport.

Come study in this country where Francophones and Anglophones share a common history, and where you could make the best out of an « American » education in a multicultural and laid back atmosphere!

Geography

Canada is composed of 10 provinces and 3 territories. The 10 provinces are: Alberta, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, New Brunswick, New Scotland, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador. The three territories are: Nunavut, the North-Western Territories, and Yukon. The capital city of Canada is Ottawa, located in the province of Ontario.

Contrary to what people think, Canada is not a country perpetually covered by snow. Winters can be cold on the Eastern side of the country but can also be mild and rainy on the Western side, especially in British Columbia. In the summer, British Colombia enjoys mild and pleasant weather, with temperatures around the 25°C. In the East, temperatures reach 35°C, a good incentive to go to the sea and participate in a number of seasonal activities.

Because seasons are very well marked in Canada is not a country perpetually covered by snow. Winters can be cold on the Eastern side of the country but can also be mild and rainy on the Western side, especially in British Columbia. In the summer, British Colombia enjoys mild and pleasant weather, with temperatures around the 25°C. In the East, temperatures reach 35°C, a good incentive to go to the sea and participate in a number of seasonal activities.

Because seasons are very well marked in Canada, the country is filled by natural landscapes that will take your breath away : vast broadleaved woodlands in the South-East, coniferous forests in the North and in the West, snowy mountains, wide lakes... You can take in this scenery while enjoying a wide range of outdoor activities, like skiing in the Appalachian Mountains (Eastern Canada) and in the Rocky Mountains (Western Canada), surfing in Tofino (Vancouver Island's surfers´ paradise), trekking...

Weather is a factor you may take into consideration when it comes to choosing your institution. Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information.

Culture

Canada is a fantastic host country, respectful of foreign ways and customs and open to the world, it sets itself apart from the USA’s melting pot by offering Canadian multiculturalism. Canada has earned the reputation of a diverse, serene and safe country with a relaxed lifestyle and where life is not expensive.

Canadian people are kind, relaxed and curious about other cultures. Generally speaking, it is easy to approach them. While showing you the country, they will rarely miss an opportunity to highlight how different they are from their southern neighbours (the United States).

Canadians love sports, especially hockey which they actually invented, along with Lacrosse. Like in Australia, cooking has been very influenced by the immigrant populations. You will find many Portuguese restaurants in Montreal (especially at the Plateau Mont Royal), and even more Asian restaurants in the West, especially in Vancouver. There are some national dishes, like the famous «poutine », maple syrup, or the « Montréal smoked meat ». You cannot miss the wild salmon if you go to the West. Moreover, Canadians are very fond of beer and you will find plenty of micro breweries around the country.

As in Australia, the cost of living is fairly low for foreign students, making Canada a more affordable destination compared to the USA, and guaranteeing a high standard of living. In major cities such as Montréal, Toronto or Vancouver, you can find quality accommodation for $450 CAD/month (approximately 270€/month), making it pretty easy for you to find a place to stay.

 

Facts and key figures

History of Canada

• Although the country was officially discovered by Jacques Cartier in 1534, Canada was actually unofficially discovered 37 years earlier by an Italian sailor and his son. There is, however, no trace of this discovery.

• In 1763, France lost the Nouvelle-France (known currently as Québec) to the British.

• Canada created its constitution in 1982. Prior to that, the British North America Act” created by the UK, had prevailed since 1867.

Canadian society

• The Capital city of Canada is Ottawa, in Ontario, North-East of Toronto.

• The country's political regime is a constitutional Monarchy. The Queen of England remains the Canadian Head of State, seconded by the General Governor. The prime minister is the Head of Government.

• The Canadian population was stood at 33.697.981 in 2009.

• The official Canadian hymn is « Oh Canada ».

• Canada has two official languages: English and French. Québec is the only francophone province. New Brunswick is legally bilingual, and Yukon is officially bilingual. Furthermore, along the North-Western Territories and the Nunavut, more than ten official languages have been listed (French, English and some Native American dialects).

• According to the United Nations Development Program, Canada is considered to have the fourth best Human Development Index in the World after Iceland, Norway and Australia (this index takes into consideration longevity, education and the population’s standard of living).

Canada full scale

• Canada is the second largest country in the world, with a total area of 9.984.670 km².

• Canada shares its land borders with the United States, but also shares its maritime borders with France, via Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon, and Denmark, via Greenland.

• Canada stretches from the Pacific Ocean, on the West coast, to the Atlantic Ocean, on the East coast. Northern Canada is located in the Arctic Circle, while the south of Canada stretches below the northernmost points of the United States.

• The Rocky Mountains cover a major part of western Canada, from British Columbia to Yukon, and across Western Alberta.

• Montreal is the second largest francophone town in the world, the only one in North America, and one of the planet’s largest financial centres.

• The Gulf of Saint Lawrence, to the East of Canada, is the largest estuary in the world.

• With only 3 inhabitants per km², Canada has the fourth lowest population density in the world.

• A large portion of the country is still wild and covered with forests. To the west and in the middle, there are large areas of grassland suitable for cultivation, especially grains.

Trade and technology in Canada

• The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar.
• The telephone code in Canada is: +1 (or 001).
• It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world: being a G8 and an OCDE member, Canada is considered to have one of the highest incomes per capita. It is the ninth strongest economy in the world.
• Canada is the 5th largest energy producer in the world, and has the second largest oil reserve. It is also the largest producer of zinc and uranium.
• The country is bound to the USA and to Mexico by the North American Free Trade Agreement (or « NAFTA ») since 1994.
• Canada is one of the largest producers and suppliers of agricultural products in the world.
• Canada's public debt is the lowest among all of the G8 countries.