Guide to entry and life in Canada

For students who want to study in Canada or plan to study in Canada, the following guide to admission and life in Canada will definitely ease your anxiety about going to a strange country, let you know the process from the beginning, and be more conducive to your study in Canada. The following is my guide to entry and life in Canada, which is for your reference only. Welcome to read this article.

Instructions for arriving at school

1. Report peace

When you arrive at school or host family, please get in touch with your family as soon as possible, report your safety and let your family rest assured.

2. Direction

Please carefully check official website's or email's information about the orientation, and attend the orientation as required. At the orientation meeting, the school will introduce a lot of useful information. Primary and secondary school students and double-enrolled students may need to take language tests and math tests. If you need to take the exam, please bring your certificate and stationery.

Enroll in school

Specific requirements can be obtained from the admission notice and the school follow-up notice. Please check and prepare the corresponding documents.

Documents to be brought: original passport, study permit, admission notice, tuition/accommodation fee receipt (if any), final report card, diploma, degree certificate (if any), original Chinese and English seal/official document and photos.

Step 4 apply for medical insurance

You must buy medical insurance at school because Canada is a big welfare country. If you don't buy insurance, it's still quite expensive to see a doctor. In addition, remember that the insurance that the school bought for you started and ended on the same day. When renewing the insurance, you should ensure the consistency of the dates. There is also communication about what insurance to buy, including and excluding. Special reminder: If there is anything wrong with your teeth, please deal with it before leaving the country. Because dentists are expensive in Canada, they are generally not included in student health insurance.

Life guide

1. gourmet shopping

Among the three meals a day in Canada, breakfast is relatively simple, mainly eating toast, eggs, bacon, milk, juice, vegetarian porridge, cornflakes porridge and so on. It is also easier to bring rice or fast food for lunch. There are usually sandwiches, drinks and fruits. Dinner is a full meal. The staple food is chicken, beef, fish and pork chops, supplemented by potatoes, carrots, beans, bread, milk and drinks. I like to use clear soup (potatoes, radishes, etc. ).

Because Canada is dominated by western food, bread, hamburgers and sandwiches are the staple foods of students. The fast food industry in Canada is developing rapidly, and there are many kinds, such as hot dogs, Italian pies, hamburgers, Greek meat sticks, American fried chicken, Mexican tacos and China rice. Eating in Canada is generally cheaper. Except for foods containing chocolate and foods processed into finished products, such as canned foods, other foods are not taxed. Chicken, duck, fish and vegetables are not expensive.

If you cook by yourself, you need to spend about 100 Canadian dollars per person every month. Generally, a family of three only needs about 200 Canadian dollars, so it is very important to cook by yourself!

If students live in a host family, the host will prepare breakfast and dinner. If necessary, students can bring their own Chinese food to school the night before, and the school will provide free microwave ovens for students to use.

If you are not used to western food, students can make their own Chinese food. But most host families or school dormitories are not allowed to cook Chinese food. There are many authentic Chinese restaurants in big cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. If students live in the school dormitory, they can eat in the school canteen.

2. Accommodation arrangements

There are three options for studying in Canada: 1. Host family ii. School dormitory 3. Rent a house off campus. International students can choose their own lifestyle according to their actual situation.

host family

The relationship between students and host families is closer than that between landlords and tenants. Not only is the rent lower, but students are regarded as family members, their daily diet is taken care of, and they can also use indoor equipment. As family members, students should take the initiative to help with housework, such as cleaning, mowing, shoveling snow, etc. Work together to enhance friendship and experience the life and culture of foreigners.

Other considerations are as follows:

A. Minimum check-in time and deposit: Host families generally have a minimum check-in time. If they move out early, the deposit paid will not be refunded.

B. Cleanliness: Toilets and kitchens are the most important places for westerners, so be sure to clean them after using the shower, toilet or kitchen.

Leave again; It is best to take a bath every day.

C. communication: students should not use the host family's phone to make international calls. International calls can be made by mobile phone or IP calling card. Canada building

Most children are not soundproof. Please try to keep your voice down when you make a phone call, especially at night.

D. curfew: in order not to worry the host family, please go home according to the time agreed with the host family. If you come home late, please be sure to give it to your host family.

The host family called to inform them.

E. Guests: Please inform the host family in advance before inviting the guests to the host family, and then invite the guests after obtaining the consent. Host family. Yes

Guests or visiting family members invited by you have no obligation to receive them. Please help them book a hotel when they need accommodation.

F. Washing clothes: The host family provides washing machines and dryers. Please ask them how to use it correctly. In Canada, water, electricity and coal

The use of public facilities such as gas is very expensive. In order to protect the environment and save money, when family members have enough dirty clothes, they usually wash them together.

Please do as the Romans do.

G. Kitchen: Westerners can't accept the smell of cooking fumes. Please pay special attention to this. If you want to cook by yourself, please ask in advance.

Ask the host for advice.

H. Communication and communication: If there are problems in adapting to the life of the host family, please communicate frankly with the host family first, and solve the problems or misunderstandings through communication and consultation. If the problem still exists after the exchange, you can contact the host family arrangement agency or the school student service department to negotiate with the host family and seek a solution to the problem.

hostel

International students who have no relatives and friends in the local area will consider living in university dormitories before leaving home. The advantages of dormitory are: the dormitory is close to the place where classes are held, saving traffic time; The dormitory provides three meals a day, so don't bother yourself. More contact with foreign students is of great help to practice English and understand foreign culture. However, living in university dormitories also has many disadvantages, which not everyone can adapt to.

First of all, the dormitory rent is slightly higher than the off-campus rental; Secondly, the dormitory mainly serves western food, which may not be suitable for oriental tastes; Third, most foreign students living in dormitories are young and active. They often get together to drink and play, and there will be dances every weekend and holiday. Fourth, some universities do not distinguish between male and female dormitories. Although men and women will not be arranged to share a room, they will not distinguish which is the male dormitory and which is the female dormitory. In short, students who intend to apply for a dormitory should consider whether their personality and living habits are suitable for a vibrant university dormitory.

Matters needing attention are as follows: maintain the independent dormitory provided for each student in the dormitory on campus; Respect the living habits and personal privacy of other students in the dormitory; Abide by the rules and regulations of the school dormitory; Students can use the public facilities in the dormitory.

Off-campus Renting (Private Apartment)

China students also like apartments shared by several people in one building, or townhouses and detached houses.

The advantage of sharing rent and utilities is to save money. People have the same language and culture and can communicate easily, but they lack the opportunity to talk in English.

In addition, things to note include:

Minor students may not rent a house outside the school without the consent of the school; Most units have no other furniture except kitchen stoves and refrigerators, and students have to buy them separately; It is necessary to explain clearly how the rent is distributed, such as living in a big house and paying more rent. Everyone should take turns doing housework. It's best for everyone to have a room. Rent is tax-free in Canada. The government will refund the renter every year. Tenants can't monopolize the money, but should distribute it to roommates in proportion.

Owners in some provinces can automatically renew their contracts with tenants. If you don't take the initiative to inform the landlord to stop renewing the lease, it means that you will stay. So before signing the contract, you should ask the details of the contract, such as: is there rent-free in the last month? Do I have to pay a deposit? Is the owner responsible for heating costs? Can I sublet it to someone else?

Renting a house off campus can cultivate students to live independently and do everything by themselves. If you share a room with others, there will inevitably be friction between roommates, but it is also a good opportunity to learn mutual understanding, acceptance, care and help between people. All adult students (18 or above 19) are responsible for any behavior.

Step 3 transport

be on foot

You must take the sidewalk when crossing the road, because the speed in Canada is very fast, and generally no one crosses the road, so drivers are very wary of people who suddenly cross the road and must pay attention to the sidewalk.

taxi

Generally, it is rare to get a taxi directly on the street, so you need to make an appointment by phone in advance. There are many taxi companies to choose from in big cities.

bus

Confirm the bus route and arrival schedule with the school first (there is a distribution schedule on the bus). The bus fare is about 2-3 Canadian dollars each time, and the monthly bus ticket ranges from 70- 150 Canadian dollars. Generally, after becoming a college student, you can buy a monthly ticket in your region or city at a low price at school.

be self-drive

Canada drives on the right. You can turn right if the red light is not explained. Unlike China, Canadian drivers are very polite to pedestrians.

Driver's license function

In Canada, the driver's license is equivalent to an ID card, and all you need to do is show your driver's license. Therefore, you don't need to carry your passport often, but it is a very important document. Please take good care of it. Domestic translation of driver's license documents may not be used in Canada. If you get a Canadian driver's license, you can consult the teacher in the international office of the school after the application. Basically, every university or college will provide a form for driver's license registration.

4. About work

According to the New Deal issued by Immigration Canada on June 1 and June 1 4, the new student visa issued after June1will indicate the conditions under which you can work legally.

First of all, students must apply for SIN number to work. Then it should be that students who have participated in at least 6 months of study projects or diploma and degree courses and are professional subjects can work (language courses are not allowed to work). In addition, you are allowed to work full-time on a student visa for 40 hours a week during the summer vacation. The legal minimum wage for working in Canada is 12.96- 16 Canadian dollars per hour.

In the list of institutions allowed by the Immigration Bureau to issue graduation work visas, more than 8 diplomas and degree programs in public institutions can issue work visas. Private colleges and universities need at least a bachelor's degree or above to obtain a work permit. Not any public or private institution, it is necessary to check whether the school is qualified to issue a work visa by the Immigration Bureau in official website. Many private college diploma programs do not have graduation work visas, and must have a bachelor's degree or above. Public colleges usually have them.

The latest application requirements for graduation work permit are that students can apply for graduation work permit within 180 days from the date when the final graduation result is issued by the school, and they cannot apply for graduation work permit after 180 days. And you can only get a graduation work visa once in your life.

5. Mobile communication, Rogers, Fido, Thai Lu Si, Bell

As for telephone services, the major telecommunications providers in Canada are:

Rogers; Fido tellus; Bell;

Most of them use Rogers and Fido. General telecom service modes are contract mode and domestic recharge mode. Users sign a contract with the telephone company for one to three years to use a package service. You can change bags halfway, but you can't change companies.

The package is about 20-50 Canadian dollars/month, and the package specially designed for students is more favorable. All account information can be managed and modified by telephone or network. The advantage of signing a contract is that you can enjoy more benefits. If you sign a long-term contract, say three years, you can also get a mobile phone at a low price. The disadvantage is that if users unilaterally want to change companies during the contract period, they need to pay a high penalty, about 200-400 Canadian dollars.

As for making international calls, calling cards are widely used at present. The Canadian dollar of 10 can be used for more than 15 hours, and the call quality is acceptable. You can also make calls through VoIP providers such as Skype, and the cost is relatively low. In fact, it is also very common to make long-distance calls with a mobile phone for a month, because the local phone bill generally doesn't cost much, and the rest of the money is wasted if you don't call; In addition, MSN, QQ, WeChat, etc. Can be used. Reminder: underage students must use their parents' passport information to apply for calling cards; Don't mistake others for writing false information to apply for a calling card, so as to avoid trouble when canceling the number. For details, please consult Kai Tak Canada Branch.

Phone card/phone card

1. There are 10 Canadian dollars, 20 Canadian dollars, 50 Canadian dollars and 100 Canadian dollars respectively. 2. If you call North America: press local line-press password +#- 1+ area code+phone number+#. 3. If calling China: press local line-press password+#-01+86+area code+phone number+#.

6. Common sense of life

money

Banknote denomination: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 Canadian dollars. Coin denomination: 1, 5, 10, 25,50 plus points, 1 Canadian dollars, 2 Canadian dollars.

tax

All goods need to pay an additional tax of 5- 15% (commodity consumption tax+provincial consumption tax), and the consumption tax in each province is slightly different, and the quotation of goods in the store does not include tax. Only Alberta and three autonomous regions (Yukon, Northern Territory and Nunavut) have no provincial consumption tax.

Equation of time; equation?of?time;?time?difference

The time difference between Canada and China is generally 13 to 16 hours, which is slower than that of China 13 to 16 hours. In addition, Canada implements daylight saving time 1 1 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in June every year, and the time is set one hour in advance.

During the implementation of standard time, the time difference between eastern Canada (Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa) and Beijing is 13 hours.

During the implementation of daylight saving time, the time difference between eastern Canada (Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa) and Beijing is 12 hours.

make an appointment

In Canada, it is customary to make an appointment for everything, such as a haircut, a dentist visit and a bank, for the convenience of guests.

Deal with affairs in your own time and avoid wasting time.

SIN application

Social security number (SIN) is a social security card with a set of 9 digits. With this card, you can handle all kinds of business related to the Canadian government and enjoy benefits. Only when you have sinned can you legally work in a school. This card is very important. International students can apply for annual tax refund and other related welfare services with this card.

How to deal with it, please refer to the following website:

/en/ employment-society-development/service /sin/before-

.

Another important function of the SIN card is that it allows students to hold the documents needed for study and work.

7. Basic western etiquette

Polite communication

Please, thank you and sorry are the most basic polite expressions; When talking with host family members, you should choose topics with the same interests; Some content should not be touched when chatting, such as the other person's age, personal income, personal property value (such as house price), marital status, religious belief and so on. It is impolite and ill-bred to ask these questions.

Develop good personal hygiene habits

Nails: Boys' nails should be short. In the eyes of westerners, men with long nails are strange. Girls can keep their nails, get manicures and apply nail polish.

Hands: Hygienic people often wash their hands. Clean hands and nails are a sign of civilization.

Take a bath every day and change underwear, shirts and socks. Boys should shave every day.

tip

In Canada, in restaurants, barbershops and other service industries, you must tip when the service staff provides services for you. This is international etiquette and practice. Except McDonald's and KFC, because in these fast food restaurants, you need to pack the finished food in the designated place before you can leave, and you don't need any help, so you don't need to tip.

8. Adjustment of adaptation period

Most people think it is easy for students studying abroad to settle down. This concept is wrong, and things will not get better immediately. Even for adults, it is extremely difficult to move to countries with different languages and cultures. Of course, Kai Tak Education Group will try its best to provide more help for students to settle down with the help of the school.

Most students need to go through an adaptation period and make corresponding adjustments when they arrive in a new environment. Three stages of adaptation period adjustment:

1, "honeymoon" stage: At this stage, the new environment will make you feel excited and interesting.

2. "Culture shock" stage: At this stage, you may feel some sense of disconnection and anxiety, including feeling confused and depressed, enjoying solitude, and having some negative emotions about the new environment and culture.

3. "Adaptation" stage: At this stage, you begin to accept the new environment and strike a balance between the new culture and your own culture. Students should realize that they must endure some inevitable troubles at the beginning and give them time to adjust.

Most students are nervous, scared and very tired when they first arrive in Canada. Therefore, we should grit our teeth and overcome difficulties in the early stage. Every foreign student and his family need a cultural adaptation period of about half a year. During this period, parents must encourage themselves to spend the difficult six months with their children.