Canada is one of the most popular destinations for students who are looking to get a degree overseas. It is ranked fifth in QS world ranking for the Education System Strength. This country has a wide range of higher education institutions. Some of the top-ranked universities are in Canada. They also have an incredible reputation when it comes to academic performance and a high employment rate. With all these benefits, it is no surprise that more and more Indian students decide to study in Canada.

Along with a great education structure, Canada also offers a chance to enjoy its scenic beauty which can make your stay an experience worth cherishing. The country encompasses scenic coastlines, beautiful mountains and fascinating forests. The different landscapes and cultures of Canada’s various provinces and territories are remarkably diverse.

Multiculturalism
People accept and encourage many cultures in Canada. It officially became a multicultural society in 1971. This affirmed people’s rights to maintain their unique cultural identity and promoted cross-cultural understanding and harmony. All its major cities are home to many different ethnicities and cultures. Immigration is majorly promoted in this country. If you decide that you do not want to leave Canada post the completion of your degree, then you can consider immigrating to Canada after getting your degree and acquiring a year of work experience. You can live in Canada for three years after they graduate which is more than enough time to get a job. Once you have a job, getting permanent residency becomes easier – this is one of the main benefits students enjoy when they choose to study in Canada.

Language
Canada is a bilingual country with English and French being the official languages. The Majority of Canadians speak in English, this is one the reasons Indians find it easy to study in Canada as opposed to other countries like Germany, France, etc. But most people in Quebec prefer using French for all communication. Due to Canada’s welcoming attitude to immigrants, the language mix is very diverse. There are people speaking Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, German and Italian to name a few.

Religion
The people of this country follow diverse religion and the freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right. Christianity is the most prevalent religion along with the presence of others like Hinduism, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, etc.

Meeting & Greeting
Greetings are usually informal in social settings. When you meet a person for the first time, a handshake is considered to be the right way of greeting the person. A firm handshake along with eye contact makes you look confident and is considered a way of showing respect to the person in front of you. French Canadians, on the other hand, may prefer greeting by lightly kissing on both the cheeks starting from the left. Physical greetings depend on the comfort level of both the persons interacting. Hugs, a pat on the back and nods may be used to greet someone with whom you share a good rapport.

Etiquettes
Canadians are generally polite, tolerant and relatively informal. It is important to remember your manners to get along well with the people. If there is a queue somewhere, you are expected to wait till your turn comes. When you are in a restaurant and you want to call for the waiter, you are expected to wait for eye contact with the person to give him a sign or politely say ‘excuse me’ when the person is near you. Waiters at restaurants expect tips from the people they serve. Hence, the eatery joints do not add a service charge in the bill. Canadians usually tip 15-20% of the cost of the meal as a general standard. Taxi drivers, barbers, hair stylists, valet parkers also expect similar tip for their services. Canadians are very punctual and expect the same from you if you have an appointment.

Festivals celebrated
While you study in Canada, you also can visit numerous festivals as well. Most large festivals are organized during summers. Some of the popular festivals are Vancouver Celebration of Light, Calgary Stampede, Edmonton Folk Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Winterlude (Ottawa), Canada Day Celebrations, Montreal Jazz Fest to name a few.

In Canada, you will have the privilege of experiencing many different adventurous activities such as visiting a beach, hiking, mountain climbing, skiing while studying here. If you are a nature lover and an adventurous person, you will be in love with this country. And remember, with our education loans for abroad studies, covering costs is also extremely easy. With Avanse, you can aspire without boundaries.