Life and Study in Canada. Impressions after 1 year of Immigration

An interesting experience of a young family: Andrew and Anna moved to Canada through education. A year ago, Andrew booked a consultation with me, and we decided that immigrating through studies would be the best option.

Andrew enrolled in Algonquin College in Ottawa for a web development program. The program lasts 2 years and includes 8 months of paid work placement. Now Andrew is an experienced student who has completed his first year of college, so he has a lot to share.

Andrew's wife, Anna, received a work permit in Canada based on her husband's student visa, and so that she could with him.

From 2024, only spouses of students enrolled in master's and doctoral programs will receive work permits in Canada.

Studying in Canada: What to Expect

"I expected it to be much easier, like come when you want, leave when you want," Andrew says with a smile. "At least, that's what I heard from other people who studied in Canada. But in our college, everything is strict."

Students receive a certain percentage of their final grade for attending classes. If you want to improve your grades, it's worth attending all lessons. As Andrew noted, lectures are not as strict, but it's better not to miss practical classes at all.

Many students in Canada can create their own schedules, but Andrew's college doesn't offer this freedom of choice.

The program has mandatory courses and electives. During the 2 years of study, you must take at least 2 elective subjects. Most often, they are not related to the main program of study.

A lot of time in the curriculum is allocated for students to study independently.

Impressions from Canada

At first, Anna came to Canada alone. For the first month, she lived in Gatineau, Quebec, which is very close to Ottawa, and only then moved to the capital.

"It's like you're transported into the movies you watched as a child," Anna recalls her first impression of Canada.

From the very first day, Anna had to communicate a lot and deal with different problems. Despite her good level of English, it was difficult at first. The owners of her first accommodation helped Anna: they explained everything and even took her on walks, festivals, and trips.

Andrew's impression is a bit different because his studies started right after arrival. The first thing he noticed was multiculturalism. There are many different nationalities in Canada. Otherwise, as Andrew says, Canada is just different and very unlike his native Ukraine.

Want to immigrate to Canada too? Start with a consultation to assess your chances and find suitable paths to permanent residency.

Finding Housing and Costs

Andrew and Anna came to Canada with a cat. Finding short-term housing with a pet turned out to be not so easy, but there were no problems with long-term options because the couple immediately looked only for places that allow animals.

As the family says, a cat is usually not a problem, but finding housing with a dog can be more difficult. The larger a dog is, the more complicated the search becomes.

In Canada, apartments and houses are rented unfurnished, but neighbors gave the family furniture for the first time. They gave so much that Andrew and Anna had to give some away later.

The main advice that Andrew and Anna would like to give new immigrants regarding renting is to look for housing from owners. In big cities, apartments are often rented by companies, and they usually have stricter conditions. With owners, you can negotiate.

For the floor of a house with one bedroom and a backyard, Andrew and Anna pay $1,700 CAD per month. This includes all utilities except electricity, which costs an average of $50 CAD per month.

Traveling in Canada

During their year in Canada, the couple managed to see a lot: they visited different cities and notable places in Ontario and Quebec.

"Everything about traveling in Canada is unforgettable," says Andrew.

The couple was particularly impressed by small Canadian towns, as well as low-rise buildings in big cities, which allow you to be in a large city and in a quiet residential area at the same time.

Andrew really liked Quebec province, and the couple plans to visit Canada's Atlantic provinces.

Transportation

A single ride in Ottawa costs $3.75 CAD. You can make free transfers within 90 minutes. An unlimited monthly pass for Ottawa and Gatineau costs $128.75 CAD. Andrew's pass is included in his tuition fees.

After some time living in Canada, Andrew and Anna bought a car. This was also a new experience for them. According to Andrew, Canadians have a very simple attitude towards cars: they don't know exact specifications, when parts were changed, and so on.

So they had to go to a dealer. It may have been more expensive, but much more comfortable — Andrew only had to choose a car within his budget and get insurance, the dealer took care of all the paperwork.

License plates in Ontario are personal to the individual, not tied to the car. The owner must get their plate and transfer it to a new car if they change vehicles.

The family pays about $130 CAD per month for insurance. But prices vary greatly between insurance companies. It's best to contact several and choose the best conditions.

Getting a Driver's License

Both Andrew and Anna got driver's licenses in Canada. Regardless of driving experience in other countries, you need to pass a theoretical exam. You can take it in different languages.

The couple did well with the theory, but had difficulties with the practical part. For example, testing centers don't provide a car: you need to have your own or rent one. Anna failed the exam due to what the examiner called a lack of confidence. Andrew also failed the exam; he thinks, unfairly.

Because of the failure, they had to take driving lessons with an instructor, but there were other consequences. As they both had several years of driving experience before moving, they were allowed to get full G Full licenses right away. But after failing the practical exam, they could only get probationary G2 licenses.

The G2 exam tests the ability to drive in the city and park, and the license itself has a night driving restriction. The G Full exam tests the ability to drive in the city and on highways, and the license allows night driving and permits a small amount of alcohol. This is the license classification in Ontario.

In total, getting a license cost about $1,000 CAD per person.

Future Plans

In the future, Andrew and Anna plan to obtain permanent residency and citizenship in Canada.

During his studies, Andrey will gain 8 months of Canadian work experience (through an internship included in the program). While this experience doesn't count towards immigration, it will be a great asset when looking for permanent employment.

After graduating from college, Andrey will also receive a 3-year post-graduation work permit. He plans to gain another year of work experience in Canada before applying for permanent residence. Andrey will be eligible for both federal programs and the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program.

As for his long-term plans, Andrey dreams of finding remote work as a web developer and moving to one of the Atlantic provinces.

Do you dream of your own success story in Canada? Book a consultation with one of our specialists. We'll help you find suitable immigration options, explain the entire process in detail, assist with document preparation, and guide you throughout your journey to Canada.

Moving to Canada is possible not only through education but also through immigration programs that offer immediate permanent residence, as well as through work and business opportunities.

Ivanna Pavlenko, Canadian Licensed Immigration Consultant