Volunteering during studies in Canada
Why is volunteering so important to Canadians, and what benefits does it offer to international students?
Volunteering plays a huge role in Canadian culture. Canadians even dedicate a whole week to it — April is considered the national month of volunteer work, with National Volunteer Week in 2025 taking place from April 27 to May 3.
Helping your community and the environment, participating in charity events or educational campaigns — volunteering can take many forms, but all of them help shape a conscious and caring individual who contributes to the well-being of society.
Volunteering holds a special place in educating the younger generation. For example, high school students in Canada must dedicate a certain number of extracurricular hours to volunteer work to successfully complete their school program and receive a diploma. Volunteer achievements can also be considered as an additional bonus when applying to university.
For students in colleges and universities, volunteering is not mandatory but is highly encouraged and considered an integral part of a full student life.
The Value of Volunteering for Students
Through volunteer work, students gain many diverse skills that can also help their careers after graduation:
- Familiarity with Canadian culture and values.
- Meeting new people with similar interests.
- Opportunity to develop professional relationships.
- Language practice with native speakers and people from different countries.
- Development of soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Benefiting society and its development.
- Advantages in future job searches.
The last point, regarding prospects for successful employment, is particularly noteworthy. Potential employers will pay attention to whether a candidate has volunteer experience. Moreover, the knowledge and skills gained can be included in your resume to make it more attractive.
Canadian employers believe that an employee who dedicates time to something beyond their main job and contributes to society's well-being is more motivated and productive. Additionally, volunteering can help establish useful connections in the professional environment and better determine the desired job or field of work.
Where to Find Volunteer Organizations?
Almost all universities offer various volunteer programs within the campus, such as mentoring younger students, organizing and participating in various university clubs, sports programs and events, and so on.
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You can also always find something to do outside of college or university. Information about external volunteer organizations may be available on the university's website, or you can ask for help from school staff or other students.
Additionally, you can visit resources recommended by the Canadian government website:
Do International Students Need a Work Permit for Volunteering?
Generally, volunteering is part-time work that doesn't involve financial compensation. Therefore, in most cases, international students don't need a work permit for such activities.
However, it's important to carefully consider this issue and check the specific activity you plan to engage in. Some types of volunteering may still be considered work under Canadian law, and conversely, certain paid activities (such as working on campus) may not require a special permit in some cases. As of 2025, there's an updated rule for international students: they're allowed to work up to 24 hours per week (previously 20 hours), which helps better balance studies and work.
To understand all the nuances of the Canadian education system, it's worth seeking help from specialists. Our team of experts is ready to advise you on all questions related to studying in Canada, help you choose a suitable educational institution, and prepare and submit all necessary documents. Book a consultation and learn how to start studying in one of the most developed and safe countries in the world.
