Getting Ready for Life in Canada
Heading to Canada and unsure how to prepare? Here are some tips!
As an international student starting at a new school in a foreign country, you face unique situations that other students might not have to consider. We want to give you a few tips to help prepare you as best we can for life in Canada! Before you arrive at your new school, it's helpful to consider a few things:
Familiarize yourself with your new home
To get to know the campus where you'll spend most of your time while you're in school, read up on your university through their website! You can also research the city you'll live in before you arrive. Each city has a unique culture — with hiking trails, restaurants and events to check out! You have an exciting opportunity to explore a new place, and you can even make a bucket list of the places you want to visit! As Redeemer University College is located in Hamilton, Ontario, here's a visitor's list for the city of Hamilton!
Packing list trouble?
Always keep in mind what you can bring with you through airport customs and what you can buy once you're here! Packing will become easier if you familiarize yourself with the Canada Border Service Agency's regulations. It's also possible that your university has a packing list in their International Student Guide (pdf)! Take advantage of the resources your school offers.
Clothing
When you first arrive in September, shorts, t-shirts and sandals will be appropriate, as it will likely be warm during the day! However, the evenings cool off quickly. The academic buildings and residences are also kept fairly cool and comfortable with air conditioning, so make sure you have some light sweaters in case things get chilly. You'll need a winter jacket, mittens, hat, warm socks, and a good pair of winter boots once the cold arrives and the snow starts falling! The winters here can be very long, cold, and snowy. Prepare as best you can by reading this article on how to dress for Canadian winters!
Money
If you plan to bring a large amount of money with you into Canada, keep in mind that if you carry more than $10,000 CAD, you'll need to declare it at the border. You may find that wiring or transferring it electronically is a safer (and easier) option.
Going through border customs
When going through border customs at the airport, the process is much simpler and smoother if you have all your paperwork and documents ready for the officer. A declaration card will be given to you on the plane that you should fill out right away, so it's complete by the time you arrive at your destination. As an international student, you may also receive a second immigration check. To learn more about the border process before you fly, check out the Canada Border Services website for more information.
We hope that all of this information is useful as you prepare for your time in Canada. If you're ever in the Hamilton area, come visit us at Redeemer University College!