You could spend a lifetime exploring Canada’s cities and towns, national parks, lakes, ocean shores and mountains. You’ll enjoy every minute of it! In fact, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. Discover all that Canada has to offer to international students and visitors. You’ll find plenty to see and do. The possibilities are endless.

Map of colleges and universities in Canada

Getting to know Canada

In your first few months, you will get to know Canada—our people, our languages, our culture, our food, our climate and so much more. This is an exciting time for you. Soon, you’ll come to learn that Canada offers you a safe and secure place to live, work and travel.

The people and places you encounter will shape your life here. International students in Canada tend to be awestruck by the beauty of our 4 seasons. Summer, fall, winter and spring are all very distinct and each offers its own recreational activities and fun when it comes to exploring:

• In summer, you can go boating on one of our many lakes, swim in the ocean and play volleyball on the beach. It’s also a great season to see Canada as a tourist, sit out on a restaurant patio in your favourite city soaking up the sun or enjoy a bonfire with friends.
• During the fall, you’ll love exploring the countryside to see the splendour of our autumn leaves, hiking up a mountain or through the woods on a crisp day as well as enjoying the outdoors with your friends. It’s also a great time to explore Canada’s vibrant cities and historical towns.
• Once winter comes, it’s time to grab your snow gear and join in some great Canadian fun. You can learn to ski or snowshoe, build a snowman, have a snowball fight with your friends or simply enjoy the peaceful sound of walking through the woods in winter.
• Spring is a time for renewal in Canada, as the birds return from the south and flowers bloom in the gardens. It’s also “sugaring off” season. Discover how sap is collected and boiled to create maple syrup. The best part? Eating maple taffy poured hot on snow.

All year long, the Canadians you meet at school and at work will impress you with their warmth. Enjoy this opportunity to get to know us and to introduce us to your culture.

Canada fast facts

• 36.3 million people
• 250 ethnic origins
• 6.4 million people speak an immigrant language
• 60+ Aboriginal languages
• 10 provinces and 3 territories
• 243,000 km of coastline – the world’s longest
• 3 oceans

Canadian culture includes the world

Canadian culture includes people and cultures from around the world. We are well known as one of the world’s great multicultural societies—and we’re proud of this distinction.

Canada welcomes people from everywhere. We place a high value on tolerance. Our national human rights law prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, disability and sexual orientation. Each province and territory of Canada has its own human rights code, too.

Canadians have a strong sense of justice. This means we care about people’s rights in the workplace, in the court system, in our democracy and in our homes. Women’s rights are equally important.

Our commitment to equality makes Canada a sought-after destination for international students and immigrants. Canada is currently ranked as the #1 best country in the world for quality of life.

Discounts for international students

As an international student in Canada, you have access to travel discounts for students. So get ready to experience Canada and save some money! Restaurants, hotels, airlines, trains and other travel providers offer reduced prices for students. You’ll need a valid student identification card to get your discount. We also recommend the International Student Identification Card for additional benefits.

Canadian custom: The polar bear dip

Can you guess how some Canadians like to ring in the New Year? This might surprise you, but we like to mark the start of a new year by taking part in a polar bear dip. Don’t worry. We don’t actually swim with polar bears, but we do cut a big hole in the ice and go for a swim! It sounds crazy, but it’s exhilarating. If you join us, bring your parka (big coat with a hood) so you can get warm after you emerge from the freezing water. It’s just another great way to experience Canada.