Preparing for Arrival in Canada
Preparing for Arrival in Canada
Imagine that you are going to arrive in Canada tomorrow, but you are not ready at all. Not the best feeling, right? So here is the article to help you prepare for arrival in Canada.
It is obvious that preparation for arrival in Canada is a pleasant and, at the same time, stressful task. You have to pack all the necessary things for an independent life in a different country and, meanwhile, do not pack worthless things. Remember, that well-organized preparation is one of the keys to your comfortable life and studies in Canada. That is why you have to start preparing for arrival in Canada in advance. You can use online tools that help to arrange your time and tasks or prepare an offline checklist. It is also important to highlight that you should not rely on your memory since you can forget many important things preparing for arrival in Canada.
Firstly, you have to know that international students cannot study in Canada without a study permit. Consequently, the first task you have to do in advance is to apply for a study permit. Keep in mind that the process of your study permit approval takes some time. So, you should submit the application as soon as you get the letter of acceptance from the Designated Learning Institution in Canada. You can find more information about the Canadian Designated Learning Institutions online.
The second thing you have to do is to prepare all the required documents. Preparing for arrival in Canada, you need to have a valid passport, a temporary resident visa (if it is required to enter Canada), the letter of acceptance from the Designated Learning Institution, proof that you have the place to live in Canada, proof that you have sufficient funds to live in the country, an introduction letter in which is stated that the Canadian visa office approved your study permit application (if it is required to enter Canada), proof that you have travel insurance, a return ticket to the native country (if it is required to enter Canada). Remember, you may not be allowed to board a plane, enter Canada, or begin your studies in the country without these documents. Moreover, you must know that you have to pack the mentioned documents to your carry-on baggage. In this case, you can easily find and show them while boarding a plane and entering Canada. Preparing for arrival in Canada, you have to make a minimum of two copies of each document in addition to the original documentation, so if you lose your baggage or in any other case of emergency, you will have at least photocopies of the documents that prove your identity.
The next thing you have to consider preparing for arrival in Canada is packing. It is important to mention one more time that you have to give yourself enough time to pack personal things for your long-term trip to Canada. It is a wise decision to find information about the climate in the city you are going to live in. Therefore, you will need to pack or buy appropriate clothing for the weather in the region. If you do not know what Canadians prefer to wear in different seasons, you can find this information on social media, or you can read fashion blogs with recommendations on this topic.
Preparing for arrival in Canada, you can also contact friends that live or study in the country and ask them what things you might need to bring with you. In this case, you will be sure that you have the necessary things for an independent life in Canada. Additionally, you have to check what goods, including food products, are prohibited or restricted to bring to the country. Your awareness of these details will ensure your pleasant trip to Canada. If you want to learn more information about the rules and regulations considering the entrance to Canada, you have to visit the official website of the Government of Canada. The site has all the official rules that international students have to follow as well as recommendations on how to adapt to life in Canada.
Preparing for arrival in Canada, you have to remember one more thing. You should not bring more than 10,000 CAD since you risk paying a fine, penalty, or seizure according to customs regulations of Canada. However, it is better to have about 100–200 CAD in cash, a debit and credit card that you can use to pay for some services, buy something you need, or use it in emergencies after arrival in Canada. You can also check the locations of the Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in the airport, preparing for arrival in Canada. This information can help you to save time since you will know where ATMs are located.
The last, but not the least point on the list, is to plan a trip to your place of accommodation. Preparing for arrival in Canada, you should research how you can get to your place of living from the airport. As a rule, you can use a taxi or bus. Additionally, you have to remember that you need to give a 10 to 15% tip to the driver if you take a taxi. Be sure that you have enough money to avoid any misunderstandings with taxi drivers. Big cities also have subways or rail lines that go to the city center or even to your place of accommodation. If it is required, you have to book a ticket for the chosen means of transport.
Preparing for arrival in Canada, you should also contact your Designated Learning Institution and ask whether they can pick you up from the airport. As a rule, schools offer the airport pick-up service for international students to ensure a safe trip to their apartments, dormitories, or host families.
Of course, this is not the full list of all the things you have to consider, preparing for arrival in Canada. However, these points can help you to start the process. You should prepare the to-do list and add all things you have to do before leaving your country. It is a wise decision to give your list to a family member or a friend and ask them to double-check it. They can add many things you would never think about but might need when in Canada.
It is obvious that you can feel frustrated since you leave your home country and family, but you are going to live and study in Canada. It is a great chance to prove yourself and make your dreams come true. If you do not know what to do, you should talk about your feelings with your friends or family members. They can help you to cope with stress and anxiety.
While living in Canada, you can hurt the feelings of Canadians without even knowing it. If you want to avoid any unpleasant situations in Canada, you need to find all information about this country, its history, and traditions preparing for arrival in Canada. Moreover, you can read online blogs about the life of foreigners in Canada. They can give many valuable pieces of advice which you will never find in books and trip advisors. You have to use all information to be prepared for different situations.
Remember, you have to start your preparation for arrival in Canada several months in advance. In this case, you will be sure that you have all the needed documents and the essentials, know the main rules of behavior, and have a place to live in Canada. It is worth mentioning, that careful preparation is a key to a comfortable life and study in Canada.
If you need help in Canada, please contact us.