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First Year in Canada, First Day at School

First Year in Canada, First Day at School

Excited young kindergarten student on her first day at school in Canada. She is smiling and wearing a uniform and backpack is ready for the back-to-school experience.

In Canada, September is synonymous with back to school. Though it’s technically still summer, this month is all about back-to-school shopping, getting ready, and adjusting to a new school year. Parents become heavily invested in this yearly tradition of preparing for the first day at school. Updating wardrobes, preparing meals and snacks, shifting work schedules, and setting up before- and after-school care are just some of the activities to complete!

Whether it’s the first time your child goes off to school or whether they are simply starting a new year, it can be a few stressful and emotional weeks. And, of course, if your child is starting school in a new country, parents can expect a bumpy transition until your child—and family —has a chance to adjust.


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My Back-to-School Experience in Canada

For me, it was difficult in the beginning. Though my parents were involved and excited about me starting school, they didn’t really know much about the Canadian education system or speak the language, much less know North American trends for 10-year-old girls.


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The newcomer back-to-school experience, as I like to call it, is a unique one in that both kids and parents go through it and survive it together. What helped my parents adjust was meeting my teachers ahead of time and connecting with other newcomer parents. This allowed them to create a support system and familiarize themselves with school practices and rules. They also had friends with kids and used them as resources as well.

Personally, I was less worried about the structure and rules of school and more concerned with overcoming that feeling of being a fish out of water. Wearing bright homemade sweaters and eating what children deemed as ‘strange’ food did not get me far at first. It took me three months to make friends, adjust from going to school for half-days in Argentina to full days in Canada, and learn English with the help of teachers and staff.

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But slowly, the more I reached out to people who wanted to know me and help me, the more I began to form a community. This played such a big part in my adjusting period. With each friendship I made, I felt a little more confident; with each test I passed, I felt a little more secure.

Tips to Achieving Success

School success was another big part of adjusting to a new environment. Once I saw my grades and language skills improving, things started to turn around and school became exciting again. Over time, I even struck up the nerve to join a few after-school activities that helped me feel more part of the community.

Choosing a Private Tutor for Your Child


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Looking back now, what I learned from my own experience is that the secret to surviving the newcomer back-to-school experience is time. A new school year always comes with a few roadblocks and surprises, but getting through that first year is always the toughest. Still, encourage your children to endure it because with time, that bumpy transition will smooth out and their anxieties will subside.

Educating Newcomer Parents About Bullying

Educating Newcomer Parents About Bullying

Educating parents about bullying

Bullying can happen to anyone. For me, it happened at school when I first moved to Canada. It was verbal bullying – name-calling, sarcastic remarks, and taunting, mostly. I never told anyone because I didn’t know the term ‘bullying’, or how to recognize it.

According to Bullying Canada, bullying is when someone hurts or scares someone else on purpose. It is one-sided and pointed; it can be verbal, social, or physical; it can happen face-to-face, in cyberspace, or both; and it can be a one-time incident or recurring.


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Types of bullying:

Verbal: includes name-calling, negative cultural or racial references, threats, taunting, and inappropriate sexual comments.


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Social: includes leaving someone out on purpose, telling people not to be friends with someone, humiliating them in public, and telling rumours about them.

Physical: includes hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, shoving, chasing, poking, and stealing someone’s belongings.

Cyber Bullying includes using various online platforms (text, email, social media, the Internet) to tease someone, spread rumours about them, intimidate them, or put them down.

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Steps new Canadian parents can take to identify, prevent, and stop bullying:

  • Talk to your kids about bullying and how to identify it.
  • Teach them to tell someone if it happens to them, or if they see it happen to someone else.
  • Guide them on what to do if they bully someone and make it clear that it’s not ok.
  • Encourage your kids to deal with conflict without violence and talk things out.

Signs to recognize if your child is bullied:

Your child:

  • Is experiencing anxiety or withdrawal
  • Doesn’t want to go to school
  • Isn’t sleeping or eating well
  • Acts out aggressively
  • Gets upset or irritated easily
  • Gets frightened or intimidated by certain kids.

Effects on children can include:

  • Loneliness
  • Unhappiness
  • Insecurity
  • Fear.

Bullying can happen to children as young as five years old and should be taken seriously. It is a major power issue that can escalate. So, both children and parents must make an effort to stop it before it begins. For more information, visit www.bullyingcanada.ca.


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Help your children to identify bullying and communicate openly. Encourage your child to speak up if they are being bullied or if they know someone who is. Anyone can be a target.

For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!

Best Engineering Universities in Canada

Best Engineering Universities in Canada

University of Toronto is one of the top universities in Canada for engineering

Canada is home to some of the best research-based engineering universities in the world. And, no matter which public university you go to, you will get some of the best education in the world. You’ll also receive a widely recognized degree that many countries around the world accept. Some Canadian universities, however, are known for giving students more in-depth access to their field of study. Below, are some of the top universities in Canada for engineering students.

University of Waterloo|Top Canadian University for Engineering

The University of Waterloo (UWaterloo), located in Kitchener-Waterloo, is considered the top university in Canada for engineering. It is internationally recognized for its one-of-a-kind engineering faculty. While it might not be the first university that comes to mind when talking about Canada’s top university, UWaterloo has many reasons that make it the best university for engineering students. 


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UWaterloo has the best co-op program in North America. Its co-op program gives UWaterloo students the upper hand when they enter the workplace. That is because Waterloo’s co-op program allows students to get work experience while they are still in university. As a bonus, they also earn money during their co-op, which can help to pay off their tuition fees. 


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While no university guarantees students a co-op placement, UWaterloo students generally have no trouble finding placements in the workplace. This is a great achievement, considering that UWaterloo has the largest engineering department in Canada. UWaterloo also has one of the highest employment rates for its graduates, falling just behind the University of Toronto. 

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is internationally known for being the center of teaching, learning, and research. It has also been recognized as North America’s most international university. As a result, UBC students receive an education that revolves around research and technology from a top university in Canada for engineering. The university is only a 30-minute bus ride to the heart of downtown Vancouver,

Aerial view of the University of British Columbia.

Combined with a great co-op program, UBC graduates generally find jobs pretty quickly after graduating. Co-op students from UBC, especially, have an easy time finding jobs. This is because employers know they have work experience while also receiving an education based on innovation.

At the end of the day, if someone is going to hire you as an engineer, you should have your own original ideas in addition to what you are taught in university. UBC is a great university for that because it encourages students to innovate and develop problem-solving skills.

University of Toronto | One of the Top Engineering Universities in Canada

The University of Toronto (UofT) is commonly referred to as Canada’s most prestigious university. It is also one of the top Canadian universities for engineering. The university is often called the Oxford of Canada. No matter which program you enter at UofT, you will find yourself among some of the best professors in Canada. Additionally, your degree will come with the rightfully earned respect and recognition of a UofT graduate. The engineering program at UofT is no exception. Like UBC, UofT’s engineering program revolves heavily around research-based education, combined with traditional lecture-styled classes.


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UofT has three campuses, all of which are located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). While the main campus, St. George, is located in downtown Toronto, the university also has campuses in Mississauga and Scarborough.

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta (UofA) is one of the leading institutes when it comes to the top Canadian universities for engineering. Located in Edmonton, Alberta, the city also offers a low cost of living. As a result, if you decide to go to UofA, you will be getting a well-respected degree while also being able to manage affordable living expenses.

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University of Western Ontario

The University of Western Ontario (Western), located in London, Ontario, has one of Canada’s largest and most scenic campuses. It also has a great engineering faculty. Western is specifically known for having exceptional programs in civil and mechanical engineering. This combined with a scenic, accessible, and bustling campus makes Western one of the top picks for international students.

Western is known for having a great student life. The university has many resources that help students balance their studies with their social life. These resources help students manage their studies and not get overwhelmed. The university gives a lot of importance to extracurriculars such as student clubs and intramurals. These factors, combined with a remarkable engineering program make Western one of the top universities in Canada for engineering students.

The Ivey Business School is also located on the Western University campus. It is one of the best business schools in Canada. 96% of Ivey graduates get job offers right away. Additionally, many of them reach high positions in their companies.

Complementing Your Engineering Education with a Business Degree

A common approach to make yourself more desirable to employers is to complement your engineering education with a business degree. This dual degree combination shows employers that you possess technical know-how and broader business skills to enhance big-picture thinking. In addition, it can open up unique career options when you apply can apply engineering school technical skills and business leadership, strategy, and communication skills. You can read more about the benefits of higher education in Canada, here.

Having a dual degree on your resume can also help you to differentiate yourself from other job candidates. It shows your commitment to achieving educational and career goals.

Pursuing a dual degree can also help you to grow your professional network by connecting you to other engineers and business professionals. This can help you to find exciting opportunities and you can graduate with many professional contacts and references.

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Choosing a Canadian Engineering University as an International Student

No matter which university you attend, you will receive a good education. Canadian universities also provide many opportunities to transition into the workplace upon graduation. At the end of the day, which university you decide to go to depends on your preferences. Some students prefer staying near home while others are comfortable going to study on the other side of the country. 

It is crucial to understand that academics is not the only factor that matters when choosing a university. You will be spending four or more years of your life at the university you choose. It is important to consider factors such as student life, extracurriculars, and support for international students at your university of choice. When considering engineering schools in Canada, remember to look at all aspects of the university aside from academics.

With some of the best universities in Canada for engineering, international students can receive a degree that is recognized around the world. Graduating from these top universities can offer stellar job prospects and exciting career opportunities.

Schooling in Canada|A look at the Education System

Schooling in Canada|A look at the Education System

schooling in Canada a group of culturally diverse school children running in to a school

Moving to Canada with young children? Then you’ll want to read this overview of schooling in Canada to help your children adapt to school smoothly. Canada has one of the best school systems in the world to help your children grow and prosper. This is important for newcomers who often want to provide their children with more opportunities and access to education in Canada. Learn more about schooling in Canada including the systems, education levels, and process to register your children in school.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

Nelson Mandela

Schooling in Canada is Ranked in Top 5

According to a 2022 Best Countries for Education global survey, Canada ranks #4. The survey measured the following three country attributes:


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  • Is the public education system well-developed
  • Do people consider attending university
  • Does the country provide top-quality education.

Top Five Countries:

#1 United States


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#2 United Kingdom

#3 Germany

#4 Canada

#5 France.

As the report identifies “Today’s young people will, in the coming years, be governing the world. Their thoughts and actions will be shaped by what they know and experience, making education, in many ways, one of the best predictors of a nation’s future success.”


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An Overview of Schooling in Canada

Each province and territory in Canada develop school curriculum and policy. And, because of this, both may be slightly different across the country. Still, schooling in Canada has many common elements such as the school systems, levels of education and enrollment process.

In Canada, there are three school systems:

  1. Public schools

2. Private schools

3. Homeschooling.

You can choose which school system your child will attend. To learn more about the provincial school systems follow the links in the Provincial and Territorial Ministries of Education section below.

1. Public Schools in Canada:

The government funds public schools in Canada, and most children attend public schools. So you don’t have to pay for your child to attend public school. However, you will have to pay for school supplies and extracurricular activities such as field trips.

District school boards manage how public schools operate and are responsible for activities such as hiring teachers and opening new schools.

Over 95% of Canadians choose public school education for their children.

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS – INTERNATIONAL

2. Private Schools in Canada:

If you choose to send your children to a private school you will have to pay tuition and other fees. And the government usually does not fund private schools, so these schools can be costly to attend. However, private schools may provide a focus that public schools don’t provide and that you are willing to pay for.  For example, private schools in Canada may focus on a specific area such as:

  • a specialized or challenging academic program
  • faith-based learning
  • cultural-based learning, or
  • elite sports academies.

3. Homeschooling in Canada:

Homeschooling is acceptable in every province in Canada. If you want to teach your children at home, you will have to meet certain legal requirements. Each province has its own requirements, so you have to research laws to ensure you meet the regulations.

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Schooling in Canada: Education Levels

There are four levels within the school system that follow this structure:

  • Pre-school (or nursery school)
  • Kindergarten
  • Elementary school (or primary school)
  • High school (or secondary school)

Pre-school:

Pre-school programs are like daycare programs for children aged two to four. You don’t have to send your children to preschool. However, preschool can help your child to build language skills if they don’t speak English or French (Canada’s official languages). As well, preschool can help young children develop social and emotional skills to help them adjust to schooling in Canada. Most preschools in Canada are private, so you will have to pay a cost.

Each school has a catchment area, (an area that defines which school your child will attend). Usually, children attend a school that is closest to their home and within the school’s catchment area.

Kindergarten:

Most children attend kindergarten at age five. Kindergarten is free and you can register your child at the school that is located closest to your home. Children must attend kindergarten in most provinces.

Young girl attending kindergarten in school in Canada

Elementary Schools in Canada: Grade One to Eight

Children attend elementary school (also known as primary school) in September in the year that they turn five years of age. But, if you arrive after September you must enroll your child as soon as you arrive. For example, if you arrive in Canada in October, you must register your child in October. You can contact the School Board (see links below for provincial ministries of education) when you arrive.

Children attend elementary school from grades one to eight. Some school districts may have a middle school for grades six to eight. But, that depends on the structure of the school district.

Generally, school curriculums cover these subjects:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Math
  • Geography
  • History
  • Science
  • French (may be required in some schools)
  • Art
  • Music
  • Physical education

High Schools in Canada: Grade Nine to Twelve

After children complete elementary school, they attend high school from grades nine to twelve. The high school system prepares students to attend either:

  • vocational school (typically two-year programs that focus on fields such as plumbing, welding, or esthetics. Vocational schools are also called trade schools)
  • Community College (typically two-year programs that combine academic and industry opportunities), or
  • University (typically four-year programs with a focus on academic or professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, law, and engineering).

The government does not fund post-secondary schooling in Canada. And, many parents save for years so that their children can attend post-secondary education. Investing in a Registered Education Savings Plan is a common way that parents save for higher education in Canada. In high school, students can meet with Guidance Counsellors who can help your child: 

  • make career choices
  • achieve better grades, and 
  • handle personal or social issues.

How to Register Your Child for Schooling in Canada:

There are many settlement agencies that can help you to register your children in school. And you can read more about free services in Canada to help newcomers settle.

You’ll need these documents to register your child in a school in Canada:

  • Your child’s birth certificate or passport to show proof of age
  • Proof of address: copy of a bank statement, phone or electric bill, or apartment lease with your name and address
  • Proof of guardianship: you need this if your child is under 18 years of age and does not live with a parent
  • Immunization record
  • Proof of student’s immigration status: with one of the following:
    • Permanent Resident Card
    • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292) or Record of Landing (IMM 1000).

When to Register Your Child in School

You have to enroll your children in school as soon as you arrive in Canada.  The school year starts in September and ends in June. But, if you arrive in Canada after the school year begins, your child can still attend school.

Canada guarantees an education to all children, including those with disabilities. Depending on the child’s needs, children with disabilities will either attend:

  • regular classrooms and receive additional help, or 
  • special classes or schools. 

Assessing Math and English Language Skills

Newcomer students may have to complete a math and English language skills assessment. The assessment will identify:

  • what level your child is at, and
  • what support your child may need to achieve success in school.

The results will help teachers understand what your child already knows. And if you have questions about your child’s placement level, you can talk to their teacher about their results. It’s helpful if you can provide your child’s previous report card or other school information for the assessment.

English as a Second Language (ESL) in Schools

Children who don’t have strong language skills that match the grade level can access programs to help them learn English. ESL classes are often regularly scheduled courses, or in place of English taught to those who already speak the language.

Provincial and Territory Ministries of Education

For more information, check out the ministry of education for the province where you plan to settle.

Alberta
Ministry of Education

British Columbia
Ministry of Education

Manitoba
Ministry of Education

New Brunswick
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Newfoundland and Labrador
Department of Education

Northwest Territories
Department of Education, Culture and Employment

Nova Scotia
Department of Education

Nunavut
Department of Education

Ontario
Ministry of Education

Prince Edward Island
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Quebec
Éducation, Loisir et Sport Québec

Saskatchewan
Ministry of Education

Yukon
Department of Education

For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!

Choosing a Private Tutor for Your Child

Choosing a Private Tutor for Your Child

Choosing a private tutor

Newcomer families to Canada often seek out extra afterschool help for their children so they can succeed in their new academic curriculum. As a parent, this may be the first time you are considering hiring a private tutor for your child. This article will help you not only with the process of finding a tutor, but the process of selecting a tutor.

The most likely school subjects that parents will hire private tutors for are:


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  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Language Arts
  • French
  • History, and
  • Social studies.

Your child may need more support completing long writing assignments for Language Arts, history, and social studies especially. Canadian schools are particular about using proper citations and submitting bibliographies in English. The tutor should help your child develop their research skills.


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Some parents may be open to trial sessions with several different tutors before settling on one that will be long-term. A long-term private tutor will typically work with a student for one to three years. After that, the student will move up the academic ladder. At that point, it may be necessary to find a different tutor more suited for the student’s age group.

Parents must consider many factors when seeking a good tutor. This person will become your child’s instructor, mentor, and friend. And, you will have to work closely with the tutor to provide your child with the absolute best education. Here are five important factors to consider:

1. Tutoring Centres Versus Freelance Tutors

Afterschool tutoring centres such as Oxford Learning and Kumon are popping up everywhere in Canada. There is a great demand for them. They have the advantage of being a social centre where students can interact with each other, and parents can converse while their children are in class. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, this advantage does not currently apply to most of these centres. Most classes offered by these centres are now conducted online.

Another major disadvantage of tutoring centres is that they often ask parents to pay for several sessions rather than by the lesson. For example, you may have to pay for ten sessions in advance.

If you prefer to pay by the lesson, it’s more convenient to find a freelance tutor on a site like Kijiji or through word-of-mouth. This way, you can negotiate the time and the hourly wage directly with the tutor rather than through the centre. 


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2. Locality and Availability of the Private Tutor 

Parents should consider local tutors unless the hourly wage you pay covers extra expenses a tutor may incur such as:

  • travel expenses, or
  • part of their Wi-Fi for online tutoring.

Keep in mind that after-school tutors are often graduate students or teachers looking to earn extra income outside of their regular working hours. So their availability may change. Or, they may occasionally need to cancel due to conflicts with their regular jobs or other commitments.

Parents must remain flexible. However, the tutor is responsible for giving ample warning if they cannot attend a session. A private tutor who frequently cancels sessions is not reliable enough to provide your child with consistent support. In this case, it’s wise to explore hiring a different tutor. 

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3. Experience and Credentials 

Parents should seek out tutors that have experience working with their child’s age group. Here is one mistake parents often make: they focus too much on a tutor’s academic background and degrees. As a teacher myself, I can confirm that a person’s store of knowledge isn’t enough to qualify them as an effective instructor.

Any educator must also be prepared to face the unique challenges of working with young students who are impatient, frustrated, shy, unconfident, easily distracted, etc. They must know how to properly handle certain situations, such as when a child feels overwhelmed by their schoolwork and starts getting upset. I recommend parents consider tutors who have also done childcare jobs in the past, such as babysitting and camp counselling. Intelligence combined with life experiences and common sense produces the best tutors. 

4. Personality and Teaching Style

Some private tutors are upbeat and fun. They make every lesson a game for the student. Some private tutors are strict and no-nonsense. They will focus more on instilling discipline in the student, to prepare for the tough, competitive future ahead of them. And, some tutors fall somewhere in between. To find the right tutor for your child, do trial one-hour sessions with several different tutors. After each session, ask your child the following questions: 

  • Did you feel comfortable with this tutor? 
  • Did this tutor listen to you and let you ask them questions?
  • What did you learn during this session? 
  • Would you like to work with this tutor again? 

Take notes and keep track of your child’s responses. After trying out several tutors, choose the one who best connected with your child and complemented your child’s personality. Make sure your child is involved in the selection process. 

Choosing a private tutor

5. Off-Hours Work and Respecting Boundaries of Private Tutors 

As previously stated, many private tutors do after-school teaching for extra income, on top of another job. So it’s important that parents respect this. Avoid making demands on the tutors that are outside of the tutor’s work margin. For example, parents should not call or email their child’s tutor late at night to ask them questions about their child’s homework or progress. Tutors who feel that their student’s parents do not respect their personal boundaries will end the working relationship. Your child could lose a good tutor this way. So always be mindful of your level of courtesy towards their hired instructors. 

Parents want their children to receive the best educational help. And, they also want their child’s homework and study time to be as productive as possible. This contributes to your child leading a balanced and less stressful life. Choosing the right tutor to achieve these goals is a major decision that takes consideration, experimentation, and open-mindedness. Combining these three elements, you’ll find the right private tutor for your child.

For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!