Higher Education Offers Benefits to Newcomers

by Anjali Rego | Feb 23, 2021 | Living in Canada, Settle in Canada with Confidence and Ease

Without a doubt, higher education (or post-secondary education) can give you an edge in the highly competitive Canadian job market. Learning new skills or upgrading your current skills will increase your value and help you stand out from other job seekers. As well, when you show a thirst for continuous learning, you are more attractive to employers. Higher education can also provide other benefits to newcomers.

Many people in Canada attend post-secondary education at a university, college, trades program, or private college.

Students must apply to the school of their choice and prepare to pay tuition fees. While there are some scholarships available, most students must pay for tuition with the help of student loans.

Three Benefits of Higher Education in Canada

1. Improve Your Job Prospects

Surprisingly to newcomers, employers like to see the names of Canadian schools on resumes. Often it’s because when managers recognize the schools you have attended they are more confident in their hiring decision.

So attending a Canadian school may give you an edge over those who have studied at foreign schools. But if you have not attended a Canadian school, it may be helpful to get a credential evaluation. Doing so will help employers compare the school you attended in another country to Canadian schools.

2. Meet Requirements to Work in Your Field

You will require a license to work in some professions in Canada. These are known as regulated professions. And because the education system in Canada may differ from your home country, you may need more training. A credential evaluation will show if your education is equal to that of a Canadian school.

Some examples of regulated jobs include:

• Engineering
• Teaching
• Nursing
• Medical practitioners
• Dentistry
• Architecture
• Law
• Financial services

If you are thinking of changing your career, then higher education will give you a good start to a new career.

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3. Network with Others

Pursuing higher education allows you to meet others who may work in your field. This helps you to grow your professional network and can even help you access the hidden job market. In the hidden job market, you’ll discover jobs that are not advertised. And because these jobs aren’t widely posted, it can make your job search easier.

Learning is a constant process and Canadian employers value your commitment to ongoing learning. When you focus on continuous learning, it may also help you to progress in your career. 

Pathways to Higher Education in Canada

You can attend a university, college, or private school. Or, you can also consider options such as bridging programs and certificate programs.

Universities

Many Canadian universities are well respected across the world, including:

University studies develop critical thinking and research skills as students work toward a:

Class sizes tend to be large, with some lecture halls counting hundreds of students. Although you may also attend smaller tutorials or labs.

Colleges and Technical Institutes

Colleges and technical institutes offer a range of applied programs that typically prepare you for a career. Students work toward a:

• diploma

• certificate, or

• applied degree.

Some colleges also offer apprenticeship training for trades. The hybrid “university college” may also offer undergraduate degrees.

Class sizes are typically smaller than in universities. And tuition fees are usually less expensive.

Private Colleges

Private career colleges are private businesses that could be either for-profit or non-profit. They do not receive government funding like colleges and universities. And because of this, fees tend to be quite high.

Private colleges offer certificates and diplomas in fields such as:

• business

• electronics

• health services.

They offer flexible learning schedules, and you can enroll at different times during the year. Training is usually delivered over a short period of time. Some private schools, including some English language schools, are not regulated by the government. So make sure to research the school before you pay any fees.

Bridging Programs

Functional Business Programs

In contrast with other courses, you can also explore certificate programs that relate to your business function such as:

• Marketing

• Finance

• Human Resources

• Information Technology

• Supply Chain

These certificate programs can add to your current skill set or start you on a new career path.

Cost of Higher Education in Canada

Tuition fees vary depending on the school and program you attend. Fees for universities are higher than colleges. As well, the cost to attend a graduate program is higher than the cost of an undergraduate program.

The cost also depends on your immigration status in Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents pay domestic tuition fees. Foreign students pay international tuition fees that are more expensive than domestic fees.

For example, consider how costs compare for the full-time MBA program at the University of Toronto:

• Domestic tuition fees: $92,000 (CAD)

• International tuition fees: $127,000 (CAD).

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can obtain Government of Canada grants and loans depending on:

• the province you live in
• family income
• number of dependents
• disability.

You do not have to repay grants. However, you have to repay loans within a defined period of time.

If you’re studying as an adult, it may be difficult to attend school full time and work. So, you may think that returning to school isn’t viable. However, adding some Canadian education to your resumé could mean the difference between finding a job in your profession and a “survival job”.

Many post-secondary institutions offer part-time and distance education courses geared toward working adults. This allows adults to study and work at the same time.

Higher education can help you stand out in a tight job market. Many schools allow you to gain practical work experience through job placement. And most importantly, it may even help you to advance your career in Canada. 

Helping Your Child Choose Post-Secondary Studies

Post-secondary education is very much self-guided in Canada. Aside from a small number of required courses, students are free to choose what subjects they would like to study. For example, a person working toward a political science degree may take a welding course just because it fits their schedule.

Speak with your child to determine what’s important to them. Choosing post-secondary is a big step and your child may need help to understand the system.

How to Apply to a Post-Secondary School

Each school has its own admission process and deadlines. For example, some schools run on a three-semester basis and accept students at the beginning of each semester. However, other schools may follow a yearly schedule with application deadlines in early spring.

You can contact the admissions department and visit school websites to find out what programs they offer.

Each school will also have its own criteria to recognize international academic qualifications. They may also require your academic credentials to be translated and verified.

You may have to get your academic credentials assessed through a credentials evaluation service. Because they charge a fee, make sure that the school accepts the assessment from the service you select. This will help you avoid paying extra costs.

Depending on the faculty or program you apply to, you may also have to show proof of specific courses. To be eligible to apply for certain programs at the university level, a student must take certain classes in high school. For example, English and Math 12 are usually necessary with a high-standing grade.

Provincial Post-Secondary Education Grants and Loans

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Additional Resources

Anjali Rego

Anjali has worked in journalism and corporate communications in the UK and in India. Working across geographies in an international environment has taught her to find unique opportunities to create content for a diverse range of audiences. Pushing herself out of her comfort zone to move to the UK and Canada helped her adapt and thrive in new environments.

5 Popular Book Series Your Children Should Read

by Emily Zarevich | Feb 8, 2021 | Living in Canada, Settle in Canada with Confidence and Ease

These popular book series will prepare your children to meet the requirements of Canada’s Language Arts curriculum. Canada is famous for its excellent education system, and it produces generation after generation of eager bookworms.

These five well-known and well-loved book series will get your child, and yourself started on a grand learning adventure. 

As an English and English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher who works primarily with children, one of the first questions parents always ask me is, “What should my child be reading at home?” Experience has taught me to have good booklists ready to give to parents, so they can head to the library with their kids right away.

Newcomer students must develop a habit of reading. There is a strong focus in Canadian classrooms on critical and analytical thinking skills. And the best and most sure-fire way to develop these skills is to read first-rate books. 

Children’s Book Reading Tips

Sometimes it’s a challenge to get your child interested in reading. As a parent, you must get involved in your child’s reading process.

• Give your child support and encouragement.

• After your child reads some chapters of a book, sit down with them and casually discuss the book’s good and bad parts.

• Urge your child to share their opinions on subjects such as a character’s choices, or an author’s writing style.

• Show them how to look up unfamiliar words in a paper or online dictionary as well.

By practicing at home, your child will be able to talk about their reading experiences in class. Their teacher will be very impressed! 

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5 Popular Book Series for Children

Reading these popular book series will also bring your children closer to their classmates, as it is likely that their classmates are indulging in these books too. Talking about books is a great starting point for new friendships!

1. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Parents often hesitate about this series. It’s understandable. The jokes can be gross and immature, and often the plots do not make sense. But for a young reader, Pilkey’s silly humour and outrageous storylines can often be just the thing to draw them into the world of books.

They can move on to more serious literature later. But, for now, let them read Captain Underpants. The series follows George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two creative best friends who make comic books together. A string of events results in one of their comic book heroes, Captain Underpants, becoming real, and the boys have many exciting adventures with their superpowered creation. 

DreamWorks has made this book series into a film. Netflix has also produced a funny cartoon series. Use these as a reward. For example, if your child reads all twelve of the books, then they can watch the movie and the cartoon. 

2. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Here is another popular book series that Netflix has faithfully adapted. A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the—obviously—unfortunate trials and tribulations of the three Baudelaire children.

The Baudelaires, heirs to an enormous fortune, are being pursued wherever they go by the greedy and monstrous Count Olaf, who is determined to get his hands on them, and their money, at any cost. This series has a wide range of intriguing—and outright bizarre—characters, settings, and plotlines. Your child will be hooked fast. 

3. Goosebumps by R. L. Stine

The series tagline says it all: “Readers beware, you’re in for a scare!” And there are over sixty different “scares” for a horror-loving reader to choose from. It is recommended that your child should be at least ten years old before they start reading these books, which sometimes have frightening and disturbing content. But once they get started, they won’t be able to stop. They will be pulled into a thrilling world of ghosts, monsters, evil ventriloquist dolls, haunted amusement parks, and even time travel! R.L. Stine has written something for everyone. 

Parents should be aware of the fact that these books do not always have happy endings. These types of books are known as “cautionary tales,” and are meant to teach children tough life lessons. The child protagonists in the books often make terrible mistakes and face gruesome consequences. Discuss these consequences with your child, to see what they’ve learned from these stories.

4. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis 

Perfect for a fantasy lover, C.S. Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia transports readers into a magical world of evil witches, talking animals, dragons, sea voyagers, and Aslan, the wise lion king who oversees it all. This popular book series is also perfect for introducing your child to the concept of “world-building” in fiction. C.S. Lewis is famous for his skill in creating an entirely make-believe world, populated by make-believe people and creatures. 

However, this make-believe world has some very real problems, such as family conflicts, battles for political power, war, freedom, famine, death, and the passage of time. So parents should prepare to have some mature conversations with their children about the topics in the books. 

5. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 

This book series has recently had a big resurge in popularity, thanks to its successful Netflix adaptation “Anne.” This tale of a brave, talkative, and intelligent orphan girl who is adopted into a rural Prince Edward Island community is a beloved Canadian classic.

The selling point of this series is the protagonist herself, Anne Shirley. Anne is whip-smart, resourceful, optimistic, and devoted to her family and friends. She is also ambitious and looks to the future, instead of dwelling on her difficult past. She is not only one of Canada’s biggest cultural icons, but also a role model for children in troubled times. Her story is still relatable, even more than a century after it was published. 

This series uses more complicated and advanced language. At this point, your child should already be an intermediate reader and have the skills to look up and absorb new words. Make yourself available to help your child take on new ideas, but also applaud their efforts to do research on their own. 

Reading is essential to developing a child’s mind, and with a steady reading schedule, and lots of praise, your child will become an accomplished reader. And maybe, one day, they will be an accomplished writer too, with their own bestselling book series! 

Corinna Frattini

Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.

Emily Zarevich

Emily R. Zarevich is an English/ESL teacher and writer from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. She has been published previously in Understorey Magazine, Living Education Journal. and Wild Roof Journal. She will soon be published in Dreamers Creative Writing.