The Canadian province of Alberta is widely popular today among international students. Calgary is the largest city in this province and a large number of students from different parts of the world come to this city to get higher education. Studying here has a lot of advantages. On the other hand, you can find some cons also of studying in Calgary.
Here, you will read about the pros and cons of studying in Calgary as an international student.
Explore all the pros and cons for students in Calgary
Pros
-
World-Class Education
The major advantage of studying in Canada is the world-class education offered by its institutions. The major university in this city is the University of Calgary, which is a publically funded research university. Another one is Mount Royal University, which has over 14000 students, and it provides degrees in a number of fields. Athabasca University is one more university, which provides distance education. For polytechnic and apprentice education, SAIT Polytechnic is an ideal institute here, which has over 14000 students.
There are some other publically funded educational institutes in Calgary, such as Ambrose University, Alberta University of Arts, St. Mary’s University, and Bow Valley College.
All the universities, colleges, and polytechnics in Calgary provide quality education to both international and domestic students.
-
Accommodations for Students with All Types of Budgets
You can find student accommodation Calgary according to your budget easily. There are many accommodation properties available in Calgary, where you can find housing units in different price ranges.
Therefore, students can select the accommodations as per their budgets.
-
You Can Earn While You Learn
In Calgary, you have the facility to earn while you learn. Canadian universities offer many opportunities to international students.
You as an international student can get opportunities for scholarships and financial aid. Besides, there are part-time jobs and co-ops available for international students.
-
There Is a Huge Demand for a Younger Workforce
In Calgary, there is a huge demand for a younger workforce. Therefore, you can get a part-time job easily here. Doing a job in Calgary is beneficial for you in multiple ways. First, you can earn while studying, which helps you in managing your expenses very well. Besides, you get a job experience in an overseas country, which proves to be helpful for you in your future career. Doing a job in Calgary provides you an international exposure.
-
You Can Easily Get Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
This is another aspect, which helps you in getting experience in doing a job in an overseas country and finding international exposure. You can get a Post-Graduate Work Permit here. Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) Program facilitates students who are graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutes to acquire an open work permit for gaining valuable work experience in Canada.
-
It Is a Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence
If you study in Calgary then it is a pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence. So, if you want to get settled permanently in Canada then studying in Calgary is the best choice for you.
Cons
-
You May Have to Pay High Tuition Fees
One of the disadvantages of studying in Calgary is that you may have to pay high tuition fees. So, if your budget is low, you will have to think many times before getting enrolled in an institute in the city. Due to the world-class education available in the institutes of Canada, those who can afford take admission to the institutes in Calgary despite the high tuition fees.
-
High Living Expenses
This is another drawback of studying in Calgary. The living expenses here are considerably less than those in Europe and English-speaking countries, but when you see in the context of throughout the world, you find the high living expenses.
This is why budget matters a lot in this regard also. As stated above, you have the option of working while studying in Calgary to manage your expenses if you decide to study here.
-
Low Acceptance Rate of International Medical Students
This disadvantage is applicable to you if you are a medical student. The acceptance rate of international medical students is low here.
-
Climate
Since you are from a country with different climatic conditions from Canada, you may face some problems related to climate. However, this problem can be overcome easily. You are advised to make the arrangement according to the climate of Calgary and other parts of Canada. You can know about the climate by doing a little research on the internet.
Besides, after you start living in Calgary, you should go for your medical checkups after regular intervals like three months or six months to maintain your health. It is not just about Calgary but in any part of the world which has a different climate than your home country, you need to follow this rule.
To Sum Up
The above-mentioned ones are the pros and cons of studying as an international student in Calgary, which will help you in taking a wise decision about studying there and making the necessary arrangements.
