By admin (September 30, 2024)
Common Mistakes Made by International Students in Canada
It is interesting to note that studying abroad presents opportunities riddled with problems, and every student going abroad will face it. Thousands of students are received yearly in Canada, which is one of the most popular countries for pursuing further education. Still, despite this opportunity and an excellent academic environment, many make quite typical mistakes that affect their study experience as well as even immigration status.
In this article, we’ll be discussing some of these common mistakes and offer some solutions that would make it easy for international students in Canada to get through their academic journey with few unnecessary troubles.
Not Understanding Immigration Regulations Properly
Probably one of the most common mistakes made by international students in Canada is not knowing the immigration and visa regulations in full. While generally straightforward, Canada’s immigration policies bring with them certain rules and regulations connected with work permits, study permits, and visa extensions.
Most international students have the perception in Canada that they can do as much work as possible, yet the law only allows such to be done up to 20 hours in a week during the time when the sessions are on. Violation of this rule leads to very dire consequences, like deportation.
Failure to Obtain Health Insurance Requirement
All students from other countries in Canada are subject to health insurance. Most students fail to take any or decline to renew it after arriving. Health care in Canada can be very expensive and may place significant financial burdens on someone without proper insurance.
Health insurance is integrated into the fees of many provinces; others provide private insurance, which has to be purchased separately by students.
Lack of Proper Financial Planning
A country known to provide high-quality education, it probably falls under the upper scale for most students. Cost of living underestimation is also one of the common mistakes Canadian international students will ever make. Cost of accommodation, food, transportation, and books can also become excessive at a very fast pace.
But, on the other hand, part-time work and thus financial independence remain one of the main reasons for students’ over-reliance on it. As it was mentioned above, working hours are restricted, and there is almost no job for an international student.
One should come up with a detailed budget before their arrival in Canada. Canada international students should look out for grants, scholarships, and acquire financial aids to ease the burden of their pocket. It is also convenient if at least some savings is done by students before getting there since they may necessarily need it in some unexpected expenses that occur.
Failure to Adapt to the Canadian Education System
An education system may be in stark contrast to the mother countries of the students. In class, Canadian universities stress much self study and critical thinking, with active participation in discussions from the student body. Some find it difficult to adjust to its systems because of structured learning environments in their home country.
Other problems some students encounter are appropriation and academic integrity infractions, especially if they have never met strict reference rules or value for originality in their previous education systems.
Social Isolation and Mental Health Neglect
International students, who are separated from their families and loved ones, face different cultural systems, and have to cope with pressure from academics are lonely, disconnected, and isolated. International students in Canada are often unable to develop any meaningful relationships and are characterised by mental health disorders.
This can also be attributed to the climate in Canada, and especially in winter time. Students coming from warmer climes find it rather difficult to endure the severe cold, and this condition Seasonal Affective Disorder addresses becomes relevant.
and attend any available social event to connect. Most universities also offer access to resources and counselling services on mental health.
Mismanagement of Time
Effective time management is one of those skills that many students in Canada would need to learn. Combining coursework, a part-time job, and social activities can be quite demanding. Therefore, they procrastinate and end up performing awful academically.
Others over engage themselves in extracurricular activities to the extent that little time is left for studying or taking care of themselves.
Students in Canada should ensure that they make an impartial schedule and manage their work responsibly. For instance, this could be made possible through using planners, to do lists, or applications for managing time to stay on top of things and organise their workload better.
Lack of Networking and Career Planning
One of the most significant parts of the successful completion of a career in Canada is networking. While most students in Canada will focus solely on academic performance, networking among professional circles is highly undervalued. Without it, it is hard to find an internship or a full-time job after graduation.
There is an opportunity to use the employment services offered at the university where one studies. One can seek internship opportunities or job sources during the career fairs, networking events, or seeking with help of professors and other industry professionals. Another good move would be starting to plan careers a little earlier than when it is almost time for graduation.
Poor Research Before Selecting a Study Program
The third common mistake of international students in Canada is not doing proper research before making a choice of study program. Some students go for popular programs because of the fame of universities or the reputations rather than their careers or the job market in Canada.
This usually leads to disappointment with the program chosen for, particularly when the student cannot find a job in Canada after graduation.
Before entry into any program, there should be knowledge by international students of the job market and career prospects. There should also be knowledge of what is offered in content together with what to expect in the program. Speaking with the current students or alumni and advice from academic advisors are also beneficial.
Not Taking Advantage of Cooperative Education and Internship Opportunities
Many Canadian undergraduate and postgraduate courses allow, internship, or experiential based education. Through this course, students gain practical work experience in the chosen field of study. Unfortunately, many international students in Canada miss this chance and afterward lose the required industry experience.
Students in Canada should be looking for internship placements during their time at school. Not only do these placements enhance their resume, but they also give students an opportunity to build a professional network and obtain that hands-on experience invaluable when beginning to look for work.
Lack of Preparation for the Canadian Workplace
The Canadian work culture may be quite different from what students coming to study in Canada are used to at home. It is of utmost significance that you learn the workplace norms, which range from punctuality to style of communication and workplace, for success in the workplace.
International students in Canada should spend some time learning about Canadian work culture by attending workshops or seminars and interacting with local professionals. In this way, they would be better equipped to adapt themselves to the atmosphere of their internships or jobs through the knowledge they gain pertaining to office protocol.
Studies in Canada are very rewarding, but to prevent making these common errors that would detract from success, students in Canada must pay attention to the common errors of the international students. By understanding the visa regulations, financial planning, change towards a culture of its education system, as well as building strong supportive networks, they will make apt use of their time.
Avoiding these mistakes will not only improve their academic journey but also put a proper base for their future careers. There is much to be known about Canada, and with the right approach, students can really make their dreams come true.