Why I go to a university in Canada

see also:

• Considering Canada?
• Ask a rep – Can I use U.S. financial aid in Canada?
• Ask a rep – How do I apply to a Canadian school?
• College match tool

As application time approaches, most students sort through a myriad of college guidebooks and discuss potential schools at length with high school counselors.

Guidebooks and counselors are surely helpful, but they might focus on schools in America. What many fail to consider is a trip to the north, where American students can obtain an equivalent degree for a mere fraction of the cost.

I recently completed my first year at McGill University in Montreal, one of Canada’s top-ranked schools located in perhaps its most cosmopolitan city. I can assure you that a move to Canada for postsecondary education is one of the smartest and most economical moves you can make.

You will emerge not only with a degree, but also with the knowledge that you took a bold step by moving to a different country. The exposure to new sights and sounds, fresh people and places will only enhance your academic and social experience.

Canada boasts a solid reputation for scholarly excellence as well as a strong emphasis on multiculturalism, including an official government policy welcoming international students. McGill has the highest percentage of international students out of all schools in Canada, a fact that became most obvious as I took my first walk around campus. This type of diversity fosters a sort of open-mindedness and tolerance that you will carry with you long after your studies are finished.

I moved into my dorm room last September and was taken aback by the number of Americans on my floor alone.

Samantha Kumar, a student from Washington, D.C., and one of the first people I met, explains, “I only applied to schools in Canada. I visited the University of Toronto and Queen’s University, and finally settled on McGill because of its location and vibrant student body. Canadians are so welcoming and my time here has been amazing so far!”

Through talking with Sam, I found our backgrounds to be remarkably similar and noticed that the Americans on my floor had little difficulty adjusting to the Canadian education system. Their main fear was stories they had heard about Canada’s infamous winters—unbearably cold and never-ending. Yes, the winter months do require you to dress in multiple layers and turn up the heater a few notches, but we all emerge just fine in the end!

The truth is that weather varies tremendously throughout the country. The temperature in Vancouver, in the province of British Columbia, is typically moderate with rain taking the place of snow. And cities like Toronto and Montreal offer four glorious months of warm summer weather. It’s not always cold!

If the thought of bustling streets and fast-paced city life leave you feeling awry, Canada also provides a number of mid-size and small liberal arts and science schools in smaller towns known for their sense of community and school spirit.

With more than 90 universities to choose from, you are bound to find one that fits your needs. A trip to the north for your postsecondary studies promises to be memorable. It will broaden your perspective, rescue you from the burden of heavy tuition fees and introduce you to a geographically diverse and stunning nation with one of the world’s top standards of living.

Now is the time to take risks and to try something you would have never otherwise considered. No matter where you end up, always bear this is mind: Look forward to the future, approach every situation with an open mind and remember that you are in control of your success. The Canadian system provides the foundation for a potentially incredible four years—it’s up to you to make it happen.

Marshneill Abraham is a sophomore at McGill University in Montreal.