Canada Campus Visits Canada

Canada Requires Negative COVID Tests From Incoming Travellers

Source: Transport Canada

The Canadian government has stated that as of January 7, 2021, all travellers entering Canada over the age of five must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight. This rule applies to anyone planning on entering the country, from international students to Canadian citizens.

Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. We need to continue to be vigilant, and we need to continue to take action to reduce the risks of spreading the virus by air travel. This new interim order will help protect Canadians and air travellers.”

Results have to be from either a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) test. The test also has to have been conducted no more than 72 hours before the flight. Upon entering Canada all entrants will still have to enter the required two-week quarantine, as outlined in the Canadian Quarantine Act.

According to Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, “These new measures do not replace any of the previous measures we have put in place to protect Canadians. All travellers must still quarantine for 14 days after they arrive unless explicitly exempt… If anyone doesn’t follow the quarantine requirements, they could face severe penalties.”

With international travel to Canada contributing to the rise of coronavirus cases and new, more contagious strains of the virus being discovered, it is hoped that these measures can help plank the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Canada.

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Canada Campus Visits Canada

Canada Remains Committed to International Students

Image Credit: CEA Study Abroad

Sources: The Government of Canada, University World News, Academica Top Ten

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the Fall 2020 semester across Canadian colleges and universities, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been working so international students who were approved to come to the country can still begin their study abroad programs from home.

Travel restrictions were previously eased for students that had already secured study permits. Since then we have seen international students already in Canada be granted the ability to work up to 40 hours each week in order to help them earn more and bolster the numbers of individuals working in essential services.

For students still in the application stage of coming to Canada, IRCC recently announced that they will not turn away students who are unable to provide certain required documents. Recent graduates applying for their work permits are also receiving a similar benefit.

It is clear that the Canadian government values the role that overseas students play in both their economy and culturally diverse society. By working with higher education institutions to re-imagine the study abroad experience, they hope to encourage foreign students to pursue their dreams of seeing the world while furthering their education.

Canada Campus Visits Canada, Study and live in Canada

Canada Grants Travel Exemption to International Students

Traveling Mindy Kaling GIF by HULU - Find & Share on GIPHY

Source: ICEF Monitor | Image: Hulu

In mid-March, the Canadian government announced a series of travel restrictions aimed to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus. These new rules, similar to those introduced in other countries, left international students in an uncertain position. Would students with study permits be able to enter Canada if they had been traveling or had not yet arrived in the country?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has recently clarified the situation:

“Exemptions to the air travel restrictions will apply to foreign nationals who have already committed to working, studying or making Canada their home, and travel by these individuals will be considered essential travel for land border restrictions.”

Students who had either already been granted or approved for a study permit prior to restrictions coming into place would be able to cross the border. Those entering Canada will have to remain in self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival as a precaution in order to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

Ways To Adjust After Moving To A New City

Source: Mashable | Image Credit: Tumblr

It should come as no surprise that making the decision to study abroad can greatly impact your life. The quality of your post-secondary education, your career opportunities and the number of likes your photos get on social media can all increase as a result of overseas experience. However none of this changes the fact that you will need to adjust after shifting to a new city or country.

Laura Byager recently published a list of tips that helped her cope after moving from Copenhagen to London. She suggests that after moving, you should:

  • Be truthful about your feelings
  • Remember that you don’t have to do things just to fit it
  • Get to know your new surroundings
  • Dive into local culture
  • Get enough exercise
  • Remind yourself why you decided to travel
  • Know that it doesn’t have to be forever

Canada Campus Visits Helps Ease Your Transition

If you are serious about completing your education in a foreign country but are hesitant about facing culture shock upon your arrival, Canada Campus Visits is for you. Our campus tours do more than just show you the different facilities on college or university campuses. We take you to different cities in Canada and give you the opportunity to see what they are like first-hand. By seeing what the atmosphere and culture of a campus is like, students will be better prepared when they embark on their study abroad adventure in their new home.

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

Why Is “Country Counting” So Popular At Universities?

via GIPHY

Source: Study International

“What’s your country count?” seems to be a question increasingly asked to international students while studying abroad. It refers to the number of countries someone has traveled to and is usually asked by people trying to find out if others share a passion for seeing the world.

While studying overseas, it can be wise to visit nearby countries if your class schedule and budget allows it. However we advise against visiting other nations just to impress others. If you made the choice to pursue a higher education in a foreign place, you likely already see the value of discovering new lands and understand that the number of countries you’ve visited doesn’t necessarily relate to how many memories you’ve made. You won’t go wrong by simply enjoying the place you’re in and immersing yourself in your new surroundings.

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad

Source: Orange Is the New Black, Nerd Wallet

A student who made the decision to travel abroad and pursue higher education recently published an article highlighting some of the things I wish he had known prior to beginning his journey. We recommend it to students looking to study in Canada who are in need of a few extra tips.

Location Isn’t Always Everything: Regardless the campus you choose, you’re going to find ways to enjoy yourself. Book a campus tour, see the institutions you like and don’t stress out about whether every single second of your time spent there will be perfect.

Know Why You Want to Study Abroad: Ask yourself what you truly hope to get out of your time abroad. Are you aiming to gain international experience to benefit your career or explore a new part of the world while seeing the sites? Knowing this will help you make decisions going forward.

Get a Travel Rewards Credit Card: Many credit cards and financial institutions will charge you extra fees for overseas transactions. Finding a credit card that avoids this situation while helping your earn cash back on travel related purchases will help your savings last the duration of the trip.

Take Less Pictures: Experiencing the place you’re studying in doesn’t have to go hand-in-hand with snapping hundreds of photographs. Try to explore while doing less picture taking. Instagram likes are fine but having stories you can tell is always better.

Leave the City: Don’t be afraid to stray from the beaten path from time to time. Big cities and tourist attractions will likely be the first places you want to visit but remember that smaller towns have plenty of charm too.

Canada Campus Visits Campus Life

Keeping Your Cool While Studying Abroad

Source: Disney, Study & Go Abroad

Spending time abroad is fun but can be difficult to do when you’re trying to complete your education in a new country. Your study abroad experience may not always go as smoothly as you expect but here are a couple of tips to keep you as stress free as possible.

Swap your Scenery: Whether it’s a coffee shop, on public transit or in a park, don’t be a afraid to come out of your room to study in a new environment. A bit of fresh air never hurts when cramming for a test.

Seek Help When You Need It: New countries and new campuses make for new challenges galore. Should you need assistance with anything, your friends, student counselors and faculty members are usually more than willing to help. Those closest to you want to see you succeed so never be afraid to reach out to them.

 

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

5 Ways to Make Your Travels More Meaningful

Source: Giphy, Study and Go Abroad

Every traveler wants to go on adventures that are important. Travel is an experience that can change your life and studying abroad is no different. In fact, getting an education overseas may be one of the most important adventures you ever go on because of the impact the trip can have on your future. To make the most of your travels, here are a few tips from a recent article:

  • Read and Research
  • Learn the Language
  • Intern Abroad
  • Reduce Your Environmental Impact
  • Choose Wisely

Canada Campus Visits can help you with the first and last entries on this list. Our familiarization tours provide future international students with authentic experiences of campuses and cities that travel magazines and blogs simply can’t. Why read about what a college or university might be like before you study overseas when you can actually spend time in multiple campuses? Make an informed decision and reserve your place on an upcoming Canada Campus Visits tour.

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

Untold Secrets of Study Abroad

Source: College Tourist

While studying overseas can seem like the adventure of a lifetime, it may not always be as fun as it looks online. A recent article examined five common challenges faced by students spending time in foreign countries.

Your Adventure, Their Way: Everyone will have an opinion on how best you should travel. From where you are staying to what you should be going to see during your free time. There isn’t one way to do things and at the end of the day, you need to experience your new environment in whatever way makes you feel most comfortable.

There’s No Place Like Home: There’s always the possibility that even after your initial campus visit, the institution where you choose to study may not feel like the best fit. No matter what, you should try your hardest to make the best of your time there. The international experience you gain while abroad will benefit you in the long run.

Doing It For the ‘Gram: Your time spent traveling may not always come off as glamorous as it does on the social networks of your friends. Your adventure is unique to you and you don’t need to constantly be comparing it to what you see others doing.

Living for Likes: Not everything you do needs to be documented on social media. It’s important to step away from your mobile device and actually experience your new surroundings. Your loved ones back home will probably want to hear stories from your trip more than they want a link to your online photo album.

Relationships Are Complicated, As Usual: Whether you’re trying to maintain a long-distance relationship or meet someone new overseas, dating is hard. Manage your expectations and be honest with what you want from your significant other. To our knowledge, most travel insurance packages don’t cover broken hearts.