Immigrating to Canada as an international student is a significant step for many people. Here are the things to do in Canada as an international student. Many international students come to this nation with the intention of staying in Canada for a longer duration of time. This journey often includes completing their education, creating a successful career, laying down roots, & building a future. 

For this specific reason, it is vital to look forward as an international student & ensure that you maintain sight of your long-term goals so that you can take the correct steps in order to set yourself up for success. 

However, one of the things to do in Canada as an international student is often undervalued. Well, it is the early foundational steps newcomers take to have a successful present as well as future. 

In simpler terms, there are certain things to do in Canada as an international student, which ultimately ensures that you are successful as an international student in the nation. Here is a list that represents five of the initial steps to success. 

  • Register At Your College/ University

Registering yourself as a student implies confirming your enrollment at the institution where you will spend the forthcoming years obtaining the education that will set you up for success in the long term. While most international students will likely have formally confirmed their registration before arriving in Canada, some aspects of the enrollment process can only be finished in person. 

As part of this procedure, foreign students will obtain their ID cards. These are critical because they offer access when seeking to utilize institution facilities, like libraries, or rent equipment from the school.

Moreover, as an additional benefit of obtaining a student ID, many stores & experiences provide discounts to Canadian post-secondary students who use their college/ university ID as proof of eligibility for these offers. This implies that registering at your educational institution can help you save money upon arriving in Canada. 

  • Figure Out Your Housing Situation

International students are often prioritized when an institution allocates on-campus housing spots to its students. Well, this is irrespective of the cost as well as other considerations, like proximity to family members & friends. This might imply that international students opt for off-campus housing instead. 

Under any of the circumstances, foreign students need to finalize their accommodations in Canada. Well, that’s because staying in Canada while pursuing your education will enable you to establish comfort & stability as a student. As a result, this will allow you to put more focus & energy into your education. 

In addition, many Canadian colleges as well as universities offer housing support for students, including housing portals & other resources. Moreover, international students can also look for rental properties through social media. 

  • Open A Bank Account 

Another one of the crucial things to do in Canada as an international student is to open a bank account. Opening a bank account will enable the student to manage their daily spending & bill payments upon arriving in Canada. Moreover, bank accounts are necessary for Canadian international students who have work authorization included with their study permit.

Canada has a variety of banks with offices & branches in most Canadian cities, along with international banks, & credit unions. In addition, many Canadian banks also have specific offers for international students. 

  • Obtain A SIN

A SIN, i.e., Social Insurance Number, is the same as a Canadian bank account. It is vital for every international student who intends to work in Canada while pursuing their education. The students can get this number at the Service Canada location closest to you in your city of residence. 

Note: One can get a SIN using a study permit as well as an international passport. This confidential number is what will enable you to get paid by your employer. 

Canada enables international students to work 20 hours a week during the school year. Moreover, it also enables students to work 40 hours per week during school breaks as well as holidays.   

  • Get A Cell Phone 

The last & one of the essential things to do in Canada as an international student is to obtain a phone number. In order to stay connected with friends & family, both internationally & locally, international students should prioritize getting a cellphone. Canada has numerous cell phone providers who offer a wide range of plans & devices at varying prices.

Whether you need unlimited calling minutes, Canada-wide texting, or twenty gigabytes of data every month, one of the nation’s cellular service providers is sure to have the plan that suits you.

The range of device & plan alternatives makes it vital to explore all the available options before committing to a specific plan. In addition, many Canadian cell phone providers also have international calling add-ons, which can be attached to their standard phone plans. 

Note: Telecom companies in this nation require consumers looking for postpaid phone plans to have an established Canadian credit score. However, some providers will provide international students with a postpaid plan in case they have a good credit score. If this is not an alternative, students might opt for prepaid plans & build their credit score until they are eligible for postpaid plans.