Questions about Canada?

Question

I'm planning to move to Canada when I turn 18. Are there any good colleges there that give United States credits? Hows the government and economy? How are the people and public transportation? How is the diversity? How are the living conditions there? Is it possible to become poor and homeless there? How is...

Answer 1

Start by reading Citizenship and Immigration Canada's web site for requirements for applying for permanent residency and/or a study permit. Canada has some serious immigration requirements and most Americans would find it hard to qualify -- especially at 18 when you have no money, skills, work experience, etc. The process can also take many years.

Universities and colleges in Canada are publically funded and seating goes first to Canadian citizens. Most large universities set aside only a small number of seats -- depending upon the program -- for international students. These also pay international student tuition rates (approximately as expensive as in the United States, say $25,000 per 8 months of studies, plus living costs). Each university will have its own admission requirements and you'd need to apply to each.

I would start with Wiki for information about the Canadian government. Question is too broad to answer in a Yahoo answers reply. Economy is similiar to the US although Canada avoided most of the housing bust due to banking regulations. It's banks never needed bailouts, housing remained stable, and the economy didn't tank as badly as in the US. The federal goverment's budget is also fairly close to being balanced. Unemployment rate is at 7.8% vs. 9.2% for the US. Taxes are higher, but health care pretty much evens that out.

People is also too broad to answer. Honestly, there isn't that much of a difference between Americans and Canadians in most respects. Public transportation varies by city, but in general most Canadian cities invest in public transportation better than US most US cities.

Most of Canada is not terribly diverse. Caucasions make up 75%+ of the population. However, visible minorities are common any major city and (in general) Canada doesn't have the history of racism or serious racial problems which the United States has.

You can be poor and homeless in Canada. Most major cities will have some poor. However, most have serious drug, alcohol, or mental health issues -- rather than just being unemployed. There are shelters, food banks, community housing, etc. Canada does have a better social safety net in terms of health care, unemployment insurance, worker's compensation, welfare, retraining programs, etc. Wages, including minimum wages, also tend to be higher.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada. About five to six million people. It's definitely the most ethnically diverse city in Canada. It is also the financial capital of the country.

Answer 2

Don't plan on moving here too much just yet. Chances are you would not qualify. The standards to qualify for a residents visa make it such that you would need to have a citizenship connection (close relative who could sponsor you (OR be born to Canadian parents), a job skill that is in demand here in Canada, be an entrepreneur or otherwise qualify.

For a student visa you will need to have been accepted in a College or University program here, have the money to pay for it all and a place to live. Also, on a student visa you are very limited in any work you can do so don't plan on working your way through college up here. (And yes, if your US credits are from an accredited educational institution on par with a college or university they will generally be accepted here by Canadian Universities and Colleges)

For a work visa you need to have a job offer already and that job generally has to be one that is on the list of in demand workers which means there are not enough Canadians available to do that type of work.

People, Americans or any other nationality, cannot just move to Canada and start up some life when ever they want to without the correct visas, qualifications and authorizations. Visa and immigration requirements are all laid out at the website below.

Answer 3

Canada has many excellent colleges and Universities. Once you have been accepted by one, you must apply for a study permit and a student work permit. You will need to save enough money to study and live because you can only work a few hours a week. This is the government site with the info you need. Through this site, you can find the list of professions that we need in Canada. If you study for one of these careers, having Canadian Credentials will give you an advantage when you are ready to immigrate.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information...

Answer 4

As BW022 says, you could go to Canada at 18 on a study visa.

A college, in Canada, is a community college, no a university. Actually, since you commented, they are excellent in quality.

You won't get US credits as you will not be attending a US college.

On a study visa, you are very limited in where and how much you can work and you will pay fees that are two to three times as high as Canadians pay. This is because Canadians are subsidised by the government. If you do not complete your studies you leave.

If you study something useful, say electrical engineering but not cosmetology, you may have a chance to apply for Permanent Residency after you graduate.

Answer 5

What exactly is United States credits? with the sixth-highest Human Development Index and tenth-highest per capita income globally, Canada has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Canada has a longer life expectancy than the US, so the living conditions are better than American ones.

Here`s everything you need to know about Canada..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada

Answer 6

why do you want to move to somewhere you know nothing about???