Dd is applying for a year abroad in Canada advice please

[mazzadee]

Hi looking for any insight into Canadian university please or general advice for Canada. She is looking at Queens, UBC , McGill, McMaster and Calgary. I wondered if anyone had any experience applying for or attending any of the above or if anyone has any opinion on the best place to be in Canada.
Thanks for any replies it’s a bit daunting!

[Disney_time]

No advice on a place to go, but if this is the Erasmus programme, get saving. DS did 6 months in Paris. His grant, which hardly touched the actual expense of him being there, arrived the day he came home. It was a wonderful opportunity though and he made friends from all over the world.

[JAF]

No experience of Canadian universities but our sons went to American universities and gained a lot from the experience. It was a lot of planning but was well worth it.

We got a lot of information and help from the Fulbright Foundation which is USA and UK but not sure if there is something similar for Canada and it might be trying to find out if there is something akin to for help and guidance.

[CarolynU]

I can help with UBC as my daughter in law works there and specialises in various awareness programmes and student support. She leads a team.
If you can think of any specific questions I will ask her for you.
Vancouver is a beautiful city but expensive. UBC is a wonderful campus but outside the city itself but transport links to the city are extremely good.

[mazzadee]

Thank you everyone for your replies. It sounds expensive which we had been assured it wasn’t! Having never been to Canada or had a child live abroad before it’s knowing where to start that we are finding daunting at the moment. I appreciate everyone’s help as always.

[millerj]

My son studied here in uk but chose a course that gave him a year abroad due to the expense (even with a scholarship) he spent his 3rd year of a 4 year course in Canada on the gaspe peninsula teaching English part time. He had an amazing experience and with the money he was earning he was able to travel extensively in Canada and the US. Made lots of friends, lots of new experiences (including -37c &#129398
Erasmus were helpful for info and did supply some grants as well as mum and dad helping out. Happy to answer any questions (and he will be happy to as well as has done some advocacy work with Erasmus)

[folkie]

My Canadian niece is in her third year at Calgary. I don't really know much about the city apart from the fact that it has the Olympic long track speed skating oval (she's long track skater in the national development squad so it's perfect for her!) I do know that it's in a great location if you like getting out into the mountains, but it has surprisingly little snow for a Winter Olympics venue.
Give me a shout if you have any specific questions about the city or uni and I can ask my sister or niece for info.

[123]

Unless they can speak fluent French, Quebec isn't an option (except Montreal) as (unless changed very recently) they lecture in French.

Toronto is very good for university.

Also Erasmus no longer exists for UK students it is now Turing (the Brexit version of Erasmus), but unfortunately despite having now had 5 years to get the scheme ready, precious little is known about it

[folkie]

What subject does she want to study? My sister is a director at NSERC, the branch of the Canadian government that awards science research grants and scholarships, so if she’s going to study a science subject I should be able to find out where’s good to be.

[parisdisneyfan]

What a great experience! My dd spent 3 summers just outside Toronto working at a kids camp for kids with special needs. She had great times. She did this to help with her OT degree over here.

We have had 2 holidays around Banff in Alberta which is less than 2 hours from Calgary. Absolutely beautiful and very friendly place, we are looking forward to going back😁 Preferred it to the US😳

Just opinions as have no info to help your actual questions. Good luck to your dd.