Immigration Canada

Hoping to study in Canada? Read these inspiring testimonials from overseas students

English: The new terminal 1 building check-in hall at Toronto Pearson International Airport in July 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hamilton Spectator

If you’re a foreign student who’s looking for the experience of a lifetime by studying in Canada, Instec International Homestay of Hamilton, Ontario offers the following inspiring testimonials from international students.

Living and studying in Canada allows you to immerse yourself in a rich, diverse culture and, if you don’t already speak English, learn English as a Second Language (ESL). To study inCanada, you’ll need to meet the necessary criteria put forth by the Government of Canada for overseas students. Many have made the journey successfully. Read the praise other students have had for studying in Canada:

“When I first arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a Canadian immigration officer asked me what school I would be attending. My English wasn’t good at the time; all I knew is that it was a public high school in a city west of Toronto. But after one year studying in Glendale Secondary School, I passed my ESL (English as a Second Language) and was very confident with my English. In my second year in Highland Secondary School, I scored an average of 97 percent on my four courses! I was also champion of the Fermat Contest and Euclid Contest. For this, I say, Thank you!” – Philip Song

“I learned a lot since I came to Hamilton. I learned not only the language and knowledge, but also about the lifestyle in Canada. You have to ask, what hurts more, the pain of hard work or the pain of regret?” – Jerry Luo

“When I first came to Canada, I only ordered those foods that were easy to pronounce, even though I didn’t like them. After two years of study in Hamilton public high school, I got an offer from the Accounting and Financial Management Co-op Program, University of Waterloo.” – Zhang

“Overseas study helped me to grow up faster and be responsible for myself.” – Victoria Huang

“I am lucky that I live with my host family. They are so nice! I cannot imagine how I could live in Canada without their help! … I chose to stay with my host family when I got my offer letter from McMaster University.” – Jiaqi Hu

“My mom accompanied me when I first landed in Toronto three years ago. Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School offered me so many opportunities that I really appreciate. I practiced my English and joined different group tours in my three years of study… Get out of the comfort zone!” – Holly Ren

To learn more about studying in Canada as an International student, contact Instec International Homestay by calling 905-515-7281.

Instec International is located in Hamilton, a major city in the province of Ontario. Hamilton has plenty of modern amenities and is situated between Niagara Falls, Ontario and Toronto – Canada’s largest metropolitan centre.

Instec International Student is located at Unit RC7, 12 Walnut St South, Hamilton, ON , L8N 2K7

7 top countries of origin of new Canadians

Between 2004 and 2013, based on records available from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, more than a million people came to Canada to seek a new life. But where did they come from? This question can offer insight into cultural understanding of the origins of several new Canadians as well how communities can connect. Here is a list of the top countries people emigrated to establish their home in Canada.

1. PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

People’s Republic of China

The most populous country in the world has also given Canada the largest chunk of our new citizens. In the last decade measured 2004 to 2013, 326,067 Chinese people became permanent residents and/or citizens of Canada.

2. INDIA

The second most populous country in the world also takes the second place for the source of new Canadians. Between 2004 to 2013, 310,513 Indians became Canadians.

3. PHILIPPINES

From the tropical island nation that is the Philippines to second-largest – mostly frigid – country that is Canada, 263,076 took the leap across the Pacific to find better opportunities for themselves and their families. Goes to show weather isn’t a vital aspect when choosing to build a new life.

4. PAKISTAN

Suffering from overpopulation, corruption, poverty, illiteracy and terrorism, many Pakistanis have fled the country seeking safety and security. In the past decade, 105,283 Pakistanis made Canada their home.

5. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Some of our neighbours down south don’t mind the cold weather as 85,848 Americans settled in Canada in the last decade. The two North American countries share the longest land border in the world as well as similar economic and cultural elements so it’s difficult to pinpoint immigration motives. Must be the free health care!

6. UNITED KINGDOM

It seems the British are still crossing the pond to settle in the colonies. In the last decade, 74,951 British nationals settled in Canada. With a common heritage and common language, Canada seems like a comfortable choice.

7. IRAN

The Islamic Republic of Iran doesn’t quite offer the most individual freedoms in the world and recent sanctions have forced a lot of economic hardship on citizens. Between 2004 to 2013, 73,474 Iranians settled in Canada, while in 2012 the federal government closed its Canadian embassy in Tehran.

Source: http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5597423-7-top-countries-of-origin-of-new-canadians/

Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Loans Pilot Project

North Lake harbour in eastern Prince Edward Island looking north onto the Gulf of St. Lawrence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The FCR Loans Pilot Project assists with the credential recognition process and sourcing suitable employment for new immigrants. The programme was a pilot project, which will become permanent. The project addresses the unfortunate situation that many new immigrants experience in not having the financial ability for training or taking licensing examinations for regulated professions, as they lack the requisite credit history to obtain bank loans in Canada.

A regulated profession or trade is one that is governed by a provincial, territorial or sometimes federal authority, in which certain entry requirements and standards of practice are used to assess the qualifications and certify, register or license an individual as a qualified applicant. Examples of regulated occupations include engineers, as well as nurses, doctors, teachers, accountants and electricians.

The loans are provided by nine organisations across Canada, including:

* WIL Employment Connections, in Ontario;

* Association Communautaire d'emprunt de Montréal (ACEM), in Quebec;

* Immigrant Access Fund, in Alberta;

* Immigrant Access Fund, in Saskatchewan;

* SEED Winnipeg Inc., in Manitoba;

* S.U.C.C.E.S.S in British Columbia;

* New Brunswick Multicultural Council Inc;

* Canada Microcredit Educators Group, in Prince Edward Island; and

* Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia.

Eligibility

Eligible Candidates are:

* Canadian citizens or permanent residents, residing in the applicable province;

* In possession of

a professional credential/designation or trades-related certificate obtained in a country other than Canada;

* Credit-worthy for credentialing purposes; and

* Limited with regards to Canadian experience in the related field due to a lack of foreign credentials.

Eligible costs of the project include tuition for short-term (two years or less) training; exam fees with a professional governing association; travel expenses to write an exam; qualification assessments fees; professional association fees; books and course materials; and living allowance during study time.

Benefits

The benefits of the programme include:

* Loans ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 for successful candidates.

* The loan application process can take approximately two weeks.

* There are no fees to apply for the FCR Loan.

* Security is not required for the loan.

* Repayment terms from one year to two years.

* A six-month interest-free grace period.

* Low interest rates (prime rate, plus one per cent).

* Options to save interest by making payments more frequently and within the grace period.

* Flexible monthly payment schedule.