For reference when studying abroad in Canada. We have compiled information on the attractions of major cities and JAL's special campaigns.

In this article, we have summarized the latest information on studying abroad in Canada and the characteristics of cities that are popular as study abroad destinations. At the end, we will also introduce the great deals that JAL offers to international students, so be sure to check it out.

What is the impact of COVID-19? Latest information on studying in Canada

First, I will introduce the changes to entry conditions that have been made due to the effects of COVID-19.

In the case of Canada, Japanese nationals are exempt from a visa for entry, but a study permit is required to study, and a work permit is required to work. As of the time of writing (May 16, 2022), those who meet the following conditions are allowed to enter the country.

Being fully vaccinated means having received two doses of a vaccine approved by the Canadian government within 14 days prior to entering the country. At the time of writing, this includes vaccines from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and others.

There is no need to obtain a negative test result before entering the country, or to restrict activities or undergo quarantine after entering the country.

Table: Conditions for entering Canada (as of May 13, 2022)​ ​(*)

*Reference: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Website: "Entry restrictions and conditions for entry and restrictions on activities of various countries and regions for travelers from Japan and Japanese nationals related to the novel coronavirus"

Many schools in Canada have resumed in-person classes, but not all schools are accepting international students.

Only schools with a DLI (Designated Learning Institute) number, whose coronavirus countermeasure plans have been approved by the Canadian government, can accept international students. Schools with DLI numbers are updated regularly on the official website of the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Agency (IRCC), so if you have a candidate school, be sure to check it out.

What are the best cities in Canada for studying abroad? Characteristics of major cities

Canada has several cities that are popular study abroad destinations.

Each city has different systems for accepting international students, as well as its customs and climate, so be sure to check in advance.

*The above costs are just a guide. Please note that they may vary depending on the exchange rate at the time of study abroad.

Vancouver

Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada. It is home to Vancouver International Airport, where JAL also operates, and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Vancouver, where more than half of the population speaks a language other than English, is known for having many friendly people who are accepting of different cultures. There are also many Asian immigrants, including Japanese, and you will often see signs in Japanese when walking around the city. Information aimed at Japanese people is easy to obtain, so even those with little overseas experience will have little trouble living here. There are also a wide variety of language schools, making it easy to choose a school and program that suits your level.

Another reason it is a popular study abroad destination is its pleasant climate. Although it is located further north than Hokkaido, it is warmer than other parts of Canada due to the influence of warm currents. Many people think of Canada as a snowy country, but in Vancouver, snow rarely accumulates in the city (※).

*Reference: Japan Meteorological Agency "Average Data"

On the other hand, one concern about studying abroad in Vancouver is the relatively high cost of living. Vancouver has one of the highest rents in Canada. Transportation and dining out costs are also higher than in other cities.

However, there are many language schools, some of which are affordable. The estimated cost of studying abroad in Vancouver is around 200,000 to 450,000 yen per month.

<Table>Reference information for studying abroad in Vancouver

*Reference: Expatistan.com

Victoria

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, located in the westernmost part of Canada. The cityscape still retains the atmosphere of the British colonial era, and is also known as the "Garden City" because of the abundance of flowers throughout the city. It is a popular retirement destination in Canada, and is characterized by the large number of seniors living there. It has good public safety and a laid-back atmosphere.

Nearly 80% of the residents are Canadian, so you will have many opportunities to be exposed to unaccented English. There are also few Japanese international students, so you can avoid the situation of "studying abroad, but only speaking Japanese when you're with Japanese people..."​

Like Vancouver, the city has a warm climate in Canada. The average temperature is around 18°C in summer and 6°C in winter, making it a comfortable climate all year round.

Another attractive feature of Canada is the low cost of living. As shown in the table below, not only rent and commuter passes are cheap, but the average price of lunch is also cheap.

Table: Comparison of prices in Victoria and Vancouver​ ​(※)

*Reference: Expatistan.com

However, there are not many language schools. With fewer schools, there is less price competition, so the cost of studying abroad is not much different from other cities, at around 250,000 to 450,000 yen per month. If you want to live in a shared house while studying abroad, the rent is cheap, so you can keep the cost of studying abroad lower than in other cities.

Table: Reference information for studying abroad in Victoria

*Reference: Expatistan.com

Calgary

Calgary is a city that is popular for winter sports and ecotourism. Located at the foot of the Canadian Rockies and at a high altitude, the city is characterized by extreme temperature differences throughout the day. In summer, the maximum temperature can reach over 30°C, and in winter, the minimum temperature can drop below -20°C. Summer is dry and comfortable, but it is essential to take measures against the cold in winter. Winter sports are also popular, and the city has been chosen as a venue for the Winter Olympics. This is recommended for those who want to enjoy winter sports such as skiing in Canada while studying the language.

The public safety in Canada is said to be particularly good, so even first-time travelers are unlikely to get into trouble.

However, there are fewer Japanese students here than in Vancouver, so it is more suited to those who want to improve their English while interacting with locals, rather than those who feel lonely without Japanese people.

Another attraction of Calgary is that prices are cheaper than other cities. Because Calgary is exempt from provincial sales tax, the consumption tax in other cities is around 12%, but in Calgary it is only 5%. In terms of transportation, there is a free section called a "free zone" on the C-Train streetcar that runs through the center of Calgary.

Living expenses and transportation costs are low, making it a financially attractive city for those considering long-term study abroad. However, because there aren't many schools, the cost of studying abroad is around 250,000 to 450,000 yen per month, which is about the same as or slightly cheaper than in big cities.

Table: Reference information for studying abroad in Calgary

*Reference: Expatistan.com

Toronto

Toronto is the largest city in Canada with the largest population. It is also the economic center and is home to the headquarters of many domestic Canadian companies. There are also many branches of Japanese and multinational companies, so you will see people from many different countries when walking around the city.

Toronto has many foreign neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Koreatown, and Little Italy, so you can learn English while being exposed to cultures and values from around the world.

Another feature of Toronto is the large number of language schools and universities. There are also libraries with free Wi-Fi in the city, making it a great place to study. There are also many Japanese international students, which is reassuring for those visiting Canada or overseas for the first time.

Toronto has four seasons, but the winters are long and the temperatures remain below freezing. Winter lasts from October to April, and it is not uncommon for the temperature to drop to minus 20°C in January and February. Summers are comfortable, but the winters are very cold, which can make you sick.

Prices are as high as in Vancouver, with lunch costing over 2,000 yen. The average cost of studying abroad is around 300,000 to 600,000 yen per month.

<Table>Reference information for studying abroad in Toronto

*Reference: Expatistan.com

Montreal

Montreal is the second largest city in Canada after Toronto, and the province of Quebec, in which Montreal is located, is the only province in Canada where French is the official language.

Most people living in Montreal speak French as their first language, so it is popular to be able to learn French as well as English.

It is also a city that leads North American culture, and the largest film festival in North America, the Montreal World Film Festival, is held in late August to early September. It is also famous as the base of Cirque du Soleil.

Although there are not many Japanese international students in the city, it is also known as an area with many universities and language schools. As a result, there are many properties such as shared apartments that are easy for students to live in.

Montreal's climate is characterized by extreme temperature differences throughout the year. In summer, the maximum temperature can reach 30°C, while in winter, the minimum temperature can drop to minus 30°C. The humidity is not as high as in Japan, so summers are comfortable, but it is essential to take measures to protect yourself from the cold in winter.

Prices are cheaper than in Toronto and Vancouver. As shown in the table below, average rent and lunch prices are cheaper than in Victoria, where prices are also low.

Table: Comparison of prices in Montreal, Victoria, and Vancouver (※)

*Reference: Expatistan.com

The average cost of studying abroad is about 250,000 to 350,000 yen per month. Since the cost of living is lower in this city than in other cities, if you are planning to study abroad for a long period of time, the cost per month may be even cheaper.

<Table>Reference information for studying abroad in Montreal

*Reference: Expatistan.com

Cost of studying in Canada

There are over 400 language schools in Canada, and costs vary greatly depending on which school you attend. Please use the following as a guide.

Table: Estimated cost of studying in Canada

The above table shows the total cost of tuition, accommodation, travel and food. Each will be explained in more detail below.

*The above costs are just a guide. Please note that they may vary depending on the exchange rate at the time of study abroad.

Tuition

Tuition is roughly 100,000 yen per month. For university-affiliated language schools, the average tuition is around 1,000,000 to 1,700,000 yen per year.

These are just estimates, and prices can vary greatly depending on the school. Even at the same school, tuition fees can vary depending on the number of classes and programs, so if you want to keep tuition fees down, we recommend getting quotes from multiple schools.

In addition to tuition fees, there are also enrolment fees and textbook fees.

Table: Estimated admission fees and textbook fees

hotel expenses

The average cost of living is around 60,000 to 100,000 yen per month. Although it depends on the city you stay in, in the case of studying abroad, it will usually be less than 100,000 yen per month.

Table: Estimated costs by type of accommodation

As shown in the table above, if you only look at accommodation costs, a shared house is the cheapest option. However, homestays and student dormitories generally include two meals a day in the cost of living, so when you consider the total cost of living, a shared house will often be more expensive.

While cost is important, it is recommended that you choose your accommodation based on the type of lifestyle you want to live while studying abroad in Canada.

Food expenses

Food expenses will likely cost around 20,000 to 50,000 yen per month.

As mentioned above, homestays and student dormitories often include two meals a day, so food costs are kept low. On the other hand, in shared houses, you have to prepare your own meals, so food costs tend to be higher.

The trick to keeping food costs low while studying abroad in Canada is to cook your own meals. Canada has a tipping culture, so the more you eat out, the higher your food costs will be.

In addition to food, you will need to pay for daily necessities, transportation, and communication costs, so you should expect to spend around 40,000 to 70,000 yen per month on living expenses in addition to your accommodation.

Travel expenses

The average cost of travel from Japan to Canada is around 100,000 to 200,000 yen round trip.

Prices tend to be cheaper from October to early December, sometimes falling below 100,000 yen. On the other hand, there are a lot of tourists from July to September, so it can cost over 200,000 yen.

One way to reduce travel costs is to use flights that stop in China, Hong Kong, or South Korea. If it's cheap, you can purchase a round-trip ticket for around 60,000 yen.

In addition, JAL (Japan Airlines) sells "reservation changeable tickets" for international students, so be sure to check it out.

Other expenses

In addition to the costs introduced so far, you will need to pay additional fees such as overseas study insurance, entertainment expenses, pocket money, and airport pick-up fees.

Table: Estimated overseas study insurance and airport pick-up fees

Overseas study insurance is insurance in case of illness or injury. Since Japanese insurance does not apply overseas, hospitalization or surgery can cost hundreds of thousands of yen. It is not uncommon for a visit to the hospital for a cold or injury to cost tens of thousands of yen, so it is recommended that you take out insurance just in case.

The airport pick-up fee is not mandatory. However, if you are not used to traveling abroad, you should ask your study abroad agency or language school to pick you up at the airport so that you can start your study abroad life smoothly.

Which is right for you? How to study in Canada

There are several options for studying in Canada.

Make sure you check each option to see which is the best way to study abroad for you.

Language Study

Language study abroad is studying English at a private school or a language school attached to a university. Since you can enroll regardless of your language level, it is popular among working adults and seniors.

Private language schools are characterized by the number of lessons and flexibility in schedules. Some schools even have Japanese staff on-site, so even first-time students can attend with peace of mind.

The advantage of language schools affiliated with universities is that you can take classes on the university campus. In many cases, you can freely use university facilities such as libraries and sports facilities. You can also interact with students living in Canada, so it is recommended for those who want to interact with local students.

Short-term study abroad

In Canada, there are schools that offer short-term study abroad programs lasting from one week.

The appeal of short-term study abroad is that you can combine your vacations. Students can study abroad during long vacations such as summer and spring breaks. This is recommended for people who want to experience studying abroad at least once or who want to study abroad but are worried about a long period of time.

The cost of short-term study abroad is approximately 100,000 yen per week plus travel expenses.

Also, just like when entering the country as a tourist, you will need to obtain an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which costs C$7.

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The day when we can travel abroad freely is slowly approaching. I'm sure many of you are starting to think about destinations, sightseeing plans, and travel goods...

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University Study Abroad

As the name suggests, studying abroad at a university in Canada is a way to study.

There are two ways to earn a university degree in four years, or to earn an associate degree by completing a two-year undergraduate course. After graduation, you can apply for a work permit for up to three years, so it is also recommended for those who are aiming to find work in Canada.

However, studying abroad at a university requires a level of English proficiency that allows you to write university reports. The standard for a four-year university is TOEFL iBT88-100 or IELTS 6.5-7.0 (※).
*Reference: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN "Country and Region Guide Canada"

As long as you can meet the English proficiency requirements, Japanese universities, the Japanese government, local governments, and private companies are recruiting scholarship students, and if you are selected as a scholarship student, you can study abroad at a low cost.

The cost of studying at a university in Canada is approximately 2 million yen per year.

Graduate School

Canada also offers graduate school study abroad programs where you can earn a master's degree in two years.

Canada is highly regarded worldwide for its fields of medicine, bioengineering, communications, and computers. After obtaining a master's degree, you can study and work in North America, so it is recommended for those who want to work in Canada or the United States in the future.

However, you must have enough English skills to take classes at a Japanese university in English, including not only reading and writing, but also listening and speaking skills.

The cost of studying abroad at a graduate school is roughly 1.5 to 4 million yen per year. The cost varies greatly depending on the field you choose to study in.

Leave of absence/certified study abroad

"Studying abroad while taking a leave of absence" refers to studying abroad while taking a leave of absence from university. "Certified study abroad" is a system in which credits earned while studying abroad are recognized as graduation credits for a Japanese university. Each university determines the study abroad destinations eligible for the certified study abroad system.

The appeal of studying abroad while at university is that you can use your study abroad experience to start job hunting in Japan as a new graduate.

However, taking a leave of absence incurs fees set by the university, so be sure to check in advance. Most universities charge around 100,000 yen for a year's leave of absence, but there are also universities that charge no fees and universities that charge over 200,000 yen.

Skill-up study abroad

Another option is to study abroad in Canada to improve your skills, not just learn a language, but also study a specialized field that interests you.

In Canada, there are many language schools that also have vocational schools attached, so you can take specialized programs after studying English.

Specifically, they include business management, hospitality, business communication, etc. Programs that teach business English are popular among those who wish to find work overseas.

IEC Working Holiday

A working holiday allows you to stay and work in Canada for one year. In Canada, this is a program called the "IEC (International Experience Canada) Working Holiday."

Although the period of study is limited to six months, you are able to work locally, giving you the experience of immigrating.

In the case of Canada, Japanese nationals are exempt from a visa to enter the country, but a work permit is required if they wish to work.

For those who want to not only study English but also work locally, a working holiday is a good option.

internship

There are also paid internships available in Canada.

Co-op programs allow you to study and work in Canada at the same time. There are one-year programs (6 months of classroom study + 6 months of work) and two-year programs (1 year of classroom study + 1 year of work).

Co-op programs allow students to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week, which is a great feature for those who want to gain work experience in the local area as well as study the language.

In order to do an internship in Canada, you need a certain level of English proficiency. In some cases, you may need to submit an IELTS or TOEIC score when applying. Depending on the school, you may be required to take an online entrance test.

High school study abroad

If you are a high school student, one option is to study abroad at a public high school in Canada.

In Canada, where there are many immigrants, many high schools offer English language classes for people whose first language is not English. The unique feature of these classes is that students can study English while taking local high school subjects.

According to data released by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Canada was the second most popular study abroad destination for high school students in 2017, with 937 students (1,151 students from the United States) (*).
*Reference: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology "Status of international exchange in high schools, etc." (2017)

If you are studying abroad in high school, you will be staying in a homestay. This will be a great experience for you as you will be able to experience local life.

Please note that enrollment begins in September, so the start and end dates are different from those of Japanese high schools.

For higher education programs, you will be able to apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) upon "graduating" or "completing" a regular program of eight months or more that earns a certificate or diploma.

A strong ally. Introducing support services for international students

In addition to agents offering study abroad programs, Japan also has a wide range of services to support you in your studies.

Here we will introduce JAL's services for U25s and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's study abroad promotion campaign, "Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN."

JAL's U25-only Spring Break Mile Giveaway Campaign

JAL (Japan Airlines) sells "reservation changeable tickets." Even if you haven't decided on your return date, you can change the date and time at no extra charge. This allows you to fulfill your wish to "do a bit more sightseeing before returning home."

In addition, the "Boarding Bonus Mile Campaign" is being held between February 1 and March 31, 2023 (flight date) and is limited to those aged 18 to 25. Those who board international flights operated by JL to and from Japan will receive 2,000 miles per sector. For example, if you use the campaign to travel to Vancouver, you can earn 8,682 miles round trip in addition to the regular flight miles.

U25-only Spring Break Mile Giveaway Campaign

Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN Scholarship Grants

"Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN" is a study abroad promotion campaign launched by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2013. In 2014, the "Public-Private Collaboration Study Abroad Support System - Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN Japanese Representative Program" was launched as a public-private collaboration study abroad support system. We support study abroad in order to develop human resources who can play an active role on the world stage.

The support is available to people enrolled in a Japanese university or high school. If you are accepted after a screening process, you will receive a non-repayable scholarship.

As of May 2022, they are no longer accepting applications, but they may resume recruitment, so it is a good idea to register using the email newsletter application form in the right box on the website below.

Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN

Studying in Canada is safe for those new to overseas travel

Canada is a country with many immigrants, and many residents are very welcoming to international students. The country also has good public safety, so even those with little experience traveling abroad can live their lives abroad with peace of mind.

Studying abroad is not just about learning a language, it's about learning about life and culture. The atmosphere and living environment of each city differ, so use this article as a reference to imagine what kind of life you want to lead as an international student and enjoy preparing for your study abroad experience.

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*Some content was updated on December 14, 2022.