Travel Tips for Students Going to Canada

Going to a new country to study is exciting. You can spend most of your time with friends and family. From January to September 2021, approximately 115,000 Indian students were approved to study in Canada. This exceeded the previous record of 111,110 students in 2019.

However, there is so much you have to do before you take your flight to Canada to study.

This article will discuss everything you need to take care of before going to Canada to study. It will help you save time and spend that time with your loved ones.

1. Documents - The first on the list is the most important documents, as you can only leave the Canadian airport if you have all the necessary documents. Ensure you keep your passport, visa, driving license, and all the required documents your university has mentioned. You can check the university website and double-check your document bag - all documents should be in it.
2. The food items - The one thing you will miss in Canada is Indian food. Hence, you better prepare yourself for it. You cannot take fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada, and it does not make sense to do so. If you want to carry dried and packaged food, you can do that, but you must declare it to customers. If you don't, you will have to pay the penalty.
   Also, carry some instant food packets as you will need them in the initial days you settle in the new country. If you don't like bland food (you will only get that there), you should plan to get pickles with you.
3. Currency/Bank accounts- Most banks in Canada offer free basic banking to full-time students, which means no fees for checking accounts. However, there may be limitations or conditions. Canada offers many student banking plans that allow you to open a chequing and savings account, both of which can be accessed with a debit card. A bank account will help you transfer money to India quickly.
   Consider carefully before securing a credit card while you are in Canada. Be careful about building up credit card debt. A good credit rating in Canada is essential, as a poor credit score could affect you later. In general, having a credit card is the easy and preferable option for your daily spending as you can earn a minimum of 1-5% cashback.
4. Electronics items - If you have your laptop in India, you should carry it. However, if you plan to buy a new one, you should buy it from Canada. You can use the free services, warranty, etc., if you purchase from there. Whether you buy your India or Canada, check the specification your university has recommended for laptops.
   All the phones work in Canada, so you are carrying your existing phones - ensure the camera quality is good, as you will have some breathtaking views to capture. You will have to bring in at least two universal adaptors for your Indian electronics as the sockets differ from India.
5. Utensils - You must take some basic utensils with you—some of the Indian utensils and knives are expensive there. So even though they will take up considerable space in your luggage, it is a divergent item on the list: a pressure cooker - you can company things with it, and they are expensive. If space is not a concern, taking Tawa and Kadai with you is better to save you on the budget. Ensure you carry these items in your cabin baggage; they must go in the check-in baggage.
6. Medicines - You should carry some essential medication as they can be expensive in Canada. You will betake if you took medication for fever, common cold, cough, body pain, etc. Sometimes, you can get in trouble with these medicines at the security check-up, so carrying a prescription for all the medication is essential.
7. Mobile Plans – Being a student in Canada, you should search for a cost-effective plan for your phone. The cost of cell phone plans has dramatically decreased in the past few years, but the competition has grown, making it challenging to find the plan that meets your needs. Discover projects from providers like Koodo, Fido, Telus, and more.
8. Shared Accommodation - When they arrive at university, every international student's top priority is to find housing. If you have yet to do your research well, finding a place close to school, within your budget, and that meets your needs can seem overwhelming. Start by determining your budget and get in touch with fellow students. Shared accommodation will prove to be very convenient and cost-effective. Search University Facebook and WhatsApp groups in which you can post related to your student accommodation requirement. It is the best and easiest way to find a shared apartment abroad.
9. Clothing and Footwear - You should bring the essential clothes that keep you warm and cozy. Check your university site for the kind of clothes you must mostly wear.
   It would be best if you did not overpack your baggage with clothes as the clothing is inexpensive in Canada. The other items we have mentioned above should be in your luggage first. You will need some good jackets to stay warm in Canada. However, it is better that you don't buy them in India. The climate there is entirely different from India, and you may purchase something that may not work there. It would be best if you got your thermals, socks, sweaters, and accessories like gloves in your luggage.
   Stay calm about footwear, as you can easily find them in Canada at a very reasonable price.
10. Other essential items - You must carry a bedspread, pillowcases, and bath towels from India as they are pretty expensive in Canada. Refrain from bringing in blankets from India, as you can get good ones in Canada. Get some money with you so that you can meet your initial expenses.
    If your layover time is more than 4-8 hours at any intermediate airports, please ensure that you require Transit Visa. It is easy to obtain, but having prior knowledge will help reduce your last-minute stress.
    If you are taking more than C$ 10,000, then declare it with the customs else Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) can seize all your money. You can follow the guidelines from the above points, and you are good to start a new phase of your life.