Canada, one of the world’s renowned countries, apart from its top-quality education, also takes pride in its natural beauty. Additionally, Canada is one of the safest study destinations for students who come from different corners of the world every year. So, apart from the wonderful landscapes and a fresh environment, does Canada have more to offer?
Oh c'mon, of course yes! Keep reading to find out what else can you do in Canada besides various outdoor activities and adventures. Canada is not just about camping, trekking, hiking...
Toronto
Toronto is known as the largest city in Canada and is the capital of Ontario. The city is a vibrant place of tourist attractions, from museums and galleries to the world-famous CN Tower. Toronto is often defined as ‘The New York City of Canada’. From the vibrant entertainment district, featuring the latest musicals and fine dining, you won't run out of things to do (make sure your money won't run out too...)! Feel free to roam around as Toronto ranks 81% on the safety index but make sure you're alert all the time too. It’s easy to navigate, with many of its top attractions within the walking distance of each other and with a subway system to cover longer distances.
Toronto has a larger international business sector, and this is one of the aspects where Toronto steals the march over. So, for the students who want to take up business, Toronto will be the right place for you. The presence of certain business sectors opens up many avenues for international students. They open doors to more work opportunities to take advantage of, and it can be either a full-time or a part-time job.
Toronto is a city well planned for all the seasons. If you are planning to visit Toronto in winter, do not forget to head indoors to explore the extensive network of underground walkways which connect shopping, entertainment, and attractions. During summer, wander along the beautiful waterfront and enjoy the beaches and parks.
Now, let’s look at an exciting trivia! Toronto is home to over 70 film festivals. TIFF – the Toronto International Film Festival is an annual occurrence which happens every September. Guess what, have your fingers crossed because there are high chances for you to meet a lot of eminent movie stars during TIFF.
Montreal
Montreal is Canada’s most bilingual city, with over 59% of the population are fluent in both English and French (Hello and bonjour at the same time? Oui!). Being one of Canada’s oldest cities (1642), it is also the most well-liked city in the world, especially by students. According to the QS best student cities 2019, Montreal is ranked in the 6th place.
The biggest strength of Montreal is creativity. The city is home for a few of the popular video games such as Outlast, Assassin’s Creed, and We Happy Few. If you are someone who likes video games and visual effects then Montreal will be the ideal place for you. Apart from these industries, there is some knowledge on the economy which makes Montreal an employer of choice in several states of the art sectors like aerospace, information and communications technologies, life sciences and health technologies etc.
It is internationally known as the city of festivals and is filled with culture. Montreal has something for everyone: from Chinatown, Little Italy to Little Portugal; these are just a few of the cultural and ethnic hubs that the city offers. Vieux-Montreal is where the city began; its original foundations and streets are preserved in the Pointe-à-Callière museum. Vieux-Montreal was the heart of the colonial town, and its old buildings make it the most picturesque neighbourhood in the city.
Another interesting fact about Canada’s cities is that there is not even one building in Montreal that stands taller than the cross on the Mount Royal Mountain. Moreover, Montreal is currently the 2nd largest city in Canada. It was the 1st largest city until sometime in the ’70s when Toronto took over the title.
Ottawa
Ottawa. Canada’s capital city ranks just behind Calgary as Canada’s cleanest city. The city is filled with beautiful architecture, bustling downtown core, and a diverse range of interesting neighbourhoods. If you love riding your bicycle, Ottawa is the best place for you to be in since it’s the best known bike-friendly city! Many of the roads have a specific bike lane for the cyclists to have traffic-free commutes. These lanes are called the ‘Capital Pathway’, and it’s a 220-kilometre route that is shared with Gatineau.
Wanted to get into tech industries? If yes, then Ottawa is a great option! Ottawa leads North America when it comes to tech labour industries. It has a 11.2 per cent share of the tech sector’s total employment in the city.
When you find time, take a stroll along Sparks Street or Wellington Street in front of the Parliament building. It’s known to be breathtaking. And while you’re there, make sure to be on a free tour to the Parliament and enjoy a panoramic view of Ottawa and Gatineau, the city across the river in Quebec. Ottawa is a tourist attraction by itself. It has its own Little Italy and Chinatown areas, so if you are a fan of either of these cuisines, then you should head there for tasty delights.
Did you know that Canada Day in Ottawa is one of the biggest celebrations of all? Yes, it is. So, don’t forget to mark July 1 on your Canadian bucket list to rejoice the heritage the country possesses.
Vancouver
Vancouver, widely admired as the “Hollywood of the North” is truly one-of-a-kind, with its stunning architecture, mesmerising natural beauty and an unparalleled way of life. According to the Vancouver Economic Commission, Vancouver is the growing hub of innovation in the tech industry and is the 2nd fastest growing sector in BC. After Ottawa, Vancouver’s Tech sector is another city which is rapidly evolving while drawing global attention.
Citizens of Vancouver are proud of their cultural heritage and the fact that they have a rainbow of nations. Vibrant festivals such as the Sikh Vaisakhi Parade, the Persian celebration of Nowruz, Italian Day on The Drive, The German Christmas Market which is located in the Heart of Downtown Vancouver, and the annual Chinese New Year festivities fill the city with food, music, people and performances from around the world.
According to Mercer’s 2020 Quality of Living Ranking survey, Vancouver has ranked as the top city in North America, maintaining the title of 3rd most livable city in the world, after Vienna, and Zurich. The city has a multicultural population and a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any kind regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion.
Here’s another interesting fact for you! Around 35% of Vancouver’s population is foreign-born and the city has the highest proportion of Asians in any North American city.
