Calgary, the third most livable city in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2022 Global Quality of Living Index, is a top destination for international students looking to study and immigrate to Canada.
Here’s why.
Life as a Post-Secondary Student in Calgary
As valued members of the Calgary community, international students will be able to experience the vibrant social life of Canada’s third most diverse city. Home to residents who speak more than 120 different languages, international students will have 333 sunny days a year – more than any major Canadian city – to explore and interact with Calgary’s diverse population.
Calgary’s median age is also just under 38, one of the lowest of any major Canadian city. This means young international students in Calgary should have little trouble making friends with whom they can experience life in this city together. From enjoying the Calgary Stampede to visiting the Rocky Mountains, Alberta’s largest city has plenty to offer those looking for a fun student life in addition to a world-class education. .
However, education and entertainment is only part of the story for international students. They will also have to support themselves financially. To that end, Canadian international students will temporarily be able to work full-time during the school year, thanks to a policy change that took effect in November 2022.
Eligible students can now work full-time even outside of scheduled school vacations, earn money to support themselves financially, and gain work experience in Canada.
Note that this temporary policy will remain in effect until December 31, 2023. As a general rule, international students can work 20 hours per week off-campus during their studies and full-time during scheduled breaks.
(remember to breathe) – Travel Alberta, Canada
Celebrate the beauty, experience the thrill, and feel the joy in Alberta’s Canadian Rocky Mountains, great sky prairies, peaceful backcountry, and vibrant cities. For more information on things to do in Alberta visit: http://ow.ly/xpo6N Song/Artist: “Roam”/Wil Mimnaugh
Study in Calgary
Calgary’s post-secondary education system includes more than 60 Designated educational institutions (IDD), according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). DLIs are essential to the international student experience, as foreign nationals must obtain a letter of acceptance from a DLI before applying for a Canadian study permit.
One of Calgary’s DLIs is the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (KNOWS). SAIT is unique in that it is one of 15 Calgary-based DLIs to offer programs that make international students eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which is essential to support the goal common for SAIT graduates to pursue permanent residency if desired.
At SAIT, students are offered programs through eight different university schoolsthat prepare them for careers in many key employment sectors, including energy, digital technology, business, construction, public health and safety, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing and automation , and transport.
As an international student, you can apply to a variety of our Bachelor’s and applied degrees, diploma and certificate programs. Our programs are designed to give you the skills and confidence you need to succeed in your career.
Make an appointment with a future student advisor!
Calgary: Life After Graduation
After graduating from a Calgary-based DLI like SAIT, international students can also look forward to a thriving future in the city of more than 1.6 million people.
As mentioned above, SAIT is one of the few DLIs in Calgary to offer PGWP eligible programs. Post-Graduation Work Permits allow DLI graduates to work in Canada for up to three years and gain Canadian work experience. Many federal and provincial permanent residency programs reward applicants who have Canadian study and work experience. In other words, SAIT plays a major role in supporting the Canadian immigration ambitions of its students.
For example, in October 2022, SAIT hosted a one-of-a-kind ceremony for 35 alumni who have been granted permanent residence in Canada. At the ceremony, students were joined by school faculty and provincial dignitaries including Calgary Mayor Joyti Gondek and Alberta Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides to commemorate this milestone.
Why SAIT, why Calgary
Discover a better way forward with SAIT. Technology is who we are – it’s what we do. Officially known as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), we offer over 100 programs in business, technology, engineering, energy and more.
This is a big part of why Alberta is so successful in retaining international students, and Calgary is a big part of that success. In fact, according to data from the Conference Board of Canada, Alberta retains the second highest percentage of international students among all provinces and territories after three years. Alberta is also the second most popular destination province among international students who left their original province of study during the same period.
At SAIT, we have a team of professional and dedicated regional advisors. Do you need help or have questions about applying to SAIT? Contact a regional recruitment consultant for more information!
Alberta and Calgary specifically retain many international students due to the city’s reasonable cost of living and competitive salaries.
Specifically, Calgary offers residents a minimum wage of $15.00 per hour, which is higher than Montreal and Toronto (and only 20 cents less than Vancouver). Calgary also has the lowest average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment ($1,000) and sales tax (5%) among these four major Canadian cities (see chart below).
Add to that the fact that Calgary is home to the fastest growing tech workforce in North America, which means Calgary is quickly becoming a leading Canadian center for technology and innovation. It makes it easy to see why Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, believes Calgary has a bright future ahead of it “as a growing tech city where bright minds and big ideas come together to take some of the world’s greatest challenges. ”
Ultimately, this makes Calgary an increasingly popular and viable destination for international students looking for the perfect Canadian city to start their path to a prosperous and prosperous future in this country.
Photo credit: Calgary Central Library
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