Studying abroad is a global phenomenon, with students crossing countries, continents and oceans to get the best education possible.
The world of international education is a melting pot of individuals and learning with a global perspective ensures students are exposed to different cultures, ethnic groups, religions and languages, enriching society in the process and broadening the academic experience for everyone. Studying overseas has many fantastic benefits, from helping you find a good job to improving your social life.
It also, of course, establishes a multicultural learning environment which makes it the ideal setting for increasing students’ cultural awareness and fostering their understanding and appreciation of those who come from a different background to their own.
WHY USA OR CANADA?
Over the last couple of decades, various countries have begun to stand out as “popular destinations” for post graduate studies aspirants. Among the countries that offer various post-graduate and doctoral programs for students across the globe, two countries have established their eminence.
What makes Canada or the USA stand out, out of all the study abroad destinations.
USA has long been the ideal, or rather, the ultimate study destination for predominantly MS and other master’s programs. From Silicon Valley up to the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning trend in 2019, there has been innumerable technological advancements that have occurred in the USA. Students idealize USA for its blue-chip professional opportunities. Along with a solid education system, USA offers the most scholarships across the globe. With a proper profile, a student can achieve full scholarships (100 per cent) and also waiver on living expenses
Lately, due to improvement in various facets, Canada has become a hot favorite among students, as their preferred destination for pursuing MS. It has comparatively lower cost of high-quality education and an equally high-quality of life. In fact, in some scenarios, an MS in Canada can be a much sought-after option – especially for applicants interested in pursuing their MS for PR opportunities and global work exposure. Canadian universities, such as the University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia, now find pride of place in the list of the world’s top 50 universities, in their own right.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
1. Eligibility criteria:
Education in USA universities requires the submission of scores of entrance exams such as GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS along with your GPA. While the Canadian universities put more stock into your GPA and IELTS/TOEFL scores than your GRE/GMAT scores. As a result, getting admitted to Canadian universities is relatively easier.
2. Tuition fee:
Education abroad can undoubtedly be one of the most expensive affairs and very important factor as this is the costs concerning the entire journey. The cost of education in American universities ranges on the higher side with approximately US$33,215 per annum. On the other hand, the cost of studying in Canada is comparatively lower at approximately US$23,300 per annum.
3. Scholarships:
Despite the high costs, however, there are several financial aid options offered to international students to make their education abroad affordable.
The US universities and other related organizations offer scholarships such as:
Some of the scholarships offered by Canadian universities:
4. Permanent residency:
If you intend to settle in the country you’re studying in after education, you will need to acquire the appropriate Visa and work permits. Applying for permanent residency in the US is certainly possible. However, the process and duration of acquiring that are a lot more complicated than the one for Canada. Canada offers graduates of certain degrees the option to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This work permit allows you to work in Canada after graduation. It also qualifies you to apply for permanent residency in Canada. However, in the US, applying for a Green card is a better alternative than working on getting sponsored by an employer or applying independently for a working visa.
5. Visa Process:
As compared to USA, Canada has easier visa approval process.
WHAT PARAMETERS SHOULD I CONSIDER?
The US is and will always be one of the most popular destinations for students all around the globe. However, in recent times, Canada has worked its way up as one of the most sought after countries for international students.
However factors on which your decision should depend are:
Visa Process
lifestyle and Expenses
Post Study Work Permit
Jobs and Career Opportunities
Student’s his/her own Profiles
Tuition and scholarships
Quality of Education
Besides top-notch education and excellent faculty, there are several other parameters you should take into account while considering your postgraduate options. This is the place where you will spend two years of your life, so it is equally important to consider other factors such as the cost of living, public safety, employment opportunities, weather, student-friendliness, etc
留言