New to Canada
Medical Information
When you arrive in Canada as a student, it is important to understand how health insurance works. Health insurance helps pay for doctor visits and medicines when you are sick.
- For Students on Scholarships: When you register for your classes, your school will give you a letter. This letter will have details about your health insurance. The Egyptian Cultural Bureau will pay for your health insurance and tuition fees directly to your school.
- For Joint Supervision Students: Some schools allow joint supervision students to join their health insurance plan. If your school offers this, the Egyptian Cultural Bureau will pay the insurance fee. If your school does not offer health insurance, you must find a private insurance company that works in your area. Let the Bureau know so they can help you.
Financial Information
In Canada, you will use Canadian dollars. If you have US dollars, the bank can help you change them into Canadian dollars.
- Opening a Bank Account: After arriving in Canada, it is important to open a bank account. To do this, you need your passport, visa, and a letter from your Canadian educational institution. You can visit any bank near your school or home. Make sure to keep your bank account details safe and share them with the Egyptian Cultural Bureau so they can send you money if needed.
- Currency Exchange: Banks can help you exchange US dollars to Canadian dollars. The rate may change daily, so it is best to check with the bank when you need to exchange money.
Living in Canada
Canada is a very cold country, especially in the winter. The temperature can drop to -30 degrees Celsius, so it’s important to be prepared.
- Clothing: Do not buy heavy winter coats and boots in Egypt. It’s better to buy winter clothes in Canada because the stores there sell jackets and boots that are made for very cold weather. Look for clothes that are labeled to keep you warm in very cold temperatures. Make sure your boots are safe for walking on snow and ice to prevent slipping.
- Housing: When choosing a place to live, make sure it has a good heating system and plenty of hot water. If you are renting a place, check that the windows close tightly to keep the heat inside. Double-glazed windows (two layers of glass) are better for keeping out the cold. It is also a good idea to find housing close to your school to avoid long travel times in winter.
Transportation
Getting around in Canada is easy because there are many types of public transportation, like buses, trains, and subways. Most cities have public buses, and some have trains or trams.
- Public Transportation: If you plan to use public transportation, it’s a good idea to check where the bus or train stops are before choosing a place to live. To ride public transportation, you will need to buy a ticket or a transit pass. Transit passes allow unlimited rides for a certain time, like one month. They are usually cheaper than buying single tickets every day.
- Taxis: Taxis are available in most cities, but they can be expensive. People usually only use taxis if there are no other options.
Food and Shopping
Finding food in Canada is easy, and you can buy halal food in most grocery stores and restaurants. There are many kinds of food available, so you don’t need to worry about finding things you like to eat.
Halal Food: Halal food is available in most grocery stores, especially in bigger cities. You can also find halal meat and other products at special halal stores. It is important to know that bringing food from Egypt on the plane is not allowed. Canada has strict rules about bringing food into the country, and breaking these rules could result in a fine.