Category Archives: Study in Canada

Why Santamonica Study Abroad is your overseas education consultant?

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It’s been a great journey, indeed.

 

Since 2002  Santamonica Study Abroad is helping students realize their overseas education dreams.  Our relentless pursuit of quality education has taken us places, made us one of the most trusted overseas education consultants in Kerala. We are proud to acknowledge the fact that today we are the authorised representative for over 500 universities consisting of 30 countries. Santa Monica’s staff are regularly trained by the universities to offer guidance to the students properly & professionally.

 

How we offer our services is our USP and gives us our competitive advantage. Every student/aspirant is considered and treated for the person he/she is, his/her skill sets and ambitions.  So when a student comes to us, our initial step is to analyse the profile of a student , their previous academic records, passion, ambition & their subject of interest. Most of the students will be aware of only about some conventional courses. It is the duty of our career counsellors to provide the students with the required details of various courses offered overseas.

 

Most of the time a student will be unsure and confused about what program to take or which course to pursue. In such cases, we enlighten them with courses of their interest after studying and analysing their interests and passion. There are many career-oriented unconventional courses offered in the developed countries which our students are not aware of. Course selection is done only after enlightening the students with the career prospects of each and every course.

 

Once the course selection is done, we encourage the students and their parents to do some research on their own. They are advised to investigate courses, universities and their locations. They are encouraged to look into the teaching modules, research opportunities, campus life and employment prospects before they narrow down to their choice. Candidates can ask friends and family or reach out to the alumni of universities they are interested in for a wider perspective.

 

Next step is to register the student for the admission process. We forward the application and help them with the admission process. Once the admission procedure is over, we will pass onto their Visa application.  Our visa documentation team helps the student with the necessary documentation.

 

Next step is to guide and prepare students for visa interviews and guide them in preparing a statement of purpose. We discourage students to go into any fabricated details as a fabricated document will lead to a ban or visa rejection which many are not aware of. If there is a gap in their academic records, we help them to write an effective explanation with all the necessary documents.

 

 Once the visa is obtained and the student gets an offer letter, then the question of procuring a student education loan emerges. We assist students in procuring a loan. As we have tie-ups with many of the leading banks in India, loan approvals get easy. This service has fetched Santamonica lots of excellent reviews and many students & their parents are grateful for guiding them properly.

 

Travel is the next important thing to be sorted out. We have a fully equipped travel desk to arrange your travel and accommodation at the destination according to the student’s choice. This may include Airport pick up and assistance. These facilities are arranged by Santamonica and payment should be made there directly. If a student, after joining a college wants a  relocation either from the college or from the province, Santamonica can assist in that case also.

 

Another attractive service that we offer is our travel agency- a sister concern of Santamonica Study Abroad consultancy. We book tickets for our clients at a very subsidised rate especially for students as we are aware of the additional expenses.  Not only that we assist in the travel plans of parents or family members who want to travel later on to meet their ward/relative, but we also make sure that our client’s travel is smooth and hassle-free.

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Team Santamonica owes its success to their unwavering dedication, ethics, professional practices, continuous investment on staff training, use of state of the art technology and above all to its ‘’client first’’ policy”.

 

Yes. It has been an amazing journey!

 

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

 

Which country to choose for overseas education- New Zealand or Canada ?

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When it comes to overseas education, there is always the question of choosing the right destination. Where to go to and how to choose by considering all the pros and cons. With Canadian and New Zealand universities scoring high in overseas education, both offering bright career choices & migration possibilities,  it’s always confusing for a student to decide on one. Practically, a direct comparison between these two countries is impossible as both are unique in their own ways. They are two nations with their own great features and are truly worlds apart.

 

If you look into the climate alone, New Zealand wins! No doubt about it.  Canada is a country with harsh weather conditions. One cannot imagine Canada without thinking about its cold winters. Geographically,  one cannot compare between these two nations as New Zealand is a small country whereas Canada is the world’s second-largest country. New Zealand’s offers good career possibilities while Canada offers better possibilities due to its sheer market size.

 

Canada’s economy is much larger (10th in the world) when compared with New Zealand.  Canada as a nation is rich with natural resources and their dependence on these resources gifted them with a stable economy. Thus Canada offers great potential to all kinds of engineers while in New Zealand, this may not be the case. We have to bear in our mind that Canada has mining as a major industry supporting and driving its economy.

 

The manufacturing industry is yet another sector where engineers are in demand. Apart from basic engineering branches, there are disciplines/specializations that are in high demand.  Aerospace, Biomedical, Environmental, Oil and Gas, Robotics, Computers, Automobile, etc. make Canada an Engineer’s Paradise when it comes to placements. Even a diploma holder in any stream can find his dream job in Canada if he is willing to push hard and thrive.

 

Canada is an immigrant-friendly country. Their flexible immigration policies make it the first choice for thousands of migrants across the world. Even a low skilled or unskilled person can apply for PR in some provinces of Canada. Wages and facilities are also great in Canada. However, the climate of the country can be a challenge for many migrants who come from drastically different climatic regions.

 

New Zealand is blessed with stunning and diverse natural beauty. It has a moderate climate. Immigration policies are not as flexible as that in Canada. Job opportunities are less due to different factors. New Zealand does have a relatively small population, so it may not always be easy to find a job. These pose some limitations in pursuing a career in manufacturing, mining, infrastructure development, technology etc.

 

As said earlier, a direct comparison between these two nations is inappropriate as they stand apart in many ways. A choice between these two nations purely depends on the person, the course he/she wants to study,  and the career he/she wants to pursue.

 

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

 

 

Possibilities of studying biotechnology in Canada

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When we talk about biotechnology courses, it can be seen that in India these courses have a bad reputation among the kids and parents. There are many reasons for this attitude, major deterrent being the non-availability of jobs in the same field after the course completion. So the majority of the students choose to pursue research after completing MSc and BSc. Getting into an industry that offers possibilities in Biotechnology is practically impossible in India.

But this scenario is quite different in Canada. Canada is a global leader when it comes to biotech research and boasts many reputed research laboratories and hospitals. There are huge industries with big investments and high interest in biopharmaceutical R&D. To tackle this ever-growing demand, colleges offer various biotech courses- from diploma to masters to PhD, enabling a pool of talented professionals to meet the market needs.

The diversified biotech industries in Canada, like food & agriculture industry, also offer substantial job opportunities. The health industry is also a related major field where biotech students can diversify. Many of our students even after completing their masters in India, go to Canada to study special courses like forensic biotechnology, which is emerging as a prospective course to pursue. Plus two students can opt for diploma courses in biotechnology while students with degrees and diplomas can select niche courses that offer great job prospects.

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

——————————————————————————–

With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

 

Prospects of Engineering/ Nursing/ Hospitality/ Social Work courses in Canada

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Opportunities for Engineers

Canada is a very popular destination among students pursuing Engineering courses due to the excellent job prospects the courses offer. It’s favourable to the engineers that Canada has a strong industrial economy. Mining is one of the major industries in Canada. It’s interesting to note that the mining industry alone can sustain almost all categories of engineers. The manufacturing industry is yet another sector in Canada where engineers are in high demand. Apart from basic engineering branches, there are other disciplines that are in high demand, viz. Aerospace, Biomedical, Environmental, Oil and Gas, Robotics, Computers, Automobile etc. Yes, this makes Canada an Engineer’s Paradise when it comes to placements.

Unlike engineering courses in Kerala, the course curriculum is industry-centric with compulsory internships. Even though almost all engineering branches offer career opportunities, one engineering branch that can be suggested is Sustainable Engineering, a branch that is very futuristic and yet to gain its deserving popularity in India. In a nutshell, opportunities are great in Canada for Engineering programmes and Diplomas.

Opportunities for Nurses

Nursing is considered a highly dignified profession outside India. A registered nurse in western countries is highly paid & respected for her/his profession. It’s worth to note that nursing is a much sought after course in Canada. Seats for nursing courses in Canada are very less and most of the seats are filled very well in advance. Point 7 score in IELTS is a requirement to study nursing in Canada, which is not that difficult for our well-educated students. Demand is high and seats are less as the Nursing is also popular among natives looking for a good career option.

Opportunities for unconventional courses

Till a few years back Malayali parents were only keen on conventional courses with job opportunities but now that scenario is slowly changing. Thanks to the internet and a growing willingness among our parents to accept new career streams, they are becoming more & more understanding, supporting and sympathetic to their children’s ambitions. Kids are also well informed and have a clear idea of what they want to study. Creative courses are in high demand in western countries and these days a student has plenty of choices, even on subjects they have particular interests.

Opportunities for hospitality courses

Hospitality is another sought after course in terms of the career prospects it offers as Canada is a tourist destination brimming with tourist activities. This is one reason why hospitality is a very popular course among students from India. Both long and short term courses are available in this stream. One good thing about studying these courses is that students can start earning while doing internships. Career opportunities are very high as the industry is continuously in need of highly energetic, young, dynamic people.

Opportunities for Social Work courses

Social work courses carry very high demand in a country like Canada. Canada, being a country that offers awesome social security to its citizens, social workers have excellent employment opportunities both in the non-governmental and governmental sectors. Government’s initiatives for the welfare of its citizens can only be fruitful with capable professionals. A student with a positive attitude and a mind to do service to their fellow human beings can join this course.

Canada offers lots of specialisations under this stream. A student after his higher secondary course can take admission for diploma courses. Good placement with high pay is generally assured in this sector.

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad
——————————————————————————–
With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

How to select a course while opting for higher education in Canada?

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Since parents are more concerned about the possibilities of their wards getting a job in Canada and are always in search of a curriculum that secures immediate placement for their kids, this is one of the “most asked” questions related to studying abroad. But in reality, for a parent who is planning a future for his child in Canada, this concern is practically irrelevant.

 

Since Canada’s education system is regulated by the Canadian government, their curriculum is designed in tune with the needs of the economy.  This means Universities only run those courses that cater to the need of the market. For those who want to pursue research in a subject, they have the facility to do so in Universities irrespective of their subject.  University curriculum is designed in such a way that if a particular course has come to a saturation point (in providing jobs), that course will be discontinued with immediate effect. This is because in Canada courses are designed for the future and the possibilities that lie ahead.

 

Another thing the parents & students have to keep in their mind is that in Canada the Universities offer many unconventional courses.  These courses may seem irrelevant now because of our limited knowledge and exposure. One example of this is the courses related to Environment and Forestry. They even have courses on emerging future technologies which we are not familiar with and is yet to be introduced in our Indian curriculum. In a nutshell, the main advantage of studying in Canada is that a student can pursue a course/career of his or her interest without worrying about the placement possibilities.

 

Which brings us to the obvious question, what will be the approximate course fee/expense for pursuing higher education in Canada?

 

A student opting for education have a choice of studying either in a Government community college or a University. In colleges, for almost all courses costs average between Rs 8 to 9  lakhs per annum which varies depending on the location of choice.

 

That is, the cost differs depending on the location and university/college ranking. University fees come on an average of Rs 10 to 18 lakhs depending on the ranking of that particular University. Then again there are certain provinces where University education is available on a subsidised cost of just 7 lakhs per annum. On top of these government subsidies, Universities normally grant scholarships and other grants as financial assistance for the deserving International students- this, in turn, further reduces the expenses.

 

In addition to this, students can plan their expense by choosing a modest living along with working part-time. Facility to work on summer holidays can be utilised effectively. This way students can make enough money to meet their overall expenses.

 

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

Why students from Kerala perform well in foreign countries/universities?

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Our students are hardworking & dedicated

 

Last 10 years have seen tremendous growth in students seeking international education. Students from Kerala is now studying in almost all countries that allow foreign student intake. When we consider all these countries, Canada, New Zealand, Australia & Germany turn out to be very popular among our students.

 

For example, consider Canada. We at Santamonica Study Abroad have seen students preferring Canada for many reasons. Their high-quality education, immigrant-friendly policies, job opportunities, quality of life etc. attract students from across the globe. But while considering all the foreign students enrolled in various universities and colleges in Canada, it can be seen that our students are performing well.  Colleges and Universities prefer Malayali students because our students are academically brilliant, hard-working and result-oriented.

 

If we probe deep, this brilliance can be attributed to our culture. We give utmost importance to education and we prioritize learning to anything else. Academic excellence is something that our children push for, it is the aim of our education per se. So be it IT, Business, Law, Engineering, Medicine, Humanities or any other faculty or school; students from Kerala do well, naturally.  It is evident in the statistics published by the colleges.

 

If we take Canada as an example, even from South India, most of the students are Malayalees. Many colleges even associate South India to Kerala, thanks to our students who are performing well consistently.

 

Due to these factors, Universities & Colleges in Canada prefer to attract students from Kerala. Their feedback about our students are very encouraging so far and that’s something we all should be proud of as a state.

 

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

——————————————————————————–

With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms. Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

What are the important things a parent or a student has to consider while pondering overseas education?

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There is one major thing that both the parents and students should do while pondering overseas education- that is, they have to do a thorough search about the course the student wants to study, the college or university he wants to join and the job prospects of the course he wants to pursue.

It is true that it’s the duty of an overseas consultant to evaluate the student for his potential and suggest him a course and a college that will suit his taste and needs, but it is also very important for the student to research and find all the things that are important to him. Like the campus he is going to join, the city he is going to live in, part-time job prospects in that city, its climate or in other words everything that will affect the quality of his life in the new country.

Often it happens in such a way that a student wants to join a course that’s suggested to him by his friends or his family. While their suggestions have value, it should be noted that a student should follow his own ambitions and skills while deciding on a course. Normally the student can find all about the course and what all is expected from him as a student while studying for that course from the college/university website. Research the website thoroughly. Know everything that’s there to know.

It’s really necessary to have an understanding of these things beforehand

  1. Accreditations of the course

  2. Professional licensing that the course enables after completion

  3. Mandatory or optional internship

  4. Required grades to get into internship programs

  5. Learning outcomes

  6. Credits divided among semesters

  7. Courses covered in each semester

  8. Flexibility in selecting majors/minors

  9. Career outcome

He has to learn about the job market and the possibilities that are offered. He should develop an understanding of the political, social and economical scenarios so that it’s easier for him to blend in.

While asking for information from relatives and friends regarding the course and the college he is contemplating his admission is okay, never take their words as final. They may not be in a position to advise him as they are not career or education professionals. Practice caution.

Also, know that overseas education is not a vacation trip to a foreign land where you go to leisure. A decision to study abroad is a serious decision involving a large amount of money and personal time- so respect that. Do the necessary research regarding the course and the country so that one is prepared beforehand.

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

——————————————————————————–

With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms. Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

Why Malayali parents consider or prefer Canada for higher education?

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Malayali parents are considered as very practical people who always demand the best. Out of all foreign countries which people prefer for higher education, few factors make Canada very special for them.

 

1. Affordability

 

When we compare education in Canada with other nations, it is evident that the studies are more affordable. The Canadian government is giving huge subsidies to the education sector which is beneficial to the student community. In certain provinces where the population is less, a student can do a diploma course, Bachelor’s degree or Postgraduate specializations in universities with 6 /7 lakhs Indian rupees per annum which is very pocket-friendly for the ones who are seeking a foreign degree. Even a lower-middle-class family can think about sending their ward to study in Canada due to these affordable fee structure with some help from banks and sponsors.

 

2. Return on Investment

 

Another major attraction of studying in Canada is the return on investment, that is the Government is promoting education in Canada by offering a 3-year open work permit for a two-year student visa. The right to work along with studies helps students to cover their daily expenditures. Unlike other countries, in Canada students can work full three months of their summer vacation. Once they finish their studies they have the facility of an open work permit for three years or till they get placements in a relevant field. They have the right to do any job and thereby recover the expense that occurred during their studies. This helps to repay the loan as most of the students take loans to pursue higher studies.

 

3.Quality of Education

 

Canada is ranked as the third-best in terms of the quality of education it offered. Keralites being the most literate community who give utmost importance to the quality of education, Canada is their obvious right choice. Universities in Canada offer world-class facilities and relevant curriculums, helping students secure good placements globally.

 

4. High Employment Prospects

 

In today’s competitive world, one of the major obstacles a fresh graduate face is to get a job in the relevant field. Canada offers good job opportunities and high quality of life as well.

 

5.Permanent Residency Prospects

 

As we all know, Canada has less population and the majority of the population is octogenarians, Canada is in need of a young workforce in order to sustain its economy. So the majority of the students who do higher studies in Canada get an opportunity to work and acquire permanent residency. One is entitled to all the privileges of that country once you get PR

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms. Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

Positive changes in students that come with overseas education

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Overseas education- studying with students from across the globe in a foreign country, is an unparalleled experience. It’s venturing into the unknown-the thrill, the culture, the campus, the student life, everything is new to a student who has just enrolled in the program. His new way of life and his experiences will influence him and will affect him profoundly, he will assimilate the best his international exposure has to offer and begin to look at life and himself with a new viewpoint and eyes.

Let’s look into some of the important positive changes that happen to him and his way of life due to his foreign education and exposure.

Unmatched Confidence

To live independently in a foreign country is not a small thing by any measure. He is his own boss and he decides what is good and bad for him. The confidence that develops in him when he mingles with students from far away countries and listen to teachers with international exposure is something truly special. His personality starts to exude that confidence. He has changed for the rest of his life.

Character Development

Next is his character development. His exposure to new cultures, people and possibilities leave a deep impact on the way he thinks, his attitude and tastes. He becomes more matured and refined. As he faces his day to day challenges alone by himself, he knows how to tackle his daily hurdles and troubles. He is more responsible and professional now as his part-time job demands that. He is doing jobs that he may not even think about doing in his home country. That grounds him. It makes him into a global citizen.

Finance & Money Management

Home is where he is pampered. He is less responsible there as he knows his parents or relatives will take care of him. But in this foreign land, he has to be careful enough to save money. He should learn how to spend wisely and take care of his finances. This makes him realize the importance of knowing one’s self and thus he becomes more humble and grounded. He starts to respect people and other ways of life that are different from one that he is used to.

Respect for Fellow Human Beings

He ultimately understands that the world is a big stage and everybody has their own ways of existence and living. He learns to collaborate and tolerate and finds that the only way to address his concerns is by carrying out rational dialogues and not by creating a ruckus. He values the system and respects its underlying mechanisms.

Cross-Cultural Skills

Interacting with different individuals with different cultural backgrounds teaches him to broaden his horizons. He is more understanding now and has better cross-cultural understanding & skills. This later even helps him to jump-start an international career by positively enhancing his employability.

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad
——————————————————————————–
With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms. Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

 

CANADA – Hot study Abroad destination with High employment and PR possibility

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If world class education, international exposure, excellent opportunities for further studies and employment is what  made  you  explore  the option  of studying abroad,  then Canada must be your natural choice.  Let us explore why?

  •  Top quality education at affordable rates

Canadian universities have set highest bench marks in offering education of highest quality with excellent research opportunities in fields such as telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, computer technology and environmental sciences etc  to mention a few,  hence it is no surprise that Canadian Universities consistently rank high in world University Rankings . If one believes, all this comes at a premium, one is in for a big surprise as tuition fees at Canadian institutions are lower than many developed countries like USA, UK etc along with  relatively low cost of living,  gaining  a Canadian qualification is no uphill task.

  • No dearth of Scholarships

If paucity of funds is stopping you from realizing your dream of studying in Canada, scholarships are aplenty to ease your financial woes, provided you have excellent academic records.  Canadian governments  both provincial and federal along with institutions offers a range of scholarships for deserving international students.

  • Excellent employment avenues

Owing to its strong economy and abundant natural resources to bank upon, Canada’s growth story in all possibility is likely to move unabated, creating great demand for skilled work force across all streams With excellent industry specific study programs, laying stress on practical aspects, getting a job is not going to be much of a problem for anyone who has completed his/her studies in Canada.

  • Enhances Possibility of migrating 

Studying in Canada undoubtedly is your best route towards getting a Permanent Residency status and settling in Canada, as international students can apply for permanent residency while remaining in Canada. International students studying at government approved institutes gets 3 years stay which helps them gain ample work experience and proceed with PR formalities while remaining in Canada

  • Excellent Quality of Life

When it comes to overall quality of life Canada comes as a natural choice, little surprise that the country has been consistently voted as the best place to live by United Nations Organization. With health care and education receiving highest priority from the Government, world class medical facilities are accessible to all Canadian citizens in majority of province so is the case of education Canada is of the most peaceful countries of the world, something thing which is sure to soothe to the nerves of Parents and International students on the lookout for a tranquil study abroad period in Canada

  • Multicultural Environment

No matter from which ever part  of the world you are from  ,one  will feel at home as  Canada offers  a multicultural environment with people of all religions, races,  ethnicity and backgrounds The campus itself would have students from different parts of the world  offering a cosmopolitan environment to learn different cultures attitude etc which will, go a long way in molding one in to a global professional  amidst all these cultural potpourri  getting  ethnic and traditional Indian foods  would not be a problem at all as  most Canadian  institutions have associations and clubs of international students especially Indians, where all most all national festivals and days are celebrated with pomp and Glory.

Decided on Canada for your overseas studies look no further. Santa Monica study Abroad Pvt. Ltd your trusted Overseas educational consultant cochin with over 15 years experience in facilitating admissions to Canadian  institutions is  here to help  you  pick  that  perfect Canadian  University / colleges that suits  your career goals. Feel free to visit your nearest office of Santa Monica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd. or reach us on 0484-4140999.