なぜカナダが選ばれるのか?
留学や海外で就職するための移住は簡単に決められることではありません。新しい国で新しい生活を始める自体が大きな決断であり、それぞれの国によって異なる考慮すべきポイントがあるでしょう。たとえ短期間の留学であったとしても、大きな決断であることは変わりありません。
学生は新しい文化、気候、言語、など現地の生活スタイルに順応する必要があります。あなたに合った留学先を決めるために、把握すべき要素がいくつかあります。カナダには多くの魅力があり、以下の理由から人気のある留学先となっています：
高品質な教育
カナダでは良い質の教育が受けられると知られており、大学やカレッジが卓越した教育を提供しています。
国際色豊かな文化
カナダは様々な文化に対し、友好的な社会で知られています。異なる文化に対する理解と尊重を促進する多文化な環境です。
安全性と安定性
カナダは世界でも最も安全な国の一つと考えられています。低い犯罪率と安定した政治環境が、学生にとって安全で安心な生活と学習環境を提供しています。
雇用機会
カナダでの学業中、学内または学外でのアルバイトが許可されており、これは経済的な自立を支えるだけでなく、貴重な職務経験を積むことを可能にします。卒業後には、カナダでは国際学生が仕事を見つけるための様々な手段が用意されており、ワークパーミットを取得して国内で働き続けることも可能です。
手頃な教育費用
人気のある留学先である、アメリカやイギリスと比較すると、カナダは手頃な授業料と生活費と言えます。学生にとって魅力的な選択肢となっています。
卒業後の移住という選択肢
カナダは、留学生が学業を終えてからも国内で生活や仕事を続けたい場合に、永住権への移行をスムーズに進めるための手段を提供しています。カナダ政府は留学生がカナダ経済と社会にもたらす価値を認識しています。
広大な自然
カナダはその息をのむような風景と広大な自然で知られており、留学体験を充実させる要素が多くあります。国立公園から絵のような都市まで、バケーション中に訪れるべき場所がたくさんあります。
高い生活の質
カナダは世界的に見て、生活の質の指標で高いランキングを獲得しています。公共サービス、総合的な生活水準は、留学生にとっても快適といえるでしょう。
研究の機会
カナダには多くの研究機関や最先端の施設があり、学生がさまざまな分野で画期的な研究に参加できる機会が豊富です。
カナダは文化、地理、歴史が豊で魅力的な国です。カナダは豊かな先住民の遺産やクマ、クジラ、ムース、白頭ワシなど多様な野生動物も含め、多様性に富んだ自然環境を有しています。さらに、スキーやスノーボード、アイススケートなどのウィンタースポーツも人気です。トロントやバンクーバーなどの活気ある都市で様々な文化、芸術、さらに多様な食文化を経験ができます。
バンクーバーは、カナダ西海岸に位置する賑やかな都市で、スタンリーパークの美しいトレイル、グランビルアイランドの公共市場、名所であるカピラノ・サスペンション・ブリッジ・パーク、歴史あるガスタウン、バンクーバー水族館、そしてグラウスマウンテンでのアウトドア活動など都市の魅力と自然の調和が特徴的です。バンクーバーは訪れる人々にさまざまな体験を楽しんでいます。
留学先を選ぶ際には、趣味嗜好、学術目標、経済的状況、望むライフスタイルを考慮する必要があります。留学の旅に最適な選択肢を見つけるために、様々な国と大学を調査することが重要です。生活、学習、仕事を通じて愉快で活気ある国際的な経験を求めている人にとって、カナダは確かに魅力的な選択肢の一つです。
In Vancouver, when joining CICCC, you have the possibility to choose how to spend your time at a place you can call “home”.
The stay of our students is an important part of the international experience, so we at CICCC help them find the best option that suits their style of living. There is a short list below of the types of available stays in Vancouver:
Homestays: Homestays involve living with a Canadian host family. This option provides an opportunity to experience Canadian culture firsthand and improve language skills. Homestays typically include a private bedroom, meals, and some level of support from the host family.
We can assist you with homestay arrangements through various homestay partners, or you may prefer to live independently in shared accommodation. Follow the links below to find the best homestay accommodations:
Off-Campus Rental Apartments: Renting an apartment or a room in Vancouver is a popular choice for international students. There are apartments ranging from studios to multiple-bedroom units. Sharing an apartment with roommates can help reduce costs. Websites, local listings, and student housing services can assist in finding off-campus rentals.
Student Residences: Some privately owned student residences cater specifically to international students. These residences often provide furnished rooms or apartments with shared common areas, study spaces, and amenities such as gyms or laundry facilities. They may also offer additional support services.
Temporary Accommodation: When first arriving in Vancouver, international students may need temporary accommodation while searching for a more permanent option. This can include staying in hotels, hostels, or short-term rental apartments.
Students who make all their own travel arrangements can contact a local accommodation agency to tailor their accommodations to their needs and preferences. The links below show you the best-shared accommodations:
When considering accommodation options, it’s important to think about factors such as location, proximity to your institution, budget, lifestyle preferences, and any specific needs the student may have. It’s recommended to start searching and applying for accommodations well in advance to secure a suitable place to live.
FAQ
Where is Cornerstone College located?
The official name of Cornerstone College is “Cornerstone International Community College of Canada,” and it has two campuses located in the centre of Vancouver, British Columbia, on the West Coast of Canada. Cornerstone College is a private institution that has been in the education industry for 40 years.
Where can I find references for Cornerstone Colleges?
There are two helpful websites. The first one is the federal government’s website, which compiles a list of colleges and universities across Canada where registered individuals can obtain a student permit. The federal government assigns a registration number, or Designated Learning Institution (DLI), to each institution. Remember to use the drop-down menu to search for British Columbia and then type “Cornerstone” to find the college’s DLI. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-institutions-list.asp
The second website is the government of the province of British Columbia:
What programs does Cornerstone offer?
We have nine study and work diplomas: Hospitality Management, Customer Relations, International Business Management, Digital Marketing, Advanced Digital Marketing, UI/UX Design, Web Development, Mobile App Development, and Network and System Solutions. We also have English as a Second Language programs.
Is it possible to work while studying English?
No. In Canada, language classes (English, French, or any other) do not grant the possibility of a work permit.
How is the admission process? How do I register for Cornerstone?
- The first step is to determine the program and the date you want to start the classes.
- Then you must complete the online application form and attach a copy of your passport.
- At the same time, we need to know your current level of English to decide if you meet the admission requirements for your chosen program.
- Once your level of English is considered adequate, we will send you an invoice so that you can proceed to make the first payment.
- Within 48 hours of receiving the payment, the College will send you a letter of acceptance.
- With the letter, you can start the second process, which is the application for a student and/or work permit at the nearest Canadian Embassy.
Does the college provide advice on the study permit application process?
We can guide you through the process by advising you on the type of permit you need, the processing time, and where to find the official information. If you tell us about your case, we can advise you and determine if you need legal representation.
How does the college help students find jobs?
The college provides support to students during their co-op period, helping them with tasks such as writing a Canadian resume, preparing cover letters, communicating with employers, and applying for jobs. CICCC also offers regular workshops on job interviews, job search strategies, and familiarizing students with the Canadian work culture. The college maintains a job bank, connecting companies with students seeking employment and serving as a valuable link between students and potential employers.
How much money can I earn during my studies and during co-op?
The salary depends on the company, the type of job, and your previous work experience and studies. Generally, the more education and professional experience someone has, the higher their wage can be. According to Glassdoor.ca, the average co-op student salary in Canada is CAD 78,458.00 per year or CAD 40.24 per hour. Entry-level positions start at CAD 43,412.00 per year, while most experienced workers make up to CAD 140,486.00 per year.
Is there any age limit to enroll at Cornerstone?
The minimum age to participate in the English programs is 16 years old; however, we do not have an age limit. At Cornerstone College, age is not a limitation if you want to learn English. For Diploma programs, the minimum age is 18 years old or a high school graduate. There is no age limit for our diploma programs either. We have had students in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and it has not been a limitation for them to learn.
What additional expenses should I be aware of?
- Accommodation costs depend a lot on the option you choose. On the Cornerstone website, you can find some suggestions here: https://ciccc.ca/homestay-shared-accommodation
- Three months of health insurance that you can arrange through the college cost around CAD 186.00 (considering that the month has 31 days). The price per day is CAD 2.00.
- The province’s health insurance costs CAD 75.00 per month. People who will be living in British Columbia for more than six months are eligible for provincial insurance. You can read more about health insurance here: https://ciccc.ca/medical-insurance-services-canada/
- The monthly transportation pass starts at CAD 105.00. The further the accommodation, the more expensive the monthly pass.
- Utilities are generally included in the monthly rent. You can spend around CAD 400.00 per month on meals if your accommodation option does not include them.
- Although we have had students traveling with spouses and children, it depends on each case, and the College cannot guarantee what type of extra costs you will have in these cases.
- Keep in mind that including family in your study permit application implies that you must demonstrate more savings to the Canadian government.
- Only public and private colleges or universities able to grant degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate) can guarantee that you can obtain a permit for your spouse.
What happens if the Canadian government denies me a study permit?
If your study visa is denied, you can reapply for the study and/or work permit by improving the application. The Canadian government sends a letter stating why the visa was not approved. The College can send you a new letter of acceptance with an updated date (if applicable). You must send the College the visa refusal letter that the Embassy of Canada gives you. If you wish not to reapply for the study and/or work permit, you have the option of requesting a refund. In the same way, you must send us the visa refusal letter so that the accountant can calculate the refund. In general, the value of the application fee plus the CAD 80.00 administrative fee would be lost. All refunds are processed within 30 days of signing the refund calculation.
What happens after I complete my studies at Cornerstone?
These are three scenarios that generally apply to our students upon graduation:
1) Students enroll in other schools or universities to obtain a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree; it is recommended to be in a public institution because of the easy access to these institutions once the students are physically in Canada. After one or two years of studying and/or working in Canada, their level of English usually meets or exceeds the language requirements of public universities.
2) Students find a company or employer that decides to support them in their immigration application with the Canadian government.
3) Students return to their country of origin due to various reasons, such as having projects to fulfill, returning to their family, or simply because they decided not to settle in Vancouver or Canada.
How can I become a Permanent Resident of Canada?
Becoming a permanent resident of Canada is a complex topic. Generally, no academic program can guarantee permanent resident status to students because it depends on factors such as age, previous studies, work experience, proficiency in English and/or French, travel history, and if you have a job offer in Canada at the time of application, among other things.
You can visit this website to learn more about current immigration programs:
Can my children go to public schools while I study at Cornerstone?
For your minor dependents to access public school, you must have:
- A study permit for at least one year and a part-time job (20 hours per week).
- If you are coming with your spouse, he or she must also have a study or work permit for at least one year and a part-time job as well.
- They must also comply with registration dates and other guidelines established by each public school.
- We recommend that you read the information contained in the following link to learn more:
http://go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/drpc/Registration/Pages/ELIGIBILITY-FOR-A-PUBLICLY-FUNDED-EDUCATION.aspx
What is the minimum wage in Vancouver?
The minimum wage in the Province of British Columbia is CAD 16.75 per hour.
