“What supports are available for international students?”

International students can access resources and supports from the federal and provincial governments, from their post-secondary school, and from their community. They can also qualify for scholarships.

Government sources

EduCanada has everything you need to know about studying in Canada. Learn about finding a program, planning your studies, study permits and visas, living and working in Canada, student wellness, and more.

§  Follow the EduCanada blog for tips on life as an international student.

§  Check out these video testimonials by international students from around the world to learn how studying in Canada changed their lives.

The Study in Alberta website provides information that can help you research, plan, apply, and enrol in a post-secondary program in Alberta. You’ll also find useful tips on living in Alberta, working while you study, finding health care, and more.

Visit the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for information about visitor visas, work permits, citizenship, permanent residency, refugee protection and asylum, and immigration and sponsorship programs.

Support from your school

Alberta’s post-secondary schools offer support and resources to help students from other countries settle into their new student community. Services such as academic counselling, career counselling, medical services, mental health services, and housing are available directly through your post-secondary institution or through your institution’s referrals to community organizations.

For more information on what services might be available, use this page to link to international student services offices at Alberta’s post-secondary schools.

Speak to your school’s admission staff or international student advisors about available programs, the application process, tuition costs, and living in Alberta.

Scholarships and internships

International students may be eligible for scholarships from the Canadian government, foreign governments, post-secondary institutions, and other organizations.

Do some research to find out what’s out there:

§  Search your school’s website for scholarship opportunities.

§  Check EduCanada and use its search engine to find scholarships for international students.

§  Check the Canadian Bureau for International Education for information on the international scholarship programs it manages on behalf of Global Affairs Canada. These include the following:

-      Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program for students from Latin America and the Caribbean

-      Study in Canada Scholarships for students from eligible countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East

-      Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) for students from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam

-      Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program for nationals of French-speaking developing countries

§  Check out these websites for more scholarships for international students:

-      Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

-      Canadian International Development Scholarships

-      Graduate study and research awards from the Organization of American States Academic Scholarship Program

-      Mitacs Globalink Research Internship Program for undergraduates

-      Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for doctoral studies in health research, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities

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