Increasing trend of studying abroad in high school
 Studying abroad in high school has great appeal to Chinese high school students and their parents. The choice of destination country for studying abroad will be the first decision to make. According to data collected by UtoCanada, the number of teenagers studying in Canada has increased by 36% compared to last year. Let’s talk about the reasons for going to high school in Canada.
Reason #1: Canada is one of the most habitable countries in the world.
Canada has been the country with the most cities voted as the best city to live in, year after year. In the latest CNBC report of the World's Most Livable Countries, Canada was ranked at second place. This ranking takes into account the opinions of business elites, leaders, and citizens. It also comprehensively considers cultural influence, historical heritage, and the quality of life. For parents, the deciding factors that are most relevant to them are:
- The low crime rate: Canadian social security is known to be good, which gives parents of younger children or girls more peace of mind. Unlike the U.S., shootings and various crimes are reported every day.according to statistics; Canada is one of the 10 countries with the lowest crime rates.
- Lower cost of living compared to Europe and the U.S.
- Good natural environment
Reason #2: Cultural Diversity and Tolerance in Canada
 Canada is a multicultural country, with Canadians from different ethnic backgrounds, races, religions and history. This multiculturalism comes from centuries of immigration history, and as a result, it has created the characteristics of a diverse population in Canadian society. The Canadian government attaches great importance to the diversity of its population and seeks to protect the cultural heritage of its citizens. Through the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, the government encourages Canadians to take pride in their language, religion, and culture, and to maintain their customs and traditions, without violating any Canadian law.
 As one of the most multicultural countries in the world, Canada accommodates a large number of immigrants from more than 100 countries around the world. Because of multiculturalism, the country has adapted unique and independent qualities different from other countries. Cultures live in harmony and respect. Compared to the neighboring United States – a melting pot for different cultures, Canada is obviously better in terms of equality of its citizens. This harmonious social atmosphere makes it easier for young people from overseas to live in the local societies. In Canada, people of different skin colors, nationalities and languages can easily live, work, and study together. Moreover, critical protection for both adolescents and women are important factors for discussion and attention in Canadian society. For parents who are concerned about the safety of their children abroad, Canada would be a good choice for having a good educational environment.
Reason #3: The Canadian government attaches great importance to the quality of secondary education.
Canada has the highest GDP spending on public education compared to any other developed country in the world. According to statistics reports, the average percentage of GDP that developed countries spend on public education is 5.9%, while that of Canada is over 7%. Of course, the country's emphasis on education is not only reflected in their educational expenditure, but also in the range of education resources and facilities. In some primary and secondary schools, skills in archery, horseback-riding, golf and even cutting-edge technology are among the school's curriculum options, and schools provide as many opportunities as possible to give students a chance to experience different disciplines.
These activities in school can influence the students greatly, and can promote their understanding the world and future development.
Emphasis on developing students' practical and practical skills
 Canadian secondary education focuses on developing students’ practical skills, teaching the them to do basic tasks from everyday life. For example, in home economics class, students are taught how to cook, sew, use and maintain household appliances, how to repair houses, and how to manage and operate a canteen. The school is equipped with special facilities for students to get hands-on practice.
 At the same time, Canadian secondary education also attaches great importance to cultivating students' creativity and active participation in activities.In the classroom, students are encouraged to self-study and think, and to propose topics of study. Students must go online or go to the library to do research and submit graphic reports. Preparing for exams require more than rote memorization. Most of time, students are required to think independently. Teachers motivate students to do things they are interested in, giving them chances to do design projects, write gaming programs, urban planning assignments, and so on.
Development of students' ability to cooperate with others
 Cultivating students in the skills of cooperating and coordinating with others is also the focus of Canadian secondary education. Teachers also encourage students to express themselves in public. From projects assigned by the teacher, the students discuss ideas in a group and prepare separately, then complete the task together as a team, and finally present the final product to the class. In the process, in order to get better grades and compete with other groups, everyone needs to participate actively while learning to be conscious of their civil conduct and fairness.
Schools help students improve their abilities in order for them to quickly adapt to society
 In Canada, students can participate in various community activities at school or volunteer in the community to exercise their various abilities and skills. For international students, by participating in social activities, not only can they improve their English proficiency, practice their organizational skills and their ability to coordinate with others, but also learn more about the local customs and culture through interaction with others.
Reason 4: Students are assessed in a wide range of areas through different activities
 High schools in Canada do not have a unified national examination like the college entrance examination in China. However, there are different standard examinations and high school assessment standards in different provinces. Take Ontario as an example: “For students studying in Ontario's high schools, the most important test is the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which is issued by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), designed to test whether students' English literacy skills can meet the requirements of Ontario’s curriculum after entering high school.
 The OSSLT test takes place at the end of March or early April of each year. The students obtain their test results in June of the same year. The tests are marked on a pass/fail basis, and only after passing the OSSLT exam are they eligible to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. On the other hand, students who fail the exam are required to participate in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC Course) in the school from mid to late June, and pass the exam of this course. After that, they can also obtain Ontario Secondary School Diploma and apply for a university or college. – Source: "Analysis of the Canadian High School Examination System"
Reason #5: Getting into good universities in North America is easier
 It's much easier to finish high school in Canada and apply to one of Canada's top universities after finishing high school in Canada, rather than to apply directly from your home country. The reasons are:
- You will not need an IELTS score for applying to universities: International students applying for Canadian universities need to provide valid language proficiency scores. For example, the minimum requirement may be a 6.5 in IELTS or an 85 in TOEFL to be admitted directly to a university. For candidates coming from a non-English speaking country, these language tests can be challenging. However, for international students who have been studying in Canada for four years in high school, they can have the language test waived when applying for university. That way, they do not need to spend time preparing for the IELTS or TOEFL test.
- The high school education system correlates better with North American universities: Because Canadian high schools are credit-based, students start taking university/college preparatory courses when they are in their senior year so that they can better adapt to future courses in university/college. In addition to studying, there are many social activities in high school that can allow children to adapt to Canadian culture as soon as possible and improve their ability in all aspects.
- Compared with international students apply directly to university/college from their home countries, students who have completed high school in Canada have better language skills, are more adaptable to Canadian university life, and are better integrated into the communities of local students.
- Visa renewals are much easier to obtain than a first-time visa: Canada is known to be one of the most difficult countries to get any type of visa from. Compared with international students who come directly for college, students who have completed high school and intend to go to college in Canada only need to apply to renew their study permit. Renewal is much easier than applying for a first-time visa in China.
Reason #6: To increase the chances of immigration
Canada is a country of immigrants. Immigration policies in recent years have also provided a lot of convenience for international students to apply. After completing higher education in Canada, you can get a three-year work permit, which allows you to legally stay in Canada for three years with opportunity to apply to become a Canadian permanent resident.Immigration will be easier if you study at a university in a profession, which is of high-demand in the job marketAlthough going from high school to immigration means you have to go through the long process of studying in high school ->college/university ->work -> applying for immigration, Canada's immigration policy is already relatively easy compared to the US and Europe.
Reason #6: It is cheaper than studying in the U.S. and Europe
The cost of studying abroad in Canada is lower than in other countries, such as Europe and the United States.The total cost of studying in high school in Canada for one year is about 120,000-250,000 RMB, while those in Europe, America and other countries need about 160,000-350,000RMB. After enrolling a Canadian university, students can still work legally in their spare time, not only to earn extra money, but also to accumulate experience.
Summary of the Benefits of Going to Canada for High School
After reading this article, I believe you now understood why Canada has become one of the top choices for Chinese parents. UtoCanada proposes a summary of the reasons for the popularity of attending high school in recent years:
- Canada is one of the most livable countries
- Canadian has wide cultural diversity and tolerance
- National emphasis on quality of secondary education
- Comprehensive assessment on different skills and abilities of the students
- Better access to top Canadian universities
- Preparation for immigration to Canada
- Lower costs for studying abroad than in other countries such as Europe and the United States
Therefore, in general, compared to other countries, the cost-effectiveness of sending children to Canada to study is quite high.
