Why do people who come to study in Canada struggle with packing?
In recent years, there have been more and more Chinese students studying in Canada, and the struggles of packing of suitcases are real. Many international students want to have a complete list of things to pack in their luggage before going to Canada, so that they can prepare themselves more fully and make life in a foreign country easier. More importantly, because the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar to the RMB is almost 1 to 5, many things are indeed cheaper to buy from back home. Therefore, bringing the right things can reduce your costs in Canada.
Pack according to your destination city
It is important to note that if you are going to study in a city with a large Chinese community (such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa), many of the things mentioned below do not need to be brought. Because many Chinese people live in these big cities, there are also many shops and supermarkets specializing in selling Chinese goods, and the prices are not much higher in China. However, if the school you are studying in is located in a remote town or a city with a small Chinese population, this article will definitely help you!
Therefore, I suggest that before your departure, you shouldinternational student recruitment agency in Canada in the city where your school is located.
So, what exactly should be included in your packing list? We’re going to give you a few ideas here for both girls and boys.
Study in Canada / Packing Lists for Girls and Boys / Important Documents and Other Things
Visa, passport, photocopy of identification documents, school acceptance letter, GIC deposit receipt, copy of university or high school transcript, language proficiency transcript, notarized documents (including diplomas, graduation certificates, marriage certificate, proof of parental relationship, criminal record check, drivers license, etc.), all original documents and copies distributed by the embassy, and 1" and 2" photos. Have a duplicate copy of all your documents kept separately from your original copies.
Study Abroad in Canada – Packing List for Girls
1.Suitcase
It is best to prepare two suitcases, but some airlines only allow one. So be sure to check in advance the baggage allowance, maximum size and weight of the suitcases. At the same time, it is better to choose soft suitcases rather than hard cases. The hard ones break and get damaged easily, while the soft ones are more durable.
You are allowed to bring one carry-on luggage. It should be noted that there are size restrictions of the carry-on luggage for Air Canada. If the size is too big, you will not be allowed to bring it. It is better to buy the suitcases that can encase the wheels and handles. Some people may find it more practical to use a bag made of fabric instead, because it is lighter, but we want to remind all readers that although this kind of bag can store more items, it is not practical after arriving in Canada.
Backpacks. You can choose a size according to your needs. However, you may be intercepted before boarding if your bag is too large. So, you can choose to buy a larger one, but do not go overboard!
Leather bags. They are irresistible to girls, and it is not possible to use just one bag the whole time you are studying abroad. Bags in Canada can be very expensive, so in order to save money, bring a few with you.
2. Bedding
It is best to bring two sets of bed sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases. Double size is best. This way, you can use them on either a double or a twin bed. If you get anything smaller than a double, chances are, you might end up with a bigger bed and you would need to buy new sets.
As for blankets, it is best to bring a light one that is not too thick, so it can be used in hot weather. Also, bring a lightweight down blanket that is light enough to carry and warm enough for the cold, winter nights.
If you can get an inflatable pillow, it will save you a lot of packing space. However, if you really hate them, you can buy a regular pillow from your local store after you arrive. However, foreign pillows may also feel strange if you have not used them before.
3.Kitchenware
It is wrong to think that you will be able to buy everything you need after you arrive in Canada. You should know that the eating habits of Canadians are very different from that of the Chinese, and the tableware is also very different. Bringing a small steamer, the ones with steaming racks, because they can be easily used for heating and cooking rice.
As for other pots and pans, it is better to choose a flat-bottom non-stick pan, so that it can be used for frying and sautéing. Rice cookers and the like can be bought locally. It is not convenient to carry kitchenware and it is better to just spend some money and buy it locally.
You may also want to bring a set of tableware or utensils and a cutting board. Plastic cutting boards are not expensive in Canada, so you can buy it locally as well.
4.Condiments and Seasonings
These are not to be left behind, because you will not be able to taste authentic Chinese food from your hometown for a long time while being abroad. If you like, you can bring some dried ingredients, such as black fungus, shiitake mushrooms, dried beans, daylily roots, dried shrimps, dried kelp, tealeaves, etc. These are dry, lightweight, and nonperishable, so you can keep these in your kitchen for a long time. They can also make for pretty good gifts.
In terms of seasonings like Szechuan peppercorns, hot pot broths, Mapo tofu seasoning, etc., you may choose to bring as much as you like, but as for local products such as oils, salt, sauces and vinegar, their flavours are easy to get used to. However, one thing to note is that Canada has no laws prohibiting the sale of expired food products, so be sure to check the expiry date and shelf life when grocery shopping.
5.Personal Items
What the female students go abroad, cosmetics and toiletries are often at the top of their packing list. If there is not a brand that you are loyal to, it is recommended that you buy these items after you arrive in Canada. So, just bring a small amount in case you cannot find any. If you have sensitive skin, you should carry the products you normally use to avoid skin irritation.
The amount of toiletries also depends on individual needs. We would also you to just bring a couple of your favourite hair accessories, because in Canada, it might be hard to find good-looking accessories that are cheap.
6.Clothing & Shoes
Girls tend to have more clothes than boys, so it is best to cut down your wardrobe to the basic necessities.
It is better to bring more cotton socks, because Canadians usually do their laundry once a week. You will not need to bring too many pairs of pantyhose or stockings, because you will wear less in the summer. You will probably only need to wear them in the winter for special occasions.
Autumn fashion items and thermals are must-haves, but most native Canadians do not wear these. You might be reminded of the cold Chinese winter when you are not wearing thermals, so you might want to bring a couple of these.
Two thin pairs of wool pants can be worn in the winter, to keep your legs warm. Do not go out barelegged, because not keeping your legs warm can result in long-term health problems. You can wear wool pants directly under a pair of normal pants.
You can bring more long and short-sleeved t-shirts. These are commonly worn in Canada in both winter and summer seasons.
Jeans, summer dresses, cropped pants, formal skirts, and cotton skirts can all be worn in Canada.
As for footwear, you may want to bring a pair of sandals, running shoes, sneakers, casual shoes, and high heels. Other kinds of footwear can be bought locally. (A friendly reminder: Some people do not know whether clothes are more expensive in Canada or in China. If you are used to paying as little as 10 RMB for a t-shirt, you should probably bring them from China, because you will rarely find such low prices in Canada. If you prefer big brands, buying them in Canada is the best deal, because there are sales and the prices are lower. Of course, if you like low-priced fashion items, buying them from China will be more cost-effective. After all, the prices in China are still relatively low. For those who are more petite, the clothes sold in China probably fit better because Canadians are generally taller and bigger in size. Also, you should bring a set of formal wear because there are many dances, parties and social activities in Canada, and you cannot take part in them unless you dress appropriately.
7.Daily Necessities
Sunglasses, nail clippers, foldable scissors, flashlights, sewing kits, wall hooks, alarm clocks, batteries, chargers, moth balls, etc.
8.Pharmaceuticals
Some schools offer medical insurance that covers a part of prescription drugs, but most do not. It is best to bring some cold medicine, eye drops, painkillers, fever reducers, antacids, Band-Aids, botanical oils, gynecological medicine, lozenges, thermometer, cough syrup, and other kinds of Chinese medicine. it is best to bring more, because in Canada, medicine is rarely taken when get sick, so it is better to bring more.
In addition, you may consider bringing some Chinese souvenirs. The best gifts can be, for example, a Chinese knot, paper cutting art, a sandalwood fan, a set of cloisonné bowls, a scarf, tealeaves, etc.
Study Abroad in Canada – Packing List for Men
1.Bedding
Bring a set of bedding that consists of a bed sheet, blanket, and pillowcases. The blanket does not need to be too thick, and duvets with silk fillings are the best.
2.Kitchenware
Knives, aprons, and others can be bought locally. It is best to buy a rice cooker after you arrive in Canada.
3.Clothing & Shoes
Clothes: socks, underwear, pajamas, short-sleeved T-shirts, thermals, casual clothes, sweaters, thick coats, windbreakers, down jackets, formal wear, hats, gloves, scarves, swimwear
Shoes: sandals, slippers, sneakers, running shoes
The temperature in most parts of Canada is relatively low, and it is often windy. If you like outdoor activities, it is best to bring a windbreaker that it is waterproof, windproof and moisture-proof. Hats and gloves are best brought from China, because for a similar price, the quality of these Chinese products will be better, and there more different styles to choose from. Other clothing, except for necessities, can be bought locally in Canada. Not all items are expensive.
4.Daily Necessities
Towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, razors (available locally in Canada), sewing kits, scissors, nail clippers (bring these because they can be hard to find in Canada), wall hooks, cups, rags, laundry bags, umbrella, backpack.
Glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and solution, glasses cleaning cloths, etc. In addition, conversion adapters, extension cords, computers, mobile phones, cameras, and all electronic products can be selectively carried. It doesn't matter if you decide to bring your USB flash drive, because we have Internet connection and network drives now. Another thing to keep in mind is that these high-end electronic products are inexpensive in Canada, so it is also possible to buy them locally after you arrive. There is no need to bring a printer cable, because wireless printing can be achieved now, so there is no need for extra cables and equipment unless you go to a very remote place.
Also, you might want to bring some heat insulating products. Products like these are sold in Canada too so bringing just one set will be enough. However, Canadians tend to prefer cold beverages, so they do not have much of a demand for these and are not easy to find. Insulated lunch boxes can be used to hold rice or serve food as a bowl. It is best to bring a set of microwaveable containers. There are many people who use microwave ovens in Canada because they are fast and simple to use. In addition, Canadian supermarkets also sell bowls, but they are quite expensive. Plastic containers are not suitable for repeated microwave heating, and they are not as practical as the ones from China.
5.Pharmaceuticals
Band-Aids, iodine, alcohol wipes, eye drops, cold medicine, painkillers, antacids, antibiotics, thermometer, botanical oils, allergy medicine, and other types of Chinese medicine. It is a good idea to bring more Chinese medicine, because it is difficult to find them in Canada, but make sure to check what you can and cannot bring in advance. Some drugs may be banned from entry.
6.Others
It is best to bring a credit card and a small amount of cash, about $5,000. Open the roaming service on your Chinese SIM card for international calls, and then buy a local SIM card after arriving in Canada. It is best to bring a screwdriver, because glass bottles like those that hold ketchup can be difficult to open. So, having a screwdriver is handy in this situation. The most important thing is that you can do a lot of small fixes with a screwdriver, such as building furniture and repairing small household appliances. It is a good idea to bring a small, practical set, which does not occupy much space, nor is it too heavy.
As for food, boys tend to cook less, so bring as much food as you can. For example, Chinese chili sauces, which are quite popular now outside of China, can be expensive. Also, bring some tealeaves, but do not bring any meat or soy products. If you want to bring fruit to eat on the flight, it is best to bring just a small portion, because fruits are prohibited entry at Canadian customs.
I believe that through this introduction, you will have a better idea of what you should bring with you when you come to study in Canada. Of course, everyone’s situation is different, so choose items that you think you will need to pack for your future needs.
