Advantages of Studying in Manitoba

General environment: The trend of studying abroad continues to rise

Every year, the number of students studying abroad has been increasing dramatically. According tothe data released by the Ministry of Education, in 2016, the total number of Chinese students studying abroad was 544,500.Among them, 21% came to Canada to study. Ontario and British Columbia are the most popular destinations for overseas students because of the rich educational resources and other advantages (according toReports on Chinese Students’ Overseas Studyreleased by New Oriental). The truth is that many of the less popular provinces have many of the same advantages as Ontario and BC. Let’s focus on studying abroad in the province of Manitoba.

Introduction to Manitoba

Manitoba is located in central Canada and is the heart of the entire North American continent. It borders Ontario in the east, Saskatchewan in the west, North Dakota and Minnesota in the south, and the territory of Nunavut in the north, with the Hudson Bay in the Arctic Ocean)

Manitoba is the sixth largest province in Canada. The province covers an area of ​​649,950 square kilometres, of which surface water covers 16%. It is also because of this that Manitoba is known as the province with 100,000 lakes. Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is about 100 kilometres away from the US border and 29 kilometres west of the longitude centre of Canada. The city has a population of 700,000.
Visitors to Manitoba not only have the chance to experience a variety of outdoor activities, but also get a feel for the vivid urban life. They can see the majestic polar bears, relive the legendary history of the fur trade era, taste various local delicacies, and learn about the traditions of the people of Manitoba. The nice spring breeze is also something that is hard to forget. In addition to watching polar bears and the northern lights, studying in Manitoba is also a good choice. Whether learning English or learning about the agricultural economy, Manitoba can provide enough opportunities for you to share knowledge and gain experience.
Manitoba has a well-developed education system and many educational institutions. Many universities and colleges can provide learning opportunities for international students. International students come to Manitoba not only to learn English and French, but also to further their knowledge in various disciplines.

Disadvantages of Living in Manitoba

Manitoba is different from Ontario and BC in terms of prosperity and liveliness, and life there is calmer and more comfortable. If you enjoy life in the hustle and bustle, you may feel bored living in the monotonous Manitoba. In addition, Manitoba has shorter summers and longer winters, and the lowest temperature in winter is minus 40 degrees Celsius, so those who are afraid of the cold need to think twice.

Advantages of working in Manitoba

》》High employment rate in Manitoba

Statistics released by Statistics Canada on June 9, 2017 showed that in May of the same year, there were 54,500 of new jobs in Canada, the third highest increase in the past five years, which was significantly better than the expected 15,000 and the previous value of 32,000. In Canada, the unemployment rate in May was 6.6%, which was lower than the expected value of 6.6%. The increase in unemployment was due to the fact that the number of people who entered Canada in May reached 78,400. According to U.S. calculations, Canada’s unemployment rate in May was 5.6%, with Quebec’s unemployment rate falling to a record 6%.Manitoba had the lowest unemployment rateat 5.3%.
Manitoba attracts more and more immigrant groups with its high-quality living environment, good economic conditions, diversified industries and high employment rate. For international students, there are many industries to choose from in Manitoba with an employment rate of 94.7%. The largest aviation manufacturing base and airline headquarters in western Canada are set up in Manitoba, such as Boeing, Bristol Aviation, Standards Aero Aviation and so on. And a large number of financial and insurance investment companies have branches in Manitoba, such as Canada's largest fund company, Canada's largest insurance company, Great-West Life, and Ernst & Young accounting firm, and so on.
It is worth mentioning that Manitoba is the largest manufacturer of transportation in North America and an important logistics centre in Western Canada. With high-end automobile manufacturing technology, it has cooperation projects with many Asian automobile companies, such as Mitsubishi. At the same time, Manitoba's power industry and agricultural development are second to none in Canada. For example, many graduates of University of Manitoba's electrical engineering majors are working for Manitoba Hydro.

》》Advantageous immigration policies

On November 15, 2017, Ian Wishart, Education and Training Minister (head of immigration) of the Provincial Government of Manitoba, announced an agreement with the Canadian federal government to implement a new policy for immigration in Manitoba, expand the number of provincial nominations, accelerate the processing of immigration applications, and strengthen foreign worker categories to attract talents to supplement the local labour market. Manitoba Immigration has fully updated the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conditions. Among them, the provincial nominee program for international students has been improved to encourage more international students to settle in Manitoba.
The characteristics of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) are that the applicants are assessed through a points system. The Manitoba government screens from high to low (the quota is limited each year, so the higher the application score, the greater the chance of being selected). The nominated applicants will receive an invitation letter from Manitoba Immigration. What are the requirements for international students to apply for the the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program?

1.        Certificates (including technical certificates, associate diplomas, undergraduate degrees and postgraduate diplomas) obtained from a public or private institution recognized by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of Canada
2.        A valid work permit after graduation
3.        A contract for full-time permanent employment from the employer
4.        Statement of intent to live in Manitoba
5.        Graduates from Manitoba must have worked for six months before applying, while graduates from other provinces need to have one year of work experience before applying

Therefore, immigration after graduation in Manitoba or other provinces is faster and easier, providing a pathway to permanent residence for international students.
 

Advantages of Studying Abroad in Manitoba

  Manitoba’s excellent education system, strong faculty, safe learning environment, and good employment prospects are all positive qualities that Chinese students to study there. In recent years, there have been some changes in desired destinations among Chinese students studying in Canada. They no longer crowd in big cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, but instead, choose smaller and medium-sized cities. Winnipeg has the seventh-largest population in Canada. It has the convenience of amenities of large cities (such as having an international airport), plus the tranquility and comfort of small and medium-sized cities. The proportion of Chinese people in Winnipeg is relatively lower, and the language-learning environment is very good, which is beneficial for foreign students studying there. Winnipeg's high employment rate makes the competition for international students looking for jobs much lower than in big cities. The cost of living in Winnipeg is lower, too. There are not many places for dining and entertainment as there are in large cities. Therefore, international students can concentrate more on their studies.

》》Low tuition and living expenses

Manitoba has always been aiming to provide high-quality education, low tuition and living expenses, while also providing first-class educational opportunities for international students. Tuition fees in Manitoba are generally 70% of other provinces, with an average tuition fee ranging from $8,000 to $12,000 CAD per year. In the province of Manitoba, while ensuring affordable and low tuition policies, the university rankings have always been at the forefront among others in Canada. For example, the University of Manitoba is ranked 16th in Canadian primarily undergraduate universities, and the University of Winnipeg is ranked 10th (Maclean’s magazine, 2011), Brandon University is ranked 14th (MacLean’s magazine, 2011), etc.

》》International students enjoy free medical benefits

Medical insurance for international students has always been a topic of concern to parents of students studying abroad. In September 2011, the provincial government of announced that international students studying in Manitoba will be able to enjoy free medical care since April 2012. Accompanying family members (spouse and children) can also enjoy free medical care. As one of Canada's most popular immigration provinces, Manitoba is currently the only province that provides free medical insurance policies for international students.

》》60% tuition refund policy

According to the government regulations in Manitoba, all students who complete their studies in Manitoba, including college, university, graduate and postgraduate degrees, can apply for a 60% tuition refund after immigration, with a total amount of up to $25,000.
For example: Tuition Fee              refund of 60% of tuition fee
$40000    $24000
$25000    $15000

Preparation for Studying in Manitoba

》》Step 1: Choose a school

There are many excellent schools in Manitoba, such asUniversity of Manitoba、University of Winnipeg、Brandon University、the International College of Manitoba、Red River Collegeand the Winnipeg Technical College -- each with their own strengths and characteristics. The student’s experience does not start and end from an academic perspective. On the contrary, your best time in college may happen outside of the classroom. Your choice of school is actually a choice of lifestyle for the next four years. Therefore, it is important that you choose a place that suits your lifestyle and culture.
Are you yearning for the hustle and bustle of the city, or do you prefer for the quiet life in the country? When you study, will you work? Are you willing to participate in school clubs or social activities? Or will you prioritize your courses? Before making the final decision, we suggest that you to spend more time on research and learn more about the characteristics and cultural environment of each school.

》》Step 2: Submit a school application

After fully understanding the details of each school and their major departments, carefully read and prepare the requirements for the application. The generally required materials are: a high school transcripts, graduation certificates (high school graduation certificate and college graduation certificate, if any), IELTS or TOEFL test results, copy of your application statement, application form, passport, etc.

>> Step 3: Prepare for the language proficiency test

For those of you who have selected a school and submitted your application, the next step is to prepare for the language proficiency test according to the language requirements of your chosen school. For example, the University of Manitoba requires a total score of 6.5 in IELTS, no less than 6.0 in each section; or 86 in the TOEFL IBT, no less than 20 in each section.
Of course, some schools accept applicants without qualifying language results by offering conditional admissions, which means that the students can to go to the school after landing in Canada, write a language placement test and complete the corresponding language program courses before they can enter their program of study.

》》Step 4: Apply for a student visa

"Whether you apply for a college, undergraduate, or Canadian graduate student, after you overcome the difficulties and get an admission offer from a Canadian university/college, you must now face a major obstacle – to apply for a Canadian student visa.This a type of entry visa that determines whether you can legally enter through Canadian customs. The student visa is issued by the Canadian Embassy in China.
Another extremely important document is the Canadian Study Permit. It is issued to you by the customs officer when you first enter Canada. At the same time as you receive the student visa, you will also receive an Introduction Letter of the Study Permit. With this letter and the university’s offer letter, students can get a study permit at the place of entry (Canada Customs). The validity of the study permit determines how long you can live in Canada. Customs officers generally decide how long to grant you a study permit based on the date you graduate.
“For details of the student visa application, please refer to our previous article "Application for a Canadian Student Visa (the Most Comprehensive Guide Online)"）》

》》Step 5: Prepare to go abroad

In recent years, there have been more and more Chinese students studying in Canada, and with it comes the troublesome baggage allowance problem. Many international students want to get a complete packing list for studying abroad before going to Canada, so that they can prepare themselves fully and help adapt to the new environment. At the same time, more importantly, because the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar to RMB is almost 1 to 5, many things are indeed cheaper to buy in China.
Therefore, bringing the right things can reduce costs when arriving in Canada. Those who are about to come to Canada, take a look at this article:The Most Complete Packing List in History For Your Journey Studying in Canada description"~