International Student - Question, Answers & Must Know Stuff

[Tanya N]

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[itstime]

Hey,
Alright now I know my questions and all may seem ridiculous and redundant but I would really like to know the answers to em.
Please dont mind my questions, they may seem totally stupid to you but as a new student I do have a lot of worries and questions.
Im in bout downtown, Toronto area.

So here it goes.

1. Being a Girl International Student and having a temporary residency on 111 Carlton street is the area safe? :-\
2. Would I face ragging/hazing/discrimination?

I've been told to stay away from Jane and Finch. Carlton should be OK.

You are going to a city where there are 140+ languages being spoken. Do you really think racism is an issue there? In my visits to Toronto I have met one downright racist.

3. What is a good mobile carrier/service for BBM - Black Berry Messenger? (The entire family is on bbm here, its a mini Facebook on my cell with 78 actual family members) Thus its really important!
4. Is there a BBM and Internet plan for a BlackBerry which wont burn a hole in my pocket and hospitalize me?! Also where can I buy a new BlackBerry from?

Wind might be a good option.

6. So many people have told me not to carry more than 15 dollars at a time cause I would get mugged/raped/knifed for it! The amount of people telling me this is freaking me out "BIG TIME"

Toronto is classed as one of the safest cities in the world. Don't listen to the people who are scaring you. Could it be that they don't want you to go?

7. Would I need Snow Boots and what are they? I've been told to have them.

You will need warm clothes in the winter and you can get that anywhere.

8. I'm carrying both my 1 TB External Portable Hard Drives with me (2 of em), can I carry em in my carry on luggage? Ill disperse em with me and my Family members carry on. Is that ok?

As long as your carry on is within size/weight/number of bags allowed, you are OK.

9. All my Movies and Songs are Dvd and CD rips, would that be a problem? My Aunt N Uncle own a Movie & Music Store so we get to watch n save what ever we want.

You can rent a dvd, rip it and save it but it is still illegal because you don't physically own it. So if you don't have the physical copy or it's not bought from a legally approved download site - you don't own it and it's not yours and it's not legal.

12. What kind of clothes would I need to buy for the winter or am I supposed to look like an Eskimo? What must I have with me?

Whatever makes you feel good and you think look good. Stop worrying!

16. Id love to volunteer (especially with animals if I could) is there a place I can do so?
17. How to have volunteer time noted towards my visa for later citizenship? Any such thing?

I believe even volunteer work is classed as work so you would need a work permit.

18. Is it safe for me to walk and take public transport alone? Like for going shopping, groceries, to the hospital and so on?

Again, you are moving to one of the safest cities in the world. The likelyhood of getting pulled of the bus and gang-raped is pretty much non-existent.

19. Do I have to have a vehicle to get an Ontario License? I just want one in the event of an emergency and I have to drive a car/bike there.

No you don't.

20. Like how in India and Dubai we have the Activa, Honda, etc. The 2 wheeler non geared bikes are there any in Canada? How do I buy one? What would I need? Which License and all? Where do I find them? Website? Please Help!

There is a wonderful website called google. Try that. ;-)

21. Does Scotia bank have an account that I can open so I can save some money like for an emergency fall back savings thingie? Something where I dont have to have a minimum balance and Pay for an account. I have my GIC there.

I'm sure they do, just as CIBC, TD, BMO, RBC have. Howabout looking at their websites?

23. In Ontario are the cars Right hand Drive or Left? As in which side of the car is the steering wheel? In India its the Right Hand Side and in Dubai it's the Left. ???

Canada practices right hand traffic. The steering wheel is on the left.

24. Can I carry My Camera and Kit along with me as carry on luggage? Its the Canon 1100D with 3 lenses and memory cards. My flight is via Brussels.

As long as you don't exceed the weight/size/number of bags allowed by your airline you are OK. And you should take the camera in your carry-on.

Im gonna stop questioning the world here now!

Please any answer and additional information would be great!

I have a couple of questions for you. Have you actually done your own research through the internet (and I mean by reading up on the subjects at official Canadian websites)? Talked to the Canadian embassy/consulate tourist information? Or are you just listening to what other people are telling you?

 

[krishnat]

good post

 

[softfuel12]

I'll try to answer some of your questions:

1. Yes, it is considerably safe. You need to be alert at times.
2. No, you won't face any kind of ragging or hazing. Racism is everywhere in North America, so this is something you need to deal with.
3. Bell has a nice Blackberry coverage, I can as my friend is on Blackberry.
6. Carrying too much cash is something not too common here in Canada, everybody uses debit/credit card. You can carry cash up to $20 dollars without worrying.
7. Yes, you need them in winter when it snows. They are boots to protect you from harsh Canadian winters.
8. Yes, you can carry hard drives, I carried 3 of them without any hassle.
9. No problem, nobody checks your movies and songs.
10. Can't answer
12. Buy thermals, leather/woolen caps & mittens, 1 warm winter jacket for some initial days later you can buy jacket from here for Canadian Winter. You can't find those kind of jackets in India.
15. If the education level is same then yes you can do that.
18. Public Transport is the safest means for commuting.
19. No, you don't need to buy a vehicle for obtaining license.
20. Canada is a cold country we have snow covered road for almost 6 months, so hardly anyone driver two-wheeler here. Only in summer's for about three months people drive bikes.
21. Yes, you can transfer funds to Scotiabank Chequing Account.
22. You're living near South Asian Community, there are so many Indian stores on Gerrard Street.
23. The steering is on the left side.
24. Yup, you can.

4, 5, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, Something that you don't need to worry about before coming to Canada.

I hope it helps!

 

[softfuel12]

Thank you so much "itstime" and "softfuel" for helping me and answering all my questions and taking the time to reply.
I am really grateful and thankfull.
Thank you so much! :-*

No Problem. I am in GBC too.

 

[softfuel12]

Lovely. Which Program and Intake?

Program: Information Systems Business Analyst
Intake: Jan 2013

 

[MandyKMF]

Me too....GBC pg in financial planning

Gna live in downtown toronto as well with my best friend shes already there ....she said its perfectly fine .....in 7 mths shes there she had just one scenario where some random guy said "you go to GBC ryt, can i have ur number".....

For a girl in any city you gta be used to stuff like that by now....