Going to school in Toronto is very exciting, even so, it can be a little overwhelming. Being away from the family and adjusting yourself to a new environment where you will find differences in the culture, weather, food, language, and people can be very challenging.
Living new experiences and learning new cultures is no doubt one of the most enriching factors for our personal and academic growth. To help our international high school students to overcome the most common challenges of studying abroad, Keystone School has created a list of facts of what international students in Canada should know before coming to complete high school.
Culture Shock:
Culture shock is one of the first things an international student faces upon arriving in Canada. This includes differences in body language, tone of voice, signs as well as the pace of life in Toronto. The best way to get through a Cultural Shock is to first understand Canada’s culture. Remember that understanding other cultures does not mean abandoning your own culture, but adjusting to it. Keystone School plays an important role in helping students with early adaptations and understanding Canadian culture.
Being Homesick:
Being homesick is another challenge and guess what? It is totally normal to be homesick if you do not have friends and family in Toronto. The best way to overcome this is to socialize with your host family and make new friends at school. Keep in touch with your family by making virtual video calls frequently and do not forget that Keystone School makes sure to support our students on an academic, social and emotional level. It is important to point out that Canada is a very diverse country. Toronto is one of the biggest multicultural cities in the world, you will always find a little corner of your country, culture, and religion here.
Weather:
Be prepared to experience real cold days in the winter months and make sure you have all the clothing you need for the low temperature that can reach -20°C. January is the month that snows the most in Toronto and the essential clothing are: A good snow coat, gloves, winter boots, scarf, and winter cap. Despite the temperature, winter and its snow can be a lot of fun if you learn to play winter sports such as ice skating, ice skiing, or snowboarding.
Toronto is not only about the cold! But it also is important to remember that winter doesn’t happen all year long. Toronto is one of the provinces that has four well-defined seasons, which provides the opportunity to enjoy.
Come join this amazing international experience at Keystone International Schools!
If you want to know more about our programs, please contact us.
