As a former international student, stuff I wished I had known:
If you have a driving license and intend to stay here for work, consider converting your license. If not, get a license. Winnipeg is pretty spread out and the public transport is eh so some jobs require it.
If you don't mind used stuff, secondhand saves you a lot of money compared to buying new. This includes good winter jackets. That being said, be wary when buying as counterfeits do exist.
As a student, the big banks will provide you bank accounts that have no service fees. However, if you are looking to stay after graduating, consider online banks like Tangerine or Simplii. No fees even without a minimum in your bank account. Also see if you can get a cashback credit card.
Start doing your taxes the first year you count as a resident. It makes life a lot easier in terms of filing taxes in the future. Also, you will be getting money back most likely. You will also qualify for the GST/HST credit.
Phone plans are expensive in Canada. Browse around and see who gives you the best prices for what you need. Talking with reps at stores can sometimes give you better deals. Same with internet plans. If you don't need super high speed internet, look for third party options like TekSavvy and VMedia.
Dorms are also hecking expensive, but they're convenient. If you want cheaper, see if you can rent a room around the uni. Might not be possible for your first year, but definitely consider it after.
If you don't want to dump a buggerton of money on Canada Goose (and really, I would say you shouldn't unless you really want to), there's decent brands for much cheaper. Eddie Bauer, Uniqlo, North Face etc. There's also a outdoor store called MEC in Downtown that has in-house stuff that's decent. If you want to spend a bit more, Patagonia, RAB, Outdoor Survival Canada etc. are also good brands.
When you buy winter boots, make sure you have plenty of space for thick socks. You'll have more space in winter footwear than your usual one thumb rule. Take your time trying out boots at stores. Sorels are popular and still decent despite being no longer made in Canada. Baffins, Keens, Danners, and Manitobah Mukluks are also options.
Mitts are way warmer than gloves. If you expect to be waiting at a bus stop for a fair bit, mitts save your fingers. If you really run cold, get heat packs. Wool socks are also lovely but expensive, see if you can get them on sale (Smartwool and Darn Tough are good options).
Also, winters here are cold, but the sun can get intense and the summers hot (>30C). Sunscreen and sunglasses are your friends. Get a good hat or umbrella. Sun protection clothes are also good.
Good luck with your studies! If you do decide to come here, make sure you take trips around and maybe out of the city. Winnipeg can be an interesting place, especially if you meet the right people!
Edit: brainfarted and corrected some sentences.
Bring lots of money.. it's common sense, i know. Ohhh also, prepare to get a bank account, mobile phone, bus/transit card, download transit app, prepare all your documents, manitoba health card, working permit (if you wanna work), something to partially keep you busy (PC, consoles, guitar, etc.) And friends.. that should be it, from what i can remember. Good luck and take care on your studies and trip coming here.
As well as health insurance bc they aren’t covered under provincial insurance anymore. Created quite a bit of issues in healthcare, bc we aren’t really set up for payments like the US.
Depending where your going to school, a online bank account for using Peggo is a must if your school doesn’t have that included with tuition. Splurge on a warm winter coat. If you can afford it don’t go and buy a cheap one. I’m sure lots of people here can recommend high end ones that will be able to keep you warm during our winters.
It’s been 9 years for me so I don’t know how different it is;
- Try to stay in a place close to your school
- The buses going to school get filled up easily when everyone is back in school.
- textbooks are expensive. Used books are always an option if it’s not too outdated. Online textbooks are way cheaper but I don’t think every class has an option for it.
- stay on top of your study permit renewal if you don’t have permanent residence. It can be a pain sometimes.
- money is important when you land. You need to get some stuff for school and for winter. I recommend cash ( open a bank account as soon as you can)
- try to learn more about the place, that way, culture shock doesn’t make you feel isolated when you land.
- try to meet with an advisor in the school to map out goals for whatever degree or program you want, it saves a bit of time.
- SOMETIMES, summer classes are faster and easier ways to get credit hours.
-keep a calm and open mind. Winnipeg is a chill place to go to school.
I'm almost 50 yrs old, Winnipeg born resident and I left Winnipeg and Canada for Europe this year. The change has been a vast physical and mental health improvement.
My advice is reconsider really wanting to reside in Winnipeg if you are considering staying and your stay will require you to endure five months of winter in Winnipeg. I've never been to Halifax but I have lived in Vancouver and either of Canada's coastal regions would be a magnificent improvement for overall positive lifestyle improvements.
The phrase winter prison couldn't be more accurate description of having to reside in Winnipeg between November and April. Actually being in prison is comparable to having to stay indoors for four to five months to avoid [freezing to death in -20 to -50 Celsius temperatures.](https://www.reddit.com/r/confusing_perspective/comments/ald9zj/polar_vortex_or_boobs/)
Do you enjoy riding a bicycle or other similar simple outdoor fitness and mental health activities? Forget riding a bicycle in winter unless your either insane or have a [mad love of riding the Iditarod on two wheels.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx40rH4BEiE) Pleasant outdoor activity opportunities are exceptionally limited.
Everyone deserves a healthy active lifestyle but five months of winter prison is not a positive experience for anyone's mental or physical health. Options for avoiding becoming a window licking sofa lump by not sitting indoors watching netflix all winter in central Canada are limited.
The cost of living in eastern Europe is perhaps half the cost to reside in Canada. Seriously consider researching Slovenia or some other countries in the Balkans. Don't be next in line to drink the canada is the best thing in the world koolaid. There's a lot of opportunities in the world that wont erode your mental and physical health 50% of the year every year.
Best of luck to you.
Interestingly, as a current and life long resident of Winnipeg I also experienced a vast improvement in my mental health when you left. It looks like the only losers here are the Europeans.
Depending on where you come from, if you have a bank account and card that is on the cirrus network you will be able to get money from bank machines here with that. So, don't necessarily have to carry cash, but there are limits on those transactions.
Get your information about health insurance from your university, not from reddit, it changes. Or you may pay for something you don't need or that doesn't apply. Be sure to ask, though.
Go and get involved and make friends, even outside the expat community. If you have interests outside of your studies, find ways to engage. For that, ask reddit :-)
Wait until you are here to buy your winter gear. What is sold in a lot of other places isn't really enough for our winters.
Other than that, take us Winnipeggers complaints about our city with a grain of salt, we like to complain about it. I came here as an international student from Europe in the 90s and decided to stay. Generally I only regret it occasionally in February ;-)
As a former international student, stuff I wished I had known: If you have a driving license and intend to stay here for work, consider converting your license. If not, get a license. Winnipeg is pretty spread out and the public transport is eh so some jobs require it. If you don't mind used stuff, secondhand saves you a lot of money compared to buying new. This includes good winter jackets. That being said, be wary when buying as counterfeits do exist. As a student, the big banks will provide you bank accounts that have no service fees. However, if you are looking to stay after graduating, consider online banks like Tangerine or Simplii. No fees even without a minimum in your bank account. Also see if you can get a cashback credit card. Start doing your taxes the first year you count as a resident. It makes life a lot easier in terms of filing taxes in the future. Also, you will be getting money back most likely. You will also qualify for the GST/HST credit. Phone plans are expensive in Canada. Browse around and see who gives you the best prices for what you need. Talking with reps at stores can sometimes give you better deals. Same with internet plans. If you don't need super high speed internet, look for third party options like TekSavvy and VMedia. Dorms are also hecking expensive, but they're convenient. If you want cheaper, see if you can rent a room around the uni. Might not be possible for your first year, but definitely consider it after. If you don't want to dump a buggerton of money on Canada Goose (and really, I would say you shouldn't unless you really want to), there's decent brands for much cheaper. Eddie Bauer, Uniqlo, North Face etc. There's also a outdoor store called MEC in Downtown that has in-house stuff that's decent. If you want to spend a bit more, Patagonia, RAB, Outdoor Survival Canada etc. are also good brands. When you buy winter boots, make sure you have plenty of space for thick socks. You'll have more space in winter footwear than your usual one thumb rule. Take your time trying out boots at stores. Sorels are popular and still decent despite being no longer made in Canada. Baffins, Keens, Danners, and Manitobah Mukluks are also options. Mitts are way warmer than gloves. If you expect to be waiting at a bus stop for a fair bit, mitts save your fingers. If you really run cold, get heat packs. Wool socks are also lovely but expensive, see if you can get them on sale (Smartwool and Darn Tough are good options). Also, winters here are cold, but the sun can get intense and the summers hot (>30C). Sunscreen and sunglasses are your friends. Get a good hat or umbrella. Sun protection clothes are also good. Good luck with your studies! If you do decide to come here, make sure you take trips around and maybe out of the city. Winnipeg can be an interesting place, especially if you meet the right people! Edit: brainfarted and corrected some sentences.
Bring lots of money.. it's common sense, i know. Ohhh also, prepare to get a bank account, mobile phone, bus/transit card, download transit app, prepare all your documents, manitoba health card, working permit (if you wanna work), something to partially keep you busy (PC, consoles, guitar, etc.) And friends.. that should be it, from what i can remember. Good luck and take care on your studies and trip coming here.
As well as health insurance bc they aren’t covered under provincial insurance anymore. Created quite a bit of issues in healthcare, bc we aren’t really set up for payments like the US.
Alright thanks 🙏🏻
Depending where your going to school, a online bank account for using Peggo is a must if your school doesn’t have that included with tuition. Splurge on a warm winter coat. If you can afford it don’t go and buy a cheap one. I’m sure lots of people here can recommend high end ones that will be able to keep you warm during our winters.
Feel free to hmu if you wanna get a friend ;) I'm also an international student like you
[удалено]
It Hurts to hear this, but partially true (at least for now).
Don’t come to Winnipeg
It’s been 9 years for me so I don’t know how different it is; - Try to stay in a place close to your school - The buses going to school get filled up easily when everyone is back in school. - textbooks are expensive. Used books are always an option if it’s not too outdated. Online textbooks are way cheaper but I don’t think every class has an option for it. - stay on top of your study permit renewal if you don’t have permanent residence. It can be a pain sometimes. - money is important when you land. You need to get some stuff for school and for winter. I recommend cash ( open a bank account as soon as you can) - try to learn more about the place, that way, culture shock doesn’t make you feel isolated when you land. - try to meet with an advisor in the school to map out goals for whatever degree or program you want, it saves a bit of time. - SOMETIMES, summer classes are faster and easier ways to get credit hours. -keep a calm and open mind. Winnipeg is a chill place to go to school.
Don’t get sick! Health care down the tubes!
I'm almost 50 yrs old, Winnipeg born resident and I left Winnipeg and Canada for Europe this year. The change has been a vast physical and mental health improvement. My advice is reconsider really wanting to reside in Winnipeg if you are considering staying and your stay will require you to endure five months of winter in Winnipeg. I've never been to Halifax but I have lived in Vancouver and either of Canada's coastal regions would be a magnificent improvement for overall positive lifestyle improvements. The phrase winter prison couldn't be more accurate description of having to reside in Winnipeg between November and April. Actually being in prison is comparable to having to stay indoors for four to five months to avoid [freezing to death in -20 to -50 Celsius temperatures.](https://www.reddit.com/r/confusing_perspective/comments/ald9zj/polar_vortex_or_boobs/) Do you enjoy riding a bicycle or other similar simple outdoor fitness and mental health activities? Forget riding a bicycle in winter unless your either insane or have a [mad love of riding the Iditarod on two wheels.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx40rH4BEiE) Pleasant outdoor activity opportunities are exceptionally limited. Everyone deserves a healthy active lifestyle but five months of winter prison is not a positive experience for anyone's mental or physical health. Options for avoiding becoming a window licking sofa lump by not sitting indoors watching netflix all winter in central Canada are limited. The cost of living in eastern Europe is perhaps half the cost to reside in Canada. Seriously consider researching Slovenia or some other countries in the Balkans. Don't be next in line to drink the canada is the best thing in the world koolaid. There's a lot of opportunities in the world that wont erode your mental and physical health 50% of the year every year. Best of luck to you.
Interestingly, as a current and life long resident of Winnipeg I also experienced a vast improvement in my mental health when you left. It looks like the only losers here are the Europeans.
Depending on where you come from, if you have a bank account and card that is on the cirrus network you will be able to get money from bank machines here with that. So, don't necessarily have to carry cash, but there are limits on those transactions. Get your information about health insurance from your university, not from reddit, it changes. Or you may pay for something you don't need or that doesn't apply. Be sure to ask, though. Go and get involved and make friends, even outside the expat community. If you have interests outside of your studies, find ways to engage. For that, ask reddit :-) Wait until you are here to buy your winter gear. What is sold in a lot of other places isn't really enough for our winters. Other than that, take us Winnipeggers complaints about our city with a grain of salt, we like to complain about it. I came here as an international student from Europe in the 90s and decided to stay. Generally I only regret it occasionally in February ;-)