Incoming Exchange Students

How to Apply - Incoming Student Exchange
Students coming to Centennial College as Exchange Students need to complete the application below and mail it to the address on the application form.  Download the Student Survival Guide (link below) and review its contents.

Documents You Must Have Before Leaving Home

• Acceptance letter from Centennial College for admission to the Exchange program.
• Acceptance letter from your home institution for admission to the Exchange program.
• Valid passport.
• Canadian study permit.  Some countries also require a Temporary Resident Visa, especially if you will be studying for more than six months in Canada. 
  You must obtain this in your home country for more information, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, or your country's Canadian embassy or consulate.
• Acceptance letter from Centennial’s Residence Office for admission to campus residence (if staying at residence).
• Vaccination certificate (if required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada).
• Medical Insurance. For more information about Centennial’s international student medical insurance, visit the StudentGuard website.
• Evidence that you have enough money to pay for tuition, fees, and living costs. (for example, bank statements, CIC required bonds, etc.)

Funding 
It is important that students coming from outside of Canada have sufficient funding to cover their travel and living expenses, which include accommodation, food, transportation, laundry, healthcare, clothing, personal incidentals, entertainment, medical insurance, etc. 

No tuition fees are paid directly to Centennial College by Incoming Exchange students.  Students pay tuition fees to their home institution.  Students will need to purchase textbooks and supplies for their courses (paper, pens, online accounts, etc.)  Textbooks for college may cost between $50-$250 CA per course.

Foreign students are encouraged to contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or High Commission in their home country to inquire about financial assistance options. Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides valuable information for foreign students looking for funding in Canada. The following provide helpful information for international students about living in Canada and available financial support.

• http://www.studyincanada.com/
• http://scholarships.gc.ca
• http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/
• http://www.schoolfinder.com/

Working in Canada
You should come to Canada with enough money to support yourself during your study period.  You can check with the Canadian Embassy for rules on working in Canada because these regulations do change over time.  As well, our Centennial College International Department can answer many of your questions related to this topic. However, the most recent government regulations stated that you may work in if you meet the following requirements:

On-Campus Work

• You are a full-time student with a study permit
• No work permit is required   

Off-Campus work

• You are a full-time student with a study permit
• Your job is part of a course of study, such as a work term during a co-op program
• Work permit is required

OR

• You are a full-time student with a study permit
• You have accepted a study-related job for up to one (1) year upon graduation
• Work permit is required

DO NOT work without authorization.  If you do, you may be required to leave Canada.

Living and Studying In Toronto
Toronto is an ideal place to study. It is Canada's largest and most diverse city. Every season in Toronto has its own special character and events. Skiing in the winter season gives way to rollerblading along the boardwalk in the summer, while the opera season blends into the summer jazz and music festivals. Cinemas and live theatres, galleries, world cuisine, shopping, sports and nightlife add a flavour of excitement every day.

Centennial College has a student residence right across the street from our Progress campus and many students choose to stay there.  Some students search for off-campus housing by searching for apartment rentals on craigslist or places4students.  Sometimes previous Exchange students leave us names and contact information of rental basement apartments or rental rooms within a Toronto's family's home where they have stayed in the past and our Exchange Coordinator may be able to offer some suggestions for accommodations.  Some students even rent a bed in downtown Toronto student hostels, but usually do not stay there for the entire semester.

There is so much to do while you learn and study in Toronto! You may wish to plan a bus trip or see some attractions in the area visit http://www.isx.ca/ and book tours, bus trips, etc.

Population: 3,893,046
World’s Tallest Structure: The CN Tower measures 5533.33 meters (1,815.39 feet)
Average Cost to Rent: $950 CA per month
Time Zone: Eastern
Other: Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario.  It is the largest city in Canada.  The word Toronto is derived from the Huron word for “Where the trees meet the water.”

• Centennial College Profile
• Centennial Locations and Maps 

You may already know that Toronto is home to the world's tallest tower (CN Tower at 553.33 m) and that the world's longest street starts at the City's lakeshore (Yonge Street at 1,896 km), but did you know that Toronto is as far south as the French Riviera or that more people live in Toronto than in Canada's four Atlantic provinces combined?

Canada's weather changes according to its four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Toronto's weather is typically clear, with bright sunshine and low humidity. While the city averages 12.32 hours of sunshine each day, more than any other Canadian city, the days vary from extremely long in summer to extremely short in winter. The temperatures too, vary from quite hot in summer to very cold in winter. When you budget, be prepared to purchase warm winter clothing in Canada (approximately $600.00).  You can find the details of today's weather in Toronto, or anywhere in Canada, by visiting the WeatherOffice website.

Canada is a democracy, which has laws against discrimination on the basis of ethnic background, gender, religion, or social status. You will find that many people from different countries have made Canada their home and retain some of their cultural activities and practices while living under Canadian law. As a visitor to Canada, you are protected under the same laws as Canadian citizens. However, you are also responsible for knowing and abiding by the laws of Canada.

Depending on your country of origin, some cultural differences for you may be that both men and women expect equal treatment and respect. The majority of women in Canada are in the workforce, many in positions of authority. In addition, the use of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol are restricted by law. For more information about Canada's diverse culture, visit the Culture Canada website.