Top 8 winter schools, courses in Canada

In Canada, winter schooling usually starts in January. It is divided into two semesters: winter and summer, and January is the start of your studies.

Admission requirements may vary depending on the specific institution and the program chosen. They usually include passing English or French language exams such as IELTS or TOEFL, as well as submitting documents including academic references and translations of grades from previous studies.

Students in Canada have a variety of options for accommodation, including on-campus housing, apartment rentals, hotels and hostels. On-campus housing is often closer to academic buildings and social activities, but renting an apartment can provide more independence.

The cost of studying in Canada varies greatly depending on the institution and program. On average, tuition for international students can range from 10,000 to 30,000 Canadian dollars per year.

Yes, many international students are eligible to work while studying in Canada. Limitations on hours of work may vary, but generally students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester.

Yes, in some cases it is possible to extend a student visa for additional study or work in Canada. To do so, the student must provide evidence of the need for an extension and follow the procedure set out by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (IRCC).

Canada has a rich cultural life and plenty of entertainment. During the winter months, you can visit museums, galleries and theaters, and participate in a variety of festivals and events such as ice skating, snow festivals and sports competitions.

The duration of programs can vary widely, but typically bachelor's programs last 3 to 4 years and master's programs last 1.5 to 2 years. For PhD students, the duration of study can be 3-5 years or more, depending on the research work.

Many universities and colleges provide a variety of scholarships and financial programs for international students. These may include academic scholarships, income-based scholarships, and research and postgraduate scholarships. In addition, some countries provide government scholarships for their citizens to study in Canada.

The ability to transfer credits depends on the policies of the individual institution. Many universities and colleges in Canada have procedures for evaluating and transferring credits from other countries, but this requires providing detailed information about your academic performance and the program of study you have completed.

Winter education in Canada: Winter programs offer not only training, but also rich leisure time. Unlike summer camps, where the emphasis is often on entertainment, winter schools combine academic preparation with winter sports and cultural activities. This is a great opportunity to improve your English or French, try yourself in science, art or IT, and of course, go skiing or snowboarding.

Winter studies in Canada attract students from all over the world due to such advantages as:

• Language practice

English and French (and sometimes both, depending on the region) immerse the child in a bilingual environment, which is especially useful if you are going to send your child to study abroad sometime later.

• High-quality and modern studying programs

It is not enough to say that certified teachers teach in schools, and many courses are held at universities and private colleges — the programs here are not only taught, but also developed, so there is no doubt about the quality.

• Comfortable living conditions

Most schools offer accommodation in residences or families with full or partial board, which makes it easier to adapt.

• A variety of activities

Skiing, hockey, winter camping, visiting museums and nature parks are just a small part of what students can do in their free time.

Winter courses in Canada can be divided into several main types:

Language camps (English/French Winter Camps)

The main focus here is on learning English or French, but in addition to classes, children can enjoy excursions, ice skating, skiing, and even workshops on making maple syrup. The program stipulates 15-20 hours of language lessons with a native speaker, rich opportunities for conversational practice (both in the classroom and in an informal setting), and many cultural events.

Winter camps are more or less evenly distributed across the southern part of Canada and the coasts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, along the St. Lawrence River region and the Great Lakes.

The cost varies on average from 2 to 5 thousand CAD for a two-week program.

Key Features:

• Suitable for both beginners and advanced students;
• Students are divided into groups depending on their initial level of language proficiency.;
• A variety of entertainment activities (ice skating, excursions, cooking classes - each camp has its own options, there are quite unusual ones);
• The opportunity of living with a family or a residence;
• If the camp is organized on the campus of a school or university, then this is an excellent choice for those who intend to study abroad:
• Students get the opportunity to take a closer look at their potential alma mater.

Academic programs

They are suitable primarily for those who want to prepare for entering Canadian schools or universities.  Courses may include intensive subject classes in mathematics, science, business, and art. They are most often available in major university cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Calgary.

Key features:

• Studying in an international environment;
• The opportunity to take mock exams (IELTS, TOEFL, SAT);
• Some programs take place on university campuses, and university professors act as teachers.;
• Suitable for students over 13 years old.

Preparatory study programs in Canada in winter will cost an average of 3-8 thousand CAD for a course lasting from 2 to 4 weeks.

Sports schools

Canada is a country of winter sports, so there are excellent ski, hockey and figure skating schools for children of different levels of training. The popular locations here are slightly different than in the case of the preparatory camps, but fans of skiing or snowboarding can easily identify the list of popular Canadian winter resorts in this list: Whistler, Banff, Mont Tremblant, Calgary.

Key features:

• Courses for both beginners and professionals;
• Trails of various lengths and difficulty levels;
• Training sessions with certified trainers;
• The opportunity to combine sports training and learning English and/or French;

The duration of classes is from 1 to 4 weeks, the cost is from 2.5 to 10 thousand CAD (as a rule, this amount already includes training and necessary equipment), and the closer to the Christmas and New Year holidays, the more expensive it is.

STEAM courses

Winter studying programs in Canada for future scientists, engineers, and IT professionals stipulate classes in programming, robotics, 3D modeling, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. They are becoming more and more popular, especially in large cities: you can easily find a similar program in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, Waterloo or Edmonton.

Key features:

• The ability to work in laboratories and IT centers with real scientists;
• Creative projects, working with the latest technologies;
• A chance to prepare for international Olympiads.

The cost is from 2.5 to 6 thousand CAD in 1-2 weeks.

Creative courses (music, theater, fine arts, cinema)

The programs are suitable for children and teenagers who are interested in art. Most often, the choice includes various workshops, performances, music recording, animation, photography, and there are several camps where children can learn about traditional crafts, songs, customs, and dances of Native Americans. Such programs are most often offered in camps in the vicinity of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and in the Great Lakes region as a whole.

Key features:

• The opportunity to learn from industry professionals;
• Meetings with musicians, actors, writers and artists; public appearances, presentation of author's projects; replenishment of the creative portfolio;
• Creative excursions (museums, studios).

The cost is from 2 to 6 thousand CAD in 1-2 weeks.

Leadership and entrepreneurial programs

Courses in entrepreneurship, finance, startups, and leadership are available for teenagers who dream of a career in business. Most often, these types of programs are organized on the basis of international schools, universities or colleges offering MBAs in Toronto, Vancouver and the capital Ottawa. In the classroom, teenagers analyze real business cases, communicate with experts - this is a good help for those who see themselves in the field of finance, management, management or want to launch their startup.

• Age and level of preparation of the child

Some schools accept children from the age of 7, while others are aimed at teenagers aged 14-17.

It is also important to take into account the language level and willingness to stay abroad independently.

• Intensity of studying

There are courses with an easy schedule (2-3 lessons per day), and there are programs with full immersion in the academic environment, where you will have to learn properly!

• Additional activities

If sports and entertainment are important to a child, it is worth choosing schools with a rich program of extracurricular activitie, taking into account his interests: it is unlikely that a sporty boy, a football fan, will be happy with bead embroidery courses, etc.

• Accommodation and meals

Living with a family promotes language practice, but not all children are comfortable adapting to a new culture. Residences provide more freedom, but they are often more expensive and are more suitable for older, more independent and responsible children.

• Cost

The cost of studying in Canada in winter can vary from 2 to 10 thousand. CAD per course, depending on the duration, the city and the prestige of the school.

Despite the obvious advantages, such programs have features that may not be suitable for everyone.:

Cold climate

The Canadian climate is sharply continental: winds blow in winter, and in some regions temperatures can drop below -20°C, which is not always comfortable for children from warm countries.

High cost

Compared to summer camps, winter schools are more expensive due to the fact that school campuses traditionally used for student accommodation are often occupied at this time of the year (as well as due to the specifics of winter sports).

In Canada, courses for every taste are available in winter, from language programs to sports camps and academic intensive courses. When choosing, it is important to take into account the interests of the child, the level of preparation, the course duration and the cost — and experienced Smapse Education managers will help you with this.