Canada has been increasingly becoming the go-to choice for most international students. Be it graduate courses, undergraduate programs, diplomas, or post-doctoral programs, students have been increasingly seen drawn to the country. In fact, according to the Professional Flight Centre, 50% of the business they get is from abroad.
Answering the question of why students choose Canada for their aviation training will not be very straightforward or singular: some might be drawn because of the stable economy, some due to the visa and citizenship opportunities, and some because Canada is less expensive than most other destinations. The choice is subjective.
But this as an answer would be extremely vague; pointless and leave you more confused. Let me break down to you why international students, especially Indians, are drawn to choose Canada to complete their aviation training and education, in the easiest possible way.
High standard of training
Canadian aviation schools are ICAO (international civil aviation organization) licensed. This implies that the training students would receive under ICAO licensed schools would transcend the training in most other countries. What’s more? The country has 70,000 pilots in the world, which is the second-highest number. The nation is called the nation of aviation, and you’ll find only professional experts tutoring young pilots throughout their way.
Safe and inexpensive
The economy plays a very integral role in deciding the place one would study, work, or do both. The Canadian dollar is among the most stable currencies worldwide, with long-term investors choosing it to trade in substantial volumes. Constantly climbing the ladder to become stronger and more valuable, the currency and economic stability draws in many students from developing countries.
The reason is that while it is still affordable compared to the pound and USD, the CAD will most likely pay them better if they continue to work as a professional in Canada later.
Networking
Canada, as said earlier, is home to 70,000 pilots. This number is astoundingly large when compared to other countries. At an aviation school with people coming in from different cultures, countries, and ethnicity, one forms robust bonds and networks. Even if students choose to return home to work, Canadian aviation institutes keep in touch always.
Especially talking about India, the number of pilot students is significantly less, only about 2000 per year. This often results in a lack of networking opportunities and knowledge.
Climate
This one would probably hit you with confusion. Climate? Why! Let’s put it this way:
India is a tropical country. The north experiences its fair share of temperature ranges as far as 50 degrees, but snow, hail, and blizzards are very rare. The worst weather would be continuous heavy rains on the western coasts, but nothing too extreme. On the contrary, Canada has a diverse climate. This allows aviation students and enthusiasts to make the most out of their training by flying in the most difficult, extreme terrain and weather.
Immigration opportunities
Canada has the 8th largest immigration in the world. Regularly, the nation launches immigration programs to welcome and invite more immigrants to the country. If the timing and method are right, you will gain immigration to the best provinces in the country. As a student, you get six months to get your work visa under your student visa. This makes it 10x easier to immigrate and live permanently in the country.
Culture, community, and diversity
Perhaps one problem most people face when it comes to studying abroad is acceptance. What if your mental health goes completely downhill if you go somewhere, you don’t feel accepted? What if you have nobody like yourself in the destination country and anxiety jams your education? Not in Canada.
As discussed, Canada is a very popular study destination among aspirants. Every year, 235,000 people immigrate to Canada in search of a better life, more employment opportunities, and a healthier lifestyle. This makes it a very diverse, accepting country and you won’t feel far from home there.
Small course completion time
Time is money. Nobody would like to spend more than is required for anything. Especially when it comes to education. You want a course that will take the minimum time to complete because it’ll help you get employed faster and you’ll save on your living expenses. In Canada, most aviation courses last 2 years. Some schools offer faster courses, as short as 12 months per student.
The question still stands firm: Why do students from India choose Canada specifically?
India’s economy hasn’t been great lately. It easily stands at the lower middle rung of the economic status ladder. The Indian rupee is getting less in value, too. For the cherry on top, India’s population is increasing uncontrollably. Currently, at 1.39 billion, its population is increasing by 1% per year, higher than any other country.
Under such circumstances, India is prone to become an unsafe land for youth in the coming years. Overpopulation and unemployment go hand in hand. With so many people and so few work opportunities, the unemployment rate in India is at 4.8%, only expected to rise further with time.
Moreover, colleges in aviation in India are DGCA licensed. More students prefer colleges with the ICAO license, making them choose Canada as a country. Long story short, Canada has next to zero disadvantages when it comes to studying abroad. India’s political, economic, and cultural condition hasn’t been the best lately, and everyone wants to catch a break for a brighter, more peaceful, and more stable future.
A student at the final stages of his CPL puts it best, there are no countries with better economic benefits than Canada. Indian students usually have a tighter budget, because of the low value of their currency. Additionally, he commends that the instructors and people in Canada he met during his training were exceptionally friendly, and he’s never regretted his decision. The ROI was better than in most other countries, and Canada couldn’t be better for him to choose at the moment. Not just in aviation, but Canada has recently been the #1 choice for students worldwide when it comes to education. Why though? I guess we’re pretty sure now.
Article by
Ashwera Hasan
Contently by Ashwera
https://contentlybyashwera.wordpress.com/
