Things We Should Know/Do -Graduate Study in Canada (based on my own experience)

Queen's University, Kingston ON, Canada

Before apply university:
1. Apply for scholarships or HLP-Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan
2. English Test -IELT/TOEFL/GRE. I took IELTS and GRE
3. Choose which university based on your undergraduate result/IELTS.
4. Contact potential supervisor via email.
In my case, the professor who i emailed recommended me to another suitable professor. This steps is important because the school of graduate may select for offer of admission should there was a professor willing to be your supervisor. If you already have your own fund, make sure to highlight it in your email.

5. Prepare Personal Statement and resume/CV
6. Choose who will become your referee. Your Immediate Bosses or Previous undergraduate lecturer. Contact your potential referee ask them nicely. Sometimes you have to prepare a draft of Reference Letter. Boss kita ni busy so buatla surat yg memuji diri sendiri hehehe.

7. Apply Online at University website. Biasanya apply 3-5 university je. If HLP, akan dapat claim application fees utk 3 university sahaja. So choose wisely.

8. Request transcript from University (undergraduate) and send it directly to respective Universities yg dah apply. Choose express courier sebab kalau choose snailmail alamatnye berbulan-bulan la baru sampai. Biasanya fee ni kena tanggung sendiri. If Jpa memang tak boleh claim. I'm not sure if another sponsor akan bagi claim.

9. Request IELTS result to be sent to respective Universities tu. Pilih express courier too.

After accepting offer:
1. Apply Financial Affidavit from sponsors
2. Apply for study permit. Borang isi online kat website cic, boleh tengok disini click here. Borang application perlu diprint untuk submission. Sediakan semua lampiran seperti dlm checklist. Kena apply Study Permit ni at least 2 months before registration date. Processing period more that 30 days. Takut tak sempat. For Malaysian, Permit study perlu apply di Singapore Regional Processing Center, tetapi borang application boleh submit di CVAC KL, check here
* If datang 1 family, boleh apply Open Working Permit  for accompanied spouse dan
apply Open Study Permit untuk accompanied children yg akan belajar di Canada. Borang guna borang Study Permit di website cic. How to fill up borang study permit for anak-anak, boleh check here. Just for info, Public School kat sini free dan school bus also free. Untuk anak yg tak perlu ke sekolah, just apply Multiple Entry Visa.

3. Apabila terima email application for Study Permit approved. Submit Passport to Canada High Commissioner Office in Singapore. Boleh submit di CVAC if application submitted there, but for me, I went to Singapore to submit passport and pick up my visa.

4. Apply for flight ticket at selected date.


Before coming:
1. Email the University's International department or Malaysian Student Organisation for more info about University and accommodation ect. For Malaysian in Queen's University, click here

2. Cari rumah sewa. If you wish to stay at university residences/apartment. You might want to contact the varsity housing dept. If not maybe you can find potential house by search in Kijiji.ca. Make sure rumah near to the public transport route.

3. Contact Malaysian telephone service provider for international roaming.
4. Pack light. 1 luggage+1 cabin bag+ 1 handbag/laptop bag only. Luggage weight 28kg sahaja. Baju sejuk boleh beli disini dan harga lebih murah serta banyak pilihan. If you are coming for the fall term just bawak light jacket sahaja.

5. Apply International Driving Permit from JPJ. First 90 days boleh sewa kereta dan drive di sini guna driving permit.

6. Datang awal- kalau nak datang awal ada 3 pilihan untuk accomodation, first stay di hotel, second tumpang rumah kawan dan third, cari bilik atau rumah yang offered for sublet. Untuk pilihan sublet tu boleh buat internet search di Kijiji.ca

7. Untuk yang datang dengan family, bawa sekali record imunisasi anak dari lahir sampai terkini sebab bila nak daftar anak sekolah di public school atau day care kena submit record ni.

After landed:
1. Buy a local simcard for your phone or you can purchase together with a new cell phone. But based on my experience I have problem to register for the monthly plan because I didnt meet the service provider requirement. So In the 1st month I just purchased a New Prepaid simcard.

2. After registration, you can visit the International Student center and ask for more info/help.
3. Open new bank account and submit the bank information to your sponsors.
4. Beli lip gloss, body lotion or just Vaseline, so that bibir protected from luka/ blister. 1st month kat sini kulit akan mengelupas, make sure sapu losyen untuk mengurangkan itchiness.

5. Kenalpasti dimana kedai/restoran yg jual makanan halal. Most of the supermarket kat sini ada 1 section untuk halal chicken/meat.

6. Cari kedai Asian Food atau Chinatown untuk dapatkan bahan masakan macam lengkuas, pandan, petai, belacan dan lain-lain lagi la. Sometimes durian pun ada jual kat sini.


Disclaimer: This is based on my personal experience and for info purposes only. Experience may vary from a person to another person.