Canada is one of the most favorite destinations for exchange students. It holds the top position on the list of most chosen countries for exchange by Brazilians, according to research by Belta, the Brazilian Association of Exchange Agencies.

The country is the second-largest in the world, with an estimated population of 39 million, which means the Canadian territory is sparsely populated. The former British colony gained independence in 1867, yet the country maintained a constitutional monarchy system, with King Charles III as its monarch.

Another interesting aspect of the country is that it wasn’t only colonized by England, France also established a presence in a significant part of the territory. Therefore, Canada is now considered bilingual, as in many cities such as Montreal and Quebec, French is commonly heard on the streets.

The Canadian dollar is cheaper than the American dollar, thus, exchange students often prefer to study there over countries like the United States or England. Besides the economic factor, another advantage is the Canadian’s receptiveness towards foreigners, that way students easily feel welcome there.

This great reception of Canadian people towards immigrants is evident in cities like Toronto, characterized by its ethnic diversity and numerous multicultural neighborhoods that gives you a chance to take a trip around the world in a single day. One of these neighborhoods is “Little Portugal,” which, despite its name, strongly features Brazilian culture and cuisine, surely making you feel at home.

The country has many breathtaking landscapes, such as Niagara Falls, one of the world’s most famous waterfalls. There, you can choose between observing the falls from above or taking a boat that gets you very close to the edge. The territory holds mountains and lakes that resemble Windows desktop wallpapers, with crystal-clear blue waters and mountains in the background creating a unique visual. Besides these scenes that surely will make you fall in love with the local nature, the northern region of the country is graced with the spectacular Northern Lights show.

Choosing Canada as your exchange destination means picking a worry-free experience. Numerous surveys rank the country as one of the best in the world for its quality of life; living there means being secure. Other reasons that make it one of the best, include the quality of education and low unemployment rate, both of which can benefit you during your exchange. The country’s institutions are consistently recognized among the world’s best. As for unemployment, one interesting aspect of choosing to study in Canada is that if your student visa is for college or university, you are permitted to work in the country, and you can also bring your family along, who will have access to school and work permits.