CANADA MASTERS

I was asked a similar question a few weeks back. But it was a general opinion about
weighing Canada against the US as well as the UK. I am editing that answer here to
throw a little more light on this question.

The predominant (but, by no means the only) factors that influence the choices mad
by prospective Graduate students from India are - Job prospects, fees, location (density
of Indian population), possible immigration after studying.

Though in my opinion, the driving forces should be - Validity and relevance of the
course, reputation of the University of that subject, current work scenario of alumni,
racial assimilation of that country and the time you can spend on your masters.

Doing a masters in the US is like buying groceries off the corner shop on your street.
Everyone has been doing it for ages. A few of them find issues with the quality offered
in some products. But you still shop there because the store has been around for
decades and you feel a sense of safety while going where most people are headed.

By sheer probability of getting into a university of that country, US ranks ahead because
of the huge number of universities at its disposal. As long as you have an average or
even slightly below average profile you can manage to get in to some university or the
other (though not always the case as seen in 2 Californian institutions under U.S. govt.
scrutiny and Silicon Valley University row: Why are Indian students being deported from
US? and US colleges under scanner claim media reports 'false', Silicon Valley University
website has glaring red flags - Firstpost). In comparison, Canada has about 15 to 20 well
recognised universities that are very good at what they do. A major factor contributing to
this is the relatively smaller population of the country.

Both the US and Canda have research oriented (thesis based) programs and non
research (non-thesis or project-based or subject-based) programs. Jobs are prevalent for
both of these options.

Job Prospects - The US has a bigger market of course due to more companies but
this also ensures constant influx of International students. This in essence increases
competition for you. Also, job security might not be high in every avenue. What If
America's Unemployment Rate Is Really Wrong?. U.S. job cuts soar 218% in January .

There are already several red flags. Growth slowed dramatically at the end of last year.
The manufacturing sector is in a recession, and even the normally powerhouse service
sector lost momentum in January. That's according to the latest non-manufacturing ISM
report that came out Wednesday.

But having said that even Canada is plagued with job cuts, but not as drastic as the US.
Canada has faced a slightly lesser brunt of this issue. Also, minimum wages are higher
(around $11 per hour on average in Canada as opposed to $7.25 per hour in the US) and
the social welfare schemes are better.
If you are looking for jobs to do WHILE studying, it would be a difficult in the
US as you can either work on-campus or work off-campus using an OPT (optional
practical training) which sadly has to be related to your field of study PART 3:
The OPT Mythbusting Project (Optional Practical Training Myths). So if you cannot
manage on-campus jobs or an internship (like many of my school-mates), you might
have to work for cash illegally. In Canada you can work any job on or off campus as
soon as you land since your study permit also allows you to work. You are not
restricted to your field of work even after your graduate. Of course, you study permit
wont let you work in strip clubs and other jobs related to the sex industry, so you have
to look at alternatives if you want to make a bunch of singles every night.

Tax - You do pay higher taxes in Canada, but it is well spent in the way the government
takes care of you. Also, healthcare is universal and hardly costs you anywhere close to
what it would cost you in the US. Also, you get a considerable amount back from the
government when you file your tax reports (I can attest to this fact when comparing my
tex refunds versus my friends in the US).

Fees - These will vary based on which university you choose. Private ones are expensive,
followed by public ones such as University of xyz, followed by the state one such as xyz
state university. Studying in Canada can be cheaper than the US in some cases as your
chances of getting financial aid are better (at least I have seen such cases). But the US
can also work out cheaper in locations such as Texas etc. Obviously an MS in bio-tech or
other laboratory-intensive courses will be expensive. Anyway, by and large, Canada costs
you lesser than the US when it comes to tuition and other fees. Cost of living might not
be the same though.

A prudent idea would be to see which university has a bigger grant for the field
you want to work in. Universite d'Ottawa | University of Ottawa (where I studied)
plans to become the biggest centre for Photonics and optics in the world and has
received massive funding for this and hence better scholarships too. University of Ottawa
aims to become photonics world capital

According to Denis Cossette, Associate Vice-President, Resources, the universitys Board

of Governors has approved a $47 million initial investment. The Canadian Foundation
for Innovation (CFI), a federal government institution, is contributing another $10
million. As the project progresses, total investment could reach up to $70 million.

Location - The US has a MASSIVE Indian population. Indian Immigrants in the United
States. So evidently you would feel more at home in those places, Canada has a sizeable
Indian population too that is growing better than the Indian diaspora in other places
- Canada now has the worlds most Sikh cabinet. Having said that, the population is still
less in Canada and some of you might feel homesick or might find a lack of
guidance from your own people. If you are someone who wants to and likes to mingle
with a host of other people, Canada is fantastic. Also, remember that the more people
you have from your home country, the more competition you face of the exact kind that
you wanted to leave behind halfway around the world. Yes, the winters can be cold, but it
is not bad at all. You would spend maybe 3 or 4 hours outdoors per day. Otherwise its
comfortable indoors where it is centrally heated.

Ease of immigration -Without doubt Canada is extremely welcoming in this aspect.

You can easily get a 2 year to 4 year work permit soon after gradating and work
ANYWHERE you want in ANY field you want. Within those 3 years you will also be
eliginle to apply for and become a Permanent Citizen, who enjoys all the benefits of a
Canadian citizen except the right to vote and the right to contest in an election As a
matter of fact your study visa acceptance letter urges you to apply for a work permit and
look at getting a residency (unfortunately I do not have a copy of my letter to post a
picture here). Unlike the US, the Canadian immigration system is fast-tracked and
everything is processed way faster than south of the border. Also, Canada has had a
history of immigrants so people are more tolerant. Canada's 'Superman' Trudeau praised
in Arab media for welcoming Syrian refugees, Canada prime minister welcomes wave of
Syrian refugees - BBC News . This would be quite refreshing while considered against the
anti-immigrant tone of many other countries *cough* Donald Trump *cough*.

Bottom note - The above factors are the primary evaluating points for most Indian
students when applying abroad. But you ought to choose your university based on what
you want to study and not where (I had admits from U Penn and U Pitts but I
eventually chose UOttawa because of the photonics/optics research grant and also the
cost). If you want skyrocketing salaries and are exceptionally good at software, go to the
Silicon Valley. If you want better long term prospects with s slightly stable mundane
economy, then go to Canada. It constantly has multiple entries in the best cities of the
world - The world's 10 best cities to live in , Global Finance Magazine - The Best Cities To
Live in the World 2015 , Top 10 cities.

Barack Obama is cool, I agree. Hillary might not be so when compared to him, but you
should choose Canada simply because Justin Trudeau absolutely nails it when it comes
to Bhangra!