(Plus, my personal experience with these as an international student from India)
1. Specs/Glasses: If you wear specs, make sure to bring two or three extra pairs with you. As an international student, getting specs here can be a little expensive. I do not wear specs, but I have friends who do, and they regret not getting them from India.
2. License: It might seem unnecessary to bring your own country’s expired license, but it is useful here when applying for a Canadian license. Here, you must take a knowledge test first and then you are eligible to book a road test. However, there is a nine-month wait after the knowledge test before you can take the road test. But if you already have a license from your country, you can provide that, and you will not have to wait nine months before taking your road test. It also depends on other factors as well and you still might need to wait but bringing the license is a good option.
I brought mine. It was just a learner’s license and was expired but they still kept it and I did not have to wait. However, my friend’s license was not accepted.
3. Money/Cash: It is important to have a generous amount of cash in Canadian dollars with you as it could be some time before you set up a debit account and apply for a credit card (which I will suggest doing as soon as you can). Having cash will be very helpful for the first few weeks. Even when you have set up your bank accounts, always keep some cash with you.
4. Basic Utensils: Even though there are various stores here in Canada to get utensils at a good cost, it is still a good idea to bring some of the basic utensils. Especially the ones that are unique in your community or culture. If you are going to live with your relatives (as I did ) for an initial period, then your mug will be sufficient.
5. Medicines/prescriptions: Make sure to get your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines from your own country as our bodies are used to getting those. I had a family doctor whose medicines would cure me in just three days. As a person, who always gets stomach infections, I wish I could get his medicines here.
6. Backpack: Get a good backpack. By good, I mean one with lots of small pockets, a lot of space for a laptop, strong straps, durable material, waterproof and lightweight. You will be able to carry a backpack when travelling and if you choose the right one you will not have to buy one from here. However, you can get a nice selection of bags here as well and buy some later depending on your daily needs.
I came in 2019 and I still use the one that I brought with me.
7. Bathroom essentials: Bring some bathroom essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, wipes, face wash etc. There are many stores in Canada where you can buy these from. But this is something you might not want to spend your money on as a newcomer. Also, you might not find the ones that you use in your country.
8. Clothing: Bring your T-shirts, shorts, and a bunch of undergarments. Don’t forget to also bring a couple of formal suits that you might require for interviews and meetings. Bring your cultural attire. Read my post 'Clothing items to bring' for details about bringing and getting clothes in Canada.
9. Hair styling equipment and laptops: If you have really good electronic items that work well and will work for a few years, you can consider bringing those. It might seem expensive to buy those from here when you first come. Also, if you are going into the IT sector, the course outline will list the requirements for the laptop. If you do bring one along, make sure to bring the universal adapters as the plugs in Canada are different. I brought a small laptop which had been used a lot, but it helped me in my first month before I bought a brand-new one.
10. Blankets/Bedsheets: It will be good to carry some good-quality bedsheets and maybe even a comforter, especially if you do not have a family here.
Some more tips:
You do not necessarily have to bring laptop; you can get one for pretty good price here. Even if you want to get an expensive one, you can use your GIC*. Do not buy a heavy laptop. Make sure it is easier to carry around. Or save some money for an iPad or a tablet.
You can bring your favorite spices or tea bags that you use in your community. You might not get those flavors here.
Bring your favorite set of pens and pencils that you are used to working with there. If you paint or sketch it’s better to bring your art supplies. Bring a kit filled with stationary items.
Bring “go to” cosmetics, nail cutters, gold, and silver jewelry**, sanitary napkins, and condoms.
Bring your favorite pins, clips, or elastics; In India, I always used those extra-small tic-tac clips which I cannot find here. Moreover, I brought a big pack of the small black elastics. They might seem a little expensive here and are found in small packaging.
*GIC is Guaranteed Investment Certificate. It is a Canadian investment which promises a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. It is a proof that the student has sufficient funds to cover his/ her living expenses in Canada for a year.
** Jewelry evaluation certificate and photographs of all ornaments is necessary. Or you will have to wear them to bring here. You might not be asked for this, but to be safe, bring it.
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