Single mothers studying in Canada

Couples, couples with children, singles, Canada is for everyone. But what about single mothers? Today I will talk about them. In fact, for them. 

If you still don't know the basics about living in Canada through studies, I suggest you first read this text. If you're already advanced in your research, let's go then.

Why would mothers study in Canada?

Studying in Canada is one of the ways to obtain permanent residence in the future and this is the way this text is based, mothers who come through studies, that is, with the study visa or study permit. There are other forms of visas, but my focus today will be on mothers who have chosen this one. Remembering that the rules I will describe here do not apply to tourists and visitors of any nature, only to those who have a student visa at a higher education institution (English schools do not allow international students to work while studying).

A post-secondary student in Canada – undergraduate or postgraduate – begins a journey that can lead to immigration and if they come with their family, everyone can benefit. For this, there are rules and details that you you can check it here, as not all institutions provide eligibility for a work visa full time after graduation or benefits for children. 

Speaking of children, let's get to what interests most mothers, which is being able to study and have their children in free public school, something possible in Canada. Above 5 years old (varies a little from province to province), children can go to free public school if the mother is enrolled in an institution that provides eligibility for the benefit. In general, they are public colleges or universities (undergraduate or postgraduate courses lasting at least one year). As a student, the mother can only work 20 hours a week (which is not enough to pay all her expenses), so the financial plan For this life experience in Canada with your children, it must be very well done, as well as the study plan, as the wrong choice of educational institution can be a disaster in this regard. 

Mothers (and also fathers, of course, this text also extends to single parents) who wish to immigrate after studying generally do a study program of at least two years in a public institution, as this gives them more chances of, upon graduating, be eligible for PGWP of at least two years (or three). The PGWP is a work visa full time temporary, which the government grants to those who finished their studies under these conditions and wish to stay longer in the country, being able to work full time.

Everything I'm describing is very general, as there are many details and each case is different. There are people who come to take a course that lasts just one year and then try to immigrate in that extra year that they got with the PGWP, but this goes by super quickly and many feel that the task is arduous and regret not having taken a course that gives a work permit for longer in the country.

As I always say, those who don't research don't get to Canada. So I suggest reading a lot of texts, watching videos, always being up to date with everything on the Canadian government website, and if possible, hiring a qualified professional to help you whenever you need it. BFF Exchange render educational consultancy and advisory for the study plan from the beginning, covering all the details and guiding students to make the best possible choice. 

So that your children can join you in the same process when coming to Canada, that is, “within” your study permit, they cannot be of legal age. In Canada, the age of majority varies from province to province, with some being 18 and others 19 years old.

Follow the table as per Canadian government website today:

If you come with older children, they must also have a study permit and be enrolled in a higher education institution to be able to stay here for more than six months. In some cases, children study preparatory English to enter a college/university first, a course popularly called “Pathway”, which must already be linked to a college where they will study next. 

Study permit for minors

Minors already in Canada must apply for a study permit. In some provinces or territories, they may need one to receive social services.

According to is described on the Canadian government website, “Minor children who are already in Canada can study without a study permit if:

– Are in kindergarten regardless of parental status in Canada

– Want to go to preschool, primary or secondary school and have a mother or father with permission to work or study in Canada

– Are refugees or refugee claimants

– Have parents who are refugees or refugee claimants

– Came to Canada as a visitor for a course or study program lasting six months or less

– Will study on a course or program lasting six months or less

– They are in Canada alone.

Minors who do not have a study permit need a valid visitor status during their stay in Canada.

Children and schools 

Under Canadian law, no child can be left alone without an adult legal guardian or someone to take care of them while their mother/father is away. So while the mother studies, there are two options: leaving it with a nanny or at a daycare (if the child is small) or at school (if they are over 5 years old). Daycare would be the nursery or what we call preschool. If your children are over five years old and you are studying at an institution that allows you to benefit from free public school (Elementary and high school), they can be registered at a school (usually the one closest to their home). I suggest visiting the website of the educational part of the province and city (school board) that you chose to live in, as each one has its own rules in terms of education and you can obtain a lot of valuable information. 

Is Daycare/Child care free? No. Not even for Canadians (although in recent years they have protested a lot and fought to have lower prices or even become free) and it tends to be quite expensive in some provinces. Here in Vancouver, for example, in the province of British Columbia, prices vary between 900 and 2,000 Canadian dollars per month (the average full time, there are also those of part time, which are cheaper). The cheapest or subsidized ones are very popular, some have a waiting list of more than a year.

Some mothers who are already here, even though they are still pregnant, have already registered with a daycare of their choice to be able to guarantee a place when the child is born. The chosen daycare hours (which vary a lot) must match those of the mother, in other words, you need to choose and research carefully to be able to deal with the logistics of studying, working 20 hours a week and picking up your children from school.

There are daycare options (duly registered) along the lines of a “school” and there are also people who have permission to care for children at home. That's why you need to do a lot of research and always check the credentials of professionals and companies. 

What if my children are over 5 years old?

Then your life here can become even easier. 

From the age of five/six onwards, children go to the Canadian school system. Pay attention and research the province you will live in, as there are age differences. 

The system covers primary school (elementary school, primary education) and secondary (high school, our “high school” in Brazil).

According to the Canadian government website, “By law, children in Canada must go to school. Depending on the province or territory, children may begin at age 5 or 6 and continue until age 16 or 18.

Schools in Canada:

• Starts in kindergarten (kindergarten) and continue in grades 1 to 12 (so-called “K-12” in North America)
• They usually start at the end of August and end at the end of June
• Open from Monday to Friday during the academic year (except during holidays)
• Give high school diplomas to students who successfully complete the high school.
• There are English and French language schools throughout the country (even in areas where one language is spoken more than the other).

If you and your family arrive in Canada during the school year, please contact your local school board (school boards or school districts) to find a place for their children.”

I I highly recommend you read the Canadian government website carefully. There are a lot of details and they may change a little the year you decide to come to Canada. In fact, the government website should be an eternal companion for anyone who wants to live in Canada. Use as a bedside book and refer to it often. 

Both in elementary and high school, Canadian schools have teaching methods that are very different from those in Brazil. Even in daycare, Brazilian mothers may find the methodology and way of educating very different. When they are little, the focus is more on play than on teaching numbers, the alphabet or things like that. One day I will make one post talking about that. I find it fascinating that the education system in Canada, from elementary school to university, is considered one of the best educational systems in the world. And when we live here and realize how society works and how educated the people who grew up here are, for the most part, we understand even more why education is the basis of a country's success as a nation. 

So once your children are enrolled in a school close to your home, you will have peace of mind when studying and working, as well as not having the expense of paying for their education. Are there private schools? Yes, but besides expensive, in my opinion, it is not necessary to invest in them. Even wealthy Canadians send their children to public schools because they are of good quality.

Some public schools are very simple and you will notice that there is no “frills” here. In addition to the mandatory basic subjects, your children will take classes such as music, cooking, mechanics, sports, arts and much more. This is part of a full education and educational experience for children and adolescents in Canada.

There are also many tours, camps, museum visits and other wonderful experiences, organized by schools at all levels. 

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

In addition to everything I've already mentioned, there are some things that single mothers and fathers need to consider when making their international study plan with their children for Canada and also when thinking about immigrating permanently:

Priceless experience. Canada can forever change everyone's lives, especially children's lives. As they adapt faster and learn the language much more easily, they enter the local culture and life in the country in an intense way, learning everything and becoming bilingual (often even trilingual, depending on the city where they live, a since Canada's official languages are French and English and some schools offer both languages or even more). The mother or father will also be in contact with a new culture and learning the language even more, so, even if they return to Brazil, everyone will have at least a second language and a foreign experience that will make a difference in everyone's professional and personal aspects. 

Have you already done the math on how much you would spend to send your children to an international school in Brazil? Additionally, are you seeking also for quality of life and this is often not possible in all aspects, even with a lot of money in Brazil. 

I have visited many schools, colleges and universities in various parts of Canada, interviewed dozens of people and also teenagers and I can say that none of them are the same after studying here. If you don't already know my channel on YouTube, I suggest watching my videos and starting with this one where I visit a public school in Nova Scotia. 

Government cost assistance. Canada offers a stipend for each child, and this helps a lot. You can check here what it is, how much it is and who the fee applies to. Child Benefit. 

Language, work and dedication. As a student, the mother or father will have to dedicate themselves a lot and be aware that there will be hours of intense study in another language, plus work and all the logistics involving the children, so be prepared. It can be exhausting for many and only arriving here do some realize how “hard” it is to study in another country, especially with children and alone. For those who come from Brazil, they are often used to an even more challenging routine, but it is good to be aware of everything. I really admire single mothers in Brazil, because they have to deal with so many things that I don't even know how they manage. In Canada, life is much calmer and more supported. You will have new problems, but those left in Brazil may never bother you again. 

Peace and security. I have already commented on several videos and stories about how calm and confident Canadian mothers seem. A serenity rarely seen in Brazil, unfortunately. I attribute much of this to the security we have in life here. Our mind is not tied to violence, crime, various fears that also involve children. Another factor of peace is that society in Canada is culturally prepared to respect diversity and the lives of others. No one judges a single mother or father and you won't have to face jokes, indiscreet questions or even prejudice because of your condition. 

A follower on Instagram once asked me if in Canada people judged single mothers or if men treated them badly. This question really reflects a bad part of our society in Brazil and I am very sad about it. You can be sure that these things are very rare here and you will feel included, supported and very comfortable.

Health. The Canadian healthcare system is public and you as a student can benefit from it, as can your children (for international students it is a monthly paid service, which varies from province to province. In BC, where I live, the cost is CAD $75, 00). Public health here is like a “SUS”, but it is different from Brazil in many aspects. Come prepared, especially if you are used to private health plans and sophisticated clinics. Here everything is very simple. The simple thing that works, however, I always recommend asking for recommendations from Brazilians to choose family doctors to carry out your main consultations and order exams. Hospitals and medical emergencies are available to everyone in any city. It is very common, for example, to have “walk in clinics”, accredited clinics where you don’t need to make an appointment, just walk in and show your health insurance card and identity. Each neighborhood has one or two of these clinics and they are used for non-emergency cases.

It is necessary to be aware that the way doctors relate to patients is also different from Brazil. There's no such thing as calling or texting the doctor several times and having exclusive access to care, as if the doctor were your friend. Here, services are generally faster, colder and we have to do a lot of research to find a doctor who meets our expectations. But they exist, they are just very popular. It took me two years to find a good family doctor for me, and I still don't think it even compares to what I had in Brazil. Not everything is perfect, but I have nothing to complain about the services, exams, clinics or hospitals. Mainly in matters of women's health, taken so seriously here in Canada.

Culturally different. Everything is so different in Canada that every month we learn something and it opens up possibilities and also our minds to many things. Here your children will live in a multicultural environment and make friends from all over the world. So get ready for this too multiculturalism, as you will deal with mothers, fathers and teachers from different parts of the world, of different races, ethnicities and religions. This is enriching for the little ones, who grow up in an environment of respect for diversity and with a broader view of the world. 

Another important point about the culture is that people here are not so warm and many miss hugs and the affection that exists in Brazil, even in the school environment. Being far from family and grandparents, this factor can weigh on some people.  

Lack of time. When we arrive in Canada, the adaptation phase is very arduous. Especially for those who have been studying. So it's common for mothers or fathers not to have much time for their children, that time to play together, to enjoy and watch a movie (after all, you'll have a thousand assignments and exams, apart from the 20 hours worked a week, which makes everything even more difficult). This needs to be in your emotional management, but know that you are building a better future for them and for yourself, so it's good to stick to your ultimate goal. 

Cost of living. Canada is not a cheap country. We're just used to life in Brazil, which is not only expensive, but it's not fair for everyone. Good schools are very expensive, so English courses are not even mentioned. Apart from all other costs such as transportation, food, school supplies, clothes (they are super cheap here), etc. So anyone who already faces this financial difficulty in Brazil will find Canada very good, and often even cheap. While you are studying and having college expenses and only being able to work 20 hours a week, everything becomes “tighter”. But then, if you get a job in your field and obtain your immigration, you will see that the investment is very worth it. 

In Canada everything is simpler, people are simpler. There's not much to show off and show who has more. So many of the things that you thought were super necessary in Brazil may not be necessary here, which means you have more money for trips, tours and other things to enjoy with your family. Your children may also realize this and get more into the local culture, valuing other things and not so much material aspects. This is what I observe in the sons and daughters of my friends who are here and also in their reports as fathers and mothers. 

Public transport and logistics. This is very important for single mothers here. The accessibility of cities and public transport in Canada is incredible and so is the speed, in most places. I recommend living close to the metro station (if there is one in your chosen city) or bus stops. Everything is super organized in urbanizing Canada, but anything you can do to make your life and logistics easier, the better. Mainly to avoid walking for a long time in the cold and snow with small children during the winter period.

For single mothers, everything needs to be very timed, since they have no one but themselves to pick up their child from school, take them to daycare, come back, make food, go to work, college and everything else. Some schools offer services to stay with children after school hours, but not all of them do and this may have an additional cost as well. 

City. Choose the city where you will live carefully. They are 10 provinces in Canada and the rules change a lot from one to another, in some aspects. So I suggest you do a lot of research, study, evaluate the places based on their identification with the local lifestyle, cost of living (there are places much cheaper than others, for example), proximity to Brazil, both in time zone (there are 6 different time zones in Canada) and flight hours, as many mothers visit their families in Brazil or their families come to Canada to visit them. When making video calls with grandparents and relatives, for example, the time zone can make a difference. In Vancouver, we are 4/5 hours behind Brasilia time and there are 24 hours (or more) of flight time from Brazil. So many people prefer to live in Toronto, for example, where all this is reduced. 

I don't have children, but I am a daughter and I was once a child. My mother is the most warrior and strong person I know and I believe this is a characteristic of most mothers, especially Brazilian mothers. So think about your entire journey to date and everything you've been through in Brazil and be very proud of yourself, as this is already proof that you know how to deal with arduous tasks and a busy day-to-day life. Know that here you will find the welcoming and safe environment you dream of and be able to provide a quality education for your children, without spending a lot of money. 

For those who want to understand a little more about this universe of mothers here and see reports, images and information from those who raise their children in Canada, I recommend following Instagram “Mothers in Canada”, a project formed by women who live here and share different experiences on social media every 20th of each month on their blogs and profiles. 

Are you excited or excited about Canada? Rest assured that you are investing in a better future for your children and if you need educational consultancy to know which path to take, talk to us.

Study in Canada. Change your life.

Hugs dear mothers,

Adri Pasa

BFF Exchange