International Students

Toronto

AIM Academy welcomes international students. International students interested in enrolling at AIM Academy must follow the same requirements listed under Admission Requirements, beginning with the application process.

Interviews may be performed over the telephone and other arrangements may be made, as required, to meet the unique situations of students living in other countries.

STUDENT AUTHORIZATION

If you are a citizen of a foreign country and wish to come to Canada to study you must obtain authorization from the Government of Canada. (If you are a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency status this does not apply to you).

You may acquire student authorization forms in your country of origin at the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Canadian Education Centre. If you have any questions about how to obtain a student authorization, please contact the Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or a Canadian Education Centre. The information provided here is simply a summary.

American citizens and permanent residents of the United States (plus residents of St. Pierre and Miquelon, or dependents of people here in Canada on student authorizations) may apply for student authorization at a Canadian port-of-entry.

You will need proof of identity, proof of financial support (enough money to cover your tuition fees, return transportation to your country of origin and $10,000 to cover living expenses in Canada for one year). You will need a medical examination in your own country to obtain student authorization.

After AIM Academy has accepted you as a full-time student, we will send you a letter confirming your status. You will need this letter, along with other documents, to qualify for student authorization (visa) from Immigration Canada.

Please note: If you are unable to obtain student authorization, we will fully refund any fees you have paid to AIM Academy less the $25.00 application fee.

FINANCIAL AID

AIM Academy does not offer financial aid or scholarships for international students, or provide housing.

To qualify for student authorization, applicants must provide complete and accurate documentation of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the first year of school, books and living expenses.

For more information about student life and financial aid, please visit those sections under the Diploma Program you are interested in studying.

Useful Links for Obtaining Canadian Visas

International students interested in studying in Canada should ensure that they are familiar with the rules and processes involved in coming to Canada to study. The best and most accurate source for information is the Canadian federal government. The federal government runs Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) - which links immigration services with citizenship registration and is responsible for and admitting immigrant, foreign students, visitors and temporary workers.

The department of the federal government formerly known as International Trade Canada has been split into two separate departments. The department now responsible for Culture, Education and Youth is Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC).

USEFUL WORDS

Visa: A visa is permission issued by a country for you to enter that country.

Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant): A person who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities, but who has not acquired Canadian citizenship. Entitled to all the rights of a citizen except the right to vote.

Citizen: A member of a nation, either by birth or through naturalization.

HELPFUL LINKS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Check out the City of Toronto’s website and you’ll find info on everything from cost of living, medical services, employment, getting help in you language, cultural events & so much more! http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=6fa6ba2ae8b1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Here are some additional links:

Housing Supports:

www.viewit.ca (this site allows you to search by neighbourhood and to see pictures of apartments for rent)

www.kijiji.ca & www.craigslist.ca (there are often apartments for rent on these sites as well as used, and sometimes new, items/furniture for sale).

Health Insurance:

www.useblue.com or call 1-877-449-4993 ext. 2.

Religious Community Organizations:

http://www.yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/Religious+Organizations+%26+Church+Groups/Toronto+ON

Neighbourhoods of Toronto:

AIM Academy is located in a neighbourhood called 'Kensington Market' & 'Chinatown' here is a link that lists all neighbourhoods:

http://www.seetorontonow.com/explore-neighbourhoods/kensington-market/

http://www.seetorontonow.com/explore-neighbourhoods/chinatown/

List of Consulates & Embassies in Toronto:

http://www.toronto.worldweb.com/SightsAttractions/ConsulatesEmbassies/

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Upon enrollment, all students receive a copy of AIM Academy's Student Hansbook, which contains our academic year, school regulations and administrative information.

*We will ensure that all students, domestic and international, will be treated equally and free of disrespect, harm or harassment of any type.

INTERVIEWS

Applicants are strongly encouraged to come to Toronto for interviews. In situations where this is not possible, a telephone interview may be arranged. Qualified applicants are scheduled for interviews after all materials have been received and evaluated by AIM Academy.

LOCATION

Toronto is the capital of the province Ontario and is the largest city in Canada, with a population of 2.8 million, 6.6 million in the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto is the fifth largest city in North America in terms of population. One third of Canadians live within 160-km radius of Toronto. Toronto is particularly accessible to those who live in the United States. One half of all Americans live within a day's drive of Toronto.

This is one of the most multicultural cities in the world with more than 80 ethnic groups and more than 100 languages. English is the predominant language of Toronto, but there are also large ethnic populations. 48 percent of Toronto's population is immigrants - 350,000 Chinese, 400,000 Italians, 127,000 Greeks and many others. Bilingual street signs can be found in areas such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Portugal, and other neighbourhoods. Whatever your background, you will find compatriots, services, and amenities in your own language.

Toronto offers a full range of cultural activities including museums, theatres, opera, symphony, and ballet. As well, Toronto hosts major league sports including baseball, basketball, and of course, hockey. This is a highly educated, progressive community with three universities.

Canada is justly famous for its outdoor life. Toronto has parks, beaches, hiking trails, and outdoor activities all year round. On the north shore of beautiful Lake Ontario, the city is known for its wooded ravines and parks with abundant wildlife. Toronto's weather is moderate. Average temperatures are +7C (45F) in spring, +21C (70F) in summer, +11C (51F) in autumn, and -3C (26F) in winter.

AIM Academy is located in downtown Toronto, within easy walking distance of shopping, libraries, parks and services. AIM Academy is only blocks from one of the world's most vibrant Chinatowns, a lively district of cafes, restaurants and retail outlets. We are also within walking distance of the University of Toronto, a major Canadian academic resource.

AIM Academy 's excellent downtown location, close to public transit and rapid interurban commuter trains (GO Trains), makes it accessible to students who commute from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), our public transit system, includes subway, bus and streetcar routes.

According to United Nations surveys done over the past four years, Canada is the best place in the world to live. This country won this rating because of its access to high quality education, high life expectancy, and low crime rates. Strict gun control legislation and a tradition of respect for law and order make life in Canada's cities exceptional.

Prospective students considering a move to Toronto may call the AIM Academy for information and brochures about Toronto.

Note: You must understand English to succeed at AIM Academy since our classes and clinics are conducted in English. You must be fluent enough to comprehend your instructors and clinic clients as well as the texts and other written material, and be able to complete written and oral assignments.

If your first language is not English, we will assess your English-language capabilities in the interview process. You may be required to submit a TOEFL exam in which you received a passing grade, and demonstrate satisfactory written/oral comprehension of English.

For further information on the application process, please feel free to contact admissions at (416) 323-1818 ex.202 or call our toll free number, 1-800-263-1703 ex.202.