Your choice to study in Finland vs. Canada will be challenging. Both countries offer various advantages that are beneficial to your academic requirements. Finland and Canada are both developed and progressive countries that can meet your needs in many ways. But where is the best place to study?
Today, let us ease your burden and help you ultimately decide. We looked at the quality of education, cost of living, things to do for fun, crime rates, and more to decide between Finland and Canada as places to study.
Your environment while you study in Finland vs. Canada
The environment plays a significant role in choosing where to study in Finland vs. Canada, as it can affect your studying habits. It is ideal to have a relaxing place where you can focus and rest peacefully.
Finland is in northern Europe and is part of Scandinavia. Norway, Sweden, and Russia are the nation’s neighboring countries. If you’re from Asia, the travel time to Helsinki, Finland’s capital, varies from 9 to 13 hours.
Upon reaching Finland, you can expect rich biodiversity and to consistently be awarded as one of the greenest countries in the world for many years. You can enjoy a pleasant and serene stillness brought about by thick woodlands, 56,000 lakes, and rivers.
On the other hand, students from Asia who want to go to Canada will have to travel for 15 hours and 9 minutes. Once there, expect freezing weather if you are in the northern part of the region.
Most Canadians reside near the southern border, which offers warmer weather. In Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast, don’t forget to always bring an umbrella or a jacket as the climate tends to be rainy.
Canada has breathtaking landscapes, lush valleys, sparkling rivers, and more. Though rich in biodiversity, Canada faces several environmental issues that the government is trying to address appropriately.
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The people you interact with while you study in Finland vs. Canada
Being in a foreign place is a challenge, and the people in your new environment must go well with your beliefs and culture. As you will be away from home, opt for a country with a rich multicultural background to establish new friendships.
People in Finland are known as Finns. Although they have been stereotyped as peculiar, the traits of Finnish people are respected worldwide. They usually work hard, are nice to talk to, like to relax after work or school, and are proud to protect their natural resources.
When you get to Finland, you’ll find people who speak English, Finnish, Swedish, and Russian. You can meet new friends through socializing at car rallies, festivals, school organizations, and other fun physical activities.
Canadians have two official languages: English and French. Once there, you will encounter a noticeable difference between Canadian French and the French language used in other parts of the world. Canadian French is a division of French, but it has a different vocabulary, cultural references, slang, expressions, and idioms. Generally, Canadian and European French are not always coherent.
Although known worldwide as friendly, warm, and empathetic to friends and strangers, the country faces several social issues you must consider when studying in Finland vs. Canada. Such concerns include immigration detention, counterterrorism, and corporate accountability.
Food choices In Finland and Canada
Food is essential, especially for students, as it nourishes your body physically and mentally. In deciding where to study in Finland vs. Canada, you must check if the country offers a wide array of choices based on your needs. Also, if you suffer from food allergies, you must have the best alternatives to sustain your health.
Finland offers a limitless supply of fish, pork, potatoes, dairy products, and more. As a student, the country has healthy and budget-friendly food that you will enjoy.
Also, the healthiest, safest, and most natural food comes from Finland! Farms producing poultry products haven’t used antibiotics since 2009. In addition, the purest water comes from the country thanks to its 180,000 crystal-clean bodies of water.
If you suffer from food allergies, Finland adheres to strict EU regulations and puts helpful labels on products offered at grocery stores. Also, many types of allergy medicines can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies in Finland.
Due to its multicultural background, Canada offers students a wide variety of food choices. Meat and fish are staples in the country, and maple syrup is the star ingredient.
In terms of quality, less than 1%of Canadians abide by the criteria of a nutritious diet. It is because 75% of their supply comes from highly processed and packaged foods high in sodium, fat, and sugar.
Recreation activities while you study in Finland vs. Canada
To have a balanced student life, you must do fun things that meet your physical and social needs. When choosing to study in Finland vs. Canada, you must consider fun activities that benefit you.
Finnish people know how to balance work and study with their social lives gracefully. They love competing in various athletic activities, as seen in their countless achievements in the history of sports.
During autumn and summer, you can expect marathons and other fun events in various parts of the region. Spring and winter welcome skiing events such as the Finlandia Ski Marathon.
You can enjoy hiking and biking in 40 national parks if you want a relaxing and less physical adventure. You can also try sailing and paddling on rivers and lakes, but refrain from causing disturbance to their environment.
Meanwhile, Canadians are huge fans of indoor and outdoor activities. They love basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, volleyball, and more. They also adore trekking, horseback riding, canoeing, and other fun outdoor activities.
Canada has ten national park reserves and 37 national parks that you can visit. You will enjoy stunning views of different landscapes and bodies of water. Just be careful as grizzlies roam around looking for food.
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Finland vs. Canada quality of education
Now we go to the vital part in choosing to study in Finland vs. Canada: their education system.
Through the years, Finnish education has been one of the best worldwide. The country’s success in teaching comes from extensive research built on various backgrounds and policies. Aside from teachers, the feedback and suggestions of parents, business leaders, and researchers were also equally considered.
Finland’s education system believes in equal opportunities, learning through play, minimal homework, autonomous teachers, minimal standardized testing, supportive technology, inclusive education, and lifelong learning.
Canada has welcomed international students through the years. Their education system is composed of government-funded learning institutions and private schools.
Additionally, university classes are a mixture of tutorials and lectures where professors do the lessons, while tutorials provide a detailed discussion of important topics.
Presently, thousands of international students are stuck in the backlog of Canada’s immigration. The global pandemic affected the nation’s immigration process, and many international students may not have had their applications approved and processed on time.
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Cost of living if you plan to study in Finland vs. Canada
Another critical factor to study in Finland vs. Canada is the cost of living. Below is an example of the cost of living in the two countries courtesy of MyLifeElsewhere. Please note that all items are in US Dollars.
| Expenses | Finland | Canada |
| Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the downtown area | $707.92 | $1,070.21 |
| Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city | $577.34 | $940.11 |
| Utilities including electricity, water, heating, and gas | $101.67 | $106.32 |
| Internet connection | $22.59 | $65.32 |
| One loaf of bread | $2.08 | $2.30 |
| One liter of milk | $1.00 | $2.03 |
| One dozen eggs | $2.38 | $2.99 |
| One kg of chicken breast | $9.81 | $10.51 |
| Local cheese | $3.76 | $5.78 |
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The rate of crimes to consider when choosing to study in Finland vs. Canada
Another factor you must consider regarding where to study in Finland vs. Canada is the crime rate. Remember that you are a visitor to this new place with no relatives or friends, so extreme caution is necessary.
Aside from being the happiest country in the world, Finland is a safe country to live and study. Stories from international students are always pleasant and highlight the country’s secure environment.
The most common type of crime in Finland are property and traffic offenses. Generally, there has been a decreasing number of criminal offenses registered over the years.
Canada also shares a decline in crime rates since the year 2000. Property and violent criminal offenses decreased over the years. Statista.com states that drug-related criminal misdemeanors dropped in 2011 due to the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Statista additionally noted Canadian territories with the highest violent crimes recorded, including Yukon, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories.
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Conclusion
We hope you now have a clear perspective on where to study in Finland vs. Canada. Although both countries are unique and have something refreshing to offer, choose the nation you are most comfortable with regarding safety, monthly expenses, and the environment.
Also, pick the country that offers a pleasing study-life balance as you will need it as often as you think. Since it’s normal to feel homesick occasionally, ensure that the culture and people match your personality as you will interact with them daily.
Let us help you if you have any questions about studying in Finland. Book a counseling session now, and we will assist you in studying in the world’s happiest country!
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About the writer
Mark has been a professional content writer for more than three years. He is an expert in creating articles about education and studying abroad. He has also written articles about financial technology, e-commerce, cryptocurrency, automobiles, public relations, and more. His writings don’t only inform, but he wants to establish emotional connections with readers.
