Why Toronto is a great city for international students

Toronto is an incredibly vibrant city that attracts tourists from all over the world. With its multicultural society, famous landmarks and diverse food and events to enjoy, Toronto makes a great destination for people from all over the world to live, study and work in Canada.   

What makes it a good city for international students to gain an education? Let us examine 10 top reasons why Toronto should be on your shortlist of destinations to pursue your study goals.

1. Multiculturalism

Upon arriving in Toronto, what is immediately apparent is how diverse the population truly is. Toronto is home to a great variety of cultures and ethnicities, as roughly half its population was born outside of Canada, according to the 2021 Census. What this means is that in Toronto you will find food, art, music and events that cross cultures. When walking down the street or riding public transit, you will hear languages that you may have never heard before. Toronto is a place that celebrates its diversity and prides itself on inclusivity.

2. World-renowned post-secondary education

International students in Toronto have many renowned institutions to choose from when studying in the city. Canada, and particularly Toronto, is recognized globally for its educational institutions and the opportunity it offers to both Canadian and international students. Niagara College – Toronto is one of these options, providing international students the opportunity to gain credentials in critical, in-demand fields like health care, business, human resources and technology.

3. Location

Toronto is situated close to the United States border in south-eastern Canada. It is also located near other large Canadian hubs, like Hamilton, Ottawa, and Montreal and is surrounded by tourist destinations, such as Niagara Falls, Muskoka, and Algonquin Provincial Park. Despite Canada’s geographical vastness, Toronto offers access to other interesting destinations, which is ideal for students who are looking to explore beyond the city limits and even venture across the border.

4. Economy

Southern Ontario in general and Toronto in particular are the engines that drive Canada’s economy. Southern Ontario accounts for roughly half of all national manufacturing. The area between Toronto and Waterloo, known as “Silicone Valley North,” employs nearly 300,000 tech workers in 4,100 active tech start-ups and global tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon. Beyond that, Toronto is also the capital of Canada’s financial services and banking industry. To put it briefly, Toronto is the place to be if you are interested in starting a career in any of these exciting industries.

5. Safety

Toronto has a low crime rate when compared to other major cities around the world. Toronto was ranked 2nd on the Economist Intelligent Unit’s (EIU) “Safe City Index,” which evaluated more than just personal safety. This international ranking system factored in digital security, health security and infrastructure security to compile a comprehensive assessment of safety and security in Toronto. For this reason, Toronto is an ideal destination for international students hoping to make their studies their primary concern.

6. Global Liveability Index

Toronto is often ranked in the top ten “livable” cities worldwide based on the Global Liveability Index, which tracks criteria such as healthcare, infrastructure and education among other things. In 2022, Toronto received a score of 95.4 out of a possible 100, which placed it 8th on a list of global cities. Most notably, Toronto received a perfect score of 100 points in both the healthcare and education categories. Toronto’s education institutions are class-leading and internationally recognized for their high standard.

7. Networking and job opportunities

Toronto is home to various booming industries, offering an abundance of job opportunities in critical fields like technology, business, health care, hospitality, human resources and more. International students benefit from a city that surrounds them in career opportunities and provides endless networking events, career fairs and other opportunities to accelerate your career path.

8. Exciting city events

In a city like Toronto, there are always exciting things happening. Toronto has many free and public events you can take advantage of when you’re not studying, including multicultural festivals, art exhibitions, holiday celebrations, small-business markets and more.

9. Diverse food

Toronto is one of the most diverse food capitals in the world. A walk around the streets of Toronto will quickly inform you that there are seemingly endless options for food. Whatever your heart and stomach desire, chances are, Toronto has it. International students can enjoy the food of their homeland in Toronto and also indulge in the many other cuisines represented in Toronto’s food scene.

10. Scenery

Although it’s best known for its urban atmosphere, Toronto boasts plenty of green space and parks. International students can enjoy gorgeous scenery and nature at places like High Park, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Evergreen Brick Works, Edwards Gardens and the Toronto Island.

Just steps away from the NCT Mirvish Building is Christie Pits Park. Near 22 College Street Building, students can find their nature escape in the beautiful Allan Gardens Conservatory, and at 9 Lower Jarvis Street Building, the stunning Harbourfront and Sugar Beach are only a two-minute walk away.

There are many reasons why Toronto is a great city for international students to study and live. If you are a student looking for a high-quality international education and an opportunity to experience personal growth beyond the classroom in a safe and inclusive environment, then Toronto is a wonderful destination to consider.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Which city in Canada is best for international students?

Toronto, Ontario is the best city in Canada for international students. The city is known for its multicultural society, diverse events and nightlife, quality education and booming business, tech, health-care and other industries. For these reasons and more, international students thrive in Toronto.

Why is Toronto the best city for students?

Toronto is the best city for students not only because of the numerous world-renowned Toronto education institutions but also because of the city’s liveability, diversity, job opportunities and more.

Why is Toronto a good city to live in?

Toronto is a good city to live in because of its outstanding quality of life, job opportunities, education, multiculturalism, safety and more.