Choosing the best educational opportunity for our sons and daughters is a major concern for every family. In this regard, some expatriates are looking much more closely at Canada as the source of excellent value in education both in terms of quality and cost. In making a decision, having the information you need at your finger tips is a major benefit.

Fortunately you can go to www.studyincanada.com and access a wealth of information. At this web-site, you can find programs at all levels, then do a search for schools, find the right program, learn about financial aid, get visa information and also learn more about Canada.

If the choice is between Canada and the U.S. what would be some of the factors to be considered. This question was answered by a Canadian university oficial , Glynn Hunter,University of Saskatchewan, in the following way:

ÒBut though the differences between Canada and the U.S. are often subtle, make no mistake, they do exist. The quickest way to get a rise from a Canadian is to suggest that there are no differences between Canadians and Americans. Ours is a distinct culture with a different philosophy, politics, and values--one in which U.S. visitors can view their own culture through the eyes of one of their closest friends.

Canada is a land of contrasts that somehow works, one that the United Nations for the last three years has rated the best overall country in which to live. Consider that Canada: is an independent country which has at its head of state the sovereign of another nation; is geographically the second largest country in the world but has a population of only 28 million; is one of the most urbanized countries in the world, with 20 percent of the population living in its three largest cities; has a population that mostly lives within 100 miles of the U.S.-Canada border.

Why Choose to Study in Canada?

Variety and Contrast. Canada has about 80-degree granting colleges or universities in locations ranging from small towns on the East Coast to a downtown campus in Toronto, Canada's largest city. The vast majority of universities are publicly funded. Canada has two official languages (French and English) and institutions offer a variety of learning opportunities.

Continuity. Each province in Canada governs its own institutions, yet the caliber of Canadian universities is consistent across the country, and any university offers courses or programs that transfer easily to a U.S. institution. The marking and grading system is similar to that of U.S. schools, causing few problems in adjusting to a new academic system. The Canadian school year is similar to that of the U.S. Most universities offer courses in the spring (May/June) and summer (July/August) periods as well. .

Affordability. Canadian universities can be a bargain. While a non-Canadian will be required to pay a student fee double that of Canadian tuition--from $2,000 per term to $5,000 per term depending on the institution--that's in Canadian dollars, which in the last couple of years have been 25 percent to 30 percent less than U.S.

In sum, Canada offers one of the most diverse and interesting, yet underrated, experiences abroad for students--safe, affordable, and yet different enough to satisfy most students' desire for adventure.