Guide for Living in Toronto

About Toronto
Toronto is an international center of business, finance, arts, and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world. There are numerous museums and galleries, festivals and public events, entertainment districts, national historic sites, and sports activities in Toronto, attract over 43 million tourists each year. Toronto is also known for its many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, the CN Tower.

The Weather in Toronto
The continental climate of Toronto supports the large differences in temperature and scenery in each of the 4 seasons. The average minimum and maximum annual temperatures are -15°C and 25°C, respectively. The city is known for its cold winters, but its summers are hot and generally sunny, with occasional humid days. It begins to snow in November and continues until March. The four distinct seasons allow for a wide range of outdoor activities year-round.

With a snowy winter, winter activities are common in the city and the scenery is beautiful. In spring, nature awakens with full magnitude giving way to the summer where the sun and the heat bring the city alive with outdoor activities. The colors of autumn, known throughout the world, create a wonderful and unforgettable landscape.

 

Homestay
Please refer to article Homestay Services Introduction to learn more details

Transportation
•Public Transportation: TTC Subway & Bus Routes (link to https://www.ttc.ca)
•Students may purchase PRESTO to save transportation cost (link to http://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/index.jsp)

Banking
According to personal preferences, students should bring personal ID to open an account.
      •  The Big Five Banks in Canada: Bank of Montreal (BMO), TD Bank, Scotiabank, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).
      •  International students may be qualified to open no monthly fee unlimited student bank account with a valid study permit.

Cell Phone
The common cell phone carriers in Canada: Fido, Bell, Rogers, Telus, Freedom, Virgin Mobile, etc.

Shopping
      •  Supermarket: Metro, Supermarket, Walmart
      •  Grocery Store: No Frills, Dollarama
      •  Pharmacy: Shoppers’ Drug Mart
      •  Electronic Store: Best Buy, Staples
      •  Used Stores: Value Village, Goodwill

Medical Clinic
If students do not feel well, they can go to medical walk-in clinics to see a doctor. There’s no need to make an appointment to go to a walk-in clinic. If there is an urgent situation, go to the emergency or the hospital instead. If there is an emergency, call 911.

Insurance
Every student must have emergency medical insurance coverage during their stay in Canada. It is the responsibility of each student to make sure he has the right medical insurance. Trition recommends that students obtain medical insurance before leaving their country. Trition can provide a reliable medical insurance policy. International students have the right to medical care in a province other than his province upon presentation of their provincial medical card.

Students participating in the summer camp and the winter camp program have medical insurance included in their program.

If you purchase insurance with Trition, the insurance company is called JF. You can obtain more information about this insurance on this Website: https://www.jfgroup.ca/