Survival guides
The essentials for settling in Canada, explained simply.
📋 Paperwork
How to get your SIN Number in Canada
The SIN (Social Insurance Number) is required to work. Eligibility, documents, and the 3 ways to apply.
Read guide →💳 FinancesOpening a bank account as an international student
Which bank to pick, what documents you need, and how to build credit history from zero.
Read guide →🚌 TransportationToronto public transit: PRESTO card, monthly pass, and the automatic fare cap
How to pay for transit, how to get your student monthly pass, and how the TTC's new automatic fare cap works.
Read guide →🍜 FoodWhere to eat cheap without sacrificing quality
The best-value neighbourhoods, the Too Good To Go app, grocery tricks, and the tipping culture you need to budget for.
Read guide →🎓 Student lifeYour first two weeks: student life checklist
The essentials to sort out as soon as you arrive, in priority order — including an important clarification about health insurance (it's not OHIP).
Read guide →