Canada

Country Overview

Canada is the world’s second largest country and is known for its abundant wildlife, sprawling forests and crystal clear lakes.   Canadians are also known for being a particularly nice and happy lot despite the cold weather.  So pack your scarf, hat, mittens and hiking boots and get ready to start saying, “eh” at the end of your sentences!

Canada is a neighbor of the United States and the two are often compared as they are Western countries and have similar histories.  However, don’t let a Canadian hear you compare the two countries; the permanent smile on their face may disappear.  Native North Americans were the original inhabitants of the continent.  Some well known tribes are the Sioux and Black foot from the regions of Lake Winnipeg to the Rocky Mountains and the Iroquois who reside in Southern Ontario and the area along the St. Lawrence River.  European settlement began when Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.  The English and French both claimed the land and fought the Indigenous people as well as each other over land ownership.  In 1754 the French and Indian Wars ended in favor of the British which solidified their control over the land.  Today, Canada has ten provinces and three territories where both French and English are official languages and many Indigenous names are recognized.  It is a federal state governed as a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.

This country really has everything but white sand beaches.   There are the hip urban cities of Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec and endless gorgeous landscapes calling you to be explored.  Canada is the outdoor explorers’ and winter sports fanatics’ dream with its snow capped mountains and abundant wildlife.  Grizzly bears, moose, polar bears and humpback whales are just a few of the giants you might see roaming around the forest as you sip on hot chocolate at a ski resort. 

Culture

Not only are Canadians known for being super nice, they are also known for being quite liberal.  Same-sex marriages and abortion are legal; laws are lenient towards drug use and their famous for their publically funded health care system.  Canada is a multicultural country and there remains a distinction between the Indigenous, French and English cultures.  The USA and Canada have impacted each other culturally because of their close proximity.  However, Canadians are proud of their country and citizenship and are a bit committed to being recognized as Canadians and not Americans when they travel outside of North America.  You see many backpacks with a sewn on Canadian flag to ensure those in the local country know that they are from Canada, not the US.

Weather

Canada has four seasons, but is on the colder side of the spectrum.  Head to Canada in the winter for skiing, snow shoeing and snow boarding and in the summer for hiking and kayaking.

Transport

You can fly into any major city and learn the local metro and bus station.  If you are not in a major city, then you will need a car as most areas are spread out.  A great option for traveling is to utilize the Greyhound bus or an Amtrak train.

Money

Canadian coins come in 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), $1 (loonie) and $2 (toonie or twoonie) denominations. The gold-colored loonie features the loon, a common Canadian water bird, while the two-toned toonie is decorated with a polar bear.

Paper currency comes in $5 (blue), $10 (purple), $20 (green) and $50 (red) denominations. The $100 (brown) and larger bills are less common, and are tough to change.

Tipping

It’s standard to leave 15% tip at a restaurant and tipping is expected for bar service, typically one dollar per a drink.

Go!

Learn more about our internship opportunities in Canada!