There are many good reasons to consider coming to Alberta for your post secondary studies. You will find a wide range of high quality educational options throughout the province, each offering academic programs in all fields ranging from certificates and diplomas to baccalaureates, masters’ and Ph.Ds. In addition, you can study in a province know for its friendliness, safety, beauty, culture and cutting edge technology.

Long known as Canada’s ‘energy province’, Alberta has more than 60% of the country’s reserves of conventional crude oil, 85% of its natural gas, 63% of its coal and all of its heavy oil and oil sands reserves. For those students interested in any area of study relating to energy, whether it be at the level of applied technology, energy management, engineering, earth sciences or related fields, it makes sense to come to the province where it’s happening!

Alberta’s strong economic foundation was built on oil and gas, agriculture, forestry and tourism. People from across Canada and from all over the world have made their home in Alberta, resulting in a dynamic, multicultural and energetic province where international business thrives. Graduates of Alberta universities, college and technical institutions are working all over the world with internationally recognized and respected credentials. Alberta-based companies are also actively involved in activities across the globe.

Alberta’s universities and over forty specialized research centres work together to promote technology development in areas ranging from telecommunications, microelectronics, lasers, engineering research, agriculture and oil sands technology to the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. This collaboration provides unique opportunities for innovative research, particularly for graduate students in all disciplines.

For those students whose first challenge is to improve their competency in English, Alberta institutions offer ESL courses ranging from long term immersion to short term summer courses. Students have a wide variety of options to choose from, and they can be sure that no matter which one they choose, they will have the highest quality of instruction and facilities.

Alberta offers students many choices. Transfer arrangements between colleges and universities enables students in certain courses to begin their studies at a college or technical institution and transfer to a university to begin their degree. This is particularly appealing for students who may feel more comfortable beginning their studies in a smaller institution, or who change career goals in the course of their studies. All Alberta institutions will, of course, equate foreign credentials to Alberta credentials when considering admission. Some students prefer cosmopolitan centres such as Calgary or Edmonton, both with populations of approximately 800,000 people, while others feel more comfortable in smaller cities such as Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Red Deer or Medicine Hat. For those who are looking for a more rural setting, there are also several choices available. Wherever you are coming from in the world, Alberta is easy to reach through international airports in Calgary and Edmonton.

The diverse landscape of Alberta ranges from the majestic rocky mountains, picturesque foothills, parkland and rolling prairies, to spectacular badlands and remote northern forests. Such geographic diversity offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, from hiking in the mountains and fishing in clear mountain lakes to photography, skiing, skating, swimming, camping, boating, rock climbing and archaeological expeditions in the badlands, home of the dinosaurs.

A few words about the weather! We know that many international students imagine Canada as extremely cold, but sunny Alberta receives more hours of sunshine than any other province in Canada. The climate is dry and there are four distinct seasons, summer, fall, winter and spring. Even in the winter when it can be cold it is important to remember that all buildings and housing are centrally heated, public transportation is excellent, and warm winter clothing is reasonably priced. International students usually love winter in Alberta because of the numerous outdoor activities that are possible. Don’t forget, winter is only one season out of four, so don’t let your fear of the cold keep you away!

Public institutions include:

Universities:

• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• The University of Lethbridge
• Athabasca University (a distance learning institution);

Colleges:

• Alberta College of Art and Design (Calgary)
• Fairview College
• Grande Prairie Regional College
• Grant MacEwan College (Edmonton)
• Keyano College (Fort McMurray)
• Lakeland College (Vermilion, Lloydminster)
• Lethbridge Community College
• Medicine Hat College
• Mount Royal College (Calgary)
• Olds College
• Red Deer College;

Technical Institutions:

• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (Edmonton)
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Calgary).

For information on all post-secondary programs available in Alberta, contact:

Alberta Advanced Education and Career Development, Career and Labour Market Information, 6th Floor, Sterling Place, 9940, 106th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA T5K 2V1

Website: http://www.alberta-learning.ab.ca

1-800-661-3753

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education