An Introduction to Mississauga

Opening a Bank Account

During your stay in Mississauga, you’ll need a bank account to pay for your living costs, bills and rent for your accommodations. Below, you’ll find a list of banks in Canada, including chartered banks, credit unions, trusts, and other financial services companies that offer banking services and may be popularly referred to as “banks”.

Top 5 banks in Canada:

• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
• TD Canada Trust
• National Bank of Canada
• Royal Bank of Canada
• Bank of Nova Scotia

Banks in your own country may have partnerships with any Canadian banks which allow you to use their banking services as soon as you arrive, so speak to some of the banks you already work with. Sometimes you won’t be able to connect with a local bank, so if that isn’t possible, you can always open an account upon your arrival with any major bank here in Canada.

If you are planning to open an account in Canada you’ll need to provide your passport for identification, a letter from our College to confirm your status, and evidence of your address in your home country.  Sometimes it takes a few days to get a bank account, so before you arrive make sure that you have sufficient funds to pay for food, travel or temporary accommodation. We strongly advise that you do not carry large amounts of cash. Instead buy travellers cheques from your home country that can be cashed in Canada as and when required.

Health Insurance

It is extremely important to have health insurance while you are studying in Canada. Canadians are privileged with exceptional health care, however without the appropriate insurance coverage medical attention can be very expensive.  An International Student, or Visitors to Canada plan, ensures that you aren’t left with a $100,000 hospital bill after a  major accident or an unexpected medical emergency. Just as important though, are the other benefits such as the 24/7 emergency assistance to help guide you through an emergency and monitor your case to make sure you’re receiving appropriate care.

Chef School has partnered with Ingle International to connect you with simple access to health insurance for the duration of your studies (refer to http://www.studyinsured.com/ for more information and to sign up). They offer a variety of packages to accommodate your budget and health requirements. Be sure to research the best coverage for your needs as each policy is different.

If you purchase insurance by a daily rate, be sure to enter the dates of arrival and departure to and from Canada.  If you are covered by an international health insurance plan, it is advisable to thoroughly check the coverage of your plan before your arrival.

Housing Options

Chef School does not provide accommodation for students and therefore you must organize where to live prior to arrival. Mississauga has a large housing and rental market that offers numerous accommodation options for students. There are different types shared and private accommodations ranging in price to suit your budget and style. It is very important to establish a reasonable budget and give yourself plenty of time to explore your options. Refer to the websites listed below to browse some of the current vacancies.

Study Permits, Temporary Resident Visa & Work Permits

If you want to study in Canada for more than 6 months you must apply for a Study Permit. Study Permits are not issued from within Canada. You must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) which is located in your nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. Official information on requirements can be obtained from a CIC office in Canada, a Canadian Embassy or Consulate overseas or from the CIC website at cic.gc.ca.

A Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) is sufficient if you want to study for 6 months or less.

If your program has a co-op placement required, please apply for your Co-op Work Permit along with your Study Permit application.

International Services

You will find that Mississauga is well equipped with all the tools and services that you need to feel at home. There are many organizations that are set up to help newcomers get adjusted. These organizations can help you with a variety of information and services you’ll need as you settle in, from housing and transportation to finding places of worship and navigating financial assistance, the agencies below can help.

English Enhancement

All of our courses require that you read, write and speak English proficiently.  Our programs are taught in English, which means before you enroll you must have a good grasp of the language.  If you’ve already passed our English proficiency test, you likely won’t need the resources below, however if you would like to improve your English language skills in a training program prior to or part-time while you are studying, the following ESL programs are recommended.

How To Get Here

Upon arrival you need to have a place to stay arranged.  Make sure to arrive during day time hourse so that you have access to all the amenities and services in the city to help you get settled. The Toronto Pearson International Airport, where you will arrive, is located about 15 minutes away from Mississauga by car.  Ride Share services, Taxis and Public Transportation are available from the airport.

The Culinary Arts School of Ontario is Located at:
5732 Kennedy Rd, Mississauga, ON L4Z 1T1