Undecided on college choice: CNA or NBCC

[estceashzed]

Hello! I'm an international student interested in applying for college. I already applied to NAIT but I failed to meet their study permit deadline. So I want to apply to another college (that doesn't impose a study permit deadline) because I don't want to miss this fall intake.

Luckily, I already did my research and listed the colleges suitable for me financially. I'm just unable to decide between CNA (in Newfoundland) and NBCC (in New Brunswick). Both colleges have the same program I'm interested in, the same tuition rates and the same duration of study. The only difference for me, a foreigner, is a the province. But I want to make the right choice.

I tried comparing both places in terms of weather, job prospects (I want to work part-time) and living coast. But I wasn't successful in obtaining solid information to make a decision. Both seem very similar. I wanted to know about your opinions. Which one you think is best, and why?

Thank you all.

 

[selvakk]

Hello! I'm an international student interested in applying for college. I already applied to NAIT but I failed to meet their study permit deadline. So I want to apply to another college (that doesn't impose a study permit deadline) because I don't want to miss this fall intake.

Luckily, I already did my research and listed the colleges suitable for me financially. I'm just unable to decide between CNA (in Newfoundland) and NBCC (in New Brunswick). Both colleges have the same program I'm interested in, the same tuition rates and the same duration of study. The only difference for me, a foreigner, is a the province. But I want to make the right choice.

I tried comparing both places in terms of weather, job prospects (I want to work part-time) and living coast. But I wasn't successful in obtaining solid information to make a decision. Both seem very similar. I wanted to know about your opinions. Which one you think is best, and why?

Thank you all.

From an outsider's view, they are both some of the smaller provinces in Canada. You haven't mentioned which of the college's campuses you are going to join in each college. If one college's campus is in a remote part of their province, and the other college's campus is in the capital city, then that would make a big difference in where you want to go.

Ultimately, it's something you have to decide. For example, I have lived in cities my whole life, first in Dubai and then in Chennai. For me, a rural community would be something completely new and as I don't drive. I would be better off in a city like Toronto or Montreal which is a more populated area and has public transport. Weather would probably be the same.

Both are relatively distant from the more populated provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Newfoundland being an island is more difficult to reach or go to other places in Canada. However, on the other side you can reach places like St. Pierre and Miquelon (a French territory), The province of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island much more easily than someone in Toronto or Montreal.

To sum it up shortly, both of them are relatively the same with the same advantages. The biggest differentiator to me would be the location of the campus and availability of jobs and weather in that city/town.

 

[canuck78]

Both colleges are in pretty remote locations with no guarantees of part-time jobs. I guess one campus of CNA is in St John’s.

 

[estceashzed]

That is true, both colleges are pretty remote, and I thought a lot about public transportation and how am I going to find a job...
The campuses for my program are St Andrews & Miramichi for NBCC and Clarenville & Carbonear for CNA.

I'll have to be lucky to find a decent job and I'll probably need a car for transportation (if public transit won't do it). I just don't want to choose 1 and then have regrets, at this point I'm just looking google images and maps for these places and it seems that NBCC campuses are more alive (read: more populated).

I want to hear your thoughts guys, anyone who lived in there ..?

 

[canuck78]

Yes NB is a more populated area. Would plan on Uber or taxi, bus if available or walking versus purchasing a car and try to live close enough to walk to campus. There is little point in working if you have to purchase a car between the car, gas, licensing fees for you and the car, insurance, maintenance, etc. You also will need snow tires and regular tires and pay to change them and store them. You also have to know how to drive on snow and ice. You are likely to earn minimum wage in these areas, No guarantees you will find a job or that you will get 20 hours per week. In such small areas you are competing with other students but also other local people who may work in their service industry as their full time profession.

Can’t comment on what school is better. The Maritimes is really selling their schools to international students. A few years ago you never heard of international students considering going to the Maritimes. The people are extremely lovely there but it is a pain to get to and not all the schools are considered the most competitive. There are some great universities though including St Frances Xavier. Acadia, Dalhousie, King’s College, etc.

 

[estceashzed]

That's true, buying a car will coast me a lot especially for gas and maintenance as you mentioned. I will do my best to get the closest rent and job.

To be honest, I chose these schools because of the tuition rates. I have limited means and working part-time is a huge component of my plan. I can't do it otherwise.

So far, NB is the winner, I appreciate your replies, keep them coming <3