Best study spots in Canada for international students

A peaceful and quiet place, with the smell of coffee in the air or the soft afternoon breeze. This sounds just like the ideal place to study and review for your classes. If you are an international student looking for a study spot that best fit your study habits, check out our list of the best study spots, near universities in Canada, for international students (in no particular order).

Public Libraries

Libraries are one of the best spaces to study in because of its accessibility to thousands, if not millions, of reference materials. Most public libraries also have free Wi-Fi access printing services, and great areas for reading, working, studying, and researching. There are also rooms dedicated for independent and collaborative works. Check these public libraries near the best universities in Canada perfect for students who study abroad.  

1.    Ottawa Main Public Library 

Located in downtown Ottawa, the city’s main public library is primarily a lending library that patrons can use inside the library or at home. It is open Mondays to Saturdays but Main’s Book Drop is open 24 hours a day so patrons can easily return borrowed materials. After renovations in 2014, the library’s expanded space can be enjoyed and used by more people for reading and studying. Ottawa Public Library has over 33 branches all over the city and offers having] the greatest selection of various materials and public access to Internet stations in the city. There are also two meeting rooms available for booking at this branch. 

2.    Cedarbrae Library 

One of Toronto Public Library’s branches, this library is open Mondays to Sundays. The establishment is wheelchair accessible and has free parking and Wi-Fi. The library’s Book Drop is open for 24 hours for easy drop-off and return of borrowed materials. There is an outdoor reading area perfect for students who want to study while enjoying the open air, quiet study rooms for students who works best in silence, and an indoor seating capacity of 175. Meeting rooms for collaborative studying and conferences are also available for booking. The library also has various collection of materials like audiobooks on CD and a small collection of Tagalog DVDs perfect for Filipino students abroad.

3.    Vancouver Central Library 

The 9-storey building has 7 floors occupied for the library is accessible for people with disabilities, it offers free Wi-Fi and access to computers, printing, photocopying, and scanning services perfect for students who study in Canada, particularly around Vancouver. The Central Library also has various work and study spaces like a lounge, reading room, family theater, inspiration lab, outdoor spaces, and a garden. It has five meeting rooms available for bookings as well.  Besides these amenities, the library also hosts events such as the “Drop-in Resume Clinic” that offers one-on-one meeting with experienced stuff to help patrons who want to study and work in Canada.  The library also holds a collection of materials in various languages that specifically caters to international students; included in their collection is Tagalog materials for all ages. 

4.    Mississauga Valley Library 

The library’s quiet study rooms and study carrels are perfect for students who want to study independently and quietly. There are also computers and free Wi-fi access for patrons as well as printing, scanning, and photocopying services that is highly convenient for local and international students’ study needs. Also has a collection of popular fiction books for all ages. Library card owners are also granted access to several learning resources about local history, languages, and other educational courses. The library’s LinkedIn Learning program also offers patrons access to online courses that are designed to develop software, creative, and business skills in a variety of languages. Attending this program is beneficial for Filipino international students who not only study and want to work in Canada.

5.    Grande Bibliothèque – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec 

The 33,000sqm public library houses over 4 million items including books and multimedia collections that can be borrowed by patrons. The library is accessible for persons with restricted physical ability, has free Wi-Fi, an audio tour, and a Restaurant on site. Its interior has spaces dedicated for reading and researching.  

Recreational and Picnic Parks

For international students who prefer to study outdoors, there are numerous recreational and picnic spots in Canada. The relaxing nature of the outdoors can reduce stress levels and improve focus. It also encourages activity and exercise which will benefit both the body and mind.

1.    High Park 

Located in the middle of Old Toronto, the 400-acre park is a popular picnic location of locals since 1876. There are gardens, trails, recreational spaces, attractions, and a café within the park which makes it a perfect place to study and relax for students who study abroad and especially for Filipino international students who miss the atmosphere of the countryside. 

2.    Stanley Park 

This park is one of the most popular destinations in Vancouver and considered one of the best picnic spots in the city. The 400-hectare space is home to shaded forests, open gardens, and beachfronts. After studying, students can wander through the park and enjoy the wilderness, the beach, the water park, and the totem poles that are on display to honor the natives of British Columbia. 

Cafés 

Cafés are a popular study spot among Filipino students’ and if you are a Filipino international student, you probably also love to stay in cafés even as you study abroad. With the warm, inviting, and relaxing atmosphere, cafés encourage productivity. It is also an enjoyable place to study because of its proximity with various beverages and pastries that also helps fuel and energize your mind and body. It is also the perfect place to make conversation with peers or make new acquaintances.  

Want to be study abroad and be an international student in Canada? IDP is here to guide and assist you throughout the whole process—from school application to the various scholarships in Canada for Filipinos, until pre-departure activities—simply book a free appointment with our Education Counselor and let’s turn your study abroad dreams into reality.