On September 3rd, 2024, I took a flight from Toulouse to Toronto, the city I had chosen to live in for six months in order to improve my English. Here you will find everything you need to know about that.
My flight wasn’t direct—I had a layover in Dublin for just one hour. For this flight, I paid 350 euros (CAD 550) and I check almost everyday on Skycanner to compare the price , my purpose was to buy the ticket to the lower price. I recommend doing the same, especially for long-distance trips like Canada. If you book your flight directly on the airline’s website, you’ll often pay more than what you could find on comparison or travel deal websites. It’s always worth checking platforms that compare prices — you might save a good amount of money!
Actually, I cried before saying goodbye to my parents because I probably only realized at that moment what I was about to do—moving abroad, to the other side of my country. It was only for a few months, but at 20 years old, it was undoubtedly a huge decision and a crucial step for my future. I was almost ready to give up. Even though I was early, for some reason, I nearly missed my flight. So I ran with my backpack, barely having time to think about anything—just run, no time to stress.
That’s why I believe they recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your departure time, especially for international flights. After checking in and going through security, it’s also a good idea to be at your gate at least an hour before boarding, so you can just sit down, relax, and wait without stress.
The stop in Dublin
After more than an hour on the plane, I had a stopover in Dublin because my flight was with Aer Lingus, an Irish airline. I only had an hour to catch my connecting flight, so I quickly changed planes. However, I was surprised by the size of the airport and had to run to find my gate. In the end, my flight was delayed by an hour, so I took the opportunity to eat at the airport. I also remember being surprised when the staff greeted me with, “Hello there! How are you?” In France, we usually don’t ask this kind of question—we just place our order directly. It was a small but pleasant cultural difference that I really appreciated.
After that, I waited, but there were some announcements, and I couldn’t understand anything they were saying. As a result, I almost gave up a second time, thinking to myself, Why did I choose to move to an English-speaking environment if I can’t understand a single word?
What you do in the sky ?
During the seven-hour flight, I think I watched Netflix—I had downloaded some movies—and listened to music. It didn’t feel too long, but I started to get excited when we flew over Canada. I also had one meal and an Irish snack, which I really appreciated.
My meal
What you need to prepare for Toronto ?
To travel to Toronto (or anywhere in Canada), I needed to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs CAD $7. It’s similar to the ESTA system for the United States. With an eTA, you can stay in Canada for up to six months after your arrival date — whether you’re coming to visit or study short-term.
However, an eTA does not allow you to work, either part-time, full-time, or even as an intern. If you plan to study for more than six months, you’ll need to apply for a study permit instead, which costs about CAD $100.The approval for the eTA usually arrives by email, and you also get a confirmation document. Sometimes the process is quick, but it can take a few days, so it’s best to apply early. Be careful when applying for your eTA — there are fake websites out there that charge more or even sell invalid authorizations (the link I shared is the correct one).
When I arrived in Toronto, we had to register and scan our passports, and then pass through customs. For me, it took more than two hours, and I was so stressed about explaining everything in English and possibly being rejected, in case I had done something wrong. I was surprised once again by the fact that some information at the airport was translated into French, but then again, Quebec isn’t too far from here. After spending another hour waiting, a guy asked me some questions about my journey—what I was going to do here, how long I was going to stay, and things like that. At that point, I was really worried about my luggage.
The funny thing was that he tried to speak French with me, and actually, he did very well. After I took my luggage, which had been placed to the side, I looked for the train because the airport is more than an hour away from the center of Toronto.
After taking the train, I was supposed to take the subway at Union Station, a very busy station in Toronto. I got lost inside, but eventually, I arrived at Bloor-Yonge Station, which is close to my apartment. I was surprised by the size of the building, and even though I arrived almost at night, I didn’t feel insecure. Finally, I had arrived in this huge city—first adventure, success!
Practical info about accommodation
For my accommodation, I spent at least six months searching. I chose not to go with the housing options offered by the international school, which included homestays, shared houses, and shared apartments. Personally, I preferred to live independently or at least with people who were more settled in Toronto rather than just staying temporarily as students.
I was especially interested in renting a condominium, which is the classic type of residential building in Canada — often with many floors and amenities like a gym, laundry, or even a pool. I really took my time to consider all the options, but it wasn’t easy. The housing market in Canada is in crisis, and everything was very expensive. In downtown Toronto, even small places started around €800 (CAD $1,200) per month. Further from the city center it was slightly cheaper, but that came with longer commute times.
I was getting desperate. Over those six months, I sent out a lot of messages and tried to organize video calls, but very few people replied, and many rejected my application because I wasn’t in Toronto yet to visit the place in person. It was frustrating.
Eventually, I found a great opportunity through Facebook Marketplace — although, be careful there, because some listings are scams. I ended up connecting with a friendly couple who called me and explained everything clearly. I also used Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and Realtor.ca during my search. In the end, I found a condo just 5 minutes from my school, for CAD $1,290 per month, which I shared with two Colombian roommates. I took the time to talk with them beforehand, and it worked out well.
So my advice: start looking early, ideally six months in advance, and be persistent. But don’t worry too much — many people in Canada find places at the last minute because people move all the time. Both approaches can work, but make sure to check everything carefully before making a decision.
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If you need any more information about moving in Canada, just contact me, I will be happy to help you !