Beginners Guide

10 provinces and 3 territories make up Canada, the second-biggest country in the world and the largest in North America. Its capital is Ottawa, and it is located in the northern region of the continent. Canadian immigration regulations have made it simpler than ever to pursue a degree there. Additionally, it is a well-liked choice among foreign students for vocational and diploma programs. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) information 621,565 worldwide understudies were signed up for projects of no less than a half year in span in Canada, in 2021. This information mirrors the engaging quality of Canada as an academic destination.

Study Guide to Canada for International Students:

Students are often wondering how they can study in Canada. Application to a Canadian university is the initial step. After being accepted, you can apply for a student visa for Canada. Students should also be familiar with the entire application procedure for Canada. we will explain everything you need to know before moving to Canada. Students often wonders why Canada for study? We will cover every aspect, from their educational system to well-known Canadian universities for international students.

Students are wondering why Canada is a good place to study?

For students to choose a certain Country there must be strong reasons. Here are few reasons in favor of choosing Canada as your study abroad location. on the QS World University Rankings 2023, many of the top 500 universities in the world are located in Canada. The educational system in Canada favors research and learning that is relevant to the workplace since it helps students in improving their employability.

In terms of cost of living and cost of education, Canada is more economical than other nations like the US and the UK. In comparison to the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada’s postgraduate work permit restrictions are rather flexible.

Canada’s Educational System:

The educational systems in Canada differ by province or territory. In most places education is available in both English and French. assuming that there are enough students in that area who speak the secondary language. High school is typical for grades 9 to 12. At Québec, high school concludes in grade 11 and is followed by a program called CEGEP that prepares students for university or a technical field.

Students can then choose to attend vocational schools or universities. At a university, they will first receive a Bachelor’s degree before continuing their studies to obtain a Master’s or Doctorate degree. Vocational students will receive certificates and diplomas that will assist with working on their abilities in different exchanges.

Popular Student Destinations in Canada

If you want to pursue a full-time academic degree, popular choices include McGill University, The University of British Columbia, The University of Alberta, and Simon Fraser University. The majority of the country’s top colleges are situated in cities such as Toronto, British Columbia, and Montreal. At the end of 2021, there were 621,565 international students in Canada. 

Canada is the favoured location for vocational studies rather than degree programs because the former appears to provide more job opportunities. Because of its low population density, Canada is a suitable choice for immigration because it offers a wide range of job opportunities.

Best Universities in Canada include:

  • McGill University (QS Rank 31)
  • University of Toronto (QS Rank 34)
  • The University of British Columbia (QS Rank 47)
  • University of Alberta (QS Rank 110)
  • University of Montreal (QS Rank 116)

Cheapest Universities in Canada include:

  • University of Guelph
  • Canadian Mennonite University
  • The Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Brandon University
  • Université de Saint-Boniface

Safety in Canada

Canada is quite possibly of the most secure country, with one of the best expectations of living on the World. Canada is a free country where individuals are, overall, decided on their activities and character, as opposed to their appearance country of origin.

Weather

Weather in Canada fluctuates broadly relying upon where you are. Canada extends from the Pacific to the Atlantic Sea, covering five-time regions.

Weather in Montreal – The winters are chilly and snowy. The wind-chill effect makes Montreal’s winter particularly unpleasant. Snowfall often starts in November and lasts until March. The range of daytime temperatures in the winter is between -6 to -15 degrees Celsius. The range of summertime temperatures is 15°C to 25°C.

Toronto’s winters are milder than those in most Canadian cities, but they are nonetheless chilly and snowy. The range of summertime temperatures is 15°C to 25°C.The daily temperatures range from -10°C to 12°C in the winter.

Vancouver Climate – It stays wet, yet mild throughout the year. The average summertime temperature in Vancouver is a comfortable 22°C.Winters are rainy but rarely snowy. In the winter, daily average temperatures vary from 3°C to 7°C.

Lifestyle Tips

Canadians are known to be receptive and proud of their multicultural and diverse population. Like people in other countries, Canadians have certain standards of conduct. Here are a few tips:

Be punctual for social and professional events.

Be respectful in conversation and behaviour

Canadians believe in equality between genders, thus show respect to the opposing sex

Avoid making jokes or remarks that are offensive to others because of their race, religion, gender, ability, sexual orientation, or outward appearance.

Prior to getting to know someone well, refrain from asking them personal inquiries about things like age, salary, marital status, relationships, and the cost of personal stuff.

Language Issues

It can be difficult at first to live in a culture where you have to speak English or occasionally French on a daily basis. When you first arrive, you can initially have these language issues:

The regional accent might take you a moment to understand. In Canada, regional accents differ widely. Give yourself time to get used to the local accent.

You might not immediately be understood by Canadians. You’ll also have a distinctive accent. If you are having trouble understanding someone, speak slowly and don’t be afraid to ask them to do the same.

There is a lot of slang used in Canadian speech, so it could take you some time to fully grasp it.

Participation

You must take part in all activities held during your classes. You can be requested to take part in group projects, discussions in class, or other activities. Participating in activities outside of the classroom is very important as well. This will provide you numerous opportunities to practice your English in a variety of contexts.

Making Friends
Make an effort not to be shy. Keep in mind that making friends is important to everyone in their first year of university. Saying “please” and “thank you” are fundamental Canadian practices, and expressing your thanks and appreciation to those around you will improve your relationships.

Accommodation:

To begin, you must determine whether you wish to live in university-managed accommodation or with a private landlord. Choosing university-managed housing can also provide you with a catered or self-catered option. Catered accommodation provides the convenience of having your meals prepared for you as well as a degree of predictability regarding meal expenses. Assuming you have a thought regarding what you like, the accommodation office at your college will actually want to let you know what convenience they have accessible – so that is the place to start.  If you choose to rent from a private landlord or if your preferred university doesn’t have anything available in its own residential facility, the accommodation office should be able to give you with a list of private houses and landlords in the area.

Wherever you choose to live, make sure you understand your contractual rights and responsibilities. In most circumstances, you will be requested to sign a tenancy agreement, which you should carefully read before signing.

Orientation:

Orientation week is mandatory for international students so make sure you arrive early. This is where you will be introduced to the university and its amenities, as well as register for classes. It is essential that you study the manual provided by the college. Each step of the admissions process is explained in the guide.

Activities:

Colleges, in addition to sports, provide students with a variety of extracurricular activities. Music, drama, science, and literary societies in colleges offer opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities. College life includes visits to theaters and concerts, as well as destinations relevant to the areas of study such as art galleries and museums, religious centers or historical sites, scientific companies, and projects.

How to Apply to Canadian Universities?

The criteria vary depending on the educational program and level. For each course, whether UG or Master’s, International students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. The minimal percentage required for studying in Canada is 65% or higher in the humanities stream in class XII, and 70-80% or higher in the science/commerce stream in class XII. Students with less than a 60% average can enroll in Foundations and Diploma programs. Before beginning a degree program, the student must be 18 years old.

A large number of international students who wants to study in Canada to peruse master’s courses. Those looking for admission to MS programs in Canada should be aware of the minimum percentage is required for masters in Canada.

International students are in high demand to pursue STEM or business-related courses at the master’s level in Canada. A minimum GPA of 3 on a scale of 4 is required for MS studies in Canada.

This is roughly coming out to be 70-75% when looking at it in percentage and 7.0-7.4 in CGPA. You can read about converting percentages to GPA here.

 it is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purposes, the actual numbers may differ from university to university.

Documents

Documents required while applying to Canadian universities.

  • Attested copies of mark sheets of Standard X, XII, and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable)
  • At least, two academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently
  • If you have work experience then two letters of recommendation from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Resume
  • Photocopied score reports of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL
  • Portfolio (in case of Students applying for art and design courses & architecture programs)
  • Others (certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)
  • Proof of funds
  • Medical Tests

SOP: A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your introduction to the college and admission officers. It is always written in the first person and describes the reason for applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why you are a perfect fit for the college and why the college should accept you. The style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important to remember that it should reflect your personality as well.

Essay: Essays are also required to be submitted by a prospective student. Essays are an important part of the university admissions process. Students may be required to write one or two essays, along with a few optional essays too. Common topics include career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, skills, experiences, and reasons for considering a particular school.

LOR: A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third party describing the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student to recommend him to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. The third party could be a professor, direct manager, etc.

Timeline

The majority of Canadian universities accept online applications.

To apply, you must go to each college’s website.

In most situations, you will be required to create an account on the college website in order to provide basic information, send scanned copies of your papers, and pay application fees. This account will keep you updated on the application process and stages.

Please refer to the website of the colleges of your choice to know the process of applying as it may differ from institute to institute.

Application Fee

When applying to colleges, you must pay an application fee. The application fee will vary based on the college and course being applied for, therefore check with specific colleges regarding their application free.

Steps

The common steps to applying for admission are as follow –

  • Search for colleges and courses
  • Contact schools and visit websites for information
  • Narrow down your list of schools
  • Take the entrance exams like SAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS
  • Write SOPs and ask for LORs
  • Apply to the colleges which fit your interests
  • Appear for video interviews of the colleges that shortlisted you
  • If accepted, apply for a student visa

Intake Seasons in Canada

The term begins mostly between September and January, but some institutions also accept students in May, July, and October.

The major intake season is September for the top courses in Canada, while the minor intake season is January for a relatively small number of courses.

Students frequently inquire about the finest intake for Canada.

In general, the Fall admission or September intake offers the greatest number of courses and scholarships.

You should begin your application process six months before the deadline. Most institutions have three deadlines, from October to January. It is up to the convenience of the students, which deadline to aim for.  Your language and aptitude examinations should be completed three months before the deadline. The last three months should be devoted to thoroughly filling out the application form.

It is essential to ensure that the ‘full application process,’ including interview appearances and visa application procedures, is completed by June or July for the September intake.

The fall season, which begins in September, is the main intake season for top institutions and courses. it depends on the course you want to pursue because many do not have January intakes. If you want to enroll in a vocational course, some courses may have admissions open in January, as well as May or July.

How is the life of International Students in Canada?

The majority of International prefer to live in larger urban areas such as Toronto and Vancouver, where more than 70% of overseas reside live.

In Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal, smaller villages are also expanding. Overseas in Vancouver come from all around the country.

Language Exams:

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the Pearson Test of English (PTE) are all standardized language tests that are necessary for college admission.

These follow to various formats, structures, and result bands. These tests differ in numerous ways, yet many colleges ask any one of the results. As a result, it is up to the student to decide which exam to take.

Repetition of exams: IELTS can be taken as many times as you like. TOEFL can be retaken as many times as necessary, but only once in a 12-day period. PTE is the same way; it can be taken as many times as desired. You must wait for your results before scheduling your next test.

Fee:
The IELTS exam costs US $188.24, the TOEFL exam costs US $190, and US $178.53 for PTE.

Time to apply:
If you want to apply for the September intake, you need take these tests by November of the preceding year so that you can apply before the first deadline. The universities to which you will apply will specify which exam scores they will accept. However, if they give you the option of choosing either of these, the decision is entirely up to you. The time required to prepare for IELTS/TOEFL/PTE would depend on the existing English language proficiency. Before the exam, you may need 2 to 4 months of preparation.

General Exams:

GMAT: The Graduate Management Aptitude Test is used to measure the abilities of the potential MBA aspirant to undertake higher education in the field of business or management. It measures the mathematical, English, and reasoning skills of the student.

GRE – The Graduate Record Examination is another test required to be taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue an MA or MS. Increasingly, many business schools are also accepting GRE scores for the purpose of granting admission for an MBA.

LSAT – The Law School Admission Test is a standardized test and is an integral part of the law school admission process. It provides a measure of reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use in assessing applicants.

SAT – The Scholastic Assessment Test measures literacy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. This test assesses how well the test takers analyse and solve problems-skills they learned in school that they will need in college. SAT is typically taken by high school students to get into undergraduate courses.

The university you will be applying to will mention which exam results will be applicable to the course of your choice. But if they give you a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you.

Repetition and Fee: You can give GMAT an unlimited number of times, subject to five times a year, and a gap of 16 calendar days between two tests. You can take these tests with a gap of 30 days from the first time. The cost of the GMAT is US $275, GRE is US $228 and SAT is $104 approximately. Ideally, if you are aiming at the September intake you should appear for these exams by November (of the previous year) so that you can apply before the 1st deadline. The preparatory duration generally ranges from 4 to 6 months.

Average Scores: The average GMAT score accepted across universities is 540. The average GRE score is 151 for Verbal, 146 for Quantitative, and 3.5 for Writing. The average LSAT score accepted across universities is 162.

It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purposes, the actual scores may differ from university to university.

Cost of Living in Canada for International Students

The cost of living depends heavily on what part of Canada will you be living in along with how much you will socialize. Some of the basic elements for living as an international student in Canada are:

  • Accommodation rent (on campus or off campus)
  • Groceries and food
  • Utilities like electricity, water, gas, internet
  • Phone bills
  • Text and reference books
  • Airfare for travelling back 

Other elements which may differ from person to person would be:

  • Dining out
  • Travel and Vacation
  • Car rental and Car insurance
  • Cable TV connection

Living Expenses:

A student spends around Rs 7.1 Lakh per year on average. But the expenses also depend on the place where a student stays. If a student lives in a big metropolis like Toronto or Vancouver, his or her annual expenses could reach CAD 15,000, as opposed to a student studying in the suburbs, where his or her expenses would be approximately CAD 8,000 – 10,000 each year.

Health Insurance:

International students must obtain insurance because they will be studying abroad for an extended period of time. Before getting an insurance policy, ensure that it covers medical bills, personal accidents, dental treatment, study interruption, passport loss, etc. Because insurance is essentially cashless, a student is not required to pay money at the time of hospitalization. All international students must have either basic health insurance or extended health insurance. Your university will give you with all of the necessary information on health insurance.

Cost of Studying in Canada:

Tuition fees varies depending on the university, course, and city. For an undergraduate course, the average tuition cost in Canada might be Rs 21.91 Lakh per year. If you want to apply for a postgraduate course, the average cost (tuition fees) would be around Rs 11.28 lakh per year.

Scholarships in Canada

International students are given merit and need-based fee waivers. Candidates with great academic credentials, high performance on standardized exams, and extracurricular accomplishments would be eligible for scholarship grants and financial assistance. To take advantage of these possibilities, make sure to deliver all required documents by the deadlines. Furthermore, the application’s presentation is vital because one is judged by the image one projects.

Documents required: The documents usually needed for a scholarship application are as follows:

  • Academic records and photocopies
  • A recent CV
  • A letter of intent, which acts as a cover page
  • Certificate of language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores)
  • Letters of Reference (LOR)

Loans

Student eligibility criteria:

The first thing is to be aware of whether you are eligible to apply for a loan in Canada or not. The general eligibility criteria that are followed by all the banks are:

  • You must have a strong academic record
  • You must be seeking admission to a professional, technical, or another course of study. Most banks maintain that the selected course should be job-oriented.
  • You must have secured admission to foreign University Institutions.
  • You must be above the age of 18 years or else your parents can avail the loan on your behalf.

Eligibility of course:

You may not get a loan on every course. Here are the kinds of courses that qualify for the education loan:

  • For Graduation: Job-oriented professional or technical courses offered by reputed universities
  • For Post-Graduation: MCA in Canada, MBA in Canada, MS in Canada, or even diplomas in Canada
  • These courses could be from foreign universities or institutes approved by the state and central government.

Documentation required:
You must give the University’s acceptance letter confirming your selection for the course as well as the schedule of fees. You will also need to show the mark sheet from your most recent qualifying exams to show your academic record.

Each bank has different documentation requirements, you must first confirm with the bank.

Repayment:

Repayment starts only after the course period. If the student got employed within one year after completion of the course, repayment should begin immediately after the one-month period from the date of employment expires. If you do not find work within a year after finishing the course, payback begins regardless of whether or not you are working. The loan is typically expected to be repaid in 5-7 years once payments begin. If the student is unable to complete the course within the time frame specified, an extension of time for completion may be granted for a maximum of two years. In most cases, you will have up to ten years to repay the debt.

What are the Visa Types in Canada?

  • Temporary Visas
  • Student Visas
  • Super Visas for Parents and Grandparents
  • Visitor Visa
  • Work Permits
  • Business Class Immigration
  • Federal Skilled Worker Visa
  • Canadian Experience Class Visa
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Provincial Nomination Programs
  • Quebec -Selected Skilled Workers Program
  • Family-Sponsorship Program
  • Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)

What are the Requirements for Getting a Student Visa for Canada?

You should apply for a Canada student visa after you get the college acceptance letter. You should begin with the visa process around June if aiming at the September intake. Following are the documents needed to apply.

  • Proof of acceptance: If you plan to attend any school (primary or secondary), college, university, or other educational institution in Canada, the school must complete and send you a letter of acceptance. You must include the original letter with your study permit application.
  • Proof of identity: This includes documents such as a valid passport, etc.
  • Proof of financial support: You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who accompany you while you are in Canada.

Person: Primary Application (student)    Funds required per year: CAD 10,000

Person: First Family Member:     Funds required per year: CAD 4,000

Person: Additional Family Member          Funds required per year: CAD 3,000

Note: Additional documentation may be required.

The interviewer may request extra documents during the personal interview. These could be documents proving academic or financial status. These could include:

  • Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
  • Scores from tests, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
  • Your intent to depart from Canada upon completion of the course of study
  • How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs

How to Get a Canada Student Visa

There are several steps to applying for a visa.

Check the processing times:

The visa application process might take anywhere from 4 to 9 weeks; thus, it is best to proceed through the Canadian consulate website. The processing time for a Canada Student Visa is 9 weeks if you apply from outside Canada and 4 weeks if you apply from within Canada. Please keep in mind that the time shown is not a guarantee and is just an estimate.

Determine how you will apply.

There are two ways to apply:
To apply online, you must have access to a scanner or camera to make electronic copies of your papers for uploading, as well as a valid credit card for payment. Students from Asia, Asia Pacific, and the Americas will be asked to produce a finger scan at the regional Visa Application Centre beginning December 31, 2021. (VAC).

Apply in person. Download the application kit and read the user manual. The instruction booklet offers important information on study permits as well as guidelines to assist you in completing your application. Read the guide thoroughly and make use of the document checklist.

Pay the processing free:

Refer to the fee schedule for the cost to apply for a study permit and how to pay. The processing fee is non-refundable in all cases. There will be more than 130 VACs in over 90 countries for biometrics, and all VACs will be prepared to gather biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). To apply for a visa, International students must contact their local VFS office. A study permit (including extensions) costs CAD 150, and you must pay CAD 350 to regain your student status (CAD 200 for the restoration of your status and CAD 150 for a new study permit).

Submit your application and supporting documents-

You cannot mail in your application since you must provide biometric information. You will need to apply either online or in person at a VFS office. In either instance, you must visit a VAC to provide your biometrics.

Medical Exam

For Overseas candidates, a medical exam is required as part of the visa application procedure to Canada. The medical exam cannot be performed by your own doctor. You must consult a doctor from the list of panel physicians available on the official Canada immigration website http://www.cic.gc.ca/. When your medical examination is over, the doctor will send the results to CIC. You can choose to get the test done either before or after submitting the visa application.

Visa for Spouse

On a Dependent visa, spouses can accompany full-time students. You merely need to demonstrate that appropriate money is available for their assistance. Spouses can work full-time if they are staying for a year or more.

Pre-departure List:

Prepare your paperwork and make photocopies to keep in your luggage and at home. The list of airport necessities for students traveling to Canada is provided below.

  • Passport
  • Airline tickets
  • Travel insurance and health insurance certificates
  • Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution
  • Key addresses and phone numbers
  • A bank statement showing proof of funds
  • Accommodation proof in Canada
  • Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
  • Traveler’s cheques – if applicable
  • Medical and immunization records
  • Academic history and university transcripts – make sure to clear all the paper-work with your previous institution

Homesickness:

Most students will experience homesickness at some point in their lives. It could happen at the start of your first year or afterwards. Be patient; homesickness will pass. If you are upset, talk about it with your friends and share your feelings. If you hide in your room, your homesickness will only worsen. Find a counsellor on staff with whom you can discuss homesickness or other issues. Frequent and protracted phone calls home may aggravate homesickness. Most homesick students feel much more homesick after receiving a phone call from home than they did before picking up the phone. Try to limit yourself to one call home every week. The sooner you integrate into the university experience,the sooner you will get over your homesickness.

Your first few weeks in Canada:
The first few weeks of the first semester are hectic for all new international (and Canadian) students as they learn about the campus and classes while meeting new people. You should spend some time getting to know your university.

  • Explore campus to familiarize yourself with where you need to go when registering for your program, attending classes, getting your meals, and visiting new friends.
  • Join the International Student Club.
  • Find out what learning resources and workshops are available for international students.
  • Get your student identification card: it will be your passport around the campus. (if applicable)
  • Take advantage of the student services on offer: use the fitness facilities at the recreation centre, find the student bookstore, and browse in the library.

Learn Basic Cooking

Cooking for yourself will save you money. Asian food is expensive in Canada. Making it on your own will satisfy your urge to eat ‘your food’ during moments of ‘homesickness’.

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP Canada):

It is important to know that your study permit is valid for the duration of your studies plus an additional 90 days. During these 90 days, you must either prepare to depart Canada or request for a stay extension. If you desire to return to Canada, you must apply at least 30 days before the expiration of your existing student status. Post-graduate students who have studied at a participating Canadian university/college can acquire Canadian work experience through the PGWPP. Work experience earned through the PGWPP will eventually assist students in qualifying for permanent residence in Canada via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Duration – A post-graduation employment permit cannot be valid for more than the duration of the student’s studies.  For example, if your post-graduate course was two years long, your work permit will be for two years as well.

The study program must be a minimum of eight months in length for you to be eligible for a work permit.

The eligibility and application criteria to get a Post Study Work Permit in Canada (PGWP Canada) are as follows:

  • You should have pursued a full-time course in Canada.
  • The length of your course should have been more than 8 months.
  • You must have graduated from either a public post-secondary institution or a private post-secondary institution or
  • You should apply for a work permit within three months (90 days) after receiving an official letter saying that you have successfully completed your education from the Institute.
  • You will be given a work permit only if you have a student visa.
  • You must pay the Open Work Permit Holder fee and the Standard Work Permit fee in Canadian currency, either online or manually.
  • You cannot get a work permit longer than your course duration. If your course duration is eight months, then you will receive a work permit for eight months.

Latest Update:

Canada removed the restriction of 20 hours per week for international students to tame the labour shortages in the economy.

Placements:

Students are used to the concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment for getting jobs. In Canada, there is no concept of placements. Most Canadian institutions feature a Career Services Centre that can assist you find work and prepare for interviews. The on-campus recruitment is always driven by student interest. Companies that recruit through the university do not directly offer jobs. They provide an internship or co-op. Before hiring you full-time, companies like to examine your work for a few months.

Co-Op Education Program:

A term of study alternates with a period of work in a Cooperative program. The Student Co-op program is a formally structured program whose goal is to recruit students while they are still in school to fill permanent roles when they graduate. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities.  Students from abroad who want to engage in a co-op or internship program must apply for both a work permit and a study permit.

Eligibility criteria:
To be eligible for a co-op, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You must have a valid study visa
  • Your intended employment must be related to your program of study in Canada
  • Your employment must be part of your academic program, certified by a letter from a responsible academic official of the institution.