Weather during winters in Canada. Photo from QNet News.
By- Armaanjeetkaur [1]
BELLEVILLE – After experiencing a little snow so far this season, many international students are preparing for their first winters in Canada.
On November 30, Belleville received light flurries of less than one centimetre. The snow did not last long. It was the first snowfall of the season.
Harjas Kaur, a first-year General Arts and Science student, came to Canada from India this September. Previously, she usually went to tourist places during the winter months.
“In the summers, it is too hot there, so winters are better for exploring India,” says Kaur. “But here it’s the opposite.”
In India, the temperature in winter ranges from -1 to 10 degrees. The season begins with rain and ends with rain. There is no snow in India except in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir, mountainous regions.
She came with winter clothes and boots. She was not aware of Canadian winters so she just bought normal jackets.
“But these clothes are insufficient according to Canadian weather,” she says.
She purchased some more snow jackets from the recent Black Friday sale.
Harjas is very excited about the winters and snow.
“I am especially excited about winter festivals,” she says.
Amandeep Kaur, another General Arts and Science student, is also interested in what winter holds.
“I am excited to explore Canadian winters,” she says. “I never experienced snow back home, so I am highly pumped to see it.”
She is prepared for her winters and taking a healthy diet to stay healthy.
“I heard that most people got sick after the first snow due to the drastic change in weather. I am fully conscious about my health, so I am following a good diet which helps me to stay healthy and warm during the winters,” she says.
Komalpreet Kaur Bara, a first-year paralegal student, says she loves the cold weather.
“I love the winter season,” she says.
She always loves cold weather in the Punjab, even without the snow.
“I sent many pictures to my back home family to tell them about this beautiful weather,” she says.
Current students and graduates also share their experiences with students to help them prepare for the winter months.
Harjot Singh Sidhu, who graduated from Loyalist College in 2022, likes to make students aware they will need to get through the winter weather. Sidhu lives in Belleville. He provides resources and guidance for newcomers. He also speaks from his personal experience.
“I also share some health tips for students,” says Sidhu.
According to the Weather Network, this part of Ontario will fluctuate between below-normal and above-normal precipitation this coming winter.