1. Crossing the border
So basically this is like a little interrogation and even if you're not a drug smuggler they make you feel like one. My friends and I had nothing but a bag of peanuts — in terms of food — but we felt as if it were a bag of cocaine or something. When they asked if we had food and we told them, they laughed at us, so whatever. Then, of course you give them your passports, and I was sitting in the back so you have to roll the window down so they can see your face, although he barely looked at me anyway. Once that's all set — and they don't stamp your passport by the way so don't get too excited — you're good to go.
2. The metric system
I don't even know what to say other than be prepared to be familiar with the metric system. Like look at this shit. What is this?
3. Military time
Either change your phone to military time or just be good at math because everything is in military time — everything. You're welcome.
4. Parking
Parking is just a huge shit show, so I hope you have patience. First of all, you absolutely need to know how to parallel park, and second of all, the signs that say no parking are inaccurate, so just prepare yourself for some confusion.
5. Transportation
On the note of awful parking, I think the best investment to have is a bus card to get around. You can buy one at a pharmacy or convenient store, and it's a life savior, I can promise you that; plus it's always very entertaining.
6. Language barrier
I think sometimes people forget to associate Canada as a primarily French-speaking region, but they very much speak French. If you don't know at least the basics, some things in terms of communication may be difficult for you considering the majority of signs, menus, etc, are in French.
7. Money exchange
I would definitely suggest just taking out money in your home country and then transferring the cash in Canada; there is no fee if you go to the teller, and there is a TD Bank on almost every street; exchanging my money there was a lot easier.
8. Weather
My friends and I are from New England, so we're used to drastic weather change. But Canada was bipolar. The first day there felt like it was about 100 degrees with humidity, and then the next day like 50 degrees with rain and wind. So basically just pack for all whether possibilities.
9. Food
Have an open mind about food because they have a very eclectic food variety. However, I can promise you everything I ate there was absolutely delicious.
10. Have a plan.
Canada is a great and fun place, but if you don't have a plan with at least an idea of where you're going or where you want to go, you'll have a rough time. My friends and I were there for four days, and we didn't have much of a plan so the first day was filled with a bit of confusion in terms of where to eat and how to get there and what not.
