For Laura Bagazzoli, the competitive landscape of teacher's college in Canada and the high regard for US grad school education from family and friends influenced her to take her studies south of the border back in 2012.

But before packing her bags to embark on her new academic life, Bagazzoli had to prepare the necessary paperwork'and that didn't mean her passport and a chicken-scratch list of potential US grad schools, but rather a document called the I-20.

Once I had decided to go to the US, I began researching schools with Canadian Teacher's College programs, she says. D'Youville [College] stood out as having one of the best and most accommodating programs for Canadian students.

The I-20 for Canadian students

Canadian citizens looking to study in the US do not need a student visa, says Laryssa Petryshyn, director of the International Students Office at D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY, adding that it's one of the most common misconceptions Canadian students have with the visa process. Canadian citizens get an I-20 because they're seeking F-1 status in the United States, which is granted at the US port-of-entry. They carry that I-20 with them every time they cross the border for the length of the program they're attending in the United States.

For Canadian permanent residents, however, the process is slightly different and more complex. With the requested I-20 document from their schools, the student then schedules a visa interview with the US embassy, brings the necessary documents, pays all the fees, and then the visa is imputed in the passport.

When I first read that I needed an I-20 in order to study in the US, I was worried I would not know what I needed to do and how I was going to do it, says Bagazzoli, a Canadian citizen. Fortunately, D'Youville outlined, in detail, the steps I needed to take, noting the most challenging part as the collection of necessary documents to send in.

Now a recent graduate of the master of science in adolescence education at D'Youville College, Bagazzoli reflects on her three semesters spent in teacher's college in the US. My experience with this process is certainly a little different from those who have attended graduate programs in Canada, she says, stressing that the I-20 process didn't affect her studies. I would, without a doubt, encourage US studies to other students. I truly enjoyed my experience and felt that I have taken away so many valuable lessons.

Transition to work in the US

With the appeal of studying in an American school, international students may also choose to start their careers in the US after graduation. Luckily, Petryshyn says students who apply for Optical Practical Training will remain on the F-1 student status and are able to work in the US in their field for one year.

A lot of our Canadian students do take advantage of that. After that, I can advise them on a couple of different types of work permits; we refer them to an immigration attorney and their employer.

I-20 Checklist

• Get accepted into the US program of your choice and pay the deposit.
• Submit appropriate documentation with the International Student Financial Forms.
• Receive the I-20 document from your academic institution.
• Present the document at the US port-of-entry every time you cross the border for the duration of your program.

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