In August 2025, I embarked on a 30-day intensive English program at ILAC in Toronto. This article is everything I wish someone had told me before I went.
Why I Decided to Go
The idea had been in my head for years. I've always consumed English content — documentation, videos, podcasts — but speaking was a different beast. I could read a Laravel pull request without thinking twice, but ordering coffee in English made me nervous.
When the opportunity came, I decided: it's now or never. I was finishing my Computer Engineering degree, and it felt like the right moment to invest in something that would compound forever.
The Preparation
Visa
The Canadian visa process is thorough. You need to prove ties to your home country (job, property, family), show financial capacity, and present your study plan. I applied for a study permit since the program was over 4 weeks. My advice is to start early — the process took me about 2 months from application to approval.
Choosing the School
I went with ILAC (International Language Academy of Canada). They're one of the biggest in Toronto, with good structure and students from all over the world. The diversity was actually one of the best parts — my classmates were from South Korea, Colombia, Turkey, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
Accommodation
I stayed in a student residence. It was more independent than a homestay, which suited my style. The trade-off is you cook for yourself, but the freedom was worth it.
Budget
Toronto is expensive. I'd recommend budgeting at least CAD $2,000-3,000 for the month beyond tuition, covering food, transport (the TTC pass is around CAD $160/month), and occasional outings.
The Experience
The First Week
Overwhelming. Everything is in English, obviously, but the speed and accents caught me off guard. The placement test put me in an intermediate class, which felt right — challenging but not impossible.
The Routine
Classes ran from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. Afternoons were for exploring, studying, or just walking around the city. I made it a point to speak English everywhere, even when my brain wanted to switch to Portuguese.
What Surprised Me
Even in August, Toronto evenings can get chilly — pack a light jacket. The city is genuinely diverse; you hear 10 languages walking down one street. The food scene blew me away, from Korean BBQ in Koreatown to Brazilian coxinhas in Little Portugal. And the stereotype about Canadians being friendly? Completely real. People are genuinely helpful.
The Impact on My Career
This is the part that matters most for fellow developers reading this.
After 30 days of forced immersion, speaking English became natural. Not perfect, but confident. I started thinking in English when coding, which made reading docs and writing commit messages more fluid. I met developers from other countries, exchanged LinkedIn profiles, and gained perspectives I wouldn't have gotten staying in BH. Most importantly, applying for international opportunities no longer feels like a stretch.
Tips for Brazilians
If you're a Brazilian developer thinking about doing an exchange, here's what I'd say.
Don't wait until your English is "ready." You'll never feel ready — go and improve there. Save aggressively, because the CAD/BRL rate is tough, and plan ahead. Get travel insurance, no exceptions. Healthcare in Canada is expensive for visitors. Download offline maps, because your first days navigating the TTC will be chaotic. Talk to everyone, even when it's uncomfortable. The shy Brazilian developer stereotype doesn't help you abroad. And document your experience, whether it's a blog, journal, or just notes on your phone. You'll want to remember the details.
Would I Do It Again?
Without a doubt. It was one of the best investments I've made in my career and personal growth. The money hurts initially, but the returns — in confidence, skills, and perspective — are worth every cent.
If you're on the fence, this is your sign. Go.