A few points you may consider:
1. Never bring a large amount of cash with you; enough to cover the use for your travel from China to here should be the amount to consider;
2. bring traveler’s check to cover the first two weeks to one month living expense in Canada, and a money order or bank draft for your colleague /university registration fee; during this period, you should be able to open your own bank account here; and
3. then, transfer your money through Bank of China to your new bank account in Canada.
Hope the above is useful to you.
