I think as a researcher and as a graduate student, I would find a university that would support the research or the interests I would like to pursue. I think that's what pushes the research, that's what affects policy and that's what makes changes to the society.
It's also important to know where these universities are, and, of course, know their reputation in academia.
It's quite hard to make a decision on that aspect because most of the universities that are reputable are in big cities and it's hard to find affordable accommodation there. However, the communities are already settled in those places, so if a person would like to find the Chinese community in Vancouver, it's quite easy to navigate. It's quite easy to find a community, although one has to pay the consequences. You have to be able to afford to live in a place like Vancouver.
As far as immigration is concerned, I think it's important to know how to navigate the system and what the end goal is. Is the person really trying to get educated and stay, or get educated and go back to their home country? How do we navigate all those choices?