Accommodation for International Students in Canada
Accommodation for International Students in Canada
When applicants get the desired letter of acceptance from the Designated Learning Institution, they start thinking about the accommodation options for international students in Canada. The schools can offer various options for off-campus and on-campus places of living, the choice of which can depend on your budget, expectations, and other personal requirements.
It is worth mentioning, that typically you can find many accommodation options for international students in Canada on the official website of the educational institution you are going to attend. Moreover, you can contact the international students’ office of your school. They can also help you with all issues that concern your arrival in Canada.
If you do not know where you want to live, there are at least four accommodation options for international students in Canada to consider.
The first option is staying in a dormitory or a townhouse. As a rule, schools offer students to live on-campus or nearby the campus territory. If you consider this option, you should know that townhouses are separate buildings in which three to six students live, while dormitories are big buildings in which many students live. Dormitories have shared kitchens, bathrooms, and shower facilities, as well as common places for entertainment and exercise. The rooms are designed for one or several students. Dormitories are managed by the administration of the school, and they are a preferred accommodation option for first-year students in Canada.
Traditionally, townhouses have three to six bedrooms with one student per room. The kitchen and living room area are situated on the main floor. Second to fourth-year university students and graduate students often choose to live in townhouses. Dormitories and townhouses are situated near cafeterias or food courts where students can eat every day. There are also places to eat on and off-campus. Both accommodation options for international students in Canada typically include utilities, such as heat, hot water, and internet access, or administration offer them at a reduced fee.
The next accommodation option is a condominium or off-campus shared apartment. This type of apartment offers students a single occupancy bedroom with a shared living space. Condominiums are similar to the townhouses and have a common bathroom, living room, kitchen, and dining room.
It is worth mentioning, that not each school or college can help you find an off-campus shared apartment. Nevertheless, the administration can recommend you one or several reliable real estate agencies in the province. Then you should contact and ask them to find you several accommodation options for international students in the district you like or find comfortable. Remember, that rental costs for off-campus apartments can be noticeably different, especially in large cities such as Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver.
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Canadian culture, you can choose to live in the host family. The members of the host family can introduce you to Canadian culture and customs, answer questions about your place of study, and even share mealtimes with you. As a rule, host families offer a private room for one person, one to three meals per day, and internet access. Sometimes, host families can provide students with the shared accommodation option or private room option without mealtimes. It is worth mentioning, that the average commute time to your school from your host family house can take 30–50 minutes by bus or train.
If the above-mentioned accommodation options for international students in Canada are not the best for you, you can choose to rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment. It is wise to use one of the secure ways, such as Craigslist, Airbnb, Wimdu, or HouseTrip, to rent the apartment. Do not forget to read the reviews and check the feedback from the guests who have previously rented your chosen apartments. You can also rent unfurnished apartments, but this can be rather challenging at the very beginning of your studies in Canada.
After we have discussed the most popular accommodation options for international students in Canada, it is time to highlight the key things that each student has to keep in mind before coming to the country. The first recommendation is to start looking for a place of living in advance. As a rule, schools send a pre-departure orientation package that includes accommodation options for international students in Canada after the student gets admission. Nevertheless, these options are available on the websites of the schools, in brochures, or other marketing materials before the application process. Consequently, you can research, compare, and choose several accommodation options even before submitting your application to the school. After you have chosen the place of accommodation, please book it in advance. August and September are peak times, and if you wish to rent a comfortable apartment or have a quality homestay, you have to book it as soon as possible. If you wish to rent a shared apartment, you can be asked to sign a lease. Typically, the lease is signed for six months or one year.
Utilities are the next thing you should consider before choosing a place of living in Canada. You have to check whether hot water, electricity, internet access, and other important services are included in the rental cost or can be discounted if you want to live in the dormitory. Remember, it is always better to find out all the information considering accommodation options for international students in Canada in advance.
One more thing to consider while studying accommodation options for international students in Canada is deposits. It is a sum of money, equal to one month’s rent. When you want to rent an apartment in Canada, you have to be prepared to pay for utilities, such as electricity, water, internet, and cable television, in addition to a month’s rent and the deposit.
The next thing to consider is the meal plan. It is a cost-effective way for students, who live on-campus, to eat at cafeterias and restaurants that participate in this program. If you want to eat healthy food, but do not want to cook, you should consider on-campus accommodation options for international students in Canada. It is also worth mentioning, that you have to pay in advance for the chosen meal plan.
Remember, if you have special accessibility needs, you have to contact the administration of your school in advance. In some cases, you even need to register for special services and accommodation. However, your awareness of this fact can help you to avoid inconveniences and ensure comfortable life and study in Canada.
The last important thing to decide is when you want to move to Canada. It is better to have enough time to explore the neighborhood and campus facilities before the start of the academic year. Nevertheless, many facilities and campuses are closed in the summer since students are still on break until the first week of September. Hence, you should arrive early, but not too early to get the best first impression.
If you want to be sure that you are fully prepared for life and studies in Canada, you have to know several tips. The first piece of advice is to check whether your school expects students to find a place to live themselves, recommends a real estate agency, or offers accommodation options for international students in Canada. It is very important to check this information in advance to have enough time to find a comfortable place to live. But remember, you do not have to choose the place that is supplied or referred to you by your school. Also, never pay rent in advance before seeing the apartment or meeting the owner face-to-face. We hope these recommendations will help you to consider all accommodation options for international students in Canada and choose the place where you feel comfortable and safe.
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