Canadian students often choose to live on campus during their 1st year of post-secondary education. As an international student, this option may appeal to you, too. It’s a great way to meet friends and connect with other students.
If you’re sending your child to Canada for high school or an exchange program, they’ll likely stay with a Canadian family as part of a homestay program. Some private high schools in Canada offer dormitory housing to allow students to live, eat and sleep at the school.
You can choose between:
• Living on campus
• Living off campus in private housing
Living on campus at college or university
If you live in college or university housing on or near your campus, this is called “living in residence.”
If you come to Canada for 1 or 2 semesters only, living in residence can be easier than finding your own housing off campus. A room in residence will be furnished with a bed, shelves and a desk. The cost of living in residence often includes the option of adding a meal plan, so you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on campus.
Your room in residence may be single or shared. A shared room costs less than a single room. Some universities offer only shared rooms for 1st year students.
When you live in residence, you have access to:
• Your private room
• A shared bathroom (toilet, sink, bathtub or shower)
• A kitchen
• Laundry facilities
• Free wifi (in most cases)
Some universities also offer apartment-style residence buildings where you can live with other students in an apartment. An apartment includes its own kitchen and bathroom.
Benefits of residence
The benefits of living in residence include:
• Easy access to the campus and library
• Less need for transportation
• Chance to make friends
• A smoother transition to living as a student in your new country.
Living off campus in private housing
If you choose to live off campus, the rental price may be lower than living in residence. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to pay for additional items, including:
• Furniture (unless the apartment is furnished)
• Bedding and towels
• Cooking utensils for the kitchen
• Food and cleaning supplies
• Electricity
• Heating
• Internet connection
• Cable television or streaming service
Laundry machines may be available onsite. If not, you can take your clothing to a laundromat and pay to wash and dry your clothes.
The benefits of living in private housing can include feeling that you:
• Have more freedom
• Have more privacy
• Are integrating into Canadian society
You may also find that shared housing options will save you money.
To find student accommodations abroad we recommend the following
https://rentospace.com/home
https://amberstudent.com/
https://www.uniplaces.com/