As a future international student in Vancouver, congratulations! Choosing to study in another country is no small decision and we are happy to welcome you to Vancouver! 🙌
Vancouver is a beautiful place for you to explore and embrace all it has to offer. Living in Vancouver as a student, you will find a plethora of things to do during every season whenever you need a break from your studies.
Vancouver is also known for its diversity. You’ll be able to meet people from all around the world here, each bringing their own culture and viewpoints.
If you’re an international student that is awaiting your flight to Vancouver, there are several things that you should be aware of. This international student guide will hope to answer some questions you may have about your future life in Canada!
At Alexander College, we serve approximately 4500 students a year and we welcome students both internationally and domestically.
It is also a good idea to check our student tuition costs to make sure you have enough funds for the duration of your studies here.
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Prior to arriving in Vancouver, you need to ensure you have made the necessary living arrangements, whether that be living with a homestay or other accommodations.
Among the options for accommodations that you can choose from include homestay, room rental or apartment rental.
If you are unsure about which type of accommodation is the best fit for you, Alexander College offers Student Housing Services where our staff will help you review your options.
If you’re looking for a truly Canadian experience, homestays are a popular choice for many of our students.
Host families provide security, protection, and care for their homestay students. In addition, you will feel a part of the family as you’re slowly integrated into Canadian culture.
This makes your homestay a convenient and educational option, and an incredibly enjoyable one!
Homestays should be booked at least one and a half months in advance to secure your accommodation.
You can learn a whole lot about Canada by staying with a Canadian family during your time as a student!
Canada is a hub of multiple cultures and we embrace diversity! You will be able to experience both Canadian culture and share your culture and traditions with your host family.
Be Open and Communicate
Let your homestay family know if you need anything or if something is making you feel uncomfortable.
Communication is especially important if you have any allergies or medical conditions that the host family should be aware of.
Practice English
The best way to learn English is by speaking English. Practicing English with your homestay family is a great way to improve your skills!
Experience New Customs
You can use your homestay experience as an opportunity to learn something new.
Embrace the opportunity to learn the mix of customs and culture that is celebrated in Canada!
Renting in Vancouver can provide you with the urban surroundings of the city, and you will also be in walking distance to all the exciting things that Vancouver has to offer.
Convenience comes with a cost, however. The cost of renting and living in Vancouver is among the highest compared to other locations in the area.
On that note, the cost to rent an apartment for living in Vancouver varies from one neighbourhood to another. You should also include any additional costs such as utilities and groceries into your budget.
We always encourage you to do your own research as each person’s situation is different.
Some examples of more affordable neighbourhoods include:
Some examples of expensive neighbourhoods include:
You can choose to share accommodations with other international students. This can be a good way to make friends and save money!
Students at Alexander College may post advertisements for available shared accommodation on the student notice bulletin boards at either campus.
Popular local websites providing rental listings:
More on Rentals*Keep in mind Alexander College does not review or approve listings posted on the sites listed above. It is your responsibility to determine the legitimacy of these listings and understand your rights as a tenant in British Columbia.
Unlike apartment rentals, student housing, as the name suggests, are housing units which are rented to students only.
They are usually located near post-secondary institutions, making it a convenient choice for those who want a short commute to class.
Student housing is a great option if you are unsure of what to look for in rental housing, but you want the freedom of managing your own space and meals.
In addition, you will also be able to meet other students from around the world! 🌎
No matter which part of the Greater Vancouver Area you choose to live in, and whether you’re renting an apartment on your own or sharing with a roommate, it can be a new and exciting experience for you!
The Vancouver transit system, known as TransLink, is a great way for you to quickly familiarize yourself with getting around the city. You can use the SkyTrain and various bus lines to get to where you need to go.
From the airport, you can easily travel to the core of the city through the Canada Line, which is part of the SkyTrain system.
A great app to download that would help navigate the system is the Translink Phone App. The app allows you to check schedules and plan your route.
Alternatively, you can also use Google Maps or Apple Maps to look up where you need to go. 🗺
Purchasing a Compass card, a reloadable stored value card that can be used for public transportation, is highly recommended so you can transit with ease.
More About Compass CardsYou can also use your credit card at any fare gate, but the fare cost will be higher than using a Compass Card. Using a Compass card is the cheapest form of payment across the TransLink system.
For more information on how TransLink fares work, check out our TransLink guide.
We also now have ride-sharing services such as Lyft available in Vancouver, as well as various taxi companies.
Keep in mind, these tend to be the most expensive methods of transportation and the costs may vary during different times of the day based on distance and demand.
Alexander College campuses are located central to a variety of public transport options.
You can easily find your way to the Alexander College Burnaby campus via the Metrotown SkyTrain station and our Vancouver campus is located right by the Waterfront SkyTrain station.
| Method of Transit | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi/Ride-Sharing Services | 💲💲💲 | Cost may vary based on distance and demand |
| TransLink (Without Compass Card) | 💲💲 | |
| TransLink (With Compass Card) | 💲 | Up to $1.40 discount per trip compared to other payment methods |
Life happens and as an international student in Vancouver, it is important for you to get medical insurance. You can get access to comprehensive public healthcare in the province of British Columbia, through BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP).
Obtaining temporary private medical insurance is highly recommended as there is a 90-day waiting period before MSP coverage begins, starting from the day of your arrival.
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At Alexander College, we provide free Regulated International Students Immigrations Advisor (RISIA) services to all current and future students.
Our certified RISIAs can help answer any questions related to study permits, PGWP, and more.
Each member of the team is also proficient in multiple languages in case you prefer to communicate in a language other than English.
While the main method of advising is through emails, our advisors are also available for in-person or virtual advising by booking an appointment.
In addition to one-on-one advising, our RISIAs also host monthly webinars regarding various immigration topics and policies so you can stay up to date on updates from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
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We hope this article answered some questions you may have about life in Canada. This is a major chapter in your life, and we hope this article was able to answer some questions you may have about living in Vancouver.
The next step of your journey happens after you arrive in Canada. We will be covering what life is like living in Vancouver from food, shopping, tourist spot, and more. We will also be introducing what life is like as a student of Alexander College.
Have a safe flight! ✈️
After You Arrive
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
+1 604-435-5815
4805 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
V5H 4T6 Canada
+1 604-435-5815
#101 - 4603 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
V5H 4M4 Canada
+1 604-435-5815
#100-602 West Hastings
Vancouver, BC
V6B 1P2 Canada
