Accommodation

Homestays

Many Canadian families welcome international students which may be an effective way to improve English. Learn about daily life in Canada, and meet new, friendly people. Homestays also offer a stable and secure environment for younger people coming to study in Canada. Typically, a homestay consists of a Canadian family hosting a student in their home while the student attends classes in Canada. Meals and a private, furnished room are provided in the home, and the host family welcomes and encourages participation in family and community activities. Homestay can often be arranged by the school and students are matched with families who share similar interests.

Prices will vary according to location. Average cost of homestay accommodation: $400 - $800 CDN per month.

Dormitory

Many schools have accommodation conveniently located on or near their campus. Rooms can vary in size and in quality, and many dormitories have shared kitchens, toilets, showers and laundry facilities. There is usually an option of having either a shared or private room, and dormitories are usually separated by gender.

In some cases, there are cafeterias and meal plans that can be included in the cost of the room. Most dormitories come furnished, and are an ideal way to become involved in campus activities and meet other students.

Average cost of dormitory rooms: $3,000 - $7,500 CDN per school year.

Off-Campus Renting

Renting is an option open to students, but price, quality and availability vary greatly. Rents are often quite high in the major cities, and places are not always available. There are different types of places you can rent. A house is usually too expensive for one student to rent, but many students share or rent suites (a self-contained unit with a kitchen, toilet, bath and bedroom) within a larger home.

Apartments are another option, where one has a kitchen, toilet, bath, and one or two bedrooms. Most rental apartments do not include furniture or meals.

Listings of available apartments or homes are published in local newspapers, and at the housing service on campus. Once on campus, one will also find a variety of postings throughout the campus advertising nearby housing.

Average cost of shared accommodation in Canada: $250 - $700 CDN monthly and the average cost of a suite or apartment: $400 - $1,500 CDN monthly.