Many new college and university students are leaving the comfort and security of their family home for the first time. This is a challenging time for Canadian students to make decisions about student housing, and even more so for international students who are unfamiliar with the (written and unwritten) rules of the game. In addition, international students may be more alone in navigating the process of finding and securing a rental accommodation.
If you are about to become an international student who will attend a Canadian college or university, I want to help you be prepared in every way possible. Choosing a rental accommodation is a big decision that can impact your studies, finances, and even your personal well-being. It can also be a difficult decision to reverse once you have signed the papers, paid the deposit, and moved in. If you can be confident that you have found the most comfortable, affordable, and suitable place to live while studying in Canada, life will be so much easier.
First things first, you need to determine whether you want to live:
a) on-campus in residence;
b) with a family in a homestay arrangement; or
c) off-campus in a rental accommodation.
The conveniences of living in residence are many: no need to buy groceries or furniture; no dealing with long commutes to class; no need to sign a 12-month lease agreement; or no need to pay for internet, cable, and electricity. If a roommate problem arises, there are ever-so-helpful residence staff to mediate these issues. Most importantly, there are tremendous social advantages to having a network of potential friends from all over the world literally under one roof.
If I have not sold you on the idea of living in residence, and you want to live off-campus, I have some advice for you in my next blog post!