Communities in BC are nationally diverse with approximately 28% of immigrants accounting for the population in British Columbia. An additional 6% is made up of Indigenous (First Nations) people. Making this a culturally place for international students to choose to study in beautiful British Columbia.
Why do International Students choose to come to BC?
British Columbia is one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students because of the world-renowned education and transfer system, which means you can transfer from another post-secondary institution with your school’s credit transfer giving to a personalized educational journey that suits your career goals.
Many Institutions in British Columbia offer a variety of facilities and resources for students to help them succeed in during their time of studies. Moreover, BC is a friendly and safe province where students get to make professional networks across the globe. Well-known Institutions like the British Columbia Institute of Technology offers practical career credentials designed for the workplace making it easier for students to expose themselves in the job market of their chosen field.
How to get around in BC?
Translink is Greater Vancouver’s public transit system, also serving other large BC cities. With a Compass Card, you can choose daily, monthly, or stored value usage. Translink transit options (Buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus) run every 5-10 minutes, with longer waits on weekends and holidays. As a student in Vancouver for over 3 years, I can say , you’ll rarely need a car; trains often bypass traffic, though delays or cancellations can occur in winter.
BC Transit provides bus services for smaller cities like Mission, Victoria, and Chilliwack (outside Greater Vancouver). Service is limited and may be delayed up to 30 minutes. As a former BC Transit commuter, I suggest university students outside Greater Vancouver consider host family options, budgeting for commute alternatives, or living on-campus, as BC Transit may not be reliable for important schedules in smaller towns.
Bike rentals are an eco-friendly way to explore Vancouver. Mobi Bike Share stations are everywhere; simply pick up a bike and drop it off at any convenient station!
Knowing your Budget
Living in big cities in BC can become expensive, especially in Vancouver. Currently, the average cost for a 1 bed 1 bath in Vancouver are approximately CAD2,300 per month. Many international students may chose an affordable alternative to live with host families or living on campus with a meal plan to subsidize the expense of living in big cities. Before coming to Canada, international students can also calculate the Cost of Living in each province and region provided by the Government of Canada. This can help you decide which areas are the safest place for your wallet.
Resources: Studyinbc, British Columbia Institute of Technology
