Homestay in Vancouver, BC:
What International Students Should Know
When I first arrived in Vancouver as an international student, I chose to stay with a homestay family. Since it was my first time living in Vancouver, having a place ready before I arrived made the beginning of my study abroad experience much easier. My school agency also arranged an airport pickup for me, so I did not have to worry about finding transportation with all my luggage. I was picked up at the airport and taken directly to my homestay in the Joyce-Collingwood area.
After actually living in a homestay in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I found both advantages and disadvantages. Here is my experience with the location, room, meals, house rules, and daily life.
My Homestay Experience in VancouverThis is a title
My homestay was located in Joyce-Collingwood, a quiet residential neighborhood in Vancouver. The house was a little over a 10-minute walk from the SkyTrain station and was located near the edge of Zone 1. Since my school was in Downtown Vancouver, commuting was fairly convenient. It took me about 25 minutes to get to school, which was reasonable for everyday travel.
The homestay itself was a two-story house, and my room was on the second floor. I was happy with the size of my room because it was quite spacious. It came with a bed, desk, dresser, and built-in closet, so I had enough space to study and organize my clothes and belongings. The neighborhood was also very quiet compared with Downtown Vancouver. For someone who prefers a calm residential environment but still wants convenient access to Downtown, I thought the location was good.
Meals, Costs & House Rules
I paid $1,300 per month, which included three meals a day. Breakfast was simple and self-service. There was usually bread and boiled eggs, and I could prepare breakfast by myself whenever I was ready. Lunch and dinner worked differently. My homestay mom prepared the food and put it into containers in the refrigerator, so I could simply heat them up when I wanted to eat.
Personally, the meals did not always match my taste, so I sometimes ordered delivery or cooked ramen instead. However, my homestay mom noticed that I was having a hard time adjusting to the food and even bought kimchi for me. I really appreciated that she tried to make me feel more comfortable.
The house rules were not too strict. There was a separate laundry room on the first floor, and there was no specific limit on how many times I could do laundry. The main rule I had to remember was that I could only shower until 11 p.m. Other than that, I did not have a strict curfew, so I could come home late without any major problems. Overall, I had enough freedom to manage my own schedule, which was important to me as an international student.
Pros & Cons of Homestay in Vancouver
Overall, I was mostly satisfied with my homestay experience. One of the biggest advantages was convenience. When I first arrived in Canada, I did not need to immediately buy furniture, set up a kitchen, or worry about preparing every meal. My room was already furnished, three meals were included, and I could focus on adjusting to school and life in Vancouver. The location was another advantage because I could live in a quiet neighborhood while still reaching Downtown Vancouver in about 25 minutes.
However, there were some disadvantages. Sometimes my homestay mom’s grandchildren visited the house, and they would run around and make a lot of noise, which could be difficult when I wanted to rest. The biggest disadvantage for me was sharing a bathroom with another student. My roommate was male, and I personally felt uncomfortable sharing the same bathroom with a male roommate. Food is another thing to consider because even when three meals are included, the food may not always match your personal taste. In my case, I sometimes spent extra money on delivery or other food.
Still, my overall experience was positive. My homestay mom was considerate, my room was spacious, and the location was convenient for commuting to Downtown. If you are considering a homestay in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I recommend checking the location, commute time, meal system, bathroom situation, laundry rules, and other house rules before making your decision. For me, homestay was a convenient way to start my life in Vancouver while I adjusted to a new city, school, and environment.
If you want to see more of my experience after arriving in Canada, watch my Vancouver vlog. You can also check out my 5-day Tokyo itinerary for another one of my travel experiences.