Living in CanadaAs a student, settling in a foreign land seems like an overwhelming and scary thought. But it is also exciting as you get to experience an entirely different culture, meet diverse groups of people, and enjoy meals you have never heard of.
However, the biggest concern while settling as a student is the expense of living. As you have migrated to study there, you don’t have a job (not until now at least) or any other means of continual income that can help you meet your cost of living. You have a saving and you need to spend it mindfully.
That’s why, you need to make sure that you are spending an absolute minimum in order to survive your stay and live without worrying.
So, how can you manage minimum survival expenses in Canada?
There are 3 ways you can manage enough to survive:
- Finding Affordable Accomodation
- Find Work
- Considering Cost of Living
Finding Affordable Accommodation – May consider sharing with other students
When it comes to international students, there are two options in accommodation – in-campus accommodation and off-campus accommodation. Depending on your institution and the location, the prices of the two would vary. In some regions, off-campus accommodation is cheaper while some institutions offer on-campus accommodation cheaper than the average off-campus.
In addition to the charges, there are other things you might want to consider while going with on-campus or off-campus accommodation like the distance from necessary places like hospitals, grocery stores, and public transport.
The bigger advantage of taking in-campus accommodation is the convenience with which you could handle your everyday requirements.
Finding Work- as a Student be cautious to work with in allowed hours- Dont exceed the same
When you arrive in Canada with a student Visa, you are permitted to work in-campus or off-campus while studying. International students are allowed to work 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during study breaks.
This opportunity allows international students to cover their living costs while building a professional network in the industry to gain mentoring and employment support post education.
Considering Cost of Living in Canada as a student
The cost of living of the city that your institution is situated in matters a lot. Your expenses are directly impacted by the cost of the essential services and products that you need to use like accommodation, health care, public transport, and other services.
While choosing an institution for your education, choose a city or region that has a low cost of living while having great job opportunities with good wages. This helps in not only surviving your stay but also save money for further costs.
The first few years as an international student is tough, anywhere in the world. As you move forward, you’ll find better ways to save money and manage your expenses well.