Vanstudent

    Work & Jobs             A PGWP can open doors to your future in Canada      Finding a job while you study in Canada helps you manage your money and acquire work skills. Here’s a detailed overview of work opportunities and how to apply. Eligibility to Work International students with a valid study permit are generally allowed to work: Up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions. Full-time during scheduled breaks such as winter or summer holidays. Students should check their study permit to include permission for off-campus work. Types of Jobs Available On-campus jobs mean you work at the university in libraries, at student cafeterias, in research labs or at student services. Working off campus includes part-time positions in retail, areas of food service, customer service, tutoring or internships within your chosen area of study or any other place you want to apply to. Co-op or internship programs: Some programs...

    Transportation Zones & How it works                          Learn how to ride like a local                 In BC, particularly in Metro Vancouver, getting around is quick and simple because of TransLink’s extensive public transit network. Studying this system can speed up and lower the cost of immigrating for international students. The Three Transit Zones Metro Vancouver’s transit system is divided into three fare zones: Zone 1: Covers downtown Vancouver, including nearby neighbourhoods like Kitsilano and East Vancouver. Zone 2: Includes suburbs such as Burnaby, New Westminster, and parts of Richmond. Zone 3: Covers outer suburbs like Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, and White Rock. Fares are based on the number of zones you travel through. For example, travelling only within Zone 1 costs less than travelling from Zone 1 to Zone 3. Modes of Transport SkyTrain is a fast...

  Housing & Its Costs                          Your housing journey starts here                  One of the main issues for international students moving to Canada is where to find housing. Many people say that living in British Columbia (BC), especially Metro Vancouver, is very expensive, with housing usually taking up most of their money. Types of Housing Options On-campus Housing: In British Columbia, a lot of universities offer accommoda tion in on-campus residences. They offer convenience since they are near lecture halls and campus services, making travelling unnecessary. Housing on campus normally has what you need, including utilities and internet, in addition to giving you the safety and company of other students. Still, the availability of these types of housing may not be wide, and they are often more costly, with monthly rents starting at around CAD 700 for ...

        Staying Safe                           Stay aware. Stay safe. Stay smart                     Staying Safe in Vancouver: What New Students Should Know Vancouver is one of the safest big cities in Canada but like any city, stuff can still happen—so it’s smart to know a few basic safety tips. If you’re new to the city (or thinking about moving here), here’s what you should actually keep in mind: 1.⁠ ⁠Watch Your Stuff On campus or around the city, don’t leave your bag, phone, or laptop unattended. Theft is rare but it does happen—especially in busy coffee shops or public transit. 2.⁠ ⁠Be Smart Late at Night Downtown Vancouver is super active, but if you’re out late (especially after bars close), stay in groups and stick to well-lit streets. Trust your gut—if something feels off, grab an Uber or take transit home. 3.⁠ ⁠Use Public Transit Safely T...

  College Supplies You must need                                 7 Essentials for Surviving                             If you’re a new student coming to Vancouver, welcome to one of the chilliest but rainiest places in Canada, it's called Raincouver for a reason. You’ve probably already been spammed with "college must-haves" on TikTok or Amazon lists with 100+ things. But let’s keep it real—you don’t need half of that stuff. Here’s what you actually need for college life in Vancouver: 1.⁠ ⁠Laptop + Charger (duh): Don’t overthink this. A basic MacBook or any good Windows laptop will work, as long as it handles Zoom with a camera, Microsoft Office, and whatever learning apps your school uses. Get a laptop sleeve too—it rains a lot here. 2.⁠ ⁠Notebook + Pens (yes, people still write): Even if everything’s online, professors s...

College Rules & Regulations              Rules That Could Actually Affect Your Visa             Moving to a new city for school can be exciting—but confusing. No one really hands you a rulebo ok on what you can or can’t do as a student in Vancouver. Here’s a simple breakdown of the important stuff you should actually know. ⁠Attendance Matters: Even though a lot of classes are online or hybrid now, don’t skip any in-person lectures. Most colleges here have minimum attendance rules—miss too many, and you could fail or lose your study permit status. ⁠Respect Campus Spaces: Every school has areas that are strictly “quiet zones” (like libraries). Don’t be the person blasting TikTok or Instagram reels there. Also—clean up after yourself. Vancouver schools take this seriously. Alcohol & Weed: Legal here, but NOT on campus. Don’t show up to class high or drunk—it can get you suspended. You also can’t drink in public s...

      Navigating Health Insurance Cost                           Peace of Mind Starts with a Policy                  Imagine being excited to move to a different country. You packed your bags, booked the flight, arranged accommodation, and planned your budget for a month but forgot a major need: Your health insurance policy. Health issues aren’t something that you can procrastinate about. It can come anywhere without notice. It's even more difficult when you are in a new country. You may need to spend a huge amount of money if you aren't aware of the health insurance policy of the country you are moving to.  If you are coming to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as an international student, Guard.me health insurance plan can cover your basic medical costs for first few months. Some schools automatically enroll students in this health insurance plan and char...

    Finding Culture as a New Student                            Connecting Through Diversity                       Moving to a new city is always exciting and a little intimidating. When I first moved to Vancouver to study, I knew I would take some time to settle in and find new people. One thing that I didn’t expect was how much I would learn from exploring the city and talking to people from different cultures.   Like many places in Canada, Vancouver is one of the most multicultural places I have ever been. From the moment I start walking down Robson Street or ride in the SkyTrain, I can hear at least 3 different conversations in different languages. From that moment, I realized I was not only going to learn while studying my degree but also by making genuine connections with people from different cultures.  One of my favourite cultural...

  Eating well On a Student Budget                   Delicious Doesn’t Have to Mean Expensive             Vancouver is one of the most diverse and beautiful cities to live in around the world. However, most of you already know it can also be expensive, especially if you are a student living on a budget and want to try some food. As a student, I realized that finding affordable meals without sacrificing flavour was hard. But the good news is that my team and I have put together some affordable meal options for you to try.  Starting with the easy options, Japadog is a food chain offered in Downtown where you can grab Japanese-style hot dogs for less than $10 for a quick lunch. Another reliable option is Donair Dude, for around $8-$12, you can get a wrap packed with meat, veggies and drinks. Perfect for lunch or a late snack.  If you are a ramen lover, this is the perfect option for you. Classifie...

  Seasonal Seasons                                 What Every Season Brings                              Vancouver have four seasons, and each one is very diferent. For international students, it's important to know what to spect in each season because the weather change a lot, also the clothes, the activities, and sometimes the prices too. Winter go from December to February and can be very rainy, in Vancouver, it don’t snow much, but it rains a lot almost every day. Is important to have a good water jacket and shoes that don’t get wet. Even if it’s not so cold like in other parts of Canada, the wind and rain make you feel more colder. But winter is also time for snow activites like ski or snowboard. You can go to Grouse Mountain or Cypress, they are very close. Some students take cheap bus to Whistler also. Plus, in winter ther...