Early arrival VRS Arrival on time.

[cartonkay]

please I like to know which is best for a fresh foreign student in Canada.

1. is it best to arrive a week or two before school resumes or its best to arrive 3days to re-opening ?

2. I have no accommodation on campus, how easy will it be for me to find an off-campus accomodation to pair up with other foreign students ?

3. will it be more cost efficient for me to buy food or cook on my own ?

4. in each of the above cases, what should be my monthly budget for a 3 square meal over a month (precisely Thunder Bay, Ontario) ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dipta]

1. is it best to arrive a week or two before school resumes or its best to arrive 3days to re-opening ?
yes, you can arrive a week or two before school resumes. if you didn't book accommodation earlier you will need that time to find one.

2. I have no accommodation on campus, how easy will it be for me to find an off-campus accomodation to pair up with other foreign students ?
You will find off campus housing by looking on sites like kijiji or ad given store or malls. If you have no problem with adjusting with others you will not face much difficulty finding house,I think.

3. will it be more cost efficient for me to buy food or cook on my own ?
If you cook food it is lot cheaper nearly by 50%

4. in each of the above cases, what should be my monthly budget for a 3 square meal over a month (precisely Thunder Bay, Ontario) ?
200-400 if you cook food. 350-600 if you buy.

All the above answers are based on searched based knowledge.

 

[cartonkay]

hello dipta, thank you very much for your information. I like to know more...

1. assuming I report 2 weeks before reopening, where will I be lodging since I have no accommodation yet ? in a hotel ?

2. how easy will it be for an international student to find a job ? and what could possibly be the minimum hourly wage for an on-campus job ?

3. do I need to convert my driving license before being able to drive ?

 

[dipta]

1. assuming I report 2 weeks before reopening, where will I be lodging since I have no accommodation yet ? in a hotel ?
Depends on you . You can stay in hotel or any relatives house if you have any.
2. how easy will it be for an international student to find a job ? and what could possibly be the minimum hourly wage for an on-campus job ?
Minimum wage is 10-11$. Job hunting depends on your capabilities. But on campus jobs are hard to get as positions for that jobs are fewer.
3. do I need to convert my driving license before being able to drive ?
If you have international driving license, you can drive 4-8 weeks depending on your provincial rules.But you better convert your license as early as possible.

 

[cartonkay]

thanks dipta, your information very helpful.

 

[dipta]

I am happy to hear that the information helped you.

 

[Genesia0326]

Hi Dipta,

Can you provide a monthly estimate of money I should have if I will be living in Toronto for student visa?
House
Fare
Others

 

[dipta]

Can you provide a monthly estimate of money I should have if I will be living in Toronto for student visa?
House 300-600 per month shared and 800+ for not shared.
Fare I think your college or University has special rate. For four moths it would be 50-150$
Others 100 but depends on you.
Meal: 200-350 if self cooked 400-600 if bought

 

[Rossei]

please I like to know which is best for a fresh foreign student in Canada.

1. is it best to arrive a week or two before school resumes or its best to arrive 3days to re-opening ?

2. I have no accommodation on campus, how easy will it be for me to find an off-campus accomodation to pair up with other foreign students ?

3. will it be more cost efficient for me to buy food or cook on my own ?

4. in each of the above cases, what should be my monthly budget for a 3 square meal over a month (precisely Thunder Bay, Ontario) ?

Thanks in advance.

I assume you're going to Lakehead. Have you tried searching Lakehead Off-campus Housing search directory?
http://offcampus.lakeheadu.ca/roch/index.php
As Dipta said, you should also look into Kijiji. Google "Student Rentals in Thunder Bay" and you'll get good hits.

All these will give you an idea how much it's going to cost you per month. As an Int'l Student, you may not be able to rent from abroad. Some landlords would only take post-dated cheques from your bank. In that case, you have to open a bank account. Moreover, it's the busiest season of the year for student rentals.

If you don't know anyone in Thunder Bay or the surrounding places, I would suggest you to come a week or two prior to Fall session.

 

[cartonkay]

thank you rossei