International Students

• Homestay – for more information on Homestay opportunities, contact (*please note* Capital College is not affilitated with the following listings):
  1. homestay.com/canada/Richmond
  2. studyinrichmond.sd38.bc.ca/accommodation/index.html

• Rental Housing
  • Listings for rental housing are various. Some suggestions to check out on-line listings at:
    1. Facebook marketplace
    2. apartments.com/richmond-bc
    3. rentals.ca/Richmond
    4. zillow.com/richmond-bc/apartments/

• Tips when renting
  • Know the laws and tenant rights. Find more information at
    1. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies
    2. https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/02078_01

• Medical Insurance – before coming to Canada, please apply for medical insurance. For details, see: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/health-fee-international-students

• Safety – Canada has a stable political and cultural landscape. Learn how we are keeping Canadians safe, how our justice system works, how to prepare your family for an emergency and where to find services for victims of crime.  Find more information at: www.canada.ca/en/services/policing.html

• Mental Health Services – There are mental health services available to all. For details, support for yourself and others, please go to: vch.ca/en/location-service/richmond-mental-health-team-community-health-access-center
  1. 1. Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-784-2433
     2. BC Crisis Line: 310-6789

• Addiction Services – If you are seeking support for addiction, please go to rassrichmond.ca

Capital College’s staff and faculty is always willing to offer support for students who require program assistance. This may come in the form of teacher support, program director support, and administrative support.  Email for support: [email protected]

Instructors may offer learning support for individual or groups of students. Capital College has a Practicum Orientation and several Practicum Seminars to support students through their practicum experiences.  If a student requires extra support, arrangements can be made through the Senior Educational Administrator.

There are many community supports for individuals new to Canada. While we encourage students to join local social media groups within their class, there are other groups.  Some of them are:

1. • S.U.C.C.E.S.S.is a non-partisan and non-profit charitable organization serving immigrant, newcomer, and refugee communities in BC. It has 20 locations in BC and internationally, offering a wide range of programs and services. https://successbc.ca/
   • MOSAICis a registered charity serving immigrant, newcomer, and refugee communities in Greater Vancouver. It is one of the largest settlement organizations in Canada. Services are delivered from 26 sites. https://mosaicbc.org/

• Transportation – Vancouver/Richmond has a good public transportation system. There are monthly passes available.  Please see maps and fares at bctransit.com/choose-transit-system/
  Vancouver/Richmond also has a safe taxi, uber, lyft system in place.  These services are available through their app.
• Banking – Canada has a monitored banking system. You need to choose which type of bank and account suits you best.  The main banks in Canada are RBC, CIBC, BMO, TD, but there are virtual banks as well. See canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/banking.html for more information.
• Communications – Canada has reliable cell phone and internet services that are regulated. There are a variety of companies to choose from, including Telus, Bell, Rogers.  There are smaller companies as well.  Please see crtc.gc.ca/eng/home-accueil.htm for assistance in choosing which mobile and internet plans will work for you.