Student Housing
For their first few months of living in Canada. Living with a host family helps you practice English daily and learn about different cultures and lifestyles. Most host families are immigrants who can share their experiences with you.
Academic Support
Keystone College educators who are willing to work with students beyond the hours of class time, but if you need more than what the school can offer, there is additional help available.
Community & Cultural Services
- Family Support Services
- Addiction Services
- Immigrant Services
Medical Insurance
In Canada, health care can be very expensive if you are not covered with proper medical insurance. Keystone College requires that all international students have health insurance for the duration of your studies.
Mental Health and Well Being
Mental health services are available in British Columbia for people experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges. It is important to know that no matter how you are feeling, you are not alone. Help is available, find out more: click here.
Banking and Financial Services
Opening a Canadian bank account is recommended for managing tuition payments, rent, and daily expenses. Most banks offer accounts designed specifically for international students.
Students can open accounts with major Canadian banks such as:
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Royal Bank of Canada
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Toronto-Dominion Bank
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Scotiabank
To open a bank account, students typically need:
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Passport
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Study permit
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Local address
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Student identification
Students should also be aware of financial safety practices, such as protecting personal information and avoiding scams.
Child Care Services
There are many different child care services within Surrey and Courtney and the surrounding area which offer a variety of services. Whether you need child care for babies, toddlers, or school age children there are organisations available to you. For more information about child care in Surrey click here.
Help for Addictions
Please Visit HelpStartsHere, where you can search more than 2,600 listings for mental health and substance use services in BC: click here.
Communication Services
Having a Canadian phone number is helpful for communication with the college, employers, and service providers. International students can purchase SIM cards and phone plans from Canadian telecom companies such as:
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Rogers Communications
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Bell Canada
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Telus
Students may choose prepaid plans (pay monthly without a contract) or postpaid plans (contract plans with monthly billing). Many providers also offer student packages that include mobile data, calling, and texting.
Family Support Services
Family support services offer confidential support for a broad range of family-related issues, including child care and parenting, intimate relationships, and elder care challenges.For more information about Family
Support Services in BC. click here.
Financial Assistance
At Keystone College, we believe financial challenges should never stand in the way of your education. Learn More
Transportation
Students in Surrey and the Metro Vancouver region commonly use public transportation operated by TransLink. The system includes buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus services connecting Surrey, Vancouver, and surrounding cities.
Students can purchase a Compass Card, which allows easy access to all transit services. Compass Cards can be purchased at SkyTrain stations, select retail locations, or online.
Public transportation is generally safe and reliable. Students are encouraged to plan their travel routes using the TransLink website or mobile apps.
Cost of Living in Surrey / Metro Vancouver
The cost of living in the Metro Vancouver region can vary depending on lifestyle and accommodation choices. Students are encouraged to plan their finances carefully before arriving in Canada.
Estimated monthly expenses may include:
| Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared housing) | $700 – $1,200 |
| Food and groceries | $300 – $500 |
| Public transportation | $100 – $150 |
| Mobile phone and internet | $50 – $100 |
| Personal expenses | $150 – $300 |
Estimated total monthly living expenses:
$1,300 – $2,200 CAD
Actual costs may vary depending on lifestyle, housing location, and personal spending habits.
Students are encouraged to budget carefully to ensure they have sufficient funds to support their studies and living expenses while studying in British Columbia.
Employment Services
For employments rights and conditions in BC visit:
https://www.welcomebc.ca/work-in-b-c/working-in-b-c
For Safety at workplace visit:
WRITING TIPS
When preparing your resume, make sure it’s SHARP:
SUCCINCT
The writing in your resume should be concise, succinct, and to the point. Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your writing.
HONEST
You resume needs to be factually accurate, including dates of employment, education completed, job titles, and skills possessed.
ATTRACTIVE
Your resume should be visually appealing to the eye. Make sure it is neat, organised, and consistent. Ensure you use enough “white space” by setting your margins at .5” or greater and providing ample space between sections.
RIGHT
A resume should reflect who you are and your professional experiences. This does not mean it should be laden with unnecessary graphics or inappropriate personal information; it means you should feel comfortable using it to represent yourself as a candidate.
PERTINENT
Your resume and the way it is organised should be relevant to the position. For example, you may need to make adjustments to your resume when applying for a position as an accountant versus a position as a project manager.
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