LANGARA
COLLEGE
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
HANDBOOK
August 2009
Acknowledgments
This handbook was originally researched, written, edited, and published by Sue Seward in October 1999.
Dr. Ken Naumann also contributed to the writing and editing.
This handbook was created in response to the needs of incoming International Students attending Langara
College, and the staff who help them. We would like to acknowledge the following departments for their
contributions:
Counselling
Graphic Design
Homestay
International Education
Print Shop
Student Services
Reviewed and revised by the International Education Department staff
August 2009
Director’s Message
Welcome to Canada, Vancouver, and Langara College. This booklet has been designed to help you get
adjusted quickly to Vancouver.
We have divided the booklet into two sections. The first section, ‘Your First Week in Vancouver,’ is meant
to give you the information you need to know as soon as you arrive. The second section, ‘Tips for Living in
Vancouver,’ provides you with more information and should be used as a reference throughout your stay.
This booklet is only an aid to your adjustment to Vancouver. If you want more information or clarification
about what is in the booklet, please ask the staff in the International Education Office, or make an
appointment to see a counsellor. Do not be embarrassed to ask if you do not know something. As your first
step in adjustment, do not be afraid to ask anyone for help. Canadians, Langara staff, and students will be
pleased to help you.
We hope you enjoy your stay in Vancouver and that you will be successful in your studies at Langara
College.
Gordon McNeil
Director, International Education
Note: All information and prices quoted are current as of August 2009, unless otherwise stated. In addition, all prices quoted are in
Canadian dollars. Information and prices are subject to change without notice.
Your First Week in Vancouver
ACTIVITIES
se the following list to plan your first week in Vancouver. When you have completed an activity,
check it off. It will be exciting to realize how much you have achieved in one week.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
p)
q)
r)
s)
t)
Phone home.
Go to the International Education Department (A107) and introduce yourself! Drop off copies of your
important documents. While there, apply for the Langara PLUS Program.
Apply for health insurance.
Pick up a map of Vancouver.
Open a bank account.
See the International Student Counsellor.
Explore the Langara College Campus.
Get your Student ID card.
Introduce yourself to the International Student Representative at Langara Students’ Union.
Learn about different types of accommodation.
Set up a budget.
Settle into your accommodation.
Buy groceries.
Read the sections of this Handbook that you have not already reviewed.
Ride the bus to and from the college.
Explore Vancouver.
Learn how to use the computers at the college.
Phone or write home - this is repeated because you should do this often.
Introduce yourself to another international student and discuss the section in this book on culture shock.
Begin telephoning, sending e-mails, and visiting offices listed throughout this book and write down the names of
everyone you contact.
DO IT
Phone Home!
hen you arrive in Vancouver, it is extremely important for you to call your family. Not only will
they be curious to know that you arrived safely, you will likely want to know how they are doing.
Imagine how they are adjusting to living without you. Do not be afraid to let them know that you
miss them, but be sure to tell them that you will be calling or writing regularly to talk about your
new experiences and to find out what is happening at home.
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Apply for Health Insurance
Visit the International Education Office (A107) to pick-up an ‘Application for Enrollment’ for B.C. Medical coverage.
Visit Axis Insurance (1965 West 4th Avenue or www.studentsure.com) and arrange for immediate medical coverage.
You are required to have medical insurance at all times while in British Columbia.
Getting Maps
A local store or gas station will likely have maps available for a fee. Visit the Vancouver Tourism
Information Centre at the Plaza Level, Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard Street in downtown
Vancouver, or call 604-683-2000, and enquire about free brochures and maps of Vancouver, British
Columbia, and Canada.
Open a Bank Account
You are going to be using Canadian currency (dollars). Go to a local bank or credit union and arrange for a personal
bank account. If you have a bank draft to deposit, it will take approximately 10 business days before that money is
available for you to use.
Select Your Courses, Pay Your Tuition
Langara College will assign a particular day upon which you are scheduled to select your courses. Once you have
registered for courses, pay your tuition fees either at a Bank of Montreal or on-line with a credit card.
Explore Langara College
Before classes begin, spend some time walking around the campus. Be certain to locate the Registrars’ Office, the
library, the bookstore, the cafeteria, the information booth, Studio 58, Health Services, the Counselling Department,
the Homestay offices, Langara Students’ Union office, and the gymnasium.
Student ID Card
Student ID Cards can be obtained during the first week of classes. Check with the information booth to find out
where you apply for your ID card. You need an I.D. card to sign out books at the library, to get involved in
intramural sports, and to prove your identity for some exams..
International Student Representative
Introduce yourself to the International Student Representative in the Langara Students’ Union (LSU) office, located in
the LSU building. To meet this representative, you will likely meet other LSU staff who can provide you with
information about the different services they offer to support your studies at Langara College.
Accommodation
For your first months in Vancouver, we recommend that you arrange for a Homestay placement, if you have not
already done so. You may also be considering other types of accommodation for the remainder of your stay.
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Budgeting
If you are attending college and have never lived on your own before, setting a budget for the first time is fun. It is
your opportunity to think about and plan your future, and to learn about spending your money responsibly. It will be
useful for you to do a little research regarding costs for activities, services, and products in Vancouver before you
create a budget.
Buy Groceries
The following is a list of items that you may need after you’ve arrived. Go through the list and
identify those items that are relevant to your present lifestyle.
Household Items
T glasses, plates, and cutlery
T dish soap
T shampoo for your hair
T toothpaste and tooth brush
T envelopes and paper
T toilet paper
T hand soap
T moisturizing lotion for your
skin
Tpostage stamps
Food
T bread
T eggs
T rice
T noodles
T dairy products
T meat, fish, and poultry
T fresh fruit and vegetables
T frozen fruit and vegetables
T canned fruit and vegetables
T drinks
T flavourings, spices, and
condiments
Taking Transit
For Continuing Studies Students - Buy a Bus Pass
If you will use public transit for your regular transportation, you can save money by buying a monthly Bus Pass from a
variety of large supermarkets like Safeway and convenience stores such as 7-11. Be sure to figure out which transit zone
you live in and buy the correct bus pass.
For Arts & Science / Career Students - Get your U-Pass
The U-Pass is a mandatory transit program for all Arts & Science and Career Program students. The price of this Pass is
included in your tuition and provides students with unlimited access to Translink Bus, Skytrain and Seabus services (all
zones) throughout Metro Vancouver. The U-Pass is a transit pass showing your photo, name, and the card’s expiry
date. A new U-Pass will be issued at the beginning of each semester that you are an eligible enroled student at Langara
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College. The U-Pass will either be mailed to your home address or you can pick it up in person at the College. For
more information about how to obtain your U-Pass, go to: http://www.langara.bc.ca/campus-guide/upass/
Explore Vancouver
You’ve arrived. It is time to look around by walking or riding a bus in Vancouver. Can you find a
drugstore? A Community Centre or Public Library? Grocery, deli, or produce stores? Where are
the bus stops? Where is the closest park or theatre? Is there a bank nearby? Where is your home
country’s Consulate? Further information describing locations and phone numbers for some of
these places is listed throughout this book.
College Computer Access
nternet access is available to students, free of charge. Computers with Internet software are located
throughout campus. To find out more information about the locations of computer labs, go to:
http://www.langara.bc.ca/campus-services/computer-services/labdescription.html
You can use these computers to search for the web sites that are referenced throughout this document.
To log in, use your student number and birthdate (YY/MM/DD).
In addition to the computers in the labs and library, each area of study at the college makes computers available for
student use, but usage is limited to students in courses that require computer support. To find out more about the
available software and hours of access to computers, please talk with your course instructor.
Tips for Living in Vancouver
A wide array of information has been compiled in this section of the booklet. You will find it useful to use the
handbook as part of a reference when you are getting acquainted with Vancouver and Langara College.
PURPOSE OF YOUR VISIT
It is exciting, frightening, and confusing to arrive in a new country. This is normal.
With so many new experiences it is sometimes difficult to find time to focus on your studies. You will have a variety
of experiences, some will support, and others will detract you from your studies.
K Try to remember that your primary reason for coming to Vancouver is to study.
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CULTURE SHOCK
ll new students’ first days are ones of adjustment. For you and other international students, this is
even more the case. You will be experiencing many different changes when entering a new
country, a new city, a new college. One of these changes is what people call “culture shock.”
Culture shock can be described as the distress (both physical and emotional) you may experience
when coming to live in another country or a place different from your home country. It generally
sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new place. An important point to keep in mind about culture shock is
that you are not alone; all international students, and even some Canadian students who are new to Langara College,
or Vancouver, may experience culture shock at one time or another.
Some of the symptoms of culture shock are:
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þ
þ
þ
þ
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irritability
extreme homesickness
overeating or loss of appetite
headaches
depression
loss of ability to work or study effectively
unexplainable crying
a need for excessive sleep
You need not have every symptom listed to be experiencing culture shock. These, and other symptoms, may also
appear at any given time. However, if you have some of the physical symptoms, such as headache or a need for
excessive sleep, you should consult a physician to ensure that it is not something other than culture shock (you can call
Health Services, 604-323-5256).
Although culture shock may not be avoided, there are many ways to ease the stress and/or symptoms. In addition,
even though culture shock may cause some real pain or anxiety, it is also a great opportunity for
learning new perspectives and for developing a better understanding of yourself.
Some tips to help:
þ Keep active/exercise
þ Make new friends
þ Inform yourself about cultural adjustment and shock
þ Learn about and participate in community and college activities
þ Work on your English communication skills
þ Keep a journal. Write down your feelings and review your writing from time to time. Write down your
questions and reflect back if you have found answers to them. If not, ask someone. It will help you to assess
your progress.
If you discover that you are having difficulty getting involved in activities, here are some things you might try doing.
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Visit with someone you met at your orientation, or someone new to Vancouver.
Phone or write to someone in your home country.
Sign up for Langara PLUS and get involved with activities at Langara.
Visit the Langara Gym and inquire about Intramural Sports programs.
Say “hello!” to someone in one of your classes and ask them if you could practice speaking English or study
with them.
Learn about garage sales and go to one.
Get out of your apartment and walk around your neighbourhood.
There is no person who can ‘fix’ these feelings for you. It will take time for you to adapt to your new environments
and the new expectations placed on you. You may find that you have continued feelings of stress related to the
cultural differences to which you are subject.
þ
º
Try to remember that you are here for a limited time, and be easy on yourself; learning anything new takes
time.
Everyone who travels can experience these challenges. How you react to such challenges is your decision. A
positive attitude can help you to overcome difficulties.
When you see someone else having difficulty you can help by
K
K
offering support, and
respecting privacy if someone is not ready for help or support.
Most importantly, be patient. Don’t ignore your feelings of helplessness or despair. Culture shock is a normal
response. Just recognize the problem and give yourself time to get over it. If you need to, keep reminding yourself
that what you are experiencing is not permanent. If culture shock continues, there are people here on campus who
can assist you, such as Health Services (as previously mentioned), the Counselling Dept. (604-323-5221), and
International Education (604-323-5023).
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YOUR NEW HOME
or visitors, understanding Canada’s enormous size, the relationships between the provinces, or the
unique climate of Vancouver can be challenging. The following descriptions will provide you with
a little information about the country, Canada, the province, British Columbia, and your
destination city, Vancouver. It will be useful for you to have access to a map of Canada, a map of British Columbia,
and a map of Vancouver while reading through this section.
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Canada
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At 9,973,320 km2, Canada is second in size to Russia which, at 17,075,000 km2, is the largest
country in the world.
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Consists of ten provinces and three northern territories.
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Population of just over 30 million people.
þ
Two official languages, French and English.
The capital city is Ottawa, located in the Province of Ontario, approximately 4,400 from Vancouver.
Getting to Ottawa would take approximately 6 to 7 days of driving 8 hours each day.
British Columbia (BC)
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The third largest province in Canada, after Quebec and Ontario, covering 950,000 km2. BC is roughly half
as large as Indonesia.
Bordered by the province of Alberta to the east, Yukon and the North West Territories to the north, the
Pacific Ocean to the west, and the United States to the south.
The population is over 4 million.
The capital city is Victoria, located on Vancouver Island. You can travel to and from Victoria in one day by
public transit and ferry, or airplane, but plan on 2 days if you want to do or see anything while you are there.
Vancouver
The largest city in BC, Vancouver is located where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean. It also sits at the head of
a long inlet of the ocean called Burrard Inlet. The Port of Vancouver is the largest port on the west coast of the
Americas.
Population
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The population of Metro Vancouver, the informal name given to the city of Vancouver
and its suburbs, is 1.8 million. Major suburbs include North and West Vancouver,
Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, Richmond, and Delta. Can you find them
on your map?
People who live in Metro Vancouver are of varied ethnic, racial, and religious
backgrounds. You will hear many other languages spoken in homes and in public.
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Vegetation
þ
Vancouver has many lush private and public gardens as a result of our natural, temperate evergreen
rainforest environment.
þ
The natural forests on the mountains at the northern edge of the city are covered with evergreen trees and a
thick undergrowth of ferns, mosses, and bushes. The lowlands, along the Fraser Valley, have been cleared of
trees to accommodate farming and housing.
Weather
þ
Winters are cool and rainy, with limited sunshine, making this season grey for extended
periods. Snowfall is infrequent, with the snow melting shortly after it has fallen. Winter
conditions usually extend from October through the end of March.
þ
Summers are warm and much drier.
The following eight tables illustrate the weather variations in seven different major cities, including Delhi, Hong
Kong, Jakarta, Mexico City, Rio De Janeiro, Taipei, Tokyo, and Vancouver. Each table includes a reference to the
total annual rainfall and a bar graph of the monthly average maximum and minimum Celsius temperatures, measured
in one year.
Vancouver is considered to have a temperate climate with average monthly temperatures not lower than about 20C
and not higher than about 220C. It is important to remember that these are averages and temperatures in the summer
will, at times, be warmer than 220C and in the winter they can be colder than 20C. Rain falls throughout the year and
it is wise to purchase an umbrella when you arrive.
Average Minimum And Maximum Temperatures
40
35
Delhi
rainfall = 79 cm
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
F
M
A
M
J
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J
A
S
O
N
D
Average
Minimum
And Maximum Temperatures
40
Hong Kong
35
rainfall = 222 cm
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
40
F
M
A
M
J
J
S
O
N
D
rainfall = 162 cm
Jakarta
35
A
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
40
35
F
M
A
M
J
J
Mexico City
A
S
O
N
D
rainfall = 71 cm
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
F
M
A
M
J
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J
A
S
O
N
D
Average Minimum And Maximum Temperatures
40
Rio De Janeiro
35
rainfall = 110 cm
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
40
35
F
M
A
M
J
J
Tokyo
A
S
O
N
D
rainfall = 152 cm
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
40
35
F
M
A
M
J
J
Taipei
A
S
O
N
D
rainfall = 204 cm
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
F
M
A
M
J
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J
A
S
O
N
D
Average Minimum And Maximum Temperatures
40
35
Vancouver
rainfall = 112 cm
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Communities and Districts
The city of Vancouver is comprised of over 20 named neighbourhoods, although you will rarely see anything clearly
identifying neighbourhood boundaries on maps. Beautiful gardens, paved streets, and public spaces characterize the
sample of neighbourhoods described here.
West End - high-rise downtown neighbourhood, a mix of self-owned apartments (termed ‘condominiums’) and
smaller, expensive rental units, bordered by Stanley Park to the west, and Granville Street to the east.
Yaletown - rapidly developing high-rise downtown neighbourhood with a mix of upscale, young, and poor. Homes
are mainly condominiums; some rental units, located on the north shore of False Creek, between Granville and Main
streets.
Kitsilano - between English Bay and 16th Avenue, Granville and Alma streets, a mix of relatively expensive rental
suites, condominiums, and expensive houses; middle to upper class. Many students share housing in this area.
Point Grey - expensive homes built on ocean cliffs and hills, overlooking Vancouver; basement rental suites, upper
class, located west of Alma Street, bordered on the west by the University of British Columbia and Pacific Spirit Park.
Kerrisdale - older expensive homes, quiet neighbourhood, older residents, some rental suites; upper class, located
roughly between Granville, Dunbar, and King Edward streets, and Marine Drive. Some basement suites are available
for student rental.
Shaughnessy - old established mansions. Mostly wealthy residents, roughly between 16th and 37th Avenue, and
Arbutus, and Oak streets.
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Marpole - older apartments, high population density, abundant rental suites. Close to Langara, middle class, located
between Marine Drive, 60th, Granville, and Main streets. Students rent apartments in this area.
Langara - location of college, mix of older and newer housing with some suite rentals, upper middle class, located
between Main, Oak Street, 37th and 60th Avenues. Basement suite rentals are available for students in this area.
East Vancouver - diverse accommodation, less expensive, ranging from houses to apartments to basement suites;
lower class to middle class, roughly located between Boundary and Main Streets, and from Marine Drive to Burrard
Inlet. The majority of less expensive rental suites are available to students in this part of Vancouver.
The Suburbs
These adjacent areas are not part of the City of Vancouver, but are part of Metro Vancouver.
Burnaby - East of Vancouver, consists of varied residential districts with some large shopping malls (such as
Metrotown), many shopping districts.
New Westminster - Southeast of Vancouver, an older city that has several newer, high density neighbourhoods of
houses and apartment buildings. An old ‘downtown’ shopping district.
Surrey, Delta - East and south of Vancouver, rapidly growing cities with varied residential districts, larger shopping
malls, warehouse shopping districts, and includes some pre-existing smaller communities and farming districts.
Richmond - South of Vancouver, rapidly growing city with large warehouse and mall shopping district, wide variety
of residential districts, many residents from Asia and stores specializing in East Asian products and services.
North & West Vancouver - Across Burrard Inlet, to the north of downtown Vancouver, primarily single family
homes and larger homes, residential shopping districts; most residents commute to work in other parts of Greater
Vancouver. West Vancouver has the highest income per capita in all of Canada.
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Community Centres
The best kept secrets in Vancouver are the programs offered by the local Community Centres (locally-sponsored
activity centres). Every season a new schedule describing sports, arts, personal development, and business related
courses and activities is published and distributed throughout the city. All of the activities are reasonably priced and
often less expensive than comparable offerings at private businesses. The following is a list of Vancouver’s
Community Centres. Take the time to visit the one located nearest to your residence.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Britannia
1661 Napier Street
604-718-5800
Roundhouse
181 Roundhouse Mews
604-713-1800
Douglas Park
801 W 22nd Avenue
604-257-8130
Carnegie Centre
401 Main Street
604-665-2220
Dunbar
4747 Dunbar Street
604-222-6060
Hastings
3096 E. Hastings
604-718-6222
Kensington
5175 Dumphries
604-718-8200
Kerrisdale
5851 W Boulevard
604-257-8100
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
p)
Killarney
6260 Killarney
604-718-8200
Kitsilano
2690 Larch
604-257-6976
Marpole-Oakridge
990 W 59th
604-257-8180
Mount Pleasant
3161 Ontario Street
604-713-1888
Renfrew Park
2929 E 22nd
604-257-8388
Riley Park
50 E 30th
604-257-8545
Strathcona
601 Keefer
604-713-1838
Sunset
404 E 51st
604-718-6505
q)
r)
s)
t)
u)
v)
w)
x)
Thunderbird
2311 Cassiar
604-713-1818
Trout Lake
3350 Victoria Drive
604-257-6955
West End
870 Denman
604-257-8333
West Point Grey
4397 W 2nd
604-257-8140
False Creek
1318 Cartwright
604-257-8195
Champlain Heights
3350 Maquinna
604-718-6575
Ray Cam
920 E. Hastings
604-257-6949
Coal Harbour
480 Broughton
604-718-8222
Parks
Vancouver has many parks, all with free access. Stanley Park is most famous and is located adjacent to downtown.
Queen Elizabeth Park is a 20 minute walk from Langara College and provides magnificent views of Vancouver and the
ocean, gardens and a conservatory of tropical plants (the latter has a fee).
Many city parks feature free access to the following
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walking paths,
bicycle paths,
sports fields,
playgrounds,
some tennis courts, and
beach parks and beach access.
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A small fee is required for access to the following
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some tennis courts,
pitch ‘n’ putt golf,
private & public sports environments (such as community centres and gyms), and
special features such as Stanley Park Aquarium and Van Dusen Botanical Garden.
Further Information
The City of Vancouver web site address is www.city.vancouver.bc.ca and provides additional information about
government services, policies, and departments. Another useful online source for information about businesses in
Vancouver and in other cities in British Columbia is www.mytelus.com.
Walking
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Pedestrians in Canada have right-of-way over cars, but there are definite limitations. For example, it is illegal to
enter or cross the road unless you are at a crosswalk or an intersection.
When sidewalks are provided, you are required to use them.
If no sidewalk is provided, walk on the left shoulder of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
When passing other pedestrians, whether on the road or in a mall, the majority of people will stay to the right, as
if driving a car. This is important to remember if you are in a crowded environment, or walking on a busy street.
Shopping, Currency and Purchase Taxes
þ All stores prefer that you pay for purchases using Canadian currency. Many businesses will take US dollars, but at
a cost to the shopper.
þ Almost all stores accept credit cards, or debit cards (Interac), and will have signs indicating
which cards are accepted.
þ Few stores accept personal cheques.
þ Paper bills are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1,000 dollars ($). Because of fear
of accepting counterfeit bills, many businesses will not accept $50 bills or higher.
þ
Coins are in denominations of
1¢
= penny
5¢
= nickel
10 ¢ = dime
25 ¢ = quarter
$1.00 = ‘loonie’
$2.00 = ‘toonie’
Purchase Taxes
A 5 per cent nation-wide tax called the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is added to almost all purchases. A further 7 per
cent provincial tax is added to most goods except for food. Advertised prices usually do not include these taxes.
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ACCOMMODATION
he following is a list of some of the accommodation options from which you can choose.
Homestay Program, International Education, Langara College
In order to more fully experience Canada and its friendly people, we encourage you to take advantage of the Homestay
Program by living with a carefully selected host family.
K Homestay has proven to be an excellent complement to classroom study. It gives you the chance to improve your
English and learn about Canadian culture through interaction with family members.
Advantages
You will
þ be welcomed into a local home by a family who can support and guide you throughout your stay.
þ have a furnished room (including a bed, study desk or table), and three meals a day.
þ have linen and towels, and access to some household facilities.
þ be able to ask your host family for information as you learn about Vancouver.
Considerations
þ You are expected to adhere to the household rules established by the host family.
þ As part of the family, you are expected to be courteous and respectful to family members.
þ You are expected to be independent and to take responsibility for yourself.
þ You will probably be asked to make your own breakfast and lunch, to clean your own room, and to help with
some household chores.
Costs
All costs are quoted in Canadian dollars and are current as of October 2006.
T
T
Placement Fee: $375.00
Monthly Fee to Host Family: $750.00 (Students must make a minimum two-month commitment to the
program and pay the first and last months' fees in advance.)
*If paying by wire transfer, $20 is charged for bank fees
K
Total to be paid to the College: $1,875.00
When considering other options for accommodation and meals in Vancouver, this is a reasonable rate.
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Application
T Contact Langara's Homestay Program to request a homestay application form.
T The form asks you to provide information about yourself and will be used to place you with a suitable family, so
please fill it out carefully.
T Return the form to the college along with your homestay fees.
T The program staff will then place you in homestay and send you information about your host family.
Contact
By mail:
Homestay Program
Langara College
100 West 49th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C.
CANADA V5Y 2Z6
By telephone
By fax
By E-mail
(604) 323-5696
(604) 323-5996
[email protected]
Further Information
If you have any questions, please feel welcome to call the number below or drop by the office for a visit. We are open
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Valerie Peters
Manager, International Education
Office A117
604-323-5696
Langara Students’ Union (LSU) Housing Service
The LSU maintains a bulletin board that advertises available accommodation. This referral service is intended to help
you in your search for appropriate accommodation.
Each advertisement includes the
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date the unit is available,
monthly rental fee,
number of bedrooms,
type of accommodation available,
type of amenities included,
restrictions such as no pets, no smoking, low noise, non drinking, etc.,
contact name and telephone number, and
date the unit was listed.
To arrange to view an apartment, which is normally done before arranging a lease, phone the contact and set up a
mutually convenient time to view the apartment.
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Cost
The cost for accommodation can vary greatly depending upon the type of accommodation and the location.
Rental Accommodation
If you are thinking about renting, there are a number of key issues to consider.
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Is the rental fee within your budget?
What is included in the rent (e.g. furnishings or utilities such as water and cable)?
How close is the unit to Langara?
How close is the unit to public transit?
Call TransLink at 604-953-3333 , and ask if the location is convenient for getting to Langara and how late
buses run between the two locations.
Types of Rental Accommodation
The following is a list of descriptions of different kinds of accommodation available in Vancouver.
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Apartment: private, self-contained unit, with kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom (most expensive option minimum $600/month)
Basement suite: lower part of a house, usually has kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom
Homestay: live with family who provides room, meals, and family interaction
Room & board: own room, meals provided by landlord, share washroom
Shared accommodation: sharing a house, apartment, or basement with other people. Everyone uses the same
kitchen and bathroom (usually the least expensive - minimum $300/month)
Suite in a house: a separate living area in a private home, usually has cooking facilities, washroom
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If a unit is unfurnished, then you must buy your own furniture.
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Advantages of renting apartments and houses
þ You can expect a private entrance.
þ You should expect to be self-sufficient, that is, you will only be in contact with the landlord (person you rent
from) to pay the rent or to request maintenance or repairs.
Rental Agreements
When renting an apartment, suite, or house, you are the tenant and the person who rents you the unit is your landlord.
A tenant usually has a written or verbal agreement with the landlord called a lease or tenancy
agreement. It is best if this agreement is in writing and it should include the following information:
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T Your name and the name of the landlord,
T Address of the place you want to rent,
The date the tenancy begins,
Amount of rent and when it is due, and
Amount of security deposit held by the landlord.
If it is not a month to month tenancy, the agreement should state the length of the agreement, such as six months or one
year. This agreement cannot be changed without the consent of both parties.
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Before renting an apartment, room, or suite, you should be sure that you understand the contract. Do not be afraid
to ask many questions. For example,
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Who will pay for the utilities such as water and heat?
Is cable TV included in the rent?
Will you pay a damage deposit, and if so how much?
Can you share the apartment with another person?
Will you share cooking facilities?
Who does the cleaning?
What access do you have to laundry facilities?
How is the unit heated?
Who will make repairs in the unit?
Can you have pets?
Is parking included?
Damage Deposit
Most tenants are asked to pay a security deposit in case the landlord loses money because you damage something, don't
pay the rent, or move out without notice. The deposit cannot be more than half of one month's rent. The
landlord cannot ask for extra deposit money for things like keys or telephone use. You are usually responsible for
cleaning the suite before you move out.
Giving Notice
When moving out, you must give one full month's notice to the landlord. This must usually be given in a letter to the
landlord on the day before the rent is normally paid. If proper notice is not given, you will probably lose your damage
deposit or will be asked to pay another month's rent.
Rent Increase
The landlord can only increase your rent once a year. He must give three months written notice before increasing the
rent.
Eviction
If a landlord wants to evict you, he must give you written notice of one, two, or six months, depending on the
circumstances. If you have not paid the rent, he can ask you to leave within ten days.
Costs
þ Vary depending on the district, type and size of apartment you require.
þ Renting an apartment by yourself can be relatively expensive if you are a student.
þ You will need a bank account so that you can either write cheques to your landlord or have your payments
withdrawn automatically from your account each month and transferred to your landlord’s account. The bank can
help you arrange these payments.
Sources for Helpful Information When Arranging a Rental
Please contact the following services for help if you decide to rent accommodation.
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Langara Housing - Refer to bulletin board in Students’ Union Building.
AMS Rentsline - Call off-campus housing information line at 604-714-4848 or check their website at
www.amsrentsline.com You will receive information about current rentals in Vancouver. Also check the bulletin
board in stairwell of UBC Student Union Building.
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Rent Board of Canada - A website that lets you search for apartments close to your school:
http://www.rentboard.ca/rentals/student-housing/
Newspapers - Classified ads in Vancouver Sun, Province, and small local newspapers
Private ads on bulletin boards - Bulletin boards in supermarkets, community centres, other public facilities.
Private ads staked on front lawns or attached to walls of rental buildings.
City maps.
Bus schedules at TransLink at 604-953-3333 or on their website at www.translink.bc.ca
Tenants Rights Information Line 604-255-0546 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm) or
the Tenancy Branch 604-660-3456 or visit their web site at www.rto.gov.bc.ca
Reading Newspaper Advertisements
Newspapers provide listings of available accommodation for rent. The following abbreviations are used to communicate
the specifics of the available accommodation in a minimum amount of newspaper space. Keep this reference handy
when you are reading the newspaper listings.
above grd: above ground
aft: after
amen: amenities (shopping, bus,
library)
appl(s): appliances
apt: apartment
appt: appointment
avail: available
bach: bachelor (one room only, no
bedroom)
balc: balcony
bath or bth: bathroom
Bby: Burnaby
bldg: building
blk(s): block(s)
br or bdrm: bedroom
bsmt: basement
cbl: cable (for television)
cond: condition
condo: condominium
cpl: couple
crnr: corner
d/w or d/washer: dishwasher
E. End: East end (east of Main
Street in Vancouver)
elev: elevator
eve: evenings
exc or exce: excellent
fl, flor, or flr: floor
f/p or fp: fireplace
fr or frm: from
f/s or fs: refrigerator & stove
furn or furn'd: furnished (with
furniture)
gar: garage
garb: garborator
grd lev: ground level
hse: house
ht: heat
h/w. hw, or h/wtr: hot water
h/w flr or hrdwdflr: hard wood
floors (wooden floors, no
carpeting)
immac: immaculate (very good
condition)
immed: immediately
incl(s): including, included
indr: indoor
in-ste: in-suite (in the suite)
kitch: kitchen
ldry or lndry: laundry
lrg or lg: large
liv rm: living room
lse: lease
lt: light
lv msg: leave message
mo or mth: month
mgr: manager
mtn: mountain
n/d: no drinking
n/pet(s) or np: no pets
n/s or ns: non-smoking
nr: near
outdr: outdoor
park, pkg, prkg, or prkng: parking
penthse: penthouse (top
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apartment)
pref: preferred
reas: reasonable
rec fac: recreational facilities
refs reqd: references required
reno'd or renov'd: rennovated
rm: room
s/c: self-contained suite (with
kitchen & washroom)
sec parking: secure parking
(locked parking area)
s/f or sf: square feet (size of
apartment)
sgl or sngl: single
shrd or shr'd: shared (shared
with other people)
spac: spacious
spect: spectacular
ste: suite
strg: storage area
u/g prkng: underground parking
unfurn: unfurnished (without
furniture)
util(s): utilities (gas, heat,
water, etc.)
Vanc or Vancr: Vancouver
w/d: washer and dryer
W. end: West end (west side of
downtown Vancouver)
wknds: weekends
wrkg people: working people
w/view: with view
w/w: wall to wall carpeting
Sharing a House, Apartment, or Suite
The primary renter or owner agrees to rent a room to you.
The person renting to you will expect that you adhere to a certain set of informal rules. Rules are established for
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sharing specific space (such as a bathroom and kitchen),
sharing appliances,
sharing meals, or setting a meal schedule,
telephone privileges,
limitations for live-in relationships, and
other issues relevant to your situation.
The experience from one house to another can vary due to who you live with and how well you all get along together.
Advantages
T This can be an affordable approach to accommodation.
T You will have companionship.
T You may have access to more appliances, space, and services than you might if you lived alone.
Considerations
A student that lives in shared accommodation is not considered to be a tenant and is not protected by the Tenancy Laws.
A student who is not a tenant and has a serious problem with their landlord can receive free help by calling the UBC
Law Clinic at 604-822-5791.
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You are accountable to the people with whom you live.
The established rules will change.
The lifestyles and personalities of your roommates should be agreeable to you.
Your privacy is more limited than if you live alone.
How to arrange
þ The contract is between you and the person who owns or rents the house.
þ Ensure that ‘sub-letting’ (when a renter is renting to you) is acceptable to the landlord.
Costs
K Can vary greatly.
Additional Legal Issues
þ Each Homestay or rental unit may indicate specific restrictions. It is extremely important that you understand a
restriction such as “no smoking” means that you cannot, under any circumstances, allow anyone to smoke on the
premises. Such restrictions are often directly related to insurance issues, and, if not upheld, can be reason for your
contract to be terminated.
þ Some restrictions might not be stated, but assumed, based on ‘common sense’. For example, your neighbours and
your landlord will usually prefer that your residence be quiet and clean. It is acceptable for the landlord or
neighbours to contact you to ask you to change a behaviour, such as turning down your music. In return, it is
acceptable for you to expect a certain level of behaviour of other residents, and of your landlord.
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Telephone
You have access to two main types of telephones - cellular and landline..
Cellular Phones
þ Buy, lease, or rent the phone by the month.
þ There is a wide variety of service packages including paying a fee per month and/or a charge per minute of use.
There are a wide array of companies to choose from for purchasing telephones and a growing list of companies that offer
cellular service. For further information look in the Yellow Pages phone book under ‘Cellular Telephones’.
Consideration
þ If you lease, you may be unable to discontinue the contract until the lease has expired.
þ All calling time is accounted and each service provider offers different price packages. For example, one company
may charge you a higher rate for calls during the day on weekdays while on weekends and evenings a certain
amount of calling time is paid for by your monthly fee. This fee does not cover long distance calls.
þ Long distance fees can be more expensive than on landlines.
Landline Phones
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Buy or rent a telephone from Telus. You are required to provide a major credit card, or $200
cash, if this is your first application to Telus. For more information phone Telus at 1-888-8112323 (toll free) or access their web site at www.telus.com
þ Pay an installation fee to activate the telephone line and set up a telephone number that is
unique for you.
þ Pay a monthly fee for the service.
þ ‘ Local’ phone calls are included in this fee (you will not pay extra to make a local call).
‘Local’ phone calls are those calls made to areas which are considered close to where you are calling from. At the
front of your White Pages telephone book (described on the next page) is a section describing ‘Local Calling’ and
lists all of the areas to which you are able to call without having to pay extra fees.
Fees for long distance calls are calculated by the minute; rates vary according to your delivery company, and are
dependent upon where you are calling, the day, and time of day.
Contact Telus, Bell, Sprint, AT&T or other competitors for rate information. Each will provide different long
distance rate packages. Assess each to determine which one will best serve your needs for the best price.
Service Changes
If you need to discontinue your service, or if you move, contact the telephone company and they will disconnect
the line. At this time, you can request that your account be transferred to your new residence.
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If you are moving within the city, request that you be able to keep your telephone number. This is often possible,
at no extra charge.
To call long distance by landline or cell phone
Within British Columbia, Canada or the USA
þ Dial "1", then the three digit area code, and then the telephone number
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Beyond Canada and the USA
þ Refer to the front section of the White Pages telephone book for information about how to call long distance to
different parts of the world, how to find phone numbers for people not in the phone book, or in areas not listed in
this book, and to find a list of area codes and country codes.
Prepaid Phone Cards
These cards can be purchased at any corner or convenience store. They allow you to pay ahead for your long distance
telephone calls and are of particular benefit if you do not have your own telephone line.
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Phone Cards are also a cost effective option for making long distance calls on pay phones.
Pay Phones
These are public telephones that are distributed throughout the city, usually near gas stations, busy streets, or in public
buildings.
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Local calls are 25¢ each.
Long distance calls, paid by coins, can be quite expensive. It is cheaper to use a phone card or a calling card.
White Pages
Most landline telephone numbers are listed alphabetically in a local phone book called the White Pages.
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Some people choose to keep their phone numbers unlisted - they do not appear in the telephone book and the
telephone number is not released by the telephone operator.
When arranging landline telephone service, you may request that your name and telephone number not be listed in
the telephone book. There may be a fee for this service.
Yellow Pages
Business telephone numbers may be listed in a second book called the Yellow Pages and are arranged
by business type. For example, you can look for separate listings of restaurants or taxis.
Blue Pages
Government (federal, provincial, and city) offices are listed in a section called the Blue Pages, located at the end of the
White Pages book.
Emergencies
Dial 911 in the event of any emergency. You will be directly linked to police, ambulance, and/or fire attendants.
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Utilities
In addition to arranging for a telephone in your residence, you will likely have to arrange for additional utilities. The
following provides an introduction to those utilities and how to contact them.
Hydro
In many cases, rent does not include electricity (termed ‘Hydro’). Prior to moving into your new home, you should
apply for service.
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To have the power turned on in your home, phone the BC Hydro automated telephone service at 604-224-9376,
or you can submit an application for service at www.bchydro.bc.ca/services/applymodify
The monthly cost is based on the amount of electricity you use, and you are charged a rate for every Kilowatt hour
you used.
Before you move from this location, ensure you contact BC Hydro, identify your last day of residence, and request
that the service at this location be discontinued. At this time, you can also request that your account be transferred
to your new residence.
Natural Gas
Some rental units use natural gas for a fireplace, heat, or stove.
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To have the gas service turned on, contact the Terasen Customer Center at 1-800-224-2710.
The monthly cost is based on the amount of gas you use.
Before you move from this location, ensure you contact Terasen, identify your last day of residence, and request
that the service at this location be discontinued. At this time, you can request that your account be transferred to
your new residence.
Television
Two or three tv channels can be picked up free of charge in Vancouver, but you have access to more
television channels if you subscribe to a cable TV provider. In Vancouver, Shaw cable provides access
to a variety of television stations, available in many combinations, each with different costs.
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Your service can include Canadian and American television stations, specialty stations such as multicultural, sports
or arts channels, and movie channels.
Fees vary, depending on the services you choose.
Contact Shaw Cable at 604-629-8888 or visit their web site at www.shaw.ca/products_services/cable/index.html
In addition, some channels offer programming in other languages.
Installation Fee
Each time you move into a new residence, you are required to re-activate your cable service. Shaw Cable charges an
installation fee each time the service is activated.
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If a cable line is already installed in your home, you will be charged to activate your account.
If a cable line is not installed, you are to pay for installation and registration of the service in your name..
If you move from a location, ensure you contact Shaw Cable, identify your last day of residence, and request that
the service at this location be discontinued. At that time, you can request that your account be transferred to your
new residence.
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KFurther information is provided in the section titled Local and World Information and Entertainment. For information
regarding these and other services, stations, and fees, and to make an application for service, phone 604-629-8888 or
visit their web site at www.shaw.ca/products_services/cable/index.html
Legal Issues
If you arrange for any services to be delivered to your home, you are responsible for paying the
resulting bills, in full. If, at any time, you have difficulty paying your bills, be certain to contact the
appropriate company to enquire about alternative payment options.
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If you move and do not discontinue your service, you are still responsible for paying the resulting bills, even though
you are not living in the residence.
If you move and do not pay for services that you have used already, you will encounter difficulty arranging the
delivery of other services in future residences, your credit rating will be affected, and you may not be considered as
a renter by potential landlords.
TRANSPORTATION
n Vancouver, it is possible to travel without a vehicle by using Public Transit. This section provides
detailed information about public transit and renting, and owning, a car.
TransLink
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TransLink is the only public transit service in Vancouver.
It is a scheduled service of transportation on pre-determined routes.
Services include
þ buses that travel city streets and rural roads,
þ an elevated subway train, termed ‘Skytrain,’ that travels between downtown Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby,
New Westminister, Coquitlam and North Surrey, and
þ commuter boats, termed ‘sea buses,’ that travel between downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver.
The fees paid for using these services are the same, and you can transfer from one form of transportation to another as
long as the appropriate fare has been paid.
How to Use TransLink
þ Determine where you want to go; when you need to be there; and from where you are departing.
þ With a pen and paper at hand, call TransLink at 604-953-3333 or access their web site at www.translink.bc.ca,
provide the above information, and ask for help with the following questions.
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Where to go to wait for the bus?
What time to be there?
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Will a transfer to another bus, boat, or train be needed?
How much will it cost?
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All of these forms of transportation are scheduled, therefore you must always be on time, or wait until the next
vehicle arrives at the stop.
Buses are sometimes late arriving for various reasons, often beyond the control of drivers.
If you want to know when the next bus is coming, text the 5-digit bus stop number to 33333. You will get a reply
that will tell you when the next bus will arrive at your stop.
Not all buses stop at every bus stop and drivers do not necessarily announce all stops. It is acceptable for you to ask
a driver to announce the specific stop you require.
To indicate to a bus driver that you want to get off at a coming stop, you must pull the overhead cable (above the
windows on the wall) prior to the stop, and move towards the door. When the bus stops, you must step down on
the first step to activate the automatic opening of the door. Some doors have to be pushed before they will open.
Skytrain stops automatically at all stations, and doors open and close automatically. Note: you have a limited
amount of time to enter or leave the train at each station.
If you miss your stop, do not panic; bus stops in the city are usually only a block or two apart.
Riding public transit is an excellent way to get acquainted with your new home. If you feel adventurous, take a bus
to see the city. Enquire at TransLink before you leave, and ensure that you will be able to return on your departure
bus. Most bus routes are operational for the whole day.
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Cost
þAs an Arts & Science or Career Program student, you have access to the U-Pass (included in your tuition) which
allows you unlimited access to all transit.
þ If you are a Continuing Studies student and you use the bus as your primary mode of transportation, a monthly
transit pass, termed a ‘Fare Card,’ is the least expensive format.
þ Fare Cards should be purchased within the last 5 and the first 5 working days of each month and are available at
many convenience stores and lottery ticket booths. Information detailing their prices is available from TransLink.
þ Fare Cards & U-Passes must be shown, or transit fares paid, when you board a transit vehicle at the beginning of
your trip.
þ TransLink authorities do ‘spot checks’ on Skytrain. They will ride the service and can arbitrarily
decide to ask you to show your tickets or passes. If you do not have the correct transfer or fare
card, you will have to pay a fine.
þ Metro Vancouver is divided into 3 transit zones. Fares are as follows
T Weekdays before 6:30 pm
$2.50 within one zone
$3.75 across two zones
$5.00 across three zones
T Weekdays after 6:30pm and all day Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays
$2.50 to travel all three zones
(contact TransLink for descriptions of the geographical zones)
þ You are required to pay the exact amount and you do so by dropping your coins into the box beside the driver.
Drivers do not carry change.
þ TransLink will provide notice before they change the fares.
þ Automatic ticket machines are available at Skytrain and Seabus stations.
þ Your fee covers 90 minutes of transportation in any direction.
þ Ask the driver for a 1, 2, or 3 zone ‘transfer’. If you get onto another bus just show the transfer to the driver. The
driver will check the time and date to ensure that it is still valid.
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Car
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Cars can be rented or purchased in British Columbia.
Rentals
To rent a car or truck you will need to provide a driver’s license and a credit card, and be prepared to pay for insurance,
in addition to the basic fee for rental of the car. In some cases you will also have to pay a fee for each kilometre you drive.
Car or truck rentals are useful for very short periods if you do not have a car and wish to travel outside the city.
Truck rentals are also useful if you must move from one residence to another and have a lot of furniture.
Rental Companies
The following is a sample of the companies that rent cars. You can find more listed in the Yellow Pages phone book
under ‘Automobile Renting’.
Budget Car and Truck Rental
Discount
Hertz
Avis
604-668-7000
1-800-263-2355
604-606-4711
604-736-5583
Purchasing a Car
Owning a car in Canada can be costly. If you are considering buying a car, you will need to budget
for
T required insurance,
T gas,
T maintenance, and
T parking.
Cars can be purchased outright, or with a loan, both new and used.
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New cars are available from dealers, and costs start at approximately $15,000.00
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Businesses selling new cars are listed in the Yellow Pages phone book under ‘Automobile Dealers - New
Cars.’
Used cars are available from both automobile dealers and individuals.
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Businesses selling used cars are listed in the Yellow Pages phone book under ‘Automobile Dealers - Used
Cars.’
Costs vary depending on age, physical state, and type of vehicle.
Generally, more affordable than new cars.
Not necessarily as dependable as new cars.
Seek out advice from someone who knows cars, and have the car you select checked by a reputable mechanic
(a fee is associated with this) to ensure that it is safe to drive, dependable, and will pass the pollution control
test called ‘Air Care’.
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Have a ‘lien check’ done by a Driver Services Centre. This will determine if the car was used to secure a loan,
and if so, may not belong to you even if you were to buy it.
T Call the Vehicle Damage History and Ownership Searches Department of ICBC at 604-661-2233 for further
information regarding a car’s history.
T Do not pay for the car until the mechanic review and the lien check are complete.
T The seller must have a vehicle registration document that shows that they are the owner, and a document of
sale.
Process
Once you have purchased a car, you need to take the registration papers to a local Insurance Corporation of British
Columbia (ICBC) Driver Services Centre where the car will be registered in your name. When this is complete, you will
need to arrange for insurance and a license plate.
Insurance
Purchasing insurance for your car is compulsory in British Columbia - you are not allowed to drive your car without it
being insured. Insurance normally starts around $1,000.00 per year and can be higher.
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Prior to purchasing the insurance you must pay $23.00 (1991 and older vehicles) or $45 (1992 and newer vehicles)
to have the vehicle Air Care inspected at an Air Care inspection station. You will not be allowed to purchase
insurance until your vehicle has passed the inspection. If your car fails, you will need to have repairs made to the car
and then try the test again. Call Air Care at 604-930-5633 for more information.
A local Autoplan insurance agent will arrange one year of vehicle insurance, and will issue you a license plate. Call
ICBC at 604-661-2800 for further information regarding Autoplan insurance.
Driver’s License
If you decide you want to drive, you must have a driver’s license - it is illegal to drive without one. To get one, you will
need to apply at an ICBC Driver Services Centre. Phone 1-800-950-1498 for more information or visit ICBC’s web site
at www.icbc.bc.ca
B.C. follows a graduated licensing program. For new drivers, it generally takes two years to get your
full-privilege license. See www.icbc.bc.ca/licensing/index.html for further details.
Driving School
If you decide to apply for a driver’s license you should seek out driving instruction. You will not
necessarily learn how to operate a vehicle, but you will become familiar with BC’s traffic regulations.
Driving schools are listed under ‘Driving Instruction’ in the Yellow Pages.
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Young Drivers of Canada is a nation-wide school. It can be contacted at 604-263-1655 in Kerrisdale, or 604-7390329 in Kitsilano.
Accidents and Tickets
If you are in an accident in BC, you will be covered by insurance, except for the level of your deductible. The deductible
amount quoted to you when you purchase your insurance is the amount of damages you will have to pay if you are in an
accident, usually between $100.00 and $500.00
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You can be ticketed (fined) and even jailed for breaking traffic laws.
If you are fined, it is not covered by insurance. You will have to pay the fine directly.
Police officers issue fines and tickets, but payment is made at police detachments. Bribing is illegal in Canada. It is
an imprisionable offence.
Drinking alcohol and then driving a vehicle is also illegal in Canada, and described further in the section on Alcohol.
SHOPPING & DINING
ou will find that different communities in Vancouver cater to different shopping needs. Some
communities have concentrations of a specific type of ethnic market, others have expensive clothing and
restaurants, and yet others have quality used goods. Garage sales are held at peoples’ homes throughout
the city. The shops and sales are as diverse as local residents and their tastes.
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Supermarkets - largest variety of foods, distributed throughout a city and in all towns with more than a few
thousand people. You can likely meet most of your grocery shopping needs at these stores.
Corner and Convenience stores - small family-owned businesses or national chains located on street corners.
Relatively expensive, but convenient.
Bulk & Discount stores - least expensive shopping alternative, but a membership fee may be required. Shoppers are
required to buy large quantities of individual items.
Some supermarkets or grocery stores located in or near Vancouver are:
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Marketplace IGA
Safeway
Save On Foods
The Real Canadian Superstore
Shopping: Districts, Malls, and Centers
The following are descriptions of popular shopping districts, malls and centres located in or near Vancouver.
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Take a walk along Main, Fraser, or Broadway and you will find a wide array of shopping and restaurants.
A 15 minute walk north-west of the college will take you to Oakridge Centre, an indoor mall at the corner of 41st
Avenue and Cambie Street.
Take a bus heading north on Cambie and you can get off to shop at City Square Mall, located at the corner of
Cambie Street and 12th Avenue, or continue riding into the downtown shopping district.
In the downtown core of Vancouver more expensive shopping and restaurants are located on, or near, Granville,
Robson, Denman, and Davie, and between Robson, Richards, and Burrard streets, and Burrard Inlet.
The ‘49' bus will pick you up in front of the college, drive east, and drop you off at Metrotown mall in Burnaby.
There are hundreds of stores in this complex.
A 15 minute drive west will take you to the shopping district of Kerrisdale, located on 41st Avenue, starting
approximately 5 blocks west of Granville Street.
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Markets & Restaurants
Throughout Vancouver there are districts with concentrations of certain types of ethnic markets and
restaurants. In addition, specialty markets and restaurants are sprinkled throughout the city. Markets can
be found in the Yellow Pages under ‘Grocers - Retail,’ ‘Produce - Retail,’ ‘Fruit & Vegetables - Retail,’
‘Restaurants,’ ‘Chinese Food,’ ‘Japanese Food,’ and ‘East Indian Food.’ Restaurants are also listed by
cuisine specialty at the end of the ‘Restaurants’ section in the Yellow Pages. The following is a list of
areas where specialty businesses are located.
Chinese
On the downtown east side of Vancouver (Main and Pender streets) there are many Chinese grocers, fruit and vegetable
markets, restaurants, appliance stores, and Chinese herbal medicine businesses.
Japanese
Located north-east of the Chinese markets (at Powell and East Hastings Streets) is a smaller group of Japanese grocers
and produce markets. In addition, there are a few grocers located in other areas of the city and many restaurants that
specialize in sushi. Some Safeway stores (large supermarkets) carry limited sushi making supplies.
Indian
Two blocks from Langara College, on Main Street, there is a diverse collection of markets, restaurants, clothing stores
and hardware stores that specialize in Indian products. In addition, Indian restaurants can be found throughout
Vancouver.
Gratuities in Restaurants
Across Canada, it is normal to leave a gratuity or ‘tip,’ at the end of a meal, for the person who serves you in a
restaurant.
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Tips are normally calculated at 10% to 15% of the total bill. An appropriate way to calculate a tip is to double the
Goods and Services Tax (GST) which is 5%.
Tipping is intended to be a supplement for people working in hospitality positions because they are usually earning
minimum wage. It is also a way to indicate that you are pleased with the service you received.
You do not need to tip when you are in a fast food restaurant.
Fruit and Vegetables
Throughout the city, many independent businesses sell fresh produce. A number are located near Langara College on
Main Street, Fraser Street, and Victoria Drive.
Garage Sales and Used Goods
Are you looking for a winter coat? Perhaps a lamp for your room? Stores that sell used goods, and garage sales, provide
economical and fun alternatives for buying items that you might not otherwise be able to afford.
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Garage sales occur throughout the year and are advertised in local and community newspapers, and by handmade
signs that are posted near garage sale locations.
Used clothing and housewares are also sold from stores. For more information look in the Yellow Pages phonebook
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under ‘Clothing & Accessories - Consignment & Resale’, or ‘Secondhand Dealers.’
Some secondhand stores located in or near Vancouver are:
T Salvation Army Thrift Store
T Value Village
MEDICAL INSURANCE
o matter where you go in the world, you can experience illness or injury at any time.
In British Columbia, health care focuses on prevention and early detection of illness. You should seek
care before you are in a crisis or emergency health situation. Insurance ensures that a majority of your
health-related expenses are covered.
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Having an appropriate level of medical insurance coverage is the law for everyone living in British Columbia.
Upon arrival in Vancouver, you must make an application to the Medical Services Plan (MSP) for coverage.
New residents who are applying for MSP will be subject to a 90 day waiting period.
You must arrange for private medical insurance for this 90 day waiting period. Langara College has a group medical
insurance plan for international students through Axis Insurance at 107-1965 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver.
Telephone 604-685-4288. You can register on-line at www.studentsure.com; or download the application and fax
to 604-685-4287, or email the answers to the questions on the application to [email protected]. Payment
must be made by credit card.
With private insurance, you must pay for medical services as you receive them. You will then be reimbursed by the
insurance company.
Recommendation: Apply for MSP as soon as your arrive in Vancouver.
If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for paying the entire cost of all medical attention you receive. This
includes consultations with health care providers (Doctors, Nurses, and specialists), hospital visits, emergency attention,
ambulance services, health unit visits, and any other health related service you may require.
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One day in a hospital can cost as much as $5,000.00.
You will not be allowed to register at Langara unless you have up-to-date medical insurance coverage.
MSP Insurance
This is the least expensive form of medical coverage available.
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Cost - $54.00 per month for a single applicant.
Available to you if you have a valid Study Permit issued for six or more months.
MSP will cover
T hospitalization, and
T most physicians’ services and referrals.
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It does not cover
T prescription medication
T eyeglasses, and
T dental care.
To arrange for insurance for these services you will need 'extended health' medical insurance with a private insurer.
Dental insurance is highly recommended. Dental accidents and decaying teeth can be extremely painful, hard on selfesteem and expensive. Don't allow dental troubles to interfere with your schooling - ensure you get appropriate medical
attention when necessary.
Note: the LSU Health & Dental Plan is extended medical insurance for full-time students in Arts &
Science or Career Programs at Langara in the Fall Semester. Go to www.ihaveaplan.ca for
more information.
To Register with MSP
Obtain an application form from the International Education Office, or print a copy from their web
site at http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/
Fill out the application form and send the application, and a photocopy of your Study Permit, to
Medical Services Plan
PO Box 9035 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 9E3
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Maintain your monthly payments. If you miss a payment, contact the Ministry of Health immediately to arrange
for payment and continuance of your insurance.
If you get behind in your MSP payments, any payments you make will be used to pay the months you were not
covered.
If you do not pay your monthly fee, you do not have insurance.
Care Card
If you are registered with MSP, you will receive a ‘British Columbia Care Card’ in the mail.
þ A Care Card is embossed with your registration number. The registration number is used to determine the status of
your insurance.
º Your Care Card will show an expiry date the same as your Study Permit. Each time you receive a new Study
Permit, you will need to extend your MSP coverage.
þ Carry your Care Card at all times. It must be presented to health care officials at the time that you are receiving care.
Evacuation Insurance
If you are sick and desire, or require, medical service in your home country, you are going to need a means of
transportation. Evacuation Insurance provides the financial support to make that travel possible.
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Please see the International Education Department for more information.
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MEDICAL ATTENTION
ake some time to become acquainted with the health care system in British Columbia before you are in need
of health care services. This section will help you get started.
Langara College Health Services
Langara College Health Services is located on Langara College campus (Room B101) and provides
confidential health care service to students attending the college.
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You have access to a
þ doctor,
þ community health nurse,
first aid attendant,
psychologist, and
psychiatrist.
Further information is provided later in this guide, in the section titled College Services, under Health Services.
Health Units
Health Units are local centres for health-related services. Each of the Health Units in Vancouver provides
an array of different services. For example, the Travel Clinic provides immunization services, prenatal
classes, and health support and guidance for parents and children. Call the health unit closest to your
residence and ask for information regarding the services they offer. The following is a list of the health
units in Vancouver.
Three Bridges Health Unit
1292 Hornby Street
604-736-9844
Downtown Community Health Clinic
569 Powell Street
604-255-3151
Evergreen Health Unit
2610 Victoria Drive
604-872-2511
North Community Health Unit
#200 - 1651 Commercial Drive
604-253-3575
South Community Health Unit
6405 Knight Street
604-321-6151
Health Clinics
In most cases, your need for health care will not be in an emergency situation.
þ To visit a doctor in a non-emergency situation, and while off campus, please look in the Yellow Pages under
‘Clinics’ and phone a clinic that is located near your residence.
þ Doctors in B.C. can refer you to chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapy practitioners, dental surgeons,
naturopaths, optometrists, and podiatrists. The cost for these services may not be covered by MSP.
Should you desire to arrange continuous care with one physician, feel welcome to ask for a referral from College Health
Services or from a local health unit.
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In the event of a serious diagnosis, you are welcome to seek a second opinion from another doctor.
Although it may be preferable to develop a relationship with one doctor, you are not obliged to do so. You can go
to a new doctor if you are not happy with your present one.
Hospitals
If you are in an accident or other emergency situation, you will be taken, if you cannot take yourself, to a
hospital for immediate attention. When appropriate, a health care official will clarify which services are
covered by your insurance, and which are not. For example, MSP will pay for a stay in hospital, but not
necessarily for a private room.
As a result of consultation with a doctor and specialist, you may also be admitted to the hospital in non-emergency
situations for care and/or surgery. A health care official will clarify which services are covered by your insurance, and
which are not.
Dental Services
There are many dentists listed in the Yellow Pages phone book.
If you do not have adequate extended health insurance, and hope to save some money, you may be able to
use the service provided by students of Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia. Please
call the clinic at 604-822-2112 to arrange for an appointment.
All work is supervised by trained professionals.
Prescriptions
Should your doctor issue you a prescription,
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þ take it to a community pharmacy,
þ ensure that you receive clear instructions detailing how to administer your prescription, and
if you do not understand, ask to have it explained to you again. Doctors and pharmacists are concerned that
you understand their instructions and prefer that you request clarification than mis-administer a prescription.
It is important to both your short-term and long-term health, that you follow the instructions of your doctor. It is helpful to write
the instructions down.
Drug abuse can occur with prescription drugs. It is illegal for a doctor to issue a prescription for a drug if it is not for a medical
reason.
Should you fear that you've developed a drug dependency, seek medical attention immediately.
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SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS
o matter where you travel or live, your age, or your intelligence, you are wise to avoid situations that
could bring you into contact with sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s).
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While some STD's are easily diagnosed and cured with prescription drugs, others require extensive attention and
can greatly affect your lifestyle. AIDS is a lethal and incurable viral disease.
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It is difficult to be certain that sexual partners are free from disease, therefore, it is wise to take precautions to
prevent contracting such diseases.
The following are some of the more common diseases that can be contracted during sex. There are others.
Herpes - Virus (No Cure)
Gonorrhea - bacterium
Syphilis - bacterium
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIDS is caused by a virus, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
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The symptoms of AIDS may not show for years after infection with HIV.
Infection can be through
T contact with bodily fluids of a carrier,
T sex , or
T sharing of intravenous needles.
HIV can also be acquired through infected blood. Any blood received from a
doctor in Canada will have been checked to ensure it does not contain HIV.
Contraceptives
Birth Control Pills
There are a variety of birth control pills for women. Proper use of pills greatly decreases chances of pregnancy, but
provides no protection from STD's.
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Access to birth control pills requires a confidential prescription from a doctor.
Condoms
Condoms can provide protection from pregnancy and STD's when used by men.
þ Available in drugstores and large grocery stores.
Diaphragms, Intra-uterine devices (IUD's)
When used properly, IUD’s, and diaphragms provide a high degree of protection from pregnancy. They do not protect
against STD's.
þ Women must visit their doctor for proper instruction and fitting.
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Abortions
In Canada, abortions are legal when conducted by a registered physician in the very early weeks of pregnancy.
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Confidentially arranged between you and your doctor.
Be aware that there is mixed social acceptance of the act of abortion. It is important that you consider your privacy
when discussing this issue with anyone other than your physician. In Canada, the issue of abortion is contentious,
both supported and condemned openly outside abortion clinics and in the media.
Counselling is available and you are advised to consider all options available to you. Your local Health Unit is a
source for advice.
BANKING/MANAGING MONEY
ou are now responsible for your finances. Take some time and read through this section carefully. Make
a plan to incorporate banking and budgeting into your daily lifestyle.
Bank Accounts
Upon arrival in Canada, you will have arranged your banking with a Canadian Bank or credit institution.
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Keeping your money in an account is the safest way to ensure that you are the only person with access to it.
If you are depositing a foreign bank draft, expect a 10 business day delay before you have access to the funds.
In the interim, travelers cheques are a safe and easy way to buy things.
Travelers cheques can be cashed in most stores, restaurants and all banks and credit unions.
Avoid carrying large sums of money at any time.
Types of Bank Accounts
Chequing Account
You are able to write cheques and therefore pay bills directly from the account.
Savings Account
Earns a higher interest rate on money that is kept in the bank.
K
Each financial institution provides different services. Please ask at a number of institutions about the services they
offer, how the services work, and the fees they charge.
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Opening A Bank Account
To arrange an account, go to one of the financial institutions listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Banks’ or
‘Credit Unions’. Select one that is close to Langara College or to your home.
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Speak to someone at the customer service counter and they will help you set up an account.
If you wish to have a debit card (also called an ‘Interac Card’) and/or a credit card, you can apply for them at this
time.
Interac Card
A bank or Interac card provides you with direct access to the cash in your account at any time. The card can be used to
withdraw money using an automated banking machine, or to pay directly for items at the cash register of most stores and
restaurants.
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To use your Interac card, you will need to enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) into a keypad issued by a
banking institution. You PIN allows only YOU to use your card. Memorize your PIN and tell it to no one.
Credit Card
Use of Credit Cards is not recommended, and applications made by students for credit cards are not always accepted by
financial institutions.
Advantage
A credit card is useful in a financial emergency.
Considerations
A credit card allows you to spend money that you may not personally have. It is a quick way to incur debt.
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You are responsible for paying the balance owing on your credit card.
You are charged high rates of interest on the balance owing if you do not repay the expenses incurred, in full, each
month.
Should you decide that you want to be responsible for a credit card please consider the following.
þ Evaluate a number of different credit card companies and their services. Some charge annual user fees. Each
company charges different interest fees and provides different services.
þ Plan to closely track your spending. It is extremely wise to only spend as much as you can afford to pay back within
one month.
Account Balance
For a service fee, banks will provide you with a monthly account balance.
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Take time to review your account activity each month.
Ensure that you've maintained your budget.
If you have not maintained your budget, assess how you will accommodate your over spending by limiting your
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spending in the coming month.
Ensure that you can account for all transactions in your account. If not, please talk with someone at the bank.
Errors can be accidentally made by bank staff and it is your responsibility to ensure they are corrected.
Illegal activity rarely occurs, but it can.
Budgeting
As a student, your financial needs will change from one year to the next, from one semester to the next, and from one
month to the next. Budgeting your expenses will ensure that you are able to cover all of your basic needs and help you
identify the amount of money available to you for entertainment and additional unexpected expenses.
The following lists items for which you will likely need to budget. Remember to include any additional items, specific to
your personal needs and lifestyle, that are not included here.
BUDGET PLAN
Expenses
Per Month
Per Semester
Tuition
Books
Stationary
Student Union Fees
Club Fees
Rent
Furniture and Electronics
Telephone
Heat
Water
Electrical Power
Cable T.V. Service
Internet Service Provider
Groceries
Restaurants/Fast Food
Medical Insurance
MSP
Extended Health
Pharmacy
Public Transportation
Car
Insurance
Gas
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Per Year
Expenses
Per Month
Per Semester
Oil
Maintenance
Parking
Outdoor Wear
Indoor Wear
Shoes
Entertainment and Recreation
Intramurals
Locker and Towel Service
Theatre
Cinema
Music
Miscellaneous
Study Permits
Work Permits
Banking Fees
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Per Year
LOCAL AND WORLD INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
anada is a leading country in the field of communication. The following is an introduction to the types of
media and entertainment available to you.
Magazines and Newspapers
In addition to the expected local, national, and international papers and magazines that are available, there are also many
newspapers and magazines produced by, and for, Vancouver’s ethnic communities, foreign language speakers and
interest groups. The following is a list of some of the major ethnic newspapers available in Vancouver.
Chinese
Sing Tao Vancouver Edition, daily
Ming Pao, daily
World Journal, daily, local news, international news
Japanese
Canada Japan Journal
Vancouver Shinpo, weekly
Korean
Korean Canadian News
Korean Sunday News
Vancouver Korean Press
South Asian, Fijian, Indian, Pakistani, Punjabi
Akal Guardian, weekly
Asian Pacific Post Newspaper
Awaaz, Punjabi weekly
local news including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Fiji
Chardhi Kala, weekly
The Link, English weekly
Indo Canadian Times, weekly
Indo-Canadian Voice, English weekly
local news including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Fiji
Mehfil, every 2 months
Punjab Times, weekly
Southeast Asia Post, twice a month
The Voice, Magazine, every 2 months
For additional information you can consult the Yellow Pages telephone book under Magazines - Dealers, Magazines Publishers, and Newspapers.
There are 2 local English daily newspapers: The Vancouver Sun, and The Province. There are also 2 national daily
papers: The Globe and Mail, and the National Post. There are also numerous community-based papers, such as The
Georgia Straight and The Courier, which are delivered to certain neighbourhoods, free of charge.
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Sources
You can
þ log onto free Internet access at Langara College, and at Vancouver Public Libraries, where you can read daily and
weekly papers, from around the world, which can be found at the two following web sites
http://www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca/
www.newslink.org
þ read current and past, local, national and international newspapers and magazines at the Langara Library or at a
Vancouver Public Library on a daily basis,
þ purchase newspapers at street vending machines,
þ purchase newspapers and magazines at newsstands (some carry foreign papers), bookstores, convenience, corner,
and grocery stores, or
þ arrange for delivery of either at your residence by contacting the publisher.
The first two options are the least expensive.
Consideration
þ If you prefer to purchase your newspapers and magazines, please recycle.
þ Many community governments have implemented recycling services so that such items are not treated as trash.
News Dealers in Vancouver
In addition to the grocers and corner stores located in the specialty districts, such as Chinatown, and along Main Street,
international news can be found at the following locations.
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International Newspaper and Video Club, 4453 West 10th, 604-222-8333
Mayfair News, 1535 West Broadway, 604-738-8951
Television Service
For many people, television is a source of entertainment, education, and information. If you decide that you would like
to purchase a television, look in the newspapers, including the ‘Buy & Sell,’ where you will find used televisions for sale.
New televisions are available, at greater expense, from large department stores and businesses that specialize in
entertainment equipment.
Cable Service
When you are deciding on the cable service package you want, consider the following multilingual and multicultural
channels.
Omni Television - http://www.omnibc.ca/
Shaw Multicultural Channel - http://vancouver.shawtv.com/smc/smc_home.htm
Telelatino - http://www.tlntv.com/
Fairchild - www.fairchildtv.com
Asian Television Network - www.asiantelevision.com
TV - Japan
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Please note that you will have to pay extra money to obtain these channels.
Radio Service
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In Canada, there are no fees associated with receiving radio stations.
A list of radio stations and their addresses can be found in the Yellow Pages under ‘Radio Stations & Broadcasting
Companies’.
The following list includes information about multi language and multicultural radio stations you will likely be able
to receive, and a listing of other stations likely available in your area.
Multi Language/Multicultural Radio
Receiving radio stations that broadcast in languages other than English is possible in Vancouver. The following is a list of
frequencies, station call letters and the languages that information and music are broadcasted:
Chinese
1320 AM CHMB
1470 AM or Cable 103.3 CJVB
96.1 FM CHKG
Cantonese and Mandarin
Chinese Community Radio/Fairchild Cantonese and Mandarin
Cantonese and Mandarin
Indo Canadian
93.1 FM
1470 AM/Cable 103.3 FM CJVB
92KHz RIM JHIM
Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and Urdu
Some Indo Canadian programs
Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujurati, Tamil
Latin American/Spanish
1320 AM CHMB
1470 AM CJVB
Spanish
Some Spanish programs
Malaysian
1470 AM/Cable 103.3 FM CJVB
Some Malaysian programs
Vietnamese
1470 AM/Cable 103.3 FM CJVB
Some Vietnamese programs
To find out about other radio stations in Vancouver -
http://www.bcpassport.com/vancouver-vital-information/vancouver-radio-stations.aspx
Cinemas
Vancouver is home to many current release movie theatres as well as discount and specialty theatres. The
following describes the different types of theatres and includes comments on the admission prices you can
expect.
For more information look in the Yellow Pages under ‘Theatres - Movies’.
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Current Release Theatres
þ At this type of theatre, you can expect to see recently released Hollywood based movies. These are generally the
most expensive movies to watch and cost around $12.
The following are sample current release theatres.
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Scotia Bank Theatre - 900 Burrard Street, 604-630-1407
Cinemark Tinseltown, 3rd Floor 88 West Pender,604-806-0799
Discount Theatres
The movies offered at discount theatres range from Hollywood productions to independent films. The admission fees
range from $3.00 to $6.00.
The following are sample discount theatres.
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Denman Cinema, 1737 Comox, 604-683-2201
Hollywood Theatre, 3123 West Broadway, 604-738-3211
Multi-Language and Multicultural Theatres
While there are few theatres which show only movies produced in languages other than English, there are video stores that
will rent videos in a variety of languages. Look in the Yellow Pages phone book under ‘Video Tapes & Discs - Rentals &
Sales’ for a listing of businesses that rent videos.
Specialty Theatres
The widest array of movie-going options are offered by specialty theatres. Prices vary and some theatres require an
inexpensive annual membership fee before tickets can be purchased.
The following are descriptions of some of Vancouver’s specialty theatres.
þ
Cinemas that include foreign films with, or without, subtitles.
Examples
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Pacific Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street, 604-688-3456
Ridge Theatre, 3131 Arbutus Street, 604-738-6311
Vancouver East Cinema Inc., 2290 Commercial Drive, 604-299-9000
Extension 3278
Cinemas that show films on unusual screens or in unusual surroundings.
Examples
U
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Omnimax Theatre, 1455 Quebec (Science World), 604-443-7440
CN Imax Theatre, 201-999 Canada Place, 604-682-4629
Live Theatre
Local and international theatre productions occur year round.
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Local Productions
Home to many small production companies, Vancouver also hosts an annual independent theatre review called ‘The
Fringe Festival’ that features many inexpensive and unusual presentations. The following are samples of theatre venues
where local productions are playing. Attendance at a smaller venue is generally the most affordable way to attend live
theatre.
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Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova, 604-689-0926
Arts Club Theatre, 1585 Johnston, Granville Island, 604-687-1644
Studio 58, Langara College, 604-323-5227
Vancouver East Cultural Centre, 1895 Venables, 604-254-9578
Local, National, and International Productions
Popular theatre productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Aida have made Vancouver a destination on their
international tours. In addition, high profile local and national productions can be seen at the larger, more lavish, and
more expensive live theatres in town. Three of these theatres are listed here.
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Vancouver Playhouse, Hamilton & Dunsmuir, 604-665-3050
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton & Georgia, 604-665-6050
The Stanley Theatre, 2750 Granville Street, 604-736-8423
Music
Access to music can be as simple as turning on your radio, or as complicated as lining up for tickets to a popular concert.
Purchasing Music
Music stores in Canada sell cassette tapes and compact disks (CD’s). There are independent retailers, national chain
stores, and international chain stores that sell music. You can also download many types of music from websites such as
iTunes.
If you live with anyone, or if you are in suite in a house or an apartment building, remember to limit the volume at which
you play your music.
Music From Home
Many of the music stores in malls and shopping centres sell popular, recently released, CD’s. You can also download
most music from websites such as iTunes.
Affordable Music
There are stores in Vancouver that specialize in selling used CD’s and tapes, and most local libraries have a tape and CD
lending service.
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ALCOHOL
ccess to alcohol is considered a responsibility in Canada. If you drink, you are responsible to make
decisions about how much alcohol you consume, where you consume it, and when. Alcohol
consumption has played a role in many detrimental life-changing situations, such as car accidents and
crime.
K In British Columbia, you must be 19 years of age before you are allowed to purchase or consume alcohol.
CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND DRIVING A VEHICLE IS ILLEGAL
If a police officer suspects your ability to drive has been impaired by drugs or alcohol, then police may
suspend your licence for 24 hours, immediately, and you have to pay the cost of leaving your vehicle and
recovering it the next day.
If you are convicted in BC of driving while impaired, or driving with a blood alcohol content of over .08%, you are
subject to being punished with all, or any, of the following:
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up to 5 years in jail and unlimited amounts in fines,
loss of your licence for 1-3 years,
payment of Driver Point Premiums. Driver Points are recorded against your driver's licence and require you pay a
premium based on the number of points recorded. This premium is separate from your vehicle insurance premium.
more expensive vehicle insurance (if you caused an accident), and
a criminal record that might affect your status as a visitor in Canada.
It Takes Time
If you drink, there is no quick fix. Black coffee? Walks? A quick nap? They will not effectively alter your state. Nothing
will sober you up but time. If you plan to drink, do not take any chances.
K
Have a plan for a safe ride home. Pre-arrange for a sober friend to drive (termed a ‘designated driver’), call a taxi, or
take public transit.
Social Implications
Overindulgence in alcohol is generally considered inappropriate behaviour, whether or not you drive.
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Being intoxicated is not an excuse for irresponsible behaviour.
Drinking in an academic environment should never occur.
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K
Do not bring alcohol into Langara College.
Do not drink before your classes.
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Alcohol Abuse
If you need help, or know of someone who needs help with alcohol abuse, please speak with someone at Langara College
Health Services. They will provide you with support and guidance to get help from professionals.
ILLEGAL DRUGS
he use of, or sale of, drugs such as marijuana, hashish, cocaine, and heroin is illegal in Canada. There is also
a wide variety of illegal drugs that are not listed here.
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Penalties for possession, use, and dealing in illegal drugs in Canada are severe.
Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines, and visiting students could be deported.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
exual harassment is a form of illegal discrimination. It is against the law, and, in its most serious form, can
constitute a criminal offence in Canada. Sexual harassment is not harmless or funny; it can profoundly
affect its victims. It is not acceptable socially or legally.
Behaviour which can constitute sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following:
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verbal abuse, threats or intimidation,
unwelcome sexual remarks, insults, jokes or innuendoes ,
displaying of pornographic pictures,
practical jokes that cause awkwardness or embarrassment,
suggestive or insulting sounds or gestures ( e.g. whistling, catcalls, leering),
persistent unwelcome invitations or requests,
unnecessary and unwanted physical contact (e.g. touching, brushing, patting, pinching),
attempted or actual fondling or kissing, and
physical assault or coerced sexual intercourse.
However, a relationship of mutual consent, a hug between friends, mutual flirtation or a scholarly classroom discussion
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dealing with sex or sexuality do not constitute sexual harassment.
If you are the target of sexual harassment, let the person know that you find the behaviour offensive. If you are
uncomfortable approaching the person, or if the behaviour persists despite your requests to stop, seek help. If the
behaviour occurs in a Homestay environment, please contact the Homestay Program at 604-323-5696 and ask for
assistance from Valerie Peters.
If you experience sexual harassment as a student at Langara College, or have a question or concern about harassment
issues, please contact the Human Rights Coordinator, Linda Sum, at 604-323-5640.
If you are accused of sexual harassment, do not ignore it. Try to understand the other person’s point of view. What you
think of as funny may not be perceived the same way by another. Remember, sexual harassment can happen whether or
not you are aware of it and whether or not you intended it.
CANADIAN LAW AND CRIME
ou are subject to Canadian laws while in Canada. This also means that you are subject to the processes by
which laws are enforced and punishments are applied.
Should you be a victim of crime, or charged with an offense, you will be in contact with the police and then exposed to the
Canadian system of justice.
Victims
If you are a victim of crime in Canada, there are people and institutions that provide free support and guidance.
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Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Vancouver Police units will help to detail, record and
attempt to solve the crime against you. Police Officers are generally trustworthy.
The Vancouver Police have a volunteer Victim’s Aid Unit.
Counselling Department at Langara College (604-323-5221).
Legal Services Society can provide law information and free legal aid in certain situations. They can be phoned at
604-601-6100 or you can visit their web site at www.lss.bc.ca
Law Students Legal Advice Clinics provide free legal advice and they can be called at 604-822-5791.
You can also look in the Yellow Pages telephone book under ‘Lawyers’ for more information. Fees for lawyers vary. Be
sure to ask about their current rates.
Offenders
If you are charged with an offense, you are considered innocent until proven guilty by the Canadian justice system.
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The College accepts no responsibility for your actions and provides no support in such an instance.
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Your Consulate is unable to protect you from being charged and/or convicted of a crime.
To be officially charged with an offense, you are confronted by a member of the RCMP or the Vancouver Police.
Prior to trial, you may or may not be imprisoned, depending on a variety of factors including the nature of the crime
for which you are charged.
You require the services of a lawyer which, in most cases, is a cost to you.
If you are convicted of a crime, you are personally responsible for the resulting punishment, which could include a
fine, imprisonment, and/or jeopardy of your immigration status.
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A VISITING STUDENT
ometimes the processes involved in maintaining your permits can seem complicated and restrictive. While
this may be true, it is very important that you do not let your Study Permit expire. Your
Temporary Resident Visa must be valid to re-enter Canada (i.e. it can expire while you remain in
Canada.)
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It is illegal to remain in Canada beyond the validity of your passport and Study Permit.
It is illegal for you to study in Canada for longer than 6 months without a Study Permit.
You will not be allowed to register at Langara College without a valid Study Permit.
Renew Your Passport
If you need to renew your passport while you are in Canada, contact your embassy or consulate at least
two (2) months before your passport expires, make a photocopy of your passport, Temporary Resident
Visa, your most recent immigration stamp, and Study Permit. Keep these for your records before sending
your originals off for renewal.
Renew Your Study Permit
Before you began your studies at Langara, you applied for a Study Permit. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will have
issued you a Study Permit with an expiry date.
Extending Your Stay
When you arrived in Canada, your passport was stamped with an entry date. Your documents also indicate the date when
you must depart from Canada.
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apply for an extension either through mail or online.
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Do not overstay the date stamped on your Study Permit - ensure you get an extension.
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If you do not keep your Study Permit up to date, you are considered to have committed an offence under the
Immigration Act. In this case you may not be eligible for an extension and you may be subject to an inquiry that
could result in you being removed from Canada.
Application Process
You can pick up a handout that outlines the process of renewing your Study Permit from the International Education
Office (A107).
For a complete application kit and/or more information, refer to Citizenship & Immigration Canada’s website at
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-student.asp
Processing Fee
K You must pay a processing fee when you submit an application for your Study Permit.
K In 2009, the fee is $125.00 for a Study Permit.
WORKING/CO-OP/INTERNSHIPS/INCOME TAX
he following information provides you with some guidance regarding the regulations governing your
employability as an international student.
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In all of the following situations you must be in possession of a valid Study Permit (described in the section
entitled “Responsibilities as a Visiting Student”).
Once employed, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). For information and to request
application forms call Social Insurance enquiries at 1-800-206-7218 or go to:
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/
On-Campus Employment
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Full-time students registered in degree/diploma granting courses at Langara College may work in employment
offered on the Langara College campus without applying for a Work Permit. These positions are rare.
Certain employment restrictions do exist, limiting the type of work you may perform, dependent upon the results
of your immigration medical examination. Please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 604-666-2171 for
further details.
Off-Campus Employment - The Off Campus Work Permit Program
The Off-Campus Work Permit Program allows eligible international students attending participating institutions to work
off-campus while they complete their studies. Langara College is a participating public post-secondary institution.
Therefore, eligible international students attending Langara are allowed to work off-campus while they complete their
studies.
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To more information about eligibility and working off-campus, please go to:
http://www.langara.bc.ca/international-education/media/pdfs/workpermit.pdf
Other Types of Work Opportunities
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Co-op Work Programs
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After Receiving Your Diploma or Degree : Post-Graduation Work Permit
For more information regarding other types of work opportunities, please visit:
http://www.langara.bc.ca/international-education/media/pdfs/workpermit.pdf
and/or
Please phone Citizenship and Immigration Canada in at 1-888-242-2100 or you can access their web site at www.cic.gc.ca
Income
When employed in Canada, the money you earn is termed ‘income.’
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All employers are bound, by law, to pay a certain minimum wage per hour. You can expect to earn at least this
amount in whatever employment you find.
In addition to regulations regarding hiring and employment practices, there are regulations regarding payment of
income tax by individuals.
Income Tax Regulations
Income tax is compulsory payment of a percentage of income, property value, etc. for the support of a government. In
Canada, income tax directly supports provincial and federal governments.
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You will pay income tax only while you are residing in Canada.
Your employer will automatically deduct personal income tax from your earnings at the time that you are paid.
By law, your employer is obliged to send the money to Revenue Canada Taxation.
Income Tax Forms
You may call Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-2221 (Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 5:00pm) and request that forms
be mailed to you.
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You must complete and return to Revenue Canada an income tax form if you:
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receive a Canadian bursary, scholarship, or fellowship, or
earn income.
You will fill out such forms each year that you are residing in Canada, based on information detailing earnings and
deductions provided by your employer.
The forms must be completed and in the mail by April 30th of each year.
You can expect to receive any of the following information for use in filling out your income tax form
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T4 Slip (details earnings and deductions - should be automatically sent to you by your employer)
interest information (from a financial institution and shows money earned as interest on your savings)
scholarship information (from Langara College)
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tuition fee deduction (from Langara College)
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When you receive any tax related documents, store them where you can find them when it is time to fill out your
tax forms.
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For information and guidance, please contact Revenue Canada Taxation at
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General Enquiries - 1-800-267-6999
Resumes
You are strongly advised to create a resume before you apply for a job.
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A resume is a short document, usually 2 pages in length, briefly detailing your employment and education
experience, and information about where you can be contacted.
You will provide a prospective employer with a copy of this document when you apply for work.
Please ask for guidance at the Career and Resource Centre at Langara College by calling 604-323-5221 to make an
appointment. Resume Writing workshops are also offered each semester and you can sign up for them at the
Writing Centre on campus.
Interviews
Upon receiving your resume, an employer may request an interview with you.
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An interview is an opportunity for the employer to ask you questions to determine if you are the right person to
hire. It is also an opportunity for you to decide whether the position is right for you. You can ask questions about the
position.
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There are many questions which are inappropriate for a prospective employer to ask during an interview, and there are many
specific pieces of information which you do not have to provide on your resume. For example, you do not have to provide
information about your age, ethnicity, race, religious beliefs or marital status, but you can if you want to. Should you require
further information, please contact the Career and Resource Centre at 604-323-5221.
CHANGING YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS
s a visitor, you entered Canada with a particular status and under certain conditions. If you want to change
these conditions and your status after arrival, you must get the approval of an immigration official. You are
not able to apply for Permanent Residence (landed immigrant) from within the country.
Changes may be granted, for example, in cases of
þ persons claiming refugee status;
þ students facing unexpected financial hardship; or live-in caregivers.
Application kits to request a change of status or condition of admission are available from Citizenship and Immigration at
604-666-2171. Applications and an appropriate letter from the college should be mailed to the Case Processing Center in
Vegreville, Alberta.
For more information on immigrating to Canada, go to:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp
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COLLEGE SERVICES
hroughout this book there are references to College Health Services and the Counselling Department,
two support services made available to students. The following is a listing of some of the many services
offered at Langara College. For fuller descriptions please refer to the introductory pages of the Langara
College Calendar, the ‘Connections’ booklet, or go online to:
http://www.langara.bc.ca/for-current-students/index.html
Athletics & Intramurals
Make a point of going into the department of Athletics and Intramurals in the Gymnasium and ask ‘What is
this all about?’
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Any student attending Langara College, carrying a minimum of 9 credit hours, is entitled to try out for any of the
sports teams on campus.
‘Intramurals’ are fun and recreational sports. Everyone on campus is invited to play year round. Activities include
basketball, badminton, volleyball, tennis, aerobics, softball, outdoor soccer and more.
For information you can call 604-323-5421, but it’s better to go for a visit!
Bookstore
You can purchase texts, supplementary course books, and general interest books and magazines, and stationary supplies.
Campus Location: southeast corner of the Library building
Phone: 604-323-5525.
Counselling Department
You can expect to speak with a professional counsellor about issues directly related to your experiences as an International
Student. Counsellors are prepared to provide specialized assistance to you that other students may not require.
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For an appointment, call 604-323-5221
8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Thursday
8:30 am to 4:00 pm Friday
(hours are modified in the summer semester)
Drop-ins are available for emergency situations.
Counsellors are also available to provide confidential counselling in the following areas.
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Career Counselling
Personal Counselling
Educational Counselling
In addition, the Career and Resource Centre provides a wide variety of information and reference material on a drop-in
basis.
8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Thursday
8:30 am to 4:00 pm Friday
Health Services
Langara College Health Services provide an emphasis on disease prevention and the promotion of health and wellness. The
following services are available.
T General, non-emergency, physical health treatment, and referrals
T Mental Health treatment and referrals
T Health Education for prevention and MSP information
T Prevention services
Hours:
Mon. to Fri. - 8:30 am - 1:00pm and 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
Phone: 604-323-5256
Emergencies on Campus: 604-323-4444
Location: Academic Building "B", Level One, Room B101
For specific details regarding available services drop by Health Services for information or go to:
http://www.langara.bc.ca/student-services/health-services/index.html
Learning Services
The following are two services to help support you in your academic success at Langara:
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The schedule of operation changes each semester (leaflets are distributed casually) and during the semester, in relation to students’
needs. To get up-to-date information, please visit the appropriate location.
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre offers the following services:
* one-on-one tutoring related to any writing assignment
* workshops on specific writing topics
* handouts (free to take) and reference books (to be used in the Writing Centre)
All services are free to Langara students.
Location: Room C210.
For more information go to: http://www.langara.bc.ca/academic-services/writing-centre/index.html
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The Math and Stats Activity Centre
If you are taking mathematics and statistics courses at Langara, help is available in a tutorial setting, on a drop-in basis.
Location: Room C209
For more information go to: http://www.langara.bc.ca/academic-services/mathstats-help-centre/index.html
For more information on other learning services available to Langara students, please visit:
http://www.langara.bc.ca/for-current-students/index.html
Library and Media Services
The campus library provides services and collections to assist students with their research and studies.
Hours of operation change each semester. For upto-date information, go to: http://www.langara.bc.ca/library/
Parking
To park at Langara, cars must have valid parking passes or tickets.
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Prices are subject to change.
Tickets cost $2.50 for 4 hours or $5.00 per day.
Street parking within 4 or 5 blocks of the campus is reserved for residents of the neighbourhood. You risk a
fine, or having your vehicle towed, if you park there.
For more information regarding parking, go to: http://www.langara.bc.ca/campus-guide/parking-info.html
Langara Students’ Union (LSU)
If you are a University Transfer or Career student, your membership in this union commences at registration when you
are required to pay a membership fee. The primary function of this union is the protection and advocacy of the rights and
interests of its members.
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wireless internet
inexpensive photocopy services (including colour photocopying)
coffee shop & restaurant
used bookstore
social functions
microwaves for heating up meals
the Housing Service bulletin board
Location: The Students' Union Building (SUB) is located in the center of the campus connected to Building A.
For more information about the LSU, please go to: http://www.lsu.bc.ca/
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Theatre - Studio 58
The professional theatre training program at Langara College.
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Four full-length plays are performed each year with two free preview performances of each play, for Langara
College Students
Phone: 604-323-5227
Website: http://www.langara.bc.ca/studio58/
RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO SCHOOLING
hile the International Education Department can provide you with support, you are responsible for tracking
and meeting the expectations related to your registration and enrollment at Langara College.
Registering for your courses
Approximately three weeks before each semester begins you must register on-line for only those courses you plan to take.
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Langara College operates on a trimester system, offering three semesters each year.
The Fall Semester - September to December
The Spring Semester - January to April
The Summer Semester - May to August
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The normal semester at Langara is four months long. Courses last for a full semester and students receive final
grades at the end of each semester.
Two four-month semesters of full-time study (9 credit hours or more each semester) equal a complete academic
year of study at Langara. Some career programs require three semesters per year.
You will register on-line as described in the Registration Guide.
After admission to the college, you are assigned a student number, and a date and time to register. Before your
registration day,
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pick up a Registration Guide,
use the Guide to select the courses you desire,
you will find a description of each course in the Calendar,
note the class times of the courses you want and prepare a timetable,
make sure none of your desired classes are at the same time (There is a worksheet at the back of the
Registration Guide to help you. Langara uses the 24 hour clock.)
make sure you have the prerequisites for each course. The computer system checks prerequisite requirements
overnight and will automatically drop you from those courses you are not qualified to take.
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Fees
Tuition fee information is sent to you with your application package.
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Fees are subject to change.
You will be charged Student Union fees plus your tuition.
Some courses require payment of a material fee, which will be calculated with your registration.
You are required to pay a registration deposit that is neither refundable nor transferable.
Non-refundable Fees and Non-transferable Registration Deposit
As a new student, you are required to make a $5000.00 deposit prior to receiving your letter of acceptance from the
College. Returning students are required to pay this deposit at the Bank of Montreal, or on-line, at least 5 working days
(do not include Saturdays or Sundays) before your assigned registration date.
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Payment forms are available at the Registrar’s Office.
The deposit is applied towards your tuition.
Detailed registration information including important deadlines is printed in the Registration Guide.
The guide is available for you to pick up on Campus about two months before classes begin.
The next day, verify that you have been accepted into the courses you selected.
Pay your remaining fees at any branch of the Bank of Montreal, using fee payment forms available from the
Registrars Office. Fees can also be paid on-line.
Considerations
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You must carefully read all correspondence sent to you.
Each semester a new Registration Guide is published, containing very important registration information.
It is your responsibility to be aware of, and abide by, all College policies, procedures, and deadlines published
in the guide.
LANGARA COLLEGE CONTACTS
Counselling
Appointments
604-323-5221
Admissions
Application Status
Letters of Acceptance
604-323-5587
604-323-5402
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International Education
General Inquiries
Prospective Students
Current Students
604-323-5023
604-323-5538
604-323-5443/604-323-5020
Homestay
General Inquiries
604-323-5696
FREE AND INEXPENSIVE ACTIVITIES IN VANCOUVER
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Vancouver Art Gallery, by donation on Thursday evenings
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Japanese Gardens, free access to a portion of gardens surrounding a pond
White Rock Beach
Steveston Docks
Stanley Park
Lighthouse Park
Whyte Cliff Park
Locarno Beach - walk to the gun placements from WWII
Visit gallery showings on Granville Street near Broadway
Watch kite flying on Kits Point on windy weekends
Visit Granville Island Public Market (604-666-5784)
Take Seabus to Lonsdale Quay Public Market (604-985-6261)
Take Skytrain to Westminister Quay Public Market (604-520-3881)
Window shop on Commercial Drive between Broadway and Venables
Visit Chinatown
Attend free statutory holiday festivals
Walk along beach
Swim at Kitsilano outdoor pool in the summer (located on the beach)
Join a community sports program
Arrange a potluck dinner/lunch or even brunch with friends
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Air Care
pollution control program for vehicles
Blue Pages
a section of the white pages publication listing government departments and telephone numbers
Cable
wired delivery of television services offered by a private business
Care Card
a card embossed with your medical services plan registration number that allows you to receive basic medical
services for a monthly fee. You are required to pay for, and carry, a Care Card at all times
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Cellular Phone
wireless telephone that can be carried throughout the day
Condominium
individually owned unit in an apartment building
Driver Point Premiums
the extra fee you will be required to pay when purchasing vehicle insurance, if you are issued a driving ticket in the
previous year. Premiums increase with the number of points recorded against your driving license.
Extended Health Insurance
for an extra fee you can purchase insurance which covers services such as dental care, which are not covered by MSP
Fare Card
transit pass which you purchase each month
Garage Sale
informal sales of used items such as furniture, clothing, toys, and bicycles, usually held on weekends and at private
homes
GST
Goods and Services tax collected at point of purchase in stores and restaurants and levied by the federal government
of Canada
Homestay
living with a carefully selected host family in Vancouver
Housing Service
a helpful source of information about available local accommodation
Hydro
wired supply of electricity to your residence
ICBC
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, car insurance provider sold through independent insurance agents
Income Tax
compulsory payment of a percentage of income, property value, etc., for the support of government
Interac Card
issued by your bank, it allows you to pay directly from your bank account for goods and services
Landline Phone
a telephone that is wired and requires a permanent location
LSU
Langara Students' Union
MSP
Medical Services Plan, operated by the Ministry of Health
Neighbourhood
a distinct community of people living near each other
Orientation Session
an opportunity for you to learn more about Vancouver, your studies, the college, and how you can best learn to
adjust to your new environment
Phone Cards
allow you to pay ahead for long distance telephone calls and can be used anywhere
PST
Provincial Sales Tax, paid at point of purchase of goods
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RCMP
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Resume
a 2 page summary of education and employment experience
Seabus
the scheduled boat that carries foot passengers from downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver
Skytrain
the scheduled high-speed train that carries foot passengers between downtown Vancouver, North Surrey, Coquitlam
and Richmond.
Suburb
a district on the outskirts of a city
TransLink
the only public transit service in Greater Vancouver
U-Pass
a transit pass that allows unlimited access to Translink Bus, Skytrain and Seabus services (all zones) throughout
Metro Vancouver. The U-Pass is a card that includes your photo, name, and the card’s expiration date.
White Pages
a publication with alphabetical listings of landline phone numbers. Issued every year in July.
Yellow Pages
a publication listing business telephone numbers and some e-mail addresses and websites.
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IMPORTANT CONTACTS
International Education
604-323-5023
[email protected]
Homestay
604-323-5696
[email protected]
College Health Services
604-323-5256
www.langara.bc.ca/student-services/health-services
Human Rights Coordinator
604-323-5640
www.langara.bc.ca/about-langara/human-rights.html
Counselling Centre
604-323-5221
www.langara.bc.ca/academic-services/counselling/
College Athletics
604-323-5421
www.langara.bc.ca/athletics/
Locker & Towel Service
604-323-5328
www.langara.bc.ca/athletics/fac_services.htm
Theatre
604-323-5227
http://www.langara.bc.ca/studio58
Security
604-562-1011
www.langara.bc.ca/campus-services/security
Library Circulation & Hours
604-323-5388
http://www.langara.bc.ca/library/
TransLink Bus
604-953-3333
www.translink.bc.ca
MSP
604-683-7151
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/
Immigration Canada
1-888-242-2100
Shaw Cable
604-629-8888
Telus
1-888-811-2323
BC Hydro
604-224-9376
Terasen
1-800-224-2710
Your Bank
Your Insurance Company
Your Doctor
Your Dentist
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www.cic.gc.ca
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca
http://www.telus.com/
www.bchydro.bc.ca/services/applymodify
http://www.terasengas.com