Student Services

At Cambria College, we want to ensure every student is provided not only with a high-quality education, but a welcoming and inclusive environment. As a part of our commitment to this, we want to provide each student with as much information as possible about their rights, privileges and needs.

If you’re attending Cambria College as an international student, we want to ensure that you will feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. From the moment you decide to join us, our International Student Services team is here to assist you. We provide guidance on everything from housing arrangements to insurance coverage, ensuring your transition to Cambria College and life in Canada is as smooth as possible.

1. Housing During Your Studies

Finding a place to stay during your studies can be a challenging task, especially if you are new to the region where your campus is located. To ease the process, it’s best to start researching housing options as early as possible.

The cost of accommodation can vary significantly depending on the area you choose to live in. For instance, regions like Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Langley, Victoria, Saanich, and Langford have varying price ranges. Typically, rental prices are highest in downtown Vancouver and Victoria and tend to decrease as you move farther from these central hubs.

The table below provides a general overview of monthly rental rates in these regions. Keep in mind that these rates may not include utilities such as internet, cable, electricity, or heating:

• Homestay: $600–$1,200
• Shared apartments/basement suites: $800–$1,500
• Private apartments/basement suites: $1,600–$3,000

2. Tenancy Rights

Whether you are renting a room at a homestay, sharing an apartment with a fellow student, or renting a private apartment, as a tenant you are entitled to rights which your landlord legally must adhere to. Make sure you know your rights as a tenant to ensure you enjoy a comfortable and safe experience.

Key Tenant Rights:

• Tenancy Agreement: Landlords must prepare a written agreement for every tenancy. Even if a landlord doesn’t prepare one, the standard terms of a tenancy agreement will still apply. If English is not your first language, or if you are uncertain about something in the agreement, seek out a friend or family member for clarification and advice.
• Right to dispute problems: A tenant has a right to dispute problems, including eviction notices. Dispute resolution is the formal process for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants and should be the last step in dealing with a tenancy conflict.
• Quiet Enjoyment: Quiet enjoyment gives tenants the right to live peacefully in a rental unit without unnecessary disturbance from others. Quiet enjoyment is also the responsibility of the tenant and could be a cause for eviction. A tenant’s right for quiet enjoyment include:
  • Reasonable privacy
  • Freedom from unreasonable disturbance
• Illegal lockouts: Locking a tenant out of a rental is illegal. Getting locked out of their home could leave the tenant unable to access money, medication, work tools and personal identification.
• A landlord cannot physically remove a tenant: If a tenant doesn’t leave by the effective date of the notice the landlord must follow a specific process to gain possession. A landlord cannot: physically remove a tenant or take a tenant’s personal property without a court order.

For more detailed information on tenant rights as well as resources, visit the Province of British Columbia’s residential tenancy rights on their website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/during-a-tenancy/tenant-rights

3. Housing Accommodation Options

Cambria College does not offer on-campus dormitories or residences for students enrolled in its programs. To support students in finding suitable accommodations, the college has partnered with three reputable homestay and housing service providers specializing in student housing in British Columbia. Details about these services are available on Cambria’s website: https://cambriacollege.ca/international-student-services/

Homadorma: The largest online homestay placement platform in Canada and the United States
https://www.homadorma.com/en/feature/school/cambria

4stay: An online marketplace connecting students and interns with local hosts, room providers and roommates with medium to long-term rental options. https://4stay.com/

Casa Student Housing: Casa Student Housing provides students with options for accommodation that are reasonably priced and maintain quality. https://casacanada.com/

4. Information on Getting Around in Lower Mainland and Victoria

Here’s a handy guide to help you navigate both the Lower Mainland and Victoria with ease.

Public Transit: The BC Transit system in Victoria and TransLink in the Lower Mainland offer extensive bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus services, connecting you to all corners of the region. These services are reliable, frequent, and affordable, making them a popular choice for students.

Cycling: With numerous dedicated bike lanes and trails, cycling is a healthy and eco-friendly way to get around. Victoria is known as the “Cycling Capital of Canada,” and the Lower Mainland also offers excellent cycling infrastructure.

Car Sharing: Services like Zipcar, Evo, and Car2Go are available if you need a car for a few hours. These services offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to owning a car.

Ferries: BC Ferries offers regular services between the Lower Mainland and Victoria, allowing you to explore both regions with ease. The ferry ride also offers stunning views of the coastline.

Taxis and Rideshares: Taxi services are readily available, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft also operate in the region.

5. Resources (Housing and Tenancy, Residential Tenancies, Rental Scams)

1. Information on Mental Health Supports

At Cambria College, we are dedicated to creating an environment that prioritizes the mental health and well-being of all students. Whether you are an international student adapting to life in Canada or a domestic student balancing career aspirations with work and family responsibilities, your well-being is our top priority. The code of conduct outlined below establishes clear expectations for fostering a respectful, supportive, and inclusive community focused on mental wellness. We encourage all students and our staff to embrace and uphold these eight tenets of well-being:

1. Respect for Self and Others

• Treat yourself and others with kindness, empathy, and understanding.
• Refrain from behaviors that harm your own mental well-being or that of others, including bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
• Recognize the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the student body and respect individual differences.

2. Seeking Support

• Prioritize your mental health by accessing support services when needed, including counseling, peer support programs, or wellness workshops offered by the college.
• Encourage peers to seek help if you observe signs of distress and know how to refer them to appropriate resources.

3. Maintaining a Safe Learning Environment

• Contribute to a safe and inclusive space where all students feel comfortable expressing themselves and their needs.
• Refrain from disruptive behavior that may negatively impact the mental well-being of others, including harmful language or actions.

4. Confidentiality and Privacy

• Respect the confidentiality of conversations, counseling sessions, and shared experiences related to mental health.
• Avoid spreading rumors or sharing sensitive information about others without their explicit consent.

5. Promoting Healthy Habits

• Balance academic responsibilities with self-care practices such as regular sleep, exercise, and healthy eating.
• Manage stress by utilizing available time management tools and wellness resources provided by the college.

6. Advocating for Wellness

• Participate in mental health awareness initiatives and activities hosted by the college.
• Provide constructive feedback on how the college can improve its mental health and wellness offerings.

7. Substance Use

• Use substances responsibly and in alignment with the college’s substance use policy.
• Seek support for substance-related issues through college resources or external programs.

8. Accountability

• Acknowledge that everyone plays a role in promoting a mentally healthy campus.
• Hold yourself and peers accountable for upholding this code of conduct and report concerns to the appropriate campus authorities.

2. Mental Health Resources and Links

1. HealthLink BC: Provides information on mental health, including various mental illnesses and guidance on accessing support. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health
2. Here to Help: Offers trustworthy information on mental health and substance use, including self-help resources and personal stories. https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/
3. Virtual Mental Health Supports: Provides virtual services for British Columbians experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-mental-health-supports
4. BC Overdose Awareness: Province of British Columbia website providing information and services to residents of BC in support of overdose prevention and response. Includes information on reducing the stigma to addiction, BC Mobile response team and how to get access to a naloxone kit. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/overdose
5. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – BC Division: Offers a range of mental health programs and services, including support groups and educational resources. https://bc.cmha.ca/mental-health/find-help/
6. Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Assists families across the province in navigating the mental health system, connecting with peer support, and accessing resources and tools to support well-being. https://keltymentalhealth.ca/
7. Crisis Support Lines

• Mental Health Support Line: For immediate mental health support or referral, call 310-6789 (no area code) 24 hours a day.
• BC Suicide Crisis Line: For individuals in crisis, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).
• Kids Help Phone: For youth seeking support, call or text 1-800-668-6868.
• Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Service: Call 1 800 663-1441 Lower Mainland: 604 660-9382

3. Information on Non-Emergency and Emergency Contacts (police, fire, ambulance)

4. Information on Insurance Requirements

While studying at Cambria College, we want to ensure that you are well-informed on medical insurance coverage. International students who are studying in a program that is 15 weeks or longer must provide to the college evidence of sufficient health care coverage for the duration of their stay. Students may choose their own insurance coverage provider or seek coverage through StudyInsured.

You will be required to pay for British Columbia’s health services through the Medical Service Plan (MSP). This will provide you with basic coverage, but you will also want to explore additional coverage. Below we will provide you the information you need to know about both.

5. StudyInsured

Cambria College is proud to have partnered with StudyInsured™ in providing international students with extended insurance coverage. A trusted name in the travel insurance industry, StudyInsured™ provides customized options and solutions for global students, travellers and workers. Renowned for their expertise and ability to work with clients to develop unique student insurance plans, StudyInsured™ products evolve with student needs and deliver optimal coverage at the best price. Students can choose from Silver, Gold and Discover Canada plans based on what their needs and budget is. To learn more about StudyInsured and their services, visit Studyinsured.com/cambriacollege.

1. Student Handbook/Policy Manual

Our Mission
To provide quality education and training in sectors that have a sustained demand to provide for long-term career growth opportunities, both within Canada and globally.

Our Vision
Our schools will be a platform that provides a student-centered modern learning environment that embraces diversity, respect, authenticity, integrity and quality.

Overview
Cambria College has developed this Student Handbook as a comprehensive guide to all institution’s policies and protocols for both students and staff. This student handbook is an integral part of a student’s enrolment agreement with the College and it is required that all students read this handbook in its entirety prior to enrolling with the College.

For the safety and comfort of all students attending Cambria College, you are expected to follow the procedures and policies outlined in this document.

Download our full “Student Handbook/Policy Manual” with the button below:

2. Description on student handbook

Cambria College has developed this Student Handbook as a comprehensive guide to all institution’s policies and protocols for both students and staff. This student handbook is an integral part of a student’s enrolment agreement with the College, and it is required that all students read this handbook in its entirety prior to enrolling with the College.

For the safety and comfort of all students attending Cambria College, you are expected to follow the procedures and policies outlined in this document.

Cambria College provides you options to further your study at a Canadian university or college with recognition of your prior academic achievements at Cambria College in the form of transferable credits.

How Does It Work?

• Enroll and complete your program at Cambria College.
• Apply to a partner University/College for acceptance and get block transfers to their programs (degree/diplomas).
• Complete the program at the partner institute and apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to secure a job in Canada for a maximum of 3 years after graduation*.

Contact Us!

You can login to your myCambria Account here.