Housing
At the International Centre, we support international students with their off-campus housing needs and advice on how to settle into their new community. Staff provide resources for:
- accessing available housing options
- educating students on responsible living and housing regulations
- supporting students who have complex housing situations
Homestay
Students are carefully matched to one of our caring host families who will provide a private bedroom, food for three meals per day and internet access. It’s a great way for you to immerse yourself in Canadian culture and experience Canadian life in a family setting. It offers a lot of opportunity to practise your English and improve your language skills.
Georgian College currently works with third party partners who provide homestay services. Homestay requires a minimum of two months commitment and the two months must be paid in advance.
Interested in hosting a Georgian student?
Five signs you’d make a great Homestay host
Photo essay: Breakfast with a Homestay family
On-campus residence
Residence provides not only accommodations, but also a welcoming, safe environment where students can make friends, get involved, grow and develop.
Georgian has on-campus residences at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses. Choose your campus below to learn more.
Barrie Campus
Orillia Campus
Owen Sound Campus
Off-campus housing
We advise students to finalize or research their accommodations before they arrive in Canada.
There are many options to find housing off-campus. Georgian College is partnered with Places4Students, a company that specializes in providing off-campus housing solutions to postsecondary students. Places4Students provide listings of properties available to rent, as well as profiles of students looking for roommates. This service is free of cost to Georgian students.
- Download the app on App Store or Google Play
If you plan to live in off-campus housing, be prepared to:
- share a house or some common space with other students
- purchase and prepare your own meals
- pay your own bills and live with other people
The cost of private rentals is generally between $500 and $700 per room per month (meals not included) in Barrie, or $450 to $650 per room per month in other campus communities. In addition, students may pay $100 to $150 for utilities at some places.
View photos of each residence and speak with your landlord (and roommates, where possible) on the phone to ask questions before you sign the contract, make a payment, etc.
Off-campus student residences
Note: Most landlords do not permit room sharing in single room rentals. It is important to familiarize yourself with city by-laws about rental property and to be able to identify safe places to rent. Each dwelling can be shared by four people in general. It is also important to seek the permission of the landlord.
If you intend to share a rental unit with someone, we encourage you to find your roommate first and look for a place together. Places4Students provides a roommate finding feature for students.
Note: Some of the rental places require credit check. If not existent, a Canadian guarantor may ask you to provide some credit information, for example, proof of your monthly income, etc. Be aware and carefully avoid any scams especially when you’re looking for off-campus rentals through external websites.
Disclaimer:
Georgian College does not make representations or warranties concerning the quality or suitability of accommodations listed on the www.Places4Students.com website or any other posting. Georgian College cannot and does not provide any personal information of the students to any third party and will not accept responsibility or any liability for housing arrangements by people using the registry. We recommend that you obtain independent legal advice before signing a lease with a landlord. Students, it is in your interest to ask questions regarding the legality and suitability of the rental unit.
The International Centre is not responsible for the information provided by homestay providers and does not review host families and their homes. Students should do their own evaluation of each homestay provider.
Temporary accommodation
If you need temporary accommodations for a few days while you find a more permanent place to live, we suggest a hotel or Airbnb.
Georgian has compiled a list of temporary accommodation suggestions. Please note, Georgian has no affiliations with any of the accommodations listed.
Helpful links
Want to learn more about studying at Georgian as an international student?
Georgian’s international team is here to help you find a program that is right for you and help you settle into your new home at one of our seven campuses in Ontario.
Contact information
Segal International Centre
705.728.1968, ext. 1218
international@georgiancollege.ca
