Housing
Homestay
What can I expect from Homestay?
The Georgian College International Homestay program is an exciting opportunity!
International students in the Homestay program:
- experience Canadian lifestyle
- establish relationships within the community
The Homestay program provides a safe, caring and interactive family environment for international students to improve language skills and cultural awareness.
Homestay families will provide necessary household items such as linens and towels. The student’s bedroom will be furnished, including a bed/bedding, desk or table, lamp, dresser and closet.
Homestay locations can be within walking distance or within a 30 minute bus ride to the college campus.
Georgian College provides two options for the Homestay program:
- Full Homestay: The family is responsible to provide a variety of nutritional, well-balanced meals and snacks (breakfast, lunch and dinner) every day – including weekends.
- Shared Homestay: The student buys, prepares and cleans up after their own meals. That is, the student shares the kitchen with the homestay family. The homestay family will help the student become familiar with the kitchen, explaining use of equipment and where to store food supplies.
To participate in the Homestay program, students must commit to a minimum of two months and the first and last month’s fee must be paid directly to the host family upon arrival.
Download the Housing Application Form.
Off-campus housing
Georgian Green Student Residence apartments are situated within five minutes walking distance of Georgian College. These four-storey residential buildings house 257 students and have been specifically designed to meet the needs of students attending Georgian College. Please find more information at their website www.studentrez.com.
Places4Students
Georgian College has partnered with Places4Students.com, a company specializing in providing off-campus housing solutions for post-secondary students. This service is free for all students to use as an effective mehtod of finding a place to live off-campus.
Insight Business Group
If you are looking for shared accommodation with other students and are working within a budget, visit insightbusinessgroup.com for assistance in finding accommodation in Barrie, Ontario.
Residence
Once you have been accepted into a program at Georgian College you are eligible to apply for residence. In your acceptance package you will be provided with your Georgian College student ID number and your password (this is your birthdate in the following format YY/MM/DD) to access the Banner portal.
Visit www.georgianc.on.ca/residence/on-campus-residence/applying to apply online.
Contact the Residence Office at housing@georgiancollege.ca or call 705-730-5600.
Homestay host family - Want to host a student?
Take a look at our Homestay Resource Guide.
How do I become a Homestay host?
There are three easy steps to becoming a Homestay host
- Homestay Application form – Complete the Host Family Application Form scan and email form to homestayprogram@georgiancollege.ca or drop it off between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or mail it to:
Homestay Co-ordinator Georgian College International Centre, Room C279 One Georgian Drive Barrie, ON L4M 3X9 - Criminal Record Check – A criminal record check must be provided to the Homestay Co-ordinator for yourself, and anyone over 18 years old who lives on the property.
- House Visit – A Homestay visit is a mandatory requirement before a student will be placed in your home.
These visits are set-up through the Homestay Co-ordinator and are usually quite brief.
Airport Arrival
Arrival
If you are travelling to another campus location (Owen Sound, Muskoka, South Georgian Bay or Orangeville), please contact jenna.hubbert@georgiancollege.ca to make alternate arrangements.
When do I book airport pickup?
In order to book your airport pickup, you MUST already have a homestay confirmation or have the address of your drop off destination. Once you know where you will be living, you will then fill out the online form. This is the last step.
You must book online at least 72 hours before you leave. You will receive a confirmation e-mail from reservation@simcoecountyairportservice.ca within 24hr of your booking.
Book your airport pickup online by clicking here
Temporary Accommodation Options
See the following options for temporary accommodation if you have not decided where you want to live. You must book your room with the hotel prior to your arrival.
Barrie
Howard Johnson Hotel Email Parmar7@msn.com $60 per night Comfort Inn E-mail Holly.cib@rogers.com $60 per night
Orillia
Highwayman Inn Hotel Toll free at 1-800-461-0269 E-mail jill.krs@rogers.com $60 per night
Airport Pick up Process
Step 1) The first step will be to pass through Canadian customs. For more information please go to Canada Border Services Agency.
Step 2) Once you have picked up your luggage you will proceed through the arrival gate. DO NOT EXIT THE TERMINAL!!
Step 3) Look for the Airport Greeter OR proceed directly to the ‘Out of Towns Van Booth’ where you will check-in by giving them you name and saying you are booked with Simcoe County Airport Service. Vans leave the terminal every hour; there will always be a van for you to take.
What is an Airport Greeter?
An Airport Greeter is a student from Georgian College who will meet you at the airport and guide you to the ‘Out of Towns Van Booth’ where you will check in with a transportation company called Simcoe County Airport Service. Airport Greeters will be at the airport during the peak periods to welcome new students as they arrive.
Once in arrivals, go directly to the information booth where one of our Airport Greeters will be holding a sign with “Georgian College” and “your name” on it. They will be wearing a red Georgian College T-shirt.
You can reach the Airport Greeter by calling 705-791-2522.
*Remember Airport Greeters will only be at the airport during the peak period.
What if my flight is delayed past 10:30pm or I arrive on a day that an Airport Greeter isn’t there?
As soon as you retrieve your luggage and have gone through customs, you can proceed directly to the ‘Out of Town Van booth’ where you will check in.
Vans will leave the terminal every hour, so there will always be a van for you.
Can’t find the booth?
1) Ask someone who works at the airport where to find the ‘Out of Town Van booth’?
- This is a well-known booth and all airport staff will know where to find it
2) Call 1-800-461-7529 and tell them your name and location if you still can’t find it
Departure checklist
- valid passport
- Student Permit Authorization
- Entry Visa if required
- copy of original Acceptance Letter for immigration
- tuition fees — paid
- students enrolled in:
- Health Sciences
- School of Social and Community Services
- certain School of Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation courses
may have additional requirements, such as:
- first aid certificate
- CPR qualifications
- immunizations
- police background check
- letters of reference and resume for co-op work placements (if requires)
- Arrival Pickup form with you - Print Airport Arrival
- Email Homestay host to inform them of your flight arrival date
- copy of Orientation schedule
- copy of Homestay confirmation form
- list of contact information in Canada (names, phone numbers, address for college, Homestay, emergency contact numbers)
- money for travelling expenses and first few days in Canada (Traveller’s cheques recommended)
- health insurace coverage if you are arriving before your coverage start date. REMEMBER, your health coverage begins the first day of the monoth your program starts, NOT the day you arrive in Canada. Visit www.guard.me/customforms/?inst=georgianto purchase health coverage (access code 3027)
Booking airport pickup
Book Airport Pickup
Health Insurance
Health plan
Do I have health insurance coverage?
As long as you are registered on Banner each semester, you will automatically be enrolled in health insurance plan.
If you withdraw from the college or do not register for the semester or co-op term, you will not receive health insurance.
Guard.me is the insurance company you will have coverage with. You can visit their website at https://www.guard.me.
Do I get a health card?
Yes, health cards will usually arrive 3 weeks after classes start each semester. You can pick up your health card in the International office by showing your student card.
How long is my health coverage valid?
Post-secondary students: You will receive a new health card every semester (4 months).
EAP students: You will receive a health card every session start (2 months).
What if I arrive before my health coverage begins?
Visit www.guard.me/customforms/?inst=georgian to purchase insurance for extra days.
What does my health insurance cover?
Guard.me health insurance is an emergency insurance plan. It will cover anything that is new or an emergency.
Immigration Advising
If you need to extend your study permit or obtain a work permit, the International Student Advisor will help you apply.
