Host family
Homestay, Vancouver
There can be big differences between homestays – some will be families with children, while others might be single people, some might have pets, some might not be from Canada, some might be younger, working, and others retired, and the list goes on! We always do our best to find friendly hosts with comfortable homes, who can regularly spend some time with you and who have a native level of English.
Why choose a Homestay
Many of our students choose to stay in homestay accommodation with a local host. We have welcoming, friendly and helpful hosts who enjoy sharing their home with international students.
Our Accommodation Team work closely with local homestay hosts and external homestay providers to match you with a host to suit your needs. Homestay accommodation is a good way to fully immerse yourself in English language and culture. You can experience local life and learn a lot about the Canada by choosing homestay. Our hosts are happy to offer advice and support you throughout your stay.
Most of our homestays are situated in the suburbs and are easily accessed by public transport. You will be given detailed instructions on how to get to the school and around the city from where you are staying. Your hosts will also make sure that you get to know your local area and how to find the places you want to go. Homestays are located in 1-3 zones; travel times range from 20-60 minutes using public transport.
Your safety and wellbeing
All of our hosts understand the needs of our students and provide a welcoming and safe environment for our students to live in. They have all been visited by the school and had references checked. Our Accommodation Team is always happy to help you if you have any questions or concerns.
We have many different kinds of homestay hosts. Some are families with children, some are older couples and others are single people. They are all friendly people who will make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and happy in their home.
- Minimum age
- 18 years
- Rooms
- Single room, Double room
- Bathroom
- Shared bathroom
- Meals
- Half board, Full board
This accommodation at Bayswater
Accommodation with a local host, in a single room with a shared bathroom. Meals are taken on half board, with breakfast and dinner, or on full board, with lunch added. Some families adapt meals to a special diet, such as vegan, gluten-free, halal or lactose-free; an extra charge may apply in that case.
Hosts are families with children, older couples or single people, and the school has visited each home and checked references. The families are generally in residential neighbourhoods, linked to the centre by public transport. To reach the home from the airport, allow between thirty and sixty minutes. Laundry is done on site, and the family shows how to use the machine.
- Single room · Half board
- Single room · Full board
- Half board
- Full board
Student residence GEC
GEC Student Residences, Vancouver — the six GEC residences presented on the Bayswater website:
GEC Burnaby Heights: GEC Burnaby Heights is home to hundreds of students from SFU, FIC, BCIT, LaSalle, VFS and CapU annually.
GEC King Edward: Welcome to GEC King Edward (GEC King Ed), Vancouver’s most eagerly awaited student residence. Designed with insights and feedback from over 10,000 students across all GEC residences, this all-in student residence sets a new standard for upscale off-campus living in Vancouver.
Scape: Home to over 2,000 international students annually, GEC Kingsway is one of the biggest and most inclusive student communities in Vancouver.
GEC Marine Gateway: Experience modern, pet-friendly living at GEC Marine Gateway, Vancouver’s most contemporary student residence.
GEC Pearson: Home to over 2,000 international students annually, GEC Pearson is one of the biggest and most inclusive student communities in Vancouver.
GEC Viva: The desired student living experience in Downtown Vancouver at GEC Viva, a 17-story tower with breathtaking views of the city, mountains, and beach.
- Minimum age
- 18 years
- Rooms
- Double room, Single room
- Bathroom
- Shared bathroom, Private bathroom
- Meals
- No meals
This accommodation at Bayswater
GEC residences are student accommodation spread across central Vancouver and Burnaby. They are close to educational institutions, shops and transport lines. Rooms range from single rooms to two-bedroom apartments, depending on the residence, and prices vary accordingly.
Each residence has its strengths. King Edward, near the station of the same name, has a rooftop terrace with a city view and large shared living spaces. Kingsway has a social lounge, a gym, a washing machine in every unit and badge-controlled security. Burnaby Heights is the quietest, with a layout appreciated for studious shared living. Marine Gateway offers apartments from studio to two-bedroom townhouse, and accepts pets.
- Shared bathroom
- Shared bathroom
- Private bathroom
- Shared bathroom
- Shared bathroom
- Private bathroom
