Living on Vancouver Island
Being a student at NIC means being surrounded by vibrant communities, sprawling beaches, beautiful provincial parks and opportunities for adventure.
In addition to International Student Orientation, there are events throughout the year to help you feel at home.
Below are some helpful tips to plan:
Preparing to pack
Southern BC is known for its warm, dry summers and short winters – but we also receive heavy rainfall in the colder seasons. You should be prepared for our temperate coastal climate and bring a raincoat and/or a water-repellant windbreaker. You will also need a warm coat and comfortable shoes. Boots and other waterproof shoes are strongly recommended.
Depending on your where you live, you may find purchasing clothing in Canada quite expensive, so we recommend bringing your essential items with you.
Items to buy in Canada
Depending on your living arrangements, you may need to buy essential items like bedding, cooking utensils, towels, toiletries, personal electronics and data plans.
Money
We don’t recommend you travel with large amounts of cash. Credit cards are widely accepted in our communities. When you arrive, you should have enough credit to cover your expenses during the first few weeks of school. You will also need to open a Canadian bank account so you can transfer funds as needed.
You may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries, however international students are expected to have enough financial resources to cover costs during their time in Canada.
Accommodation
It’s your responsibility to find your own accommodation – but many of our students find it easier to find rental housing after they arrive in Canada. You should be prepared to spend one to two weeks in temporary accommodations (such as Airbnb or a hotel) until you have organized your living arrangements.
On-campus housing
If you plan on studying at our Campbell River or Comox Valley campuses, you can apply to live in our new Student Housing Commons (opening in Fall 2025).
Off-campus housing
NIC has partnered with Places4Students to help students find private rental units, roommates or sublet options. Using the service is free – all you need to register is your NIC student email. Landlords can also post listings online for free.
You may also find accommodation via social media or through websites like Craigslist or Kijiji.
Our recommendations
If you are renting a suite or room from a landlord, you should read the Residential Tenancy Act before signing a rental/lease agreement. You should also learn more about residential tenancies in BC. Before moving into a rental unit, you should have a rental or lease agreement.
Disclaimer: NIC does not take responsibility for agreements made between students and landlords. The college does not screen, inspect or approve any landlord, student or accommodation. To protect yourself, always visit the accommodation in person before signing a rental/lease agreement and before giving the landlord any money.
Travelling to NIC
If you're travelling to Canada via Vancouver International Airport, you will have the option to fly directly to one of the two airports closest to NIC campuses – Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) or Campbell River Airport (YBL).
Direct flights to YQQ are also available from Calgary International Airport or Edmonton International Airport.
During the spring and summer months, you can fly from downtown Vancouver to Comox Harbour in 45 minutes on a floatplane with Harbour Air.
Before landing, we recommend you pre-book your shuttle or taxi to get from the airport to your accommodation.
Travelling by water
If you're travelling to the North Island from Vancouver, BC Ferries runs routes from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay. Other options include Hullo, a ferry service that runs between Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (downtown Vancouver) and the Nanaimo Port Authority (downtown Nanaimo). Passengers arriving in Nanaimo via Departure Bay can travel to the Comox Valley via the Island Link bus.
Similar to arriving at an airport, we recommend pre-arranging your transportation from either ferry terminal to your accommodation in advance.