Table of Contents
· International Student in Canada
o Adapting to Canadian Culture
o New Student Orientation
o Activities and Events for International
Students
· Housing and Transportation Guide
o Budget for Housing
o Accommodation Near School
o Tenancy Rights and Responsibilities
o Transportation
· Health Insurance, Safety, Crisis Management
& Mental Well-being
o Mandatory Health Insurance
o Student safety
o Local Clinics
o Mental Health Support
o Emergency Procedures
o Crisis Management Resources
· Financial Planning and Support
o Tuition and Fees
o Payment Methods
o Opening Bank Account
o Scholarships
Learning Support Services
· Part-Time Job and Post-Graduation Employment
o Job Opportunities for Students
o Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Canadian Permanent
Resident Status
Welcome International Flight Centre
Whether you’re
new to Canada or have been here a while, the staff of International Flight Centre want you to feel right at home as you start
your aviation journey. This is a big step, and we’re here to guide you, and make sure you’re ready for all the
amazing opportunities ahead.
International
Flight Centre is more than just a school – we’re your new Canadian Family. A place where you’ll meet
lifelong friends, grow as a person, and build the skills to soar in your career. Our instructors and staff are passionate
about helping you succeed, and we’re all here to make sure you have the best experience possible.
This guide is designed to help you settle in. Think of it
as your go-to handbook for everything you need to know – from tips on adjusting to life in Canada to advice on health,
housing, finances, and student life. We want to make sure you feel supported and confident every step of the way.
International Student in Canada
What’s
it like to be an International Student in Canada? We recommend new students to go through https://www.welcomebc.ca/start-your-life-in-b-c to learn about details on BC’s
health, education, government systems and many more. This will prepare one’s arrival to BC and help one to adapt to
the new environment quickly and smoothly.
Adapting to Canadian
Culture
Canada is celebrated for its rich cultural diversity, and as an international student, your
classroom interactions might be your first exposure to people from vastly different backgrounds and cultures. It’s common
for many international students to encounter some level of culture shock during their initial months in Canada. While most
Canadians are known for being friendly and welcoming to newcomers, adjusting to cultural differences can still require time
and patience. We encourage students to read through https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/my-money-matters/life-events/new-to-canada/studying-in-canada/first-month-in-canada-international-student/ article from RBC to help you transition smoothly into your campus life in Canada.
International Flight Centre is culturally diverse. We have trained pilots from all over world. We are
well versed and we always go out of our way to make your stay a positive one in every way possible.
New Student Orientation
Following registration at dispatch, an in-person orientation is booked for international students at no additional
cost. Our students are always there wanting to assist in the new comer especially students from the same country they are
from. The orientation will include information about living costs, housing costs, availability of suitable accommodation,
requirements for program attendance and progression, the institution’s policies, including the policy for dispute resolution
for academic and non-academic disputes, employment rights and conditions in British Columbia, and tenancy rights in British
Columbia.
Activities and Events for International Students
International students in Vancouver, British
Columbia can enjoy many activities, including outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and events.
Outdoor activities
Cultural experiences
· Visit museums and galleries: Explore the Vancouver Art Gallery
or the Vancouver Zoo
· Fly Over Canada: Experience a state-of-the-art flight simulator
· Visit Granville Island: Stroll through the farmers market and
brewery
· Visit Stanley Park: Walk by the water or go for a bike
ride
Housing and Transportation
Guide
Finding housing in the Vancouver area can
be a tedious task, especially for those new to the region. To make the process smoother, it’s a good idea to begin exploring
housing options well in advance. If you’re not yet familiar with the area, we have prepared Housing and Transportation
Guide to help you get oriented.
This guide
has been specifically created for international students new to Canada, offering insights into local accommodation choices
and practical rental advice to help you secure a safe and comfortable place to live.
Budget for Housing
Housing costs in Metro Vancouver can vary widely depending on the area and type of
accommodation. To get a clear idea of what to expect, it’s a good idea to explore a variety of available units in the
neighbourhood where you’re hoping to live. This will help you plan your budget more effectively and set realistic expectations.
To help you budget your expenses, we recommend using the following
cost-of-living calculator: https://www.costofliving.workbc.ca/.
Accommodation Near School
Accommodations is an important factor in choosing a flight school. Since International Flight Centre does not provide
on-campus housing facilities, all students arriving from outside of the Metro Vancouver region will need to find a place to
live. We want to help you locate comfortable accommodation that best meets your needs to make your stay much more enjoyable
and stress free. We are pleased to provide some suggestions to a host of accommodations available to students in areas around
the school, ranging in style, comfort, and price.
We have created
a list to provide suggestions
to a host of accommodations available to students in areas around the school, ranging in style, comfort, and price below.
Short Term Stay
It’s important to arrange your temporary accommodation before you arrive so that
you will have a place to stay while looking for long term options. We recommend organize at least 3 – 4 weeks
of temporary accommodation while you look for permanent accommodation. This give you enough time to search and find the desired
place to settle down.
Short
term accommodation costs will vary from staying in hostels, lodges, hotels or serviced apartments. Usually prices are listed
online and stay can be booked in advanced. Below are some short term accommodations close to school. Please note that International
Flight Centre is not linked to any of these businesses.
Coast Tsawwassen
Inn
Address: 1665
56 St, Delta, BC
Distance: 8.9Km (12 minutes by car)
Phone: (604) 943-8221
Web: https://www.tsawwasseninn.com/
Feature: Very nice rooms
Clair’s
Bed & Breakfast
Address: 4919 48 Ave &
Bridge St, Delta, BC
Distance:
6.4Km (11 minutes by car)
Phone:
(604) 940-8867
Web: http://clairsinnladner.com/
Delta Town & Country Inn
Address: 6005 BC-17A, Delta, BC
Distance: 6.2Km (12 minutes by car)
Phone: (604) 946-4404
Web: https://www.deltainn.com/
Feature: Nice rooms
Eric Buckingham
Address: Richmond, BC
Distance:
11Km
Phone: 778-870-5505
Web: http://vancouverhomestayinrichmondbc.ca
Feature: 3 Bedrooms available for home-stay. Very large and spacious
rooms with walk-in closets
Nav Singh
Address: 1660 Babcock Place, tsawwassen, BC
Distance: 11Km (12 minutes by car)
Phone: (778)-223-4575
Email: nav_s@outlook.com
Feature: 2 rooms with single and double beds. Buy and cook your own
food. Rate starts at $650 per month
Muchen Villa
Address: 5677 28th Ave, Delta, BC
Distance: 8.6Km (12 minutes by car)
Phone: (778)-885-0222 or (604)-728-0986
Web: Link https://www.airbnb.ca/users/show/79074947
Feature: 10
large rooms with single and double beds. Buy and cook your own food. Rate starts at $850 per month
AirBNB
AirBNB is a good option for staying for short period of time. There are many AirBNB homes around school.
https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Ladner–Delta–BC
Long Term Stay
For long term stay, students usually choose homestay or rental properties. We highly
recommend arranging long term private rental accommodation in person. We recommend this so you can inspect properties and
make an informed decision on location, price, safety and proximity to public transport. It also reduces the risk of exposure
to rental scams which often pretend to have properties available for rent and ask for money upfront.
This is why we encourage that only short term accommodation should be pre-arranged
before your arrival. For any long term arrangements, it is vital that you see what your options are in person.
Homestay
Homestay programs allow students to live in a Canadian home as a member of the family.
Students share meals with their hosts, participate in family activities and conversations, and establish friendships with
people who can help make the adjustment to new surroundings much easier. If this housing option appeals to you, please refer
to the options below:
Home Stay in Delta
HomeStay.com has a vast database of homestay families
in Greater Vancouver area.
https://www.homestay.com/canada/delta
Harmony Homestay
Harmony Homestay has a diverse database of homestay families to be able to
provide a variety of options when choosing a homestay family.
www.harmonyhomestay.com
Additional Long Term Options
If Homestay is not your housing preference, you can use various Internet search engines
and rental property boards to locate your own lodging. Make sure the searched property is within reasonable commute distance
from school. There are many different types of living arrangements available, including: one-bedroom apartments, two,
three and four-bedroom apartments, basement suites/apartments, a single room in a house, shared houses, etc.
· Craig’s List
· Rent BC
· Rent Hello
· Kijiji Listings
Note that the web links above are provided
as a courtesy to students. International Flight Center does not take responsibility for off-campus Activities and events
such as rental accommodation.
Tenancy Rights and
Responsibilities
A lease, often referred to locally as a tenancy agreement, is a legally binding contract in Canada between
a tenant and a landlord or property manager for renting a property. Once both parties sign the lease, a tenancy begins, and
the leaseholder, along with any other occupants listed (such as family members or roommates), officially become tenants. In
British Columbia, tenants are granted specific rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancy Act . https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies
Before signing a lease, we strongly advise taking the following steps:
1. Get to know the area: Spend time exploring different neighborhoods to find a location that suits your
needs and preferences. If possible, live in the Vancouver area for a few months before committing to a lease in your name.
2. Understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant: Take advantage of free resources like the Renting
it Right online courses and review materials on the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre website,
including their Tenant Survival Guide.
3. Inspect the property in person: Arrange a viewing with the landlord or property
manager. If you can, bring a friend or family member along. Document any existing damage (photos can be helpful) and notify
the landlord. Take the opportunity to explore the neighborhood and check for amenities like transit, grocery stores, parks,
and cafes.
4. Read the lease thoroughly: Take your time to review the lease carefully. Ensure you fully understand all the
terms and conditions, as it becomes a legally binding agreement once signed.
Taking these steps can help you make an informed decision and ensure a smoother renting experience.
Transportation
We
are located at Boundary Bay Regional Airport https://czbb.com/ (CZBB), which is about 20 minutes from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and less than 40 minutes to downtown Vancouver,
Surrey and the US Border.
You can get to International
Flight Centre by car, bus or bike. Public transit is definitely recommended. We are just 200m (2 minutes walk) from the bus
stop. If you do drive, there are plenty onsite free parking space available.
Please visit their lick Transportation https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/route/310/direction/1/schedule?page=1 detailed travel information.
Health Insurance, Safety, Crisis Management & Mental
Well-being
Mandatory Health Insurance
In British Columbia, the health insurance
is provided through government through Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP is a mandatory health
insurance plan, for everyone who lives in British Columbia (BC) for six months or longer. International Students upon arrival
at International Flight Centre must provide proof of initial 3-month Private Health Insurance coverage in BC. Upon arrival,
students must apply for Medical Services Plan (MSP).
More
information can be found at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/benefits
Student safety
Vancouver is a safe city and violent crime is not common. As in any
other big city, however, thefts, pick-pocketing, and small crimes do happen. Please review International Student Safety page from Vancouver Policy Department
(VPD) for tips to stay safe while travelling on transit or out at night.
Local Clinics
8-1-1 is a free, confidential
phone line in British Columbia that provides health information and advice. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, and is operated by HealthLink BC.
Need medical care right away? Visit one of these trusted clinics close to school:
·
Delta Medical Clinic
·
Delta Hospital
Mental Health Support
In Canada, we believe that mental illness is caused by a complex
interaction of genetic, biological, personality, and environmental factors and that it can affect people of all ages, cultures,
and education and income levels. We also believe that every life has its ups and downs and that increasing self-esteem, coping
skills, and social support can help people be more resilient, and bounce back from adversities.
Your mental well-being matters. International students can access mental support
blow at any time. You are welcomed to reach out to school at any time if you require assistance:
· Here2Talk: Free, 24/7 mental
health support for post-secondary students. Visit Here2Talk. https://here2talk.ca/main
·
Call the BC Mental Health Support
Line at 310-6789 (no area code needed) for immediate assistance.
· Crisis Centre BC: Call 1-800-784-2433
or visit Crisis Centre BC. https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/
· View International Student Safety Guide https://www.mosaicbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/International-Student-Safety-Guide.pdf
· View HEALTH and Wellness Guidelines for International Students
·
Emergency Procedures
Your safety is our top priority at International
Flight Centre. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the following emergency protocols:
·
Dial 911
for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
· Evacuation Plans: Familiarize yourself with
evacuation routes and assembly points on campus.
· Emergency Drills: Participate in regular fire
and earthquake drills to practice safe responses.
· Severe Weather Alerts: Stay informed about
local weather conditions and follow school guidelines during severe weather events.
Crisis Management Resources
International
Flight Centre provides support for students facing emergencies or challenging situations:
·
Student
Services: Contact dispatch at 604-952-4635 during operational hours.
Financial Planning and Support
Tuition and Fees
The latest estimated total cost of Flight Training at different stages of the International Pilot Program
and aircraft’s hourly rate can be found at http://www.intlflightcentre.com . All prices are in Canadian Dollars. The training cost is the same for domestic and international students.
Payment Methods
Tuition payments
can be made via bank transfer, cheque, bank draft, credit card, or other approved methods.
Opening Bank Account
Opening a
Canadian bank account (in-person or online) is one of the first things you should do as an international student. Please call
or visit the bank first to see if an appointment is required for opening a new account.
You will need to bring following documents with you when opening a bank account:
· Passport
·
Study Permit
· Letter of Acceptance
·
Proof of
Address (such as rental agreement or utility bill)
Below is a list of popular
banks in Canada:
·
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) (set up your Canadian bank account
from your home country)
· Bank of Montreal (BMO)
·
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
·
Scotiabank
·
Simplii Financial
· Toronto-Dominion (TD) Canada Trust
Scholarships
Some organizations provide
scholarships for international students in Canada, such as:
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
• EduCanada Scholarships
• BC General Aviation Association Scholarship
Please note that most of those Scholarships are meant for Canadian students only.
Learning
Support Services
Flight Training
Flight Training Videos
If a picture worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a thousand pictures! International Flight Centre
has a videos library that students can view them any time. Many of students have recorded and shared flight training videos
on social Medias, that is something that I do not recommend students to use as most of those are not correctly done. These
videos we have in our library do helped with better understanding of some exercises, but it is best to watch with an instructor
so that the student can gets the full benefit.
Some
social Medias on YouTube do have correct information and those are normally from experienced Flight Instructors out there.
If you are not sure as the to YouTube video you see is show corrent information it is best to ask the our instructor about
it.
Ground School
Our Ground School is well known as many students
have joined our Ground School even if they are not enrolled with us. The Ground School runs on a continuous basis
and new students are welcome to join in at any time. This comprehensive 80-hour course is offered on Tuesday and Saturday
in the evening 7PM to 9 PM. Our ground school prepares you to achieve a solid passing mark on the Transport Canada Written
Exams. For those students that can't join our Ground school, they can join the on-line ground schools that are available,
please ask our instructor as to which one we recommend from all those on-line.
You can also book an instructor for a one-on-one ground school or part of the ground school by letting the
instructor know which area you have issue with. This of cause will bring the cost up a bit as you are getting the full
attention from an instructor.
We also have
study groups that get together every now and them, those are normally arranged by the students themselves.
Part-Time Job and Post-Graduation Employment
Job Opportunities for Students
During study
period, full-time International Students can work up to 24 hours per week while studying in Canada. We always try our
best to hire our own Instructor Rating graduates; however, this also depends on the demand at the time.
Post-Graduation
Work Permit (PGWP)
If you complete your CPL flight training with our school under a student visa/permit, you are eligible to
apply for work permit and work in Canada. Because according to Government of Canada, to be eligible for a Post-graduation
work permits (PGWP), you must meet one of these requirements:
· You’ve completed a flight training course
at a Canadian training centre and now have a Canadian commercial pilot’s license, or
·
You have
or you are in the process of getting an instructor’s rating, and you have a job offer to work as a flight instructor
at a flight training centre.
Government
of Canada has made it clear that new PGWP eligibility requirement based on field of study does not apply to flight schools
(Official Link https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html#what
). Flight school graduates only need to meet
the current eligibility criteria https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/designated-learning-institutions-list/flight-schools.html (even after November 1, 2024).
Additional Resources on Working in Canada:
• WorkBC Workplace Rights
• WorkBC Career Services for Post Secondary Students and Alumni
• Post-Graduation Work Permit
• Finding Work in BC
Canadian Permanent Resident Status
Over the years, many of our Instructors Rating students have successfully obtained
Canadian Permanent Residence Status. We do not offer immigration advice or counseling services. We suggest interested students
to contact Canadian government or an immigration expert for detailed information on CRS.
Student Policies and Procedures
Student Statement of Right, Refund Policy, Sexual Misconduct Policy, Harassement and Anti-Racism
Policy and Dispute Resolution can be find in our website http://www.intlflightcentre.com
Beware of Rental Scams
While the vast majority
of apartment listings online are legitimate, you should be aware that certain individuals post rental listings for the sole
purpose of scamming potential renters. To avoid rental scams here are some red flags and tips from Vancouver Police Department:
Is the price too good to
be true?
Check rental rates
in the same area. Often fraudsters will try to entice their victims with low prices to elicit multiple victims.
Are they just communicating with you via email?
Fraudsters will not want to meet their victims in person to avoid being recognized and investigated by police.
Are they asking for cash only or a cash security deposit?
Cash is
untraceable and can be used immediately.
Are they asking for money to be wired?
Once money is wired, it is extremely difficult to cancel the transaction. Also, money transfers are difficult to trace.
Have
you seen the place and walked around with the property manager or owner?
Never rent a place that you
have not been inside and walked around.
Are they asking for
personal information such as a SIN, bank account, credit card numbers?
That information is not required
to rent a place.
Are they the landowner or property manager?
Only the landowner and property
manager have the authority to rent out a place (there are exceptions to this rule however, it is rare).
Can I obtain work permit after finishing the CPL or Instructor Rating program?
The answer is Yes! According to Government of Canada, to be eligible for a Post-graduation
work permit (PGWP), you must meet one of these requirements:
· You’ve completed a flight training course at a Canadian training centre and now have a Canadian
commercial pilot’s license, or
· You
have or you are in the process of getting an instructor’s rating, and you have a job offer to work as a flight instructor
at a flight training centre.
I am already in Canada on Visitor Visa, can I apply for a Study Permit?
Yes, after obtaining the Letter of Acceptance, you can apply for
a study permit from within Canada.
