The decision about where to live when you are visiting and studying in Toronto, is important. This article might help you with your decision. >
The English School of Canada offers three choices for accommodations in Canada: Homestay, University Residence, and Apartments. Most students begin the first 3 months in Homestay or Residence, then move to an apartment with their friends from school.



Homestay Program
The Homestay Program places students with a Canadian family during their stay in Toronto. Students have a private room, with a bed, desk, dresser, and lamp. Some homes offer computer and internet access. Students receive fresh bed linen and towels each week, and have access to laundry facilities in the home. Meals are also included—students can choose 2 (breakfast and dinner) or 3 meals (lunch is a bag lunch during the school week) per day. Students are treated as part of the family, and therefore should expect to be treated no differently than anyone else in the home. Homes are located all around the city, about 20 minutes from the school by public transportation.


Residence
From May to August, the English School of Canada offers residence accommodation in downtown Toronto at the University of Toronto. All residences have 24-hour security, however students will be living alone, so they must be independent. In residence, students have a single room with a shared bathroom. Fresh linen and towels are provided weekly. Meals can be taken at the residence cafeteria, and students must purchase the meal plan directly from the residence when they arrive in Toronto.

Apartments
Many students move to apartments with friends or classmates after they have become used to life in Canada. The English School of Canada has some apartments available to students, but students must visit and select the apartment by themselves after they arrive in Toronto. Rent is paid directly to the landlord, not to the school. Finding the right apartment takes one or two months, depending on the students’ preferences.

Accommodations Coordinator
The Accommodations Coordinator is available to assist your students with all of their questions, concerns, or problems with accommodation. Students receive an orientation package that explains accommodation information, rules, and expectations on their first day of school, plus, at the end of the week, each student has a one-to-one meeting with the Accommodations Coordinator to discuss any issues that arise.

Homestay is an excellent way to meet new people and learn about Canada and Canadian culture. It can be your "home away from home."

Here are the top 10 reasons why students choose homestay.

1. IT’S SAFE! - Students know that when they stay in homestay they are in a safe and welcoming home. That's important to students - and it's important to their parents too.
2. IT’S COMFORTABLE – You get to enjoy all the accessories of a fully furnished home, without going and buying these things yourself. You will get to use the phone, the television and other household appliances right in your own homestay.
3. LEARN ENGLISH – Many students come to Canada to learn English. Studies have shown that students will learn a language more quickly if they put themselves directly in an environment where they need to speak it all the time. Your family will be there to spend time with you and talk with you. It’s as though you are taking an extra class in English everyday.
4. THERE’S COMPANY – Students have reported feeling less lonely when they are in homestay. That’s because there are people around you all the time. Homestay gives you a sense of family because you will be treated as a family member in your new Toronto home.
5. ADVICE & SUPPORT - When you first come to a new country there are lots of things to learn. Your family is there to help you. They will give you advice and the information you might need, instead of going to many different places to get it yourself.
6. IT’S EASY – When you first arrive in Toronto, you don’t have to worry about where you will stay or go through the trouble of looking for an apartment. In fact, it is hard to find nice apartments in Toronto. If apartment living is for you then you might want to start in homestay to give yourself time to find an apartment that fits your needs.
7. LEARN THE CULTURE – A family is one of the best and quickest ways to learn about our culture in Canada. You will be included in holiday celebrations and will experience first hand how Canadians live.
8. THE FOOD – With homestay, depending on the meal plan you choose, there’s often no shopping and you don’t need to take your time preparing any food. That’s because your host will do that for you. So you save a lot of time and money.
9. FRIENDSHIP – Most often, students come to Canada and value the relationships they have with their host family and often life long relationships develop. There have been lots of students who many years later come back to visit their host family – their home away from home.
10. IT’S FUN! - Homestay can really be a rewarding experience. The time students spend in homestay have often been one of their most memorable times abroad. So give it a try!