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Moving to a new country is about much more than packing a suitcase—it’s about learning a new city, meeting new people, and making the most of your university experience.

Whether you’re studying in Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown, or St. John’s, there are a few things every student should know before arriving. This guide shares practical advice that goes beyond the classroom, helping international students in Canada feel at home from day one.

Be a Tourist for a Day

Before classes begin, spend a day exploring your new city like a visitor.

Walk through downtown, visit local cafés, explore parks, and check out the attractions that make your city unique. You’ll quickly become more comfortable navigating your surroundings—and you’ll probably discover a few favourite spots along the way.

One of the best parts of studying abroad is experiencing somewhere completely new, so don’t rush past the tourist attractions. They’re popular for a reason.

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John’s is known for its colourful row houses, rugged coastline, and welcoming community.

While the city has a lively student nightlife, make time to experience authentic Newfoundland culture. Visit a local pub with live music, chat with locals, and you’ll quickly understand why Newfoundland hospitality is famous across Canada.

If you enjoy the outdoors, take advantage of the city’s incredible hiking trails. A weekend hike is one of the best ways to experience the province’s natural beauty.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal rewards students who say “yes.”

From outdoor concerts and food festivals to neighbourhood markets and cultural events, there’s almost always something happening—and much of it is free activities.

One of the best pieces of advice for international students in Canada studying in Montreal is to accept invitations, attend campus events, and explore different neighbourhoods whenever you can.

Montreal is also one of Canada’s most creative cities. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, try something new, or discover a hobby you’ve never considered before. Chances are, you’ll find a community that shares your interests.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax perfectly balances city life with the outdoors.

Spend an afternoon walking the famous Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, where you’ll find local restaurants, cafés, and waterfront views.

If you have a free weekend, take a trip to Peggy’s Cove. It’s one of Nova Scotia’s most recognizable destinations and gives you a chance to experience the province beyond the city.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island may be Canada’s smallest province, but it’s full of experiences.

If you have access to a car, spend a day exploring both ends of the island. From charming fishing villages to scenic coastal roads, every corner has something different to offer.

While you’re there, try local seafood, visit farmers’ markets, and don’t miss Cavendish Beach. Its white sand, rolling dunes, and stunning coastline make it one of Canada’s most beautiful beaches.

Finding Your Home Away From Home

No matter which city you choose, your university experience starts with finding a place where you feel comfortable.

Having a safe, welcoming home makes it easier to focus on classes, build friendships, and enjoy everything your new city has to offer.

At University Apartments, we provide purpose-built student housing for international students in Canada with residences in Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown, and St. John’s. Our fully furnished communities are designed to help students settle in quickly and feel at home from their very first day.

Here’s to new friendships, unforgettable experiences, and making Canada your home away from home.

Sending your child to study in Canada is an exciting milestone—but helping them find housing from another country can feel overwhelming.

Whether they’re moving to Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown, or St. John’s, finding safe, reliable student housing in Canada is one of the most important steps before classes begin.

The good news? With a little planning, you can help your student find a place they’ll feel comfortable calling home while giving yourself peace of mind.

Here are five ways to make the process easier.

1. Start Your Search Early

Student housing fills quickly, especially before the September semester. Waiting until the last minute can leave fewer options and higher prices.

If your child has accepted an offer from McGill University, Concordia University, Dalhousie University, Memorial University, or the University of Prince Edward Island, begin looking several months before move-in.

Starting early gives you time to compare locations, lease terms, amenities, and pricing without feeling rushed. Our guide on When to Start Looking for Student Housing is a great place to begin.

2. Choose Purpose-Built Student Housing

Not all rentals are created equal.

Traditional apartment listings often require students to arrange furniture, utilities, internet, and maintenance themselves. For families searching from abroad, that can add unnecessary stress.

Purpose-built student housing is designed specifically for university students and often includes:

Fully furnished apartments
Utilities and Wi-Fi
On-site management
Secure building access
Student-focused amenities and common spaces

Choosing trusted student housing in Canada means your child can arrive ready to settle in instead of worrying about setting up an apartment from scratch. Not sure what makes purpose-built student housing different? Read our Ultimate Parent Guide to Student Life in Montreal for more tips on helping your student transition successfully.

3. Understand What’s Included

Before signing a lease, make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for.

Ask questions like:

Is the apartment furnished?
Are utilities included?
Is the internet included?
Is there on-site maintenance?
Are there additional monthly fees?

A slightly higher rent may actually save money if it includes furniture, utilities, and internet. Understanding the full cost helps avoid unexpected expenses after your student arrives.

4. Take Advantage of Virtual Tours

If you can’t visit Canada in person, schedule a virtual tour.

A reputable housing provider should be happy to walk you through the residence and answer your questions. During the tour, ask about building security, nearby transit, grocery stores, study spaces, and the move-in process for international students. Before your child arrives, make sure they understand the requirements for obtaining a Canadian study permit.

Choosing student housing in Canada becomes much easier when you can see the space and speak directly with the team managing the property.

5. Think Beyond the Apartment

Finding housing isn’t just about where your child will sleep—it’s about helping them build a successful university experience.

Living in a student community gives students opportunities to meet neighbours, study together, and adjust to life in a new city.

Purpose-built student housing often creates an environment where students can quickly make friends and feel supported during their first months away from home.

For parents, that’s one less thing to worry about.

Give Yourself Peace of Mind

Studying abroad is a big transition for the whole family.

By starting your search early, choosing purpose-built housing, understanding what’s included, taking virtual tours, and prioritizing community, you’ll help your child begin university with confidence.

At University Apartments, we provide trusted student housing in Canada for students studying in Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown, and St. John’s. Our fully furnished communities are designed to make moving easier—whether you’re arriving from across the country or across the world.

Explore our residences today and discover why families trust University Apartments to help students feel at home from day one.

Spring officially sprung across our University Apartments communities this May.

From Newfoundland to Prince Edward Island, students experienced everything from playoff hockey and Formula 1 excitement to iceberg sightings, local markets, move-ins, and community events.

As students wrapped up exams, started summer jobs, and settled into new homes, each of our property locations had something unique happening.

Here’s a look back at May across our communities.

Wester-Land | St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

If there is one thing that signals the arrival of spring in Newfoundland, it’s iceberg season.

Throughout May, residents across St. John’s were treated to some of the province’s most iconic sights. Icebergs began appearing along the coastline, puffins returned to nesting grounds, and moose became increasingly active as temperatures slowly started to rise.

While spring arrived a little later than some parts of Canada, there was no shortage of things to do. Students could enjoy hiking trails, coastal viewpoints, local music events, and the unique scenery that makes Newfoundland unlike anywhere else in the country.

May also brought exciting news for future residents as Wester-Land launched its Early Bird Pricing promotion for students planning their September move-in.

Looking ahead, June is shaping up to be another exciting month in St. John’s, with local events including the Good Vibes Market and the Best Kind Barbecue Festival helping kick off summer across the city. Students can explore upcoming events through the Destination St. John’s Events Calendar.

PALAY & Le Mojave | Montreal, Quebec

If you were in Montreal this May, there was one thing you couldn’t escape: energy.

The city came alive as the Montreal Canadiens continued their incredible playoff run, advancing all the way to the Eastern Conference Final. Bell Centre watch parties, packed restaurants, and Canadiens flags throughout the city created an atmosphere students won’t soon forget.

At the same time, Montreal prepared for one of the biggest events on its annual calendar: the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, one of the city’s largest tourism and entertainment events. For the first time, the Grand Prix weekend overlapped with a Canadiens playoff run, creating a truly unforgettable month for sports fans across the city.

Closer to home, May was also move-in month for many new residents at PALAY and St-Dom.

Over the past month, students from around the world arrived in Montreal and officially began calling our communities home. Whether moving from another province or another continent entirely, we are thrilled to welcome so many new faces to the University Apartments family.

Across Quebec | Behind the Scenes

May was also a big month behind the camera.

Throughout the month, our Quebec properties participated in new photo and video shoots designed to showcase student life, apartment living, and the communities being built inside each property.

What made these shoots especially meaningful was the participation of our residents.

Many students volunteered their time to help us capture authentic moments that reflect what living in our communities actually looks like—from studying and relaxing to spending time with roommates and friends.

The result is a collection of content that feels genuine, personal, and representative of the students who call our buildings home.

For students new to the city, summer is one of the best times to explore Montreal’s festivals, neighbourhoods, and student-friendly attractions through Tourisme Montréal’s summer event guide.

We can’t wait to start sharing more of it with you throughout the summer.

Brown’s Court | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

As the weather warmed up, Charlottetown’s event calendar quickly filled with local markets, live music, community gatherings, and outdoor activities.

One event we especially enjoyed was a local thrift market where we picked up several unique pieces for our Brown’s Court showroom unit. Supporting local vendors while discovering one-of-a-kind décor? That’s a win-win in our books.

The finds from that market will soon make their debut in upcoming Brown’s Court content as we prepare for our June photo and video shoot.

Like many PEI summers, the season is already shaping up to be full of community events, local festivals, and plenty of opportunities for students to explore everything the island has to offer.

Students looking for upcoming markets, festivals, and live music events can browse the Discover Charlottetown Events Calendar.

Looking Back on May

Every month brings something new to our communities.

Whether it was spotting icebergs in Newfoundland, celebrating playoff hockey in Montreal, welcoming new residents, participating in content shoots, or exploring local markets in Prince Edward Island, May reminded us how unique each of our student housing communities truly is.

But our favourite part of every month remains the same: helping students find a place to call home.

From fully furnished apartments and inclusive pricing to communities designed specifically for student life, we’re proud to support students across Canada as they begin new chapters.

As we turn the page to June, we’re excited to see what the summer has in store.

Interested in finding your student home for September? Explore our available communities, pricing, and leasing information through the University Apartments website.

Happy May, everyone.

June, we’re ready for you!

Wester-Land: A Landmark for Community, Creativity, and Sustainable Living

RSVP by Oct 31 and join us Nov 6 for a celebration of community and creativity.

The event will feature a live musical performance by The Navigators, an interactive stamp-art activity led by Jud Haynes and Whatisadam, and local food by Johnny Mae’s Food Truck, all reinforcing the project’s theme of being a good neighbour and celebrating community connection. The launch event brings together local and national talent to celebrate Wester-Land’s identity as a living work of art and collaboration, featuring these installations:

The launch event brings together local and national talent to celebrate Wester-Land’s identity as a living work of art and collaboration, featuring these installations:

The Navigators (Newfoundland):

Beloved Newfoundland folk band blending rich baritone harmonies and contemporary trad influences. With four studio albums and international tours, The Navigators celebrate local culture through storytelling, song, and spirited performance.

Whatisadam (Montreal):

A striking outdoor mural blending vintage comic style and Newfoundland imagery.

Ben Tardiff (Montreal):

Interior murals highlighting creativity and community inspired by Newfoundland.

Daniel Rumbolt (St. John’s):

Material-driven works inspired by coastal culture and storytelling.

Kevin-Barry Martin (Witless Bay):

“Moratorium Cod” — a kinetic sculpture made from reclaimed materials, reflecting Newfoundland’s heritage and environmental consciousness.

Jud Haynes (St. John’s):

Graphic illustrations connecting local identity and contemporary design.

Click here to RSVP.

Westie Life | Newsletter

November Programming

WESTER-LAND BLOC PARTY

Join us for live music from by The Navigators, an interactive stamp-art activity led by Jud Haynes and Whatisadam, and free local food by Johnny Mae’s Food Truck, all reinforcing the project’s theme of being a good neighbour and celebrating community connection.

*Please RSVP if you intend on coming so we can correctly staff the event!

When: November 6th; 3-6PM

Where: Wester-Land (6 Lambe’s Lane)

RSVP