HOMESTAY AND STUDENT HOUSING
Student Housing for Professional Training Program (PTP) students
STUDENT RESIDENCE AT SMS
A home away from home, the student residence at St. Margaret’s School (SMS) offers a safe, supportive, and enriching environment where students can focus on their training and academic success. Living on campus provides an immersive experience, fostering independence, discipline, and lifelong friendships. With comfortable accommodations, dedicated staff, and access to exceptional facilities, students can enjoy a well-balanced lifestyle that supports both their passion for dance and their personal growth.
RESIDENCE LIVING
The four residence houses—Barton, Fenwick, French, and Pearce—are more than just accommodations; they are welcoming communities designed to support students in their daily lives. Nestled in a quiet corner of the SMS campus, each house provides a peaceful atmosphere, ensuring students have the space they need to rest, study, and connect with their peers.
Each residence is staffed by a live-in house parent and a dedicated team who provide guidance and support 24/7, creating a warm and structured environment where students can thrive.
ROOMS & AMENITIES
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Shared double rooms, each with a private bathroom.
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Convenient access to SMS campus athletic and academic facilities, including:
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Tennis courts, gym, and fitness center.
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Dance and yoga studios.
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Computer and language labs.
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Music rooms.
STUDENT SERVICES AT SMS
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Laundry – Students have access to in-house laundry facilities for just $1 per wash, or they can opt for the weekly laundry service.
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Health & Wellness – The on-campus health team assists students with scheduling off-campus medical and health care appointments during the school week.
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Counselling – Professional counsellors are available during and after school hours to support students with mindfulness, stress management, and personal development.
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Security – A security guard patrols the SMS campus in the evenings and on weekends, and house parents are always on duty when students are in residence.
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Dining – Boarding students enjoy three nutritious meals and daily snacks at Alexis Hall, with meal options available for selective eaters and those with dietary needs. A well-balanced diet is essential for student-athletes, and SMS dining services ensure students have the energy they need for training and academic success.
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Transportation – Students have access to regular school transportation services to downtown Victoria, BC Ferries, and the airport. Taxis and public transit are also available for additional travel needs.
Living in residence at SMS provides students with an inspiring and structured environment that supports both their training and well-being. With dedicated staff, exceptional facilities, and a strong sense of community, the boarding program helps students build confidence, independence, and lasting connections while pursuing their passion for dance.
HOMESTAY
VAB offers homestay accommodation for international and domestic students. Carefully selected and screened host families provide a warm, comfortable, and supportive living environment. Host families will introduce the students to Canadian culture and provide support as they adapt to a demanding training schedule. Between experienced host parents and the Academy’s dedicated student services team, each dancer will be well cared for. International students are given a comprehensive orientation in their language when first entering VAB programs to ensure a smooth transition.
VAB’s host families provide a safe, caring home during a dancer’s stay in Victoria. We want all students to have a positive and rewarding homestay and housing experience and are always available to answer questions. Please email VAB’s Student Services Coordinator should you have any concearns at studentservices@vaballet.ca
Students who are at least 19 years old may choose their own rental situation. Apartment costs vary depending on if they are furnished or unfurnished, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, where it is located within the city, and if it is located in an apartment building or if it is a suite in a private home, etc. VAB Student Services can assist students with housing.
ARRIVAL
Once your arrival/departure information is confirmed, please make sure to inform our Student Services Coordinator promptly (studentservices@vaballet.ca). Your Host Family will greet you at the airport arrivals gate at your arrival time. They may hold a sign with your name on it or you may recognize them from being in contact. Often, homestays will share photos and are happy to video call before meeting in person. Your Host Family will take you to their home, and help you settle in. Please let them know if you need to purchase anything from the grocery store or pharmacy before your program begins. Take the time leading up to your first day to get acquainted with your Host Family, but also take time to rest and sleep. Your Host Family will understand if you are feeling jet lagged, or are needing to rest to feel ready to dance on your first day.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WHAT DOES THE HOST FAMILY PROVIDE?
• A house key
• A private bedroom (this may differ for summer intensive placements)
• Three well balanced meals and healthy snacks each day
• A quiet, adequately lit, and heated study space
• Hot water and facilities for daily bathing
• Laundry facilities – Homestays have different preferences on students doing their own laundry
• Emotional support if you are feeling homesick or having difficulties at school, etc.
• Inclusion in family outings, trips to restaurants, special occasions, recreational activities
• Access to the common living areas of the house
• Interest in dance performances, group potlucks organized by VAB, etc.
• Understanding of the level of commitment to your dance training and schedule
• Full-year students: Help with homework if possible, communication with teachers, attendance at parent-teacher-student interviews, etc.
Once you’re comfortably settled in, it’s important to have a discussion with your host parents regarding mutual expectations, particularly concerning the use of laptops and cell phones at night, as well as the level of interaction you’ll have with the family. The initial rules may change over time as you become more comfortable with your Host Family and they with you.
WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO PAY FOR?
• Bus fare (tickets/monthly pass) to commute to school/VAB
• Clothes
• Own toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, female hygiene products)
• Cell phone (full-year students must have a Canadian phone number) that allows you to contact your host parents, VAB, or high school easily
• Medications
• Haircuts or other personal services
• Special food and treats you may want outside of what your Host Family stocks
• Personal entertainment and expenses: Stamps, books, magazines, CDs, posters, etc.
• Airplane tickets to and from Victoria
• Full-year students will also need to pay for:
– Any dental work
– Costs related to the renewal of student study permits
– School supplies and extra-curricular lessons or activities
WHAT WILL I FEEL WHEN I FIRST ARRIVE?
You are bound to feel very excited about starting your program! At the same time, you may also feel a little disoriented. Adjusting to a new city or country can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time away from home. Do not be worried if you feel one or all of the following sometime after you arrive:
JET LAG
You may find you have trouble sleeping, feel drowsy during the day, and lose your appetite.
HOMESICKNESS AND/OR LONELINESS
You may feel very alone in this strange new situation and feel like you want to go home – especially if this is your first time away from home.
CULTURE SHOCK
Culture shock is what people experience when they are suddenly immersed in a culture that is different from their own. International students may notice that familiar ways of behaving are no longer appropriate or useful as you adapt to new (and in many cases, strange) things like language, climate, community, customs, food, home, family, and the ways that Canadians show emotions.
As you get to know your Host Family and the other students in your program these feelings will soon disappear. Your Host Family parents and VAB Student Services are there to help you navigate this new experience and are happy to talk to you about any of your concerns.
FULL-YEAR STUDENTS RETURNING TO THE SAME HOST FAMILY
Full-year students who will be returning to the same Host Family residence often store their belongings at the Homestay while away in July. However, Host Families often rent the room while you are away and may need you to pack up and either take your belongings home with you or leave them in boxes or suitcases in another area of the Host Family’s residence. Talk with your Host Family parents or the VAB Student Services Coordinator in the Spring to see what arrangements are possible.
We have been host parents since 2012 and have had the pleasure of welcoming students from Japan, Korea, the United States, Canada and Mexico into our home. Being a host family has enriched our lives in ways that we could never have anticipated. Hosting an international student promotes friendship, understanding of differences and cooperation, and I am proud that my children and the students that we host are growing up as global citizens.
Self-obtained Accommodation
Professional Training Program and Post-secondary Bridge Program students who are at least 19 years old may choose their own rental situation. Apartment costs vary depending on if they are furnished or unfurnished, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, where it is located within the city, if it located in an apartment building or if it is a suite in a private home, etc. VAB Student Services can assist students with housing.
For additional information on study and living costs in British Columbia please visit: StudyinBC
To learn more about tenancy rights in BC please visit: Residential Tenancy Branch
