Healthy living - part of the British Columbia lifestyle

British Columbia has earned an international reputation for a healthy lifestyle. In BC you will find that many people walk or ride their bikes to work and that exercising is part of many people's daily activities. Outdoor activities are easy to access from all areas and while you are studying in BC you will have the chance to hike, bike, visit parks, swim, sail or ski! If you wish to join a gym there are many different choices available. The air is considered to be the cleanest in the world, and you can safely drink the water from the tap - a clean environment is important to British Columbia and a part of the lifestyle.

Health and Medical Care

Being sick away from home is never fun but British Columbia has a world class health care system that is easy to access. Many schools have a medical clinic on campus and most towns and cities have several drop-in medical clinics where you can see a doctor without an appointment. You must have medical coverage while you are studying in British Columbia. The medical insurance page outlines the different types of coverage that you may consider while studying in BC.

Safety and Community Resources

Canada has been ranked by the United Nations as one of the best places in the world to live for the past four years. Safety is a top concern for British Columbia and you should feel comfortable and confident while you are here. Local police and ambulances are there to help you 24 hours a day and most schools provide additional campus security offices and personnel. Some schools even offer "safe-walk" programs so you do not have to walk alone at night while at school. For some basic safety tips click here.

Additional Information and Other Services

Studying and living in a new place is exciting, but its nice to know there are support services if you need them. Each school will have an international student office or department. Many schools also have counseling services, an ombudsman's office and a student union or society that are specifically designed to help students in need.

Health care

Dealing with a crisis and many other useful health and advisory groups