Camosun College

Camosun College is a community college located in Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The college has two campuses, Lansdowne and Interurban, with a total enrollment of ~20,000 students (including Continuing Education). Camosun College also provides contract training for local business; research, innovation and prototyping services for industry; and trained co-op students for employers.

As of the 2013–14 year, Camosun had more than 19,000 full-time and part-time students between its Lansdowne and Interurban campuses. About 1,000 Aboriginal students from 50 First Nations including Métis and Inuit groups, and over 1,100 international students from 60 different countries attend the college each year.

Campus

Lansdowne

The Lansdowne campus is located in Saanich, on the corner of Lansdowne and Foul Bay Roads, overlooking the city of Victoria and the Olympic Mountains. Each semester, the Lansdowne campus hosts students enrolled in university transfer, college preparatory and access programs as well as career programs in arts, science, business, health and human services.

The campus facilities are surrounded by tree-lined grounds. The Alan Batey Library, opened in 1991, is located prominently in the centre of the campus. The Dental Health Education Centre, opened in 1990, stands opposite the Library. The newest facility on campus is the Wilna Thomas Building with its adjoining Cultural Centre.

The Isabel Dawson building is the centre for most student services including information and registration, academic advising, financial aid, assessment, disability support services, international student services, counselling and the career resource centre. The Fisher building houses the campus bookstore and cafeteria, as well as classrooms, labs and offices for nursing, biology, physics, chemistry and other disciplines. The Paul Building and Richmond House also provide space for classrooms, labs and offices. The Child Care Centre looks after about 25 children on campus.

In the southeast corner of the campus the Dunlop House is a heritage building which houses the Hotel and Restaurant Management program's student-operated restaurant. In contrast to all the facilities on campus, the 1914 Young Building with its clock tower and Italian Renaissance architecture, sits on the south-west corner of the campus and is an historic city landmark.

Camosun College's music program and the Victoria Conservatory of Music have shared a building on the Lansdowne campus since 1991.

Opened in September 2012, Camosun's medical imaging facility offers a two-year program in medical radiography technology.

Interurban

The Interurban campus is located in a rural Saanich setting, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Victoria. Students attend classes at Interurban focused on trades, technology, business or access programs. The campus is surrounded by natural woodland, fields and walking trails.

Located next to Interurban Road, the Campus Centre provides information about Camosun programs and services. The building also houses registration, the career resource centre, academic advising, counselling, student and alumni employment services, the bookstore, library, fitness centre, Student Society offices and a number of administrative offices, meeting rooms and classrooms. On the courtyard side of the building the clock-tower faces a pole carved especially for Camosun by Richard Hunt, as part of the 1994 Commonwealth Games legacy.

In the middle of campus sits the Helmut Huber Cook Training Centre, which houses the Culinary Arts Foundation program. The campus community and the public can purchase breakfast and lunch prepared by students, and in the evening, part of the cafeteria is transformed into the Classroom Restaurant. In 2018 the Culinary Arts program was expanded to include food truck operation.

On the north end of the campus, the Jack White and John Drysdale buildings house the offices of Continuing Education and Contract Training and most of Camosun's trades programs. Several entry-level, apprenticeship, pre-employment and upgrading programs operate year-round, all providing a mix of in-class learning and hands-on shop work.

Behind the campus is the Vancouver Island Technology Park, providing access for Camosun faculty and students entering into partnerships with local industry and research projects. Located on the south side of the campus, the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE), a centre for academics and athletics, was completed in September 2008. The centre is a partnership between Camosun College and Pacific Sport Victoria and brings together local and national-level sport education, leadership, research and athletic development under one roof.

Academic Programs

• Accounting and Finance
• Adventure Education
• Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology
• Applied Project Management
• Applied Tourism and Hospitality Management
• Arts and Science
• Athletic & Exercise Therapy
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Early learning & care
• Economics
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• English
• Environmental Technology
• General Art
• General Management
• Information and Computer Systems Technology
• Law
• Music
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Sport Management

Experience the Homestay advantage

Welcome to the Homestay Program for international students studying at Camosun! Living with a local Canadian family is a great way to make Canadian friends, learn about Canadian culture and practice English. Camosun International carefully selects Homestay hosts. Our hosts are kind and friendly and they look forward to welcoming you into their homes and families.

Fast Facts

• Camosun carefully selects hosts and matches them to student applicants in order to ensure the best possible placement.
• Hosts will meet you at the airport when you arrive in Victoria.
• Hosts will help you learn about Camosun College, Victoria and Canada.
• Hosts help you with your studies and support your integration into the Victoria community.
• Homestay bedrooms are fully furnished with bed, linens, desk, lamp and other items.
• Food is provided, though you may need to prepare your own breakfast and lunch.
• The monthly Homestay fee includes utilities such as heat, hot water and electricity.
• Homestay hosts have been carefully selected for our program.
• The Camosun Housing Coordinator helps you adjust to Homestay and life in Canada.

Who are Homestay hosts?

Many Camosun Homestay hosts have been hosting Camosun international students for several years. Hosts enjoy welcoming new international students into their homes and families. They are friendly, caring and help students adapt to living in Victoria. For example, they help students open a bank account or learn to take the bus to Camosun . Camosun hosts can help students learn about Canadian culture as well as help students practice and improve their English language skills.

We have all kinds of Homestay hosts in our program. Canada is a multicultural country and our Homestay hosts reflect Canada’s multiculturalism. Homestay hosts come from various cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. They can be young or old, with or without children, with or without pets, living in houses or apartments, with a variety or hobbies and interests. International students coming to study in Canada should be prepared to meet all sorts of different kinds of Canadians.

What does homestay include?

• A comfortable, private, furnished bedroom with a study desk.
• 'Homestay without Food' does not include food.
• 'Homestay with Food' includes daily meals. Generally students prepare their own breakfast and lunch and the hosts prepare dinner.
• Shared home including living room, kitchen, bathroom.
• Laundry facilities and utilities such as heat and hot water.
• Homestay hosts help students adjust to living in Victoria
• Homestay hosts meet students at the Victoria International Airport, BC Ferries Terminal, or Victoria Bus Depot.

Cost for January 2018          

Students must also pay a one-time Homestay Service/Application Fee of $225.

CELA – Camosun English Learning Adventures

CELA Homestay fees:

• 2 weeks, including food: $550
• 4 weeks, including food: $1,000