The process of balancing classes with part-time work and daily expenses is already complex for most students because food expenses gradually reduce their remaining budget.

I spoke to my roommate, She is a student of Thomson Rivers University ,so I could obtain better insights into their food expenses. She orders food four to five times during the week according to her admissions. My routine food orders between 20 and 30 dollars per time add up to around 300 dollars I spend throughout each month without being fully aware of it. The immediate benefits of ordering food instead of cooking after long study days matter the most to her even though she recognizes that food expenses quickly become expensive.

And she’s not the only one. The Education Data Initiative (2025) reports that students at college normally allocate $410 for off-campus dining expenses monthly. Food prices in Canada are expected to rise by 2.5% to 4.5% throughout 2024 according to Dalhousie University (2024).

When you cook food at your residence it leads to noticeable advantages. The data presented by LinkedIn Pulse (2024) reveals students allocate between $200 to $400 per month on food purchases at supermarkets which represents roughly half of what restaurants typically charge. My roommate acknowledges that students should prioritize eating at their residences. Costs are substantially lower and meals offer better health benefits at the same time.

So is eating out worth it? Maybe occasionally. Eating at home costs less money and promotes better health so it stands as the most suitable option for students who need to manage their expenses and their well-being.

Sources

Dalhousie University. (2024). Canada’s Food Price Report 2024. https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/canada-s-food-price-report-2024.html

Education Data Initiative. (2025). Average Monthly Food Spend for College Students. https://educationdata.org/average-monthly-food-spend-college-student

LinkedIn Pulse. (2024). Cost of Living in Canada for International Students: What to Expect. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cost-living-canada-international-students-what-expect-2024-ihj0e

Studying in a new country is not just a chance for the young person to obtain knowledge – it is a transition to a different world. From different norms of the culture to the type of food that is consumed, it can be very challenging. Many students usually feel the effects of culture shock at the initial stages of studying. Small things such as how people greet one another, meal time or even how classes are conducted may feel very unfamiliar.

But adaptation is part of the experience. Some of the students are familiar with some small activities such as buying coffee, choosing a quiet place to read or study, or making phone calls home. Some do this through participation in students’ associations, making friends with other students, and learning the local language.

In this podcast, i talk to an international student Sudeshna Roy, who shares her journey of cultural adaptation. She discuss her struggles, the surprising joys, and what helped her feel at home in a new environment.

You’re not alone if you’re a student adapting to a new culture. Tune in to hear real experiences and practical tips on embracing change. Click play and join the conversation!

The hike in the house rents and homesteads is turning into a menace. Let us look at Kamloops, it can be seen that 46.8% of renters and 13.7% of homeowners are living in unaffordable housing. That situation is worse for the students, international students particularly. Even though new apartments are being built, the rents remain far beyond reach for any students.

Increasing costs of housing has made the lives of students in Kamloops and its environment most difficult due to the struggles of finding a house. Xavier Gomes, a student of Thompson rivers university asks a question: if education is meant to be accessible, why are the students being forced to choose between housing and basic needs? Many students are now working multiple jobs, living in overcrowded spaces or delaying studies just to make rent.

Students who lack sufficient funds for expensive rentals must choose between substandard shared rental homes. Should students accept the living circumstances as their final accommodation solution?

What Needs to Change?
Student housing cost must decrease 10% to meet the budgets which students can afford. Academic housing development should expand with affordable rates for students. The government needs to lower interest rates on mortgages since this will increase the number of rental opportunities.

The high cost of education should not force students into financial pressure and live in temporary housing conditions. The central issue becomes how students can afford their education when they cannot afford basic housing.

Sources:

Mukherjee, P. (2024, Sept 30). Canada’s housing affordability crisis may persist for years despite rate cuts. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-housing-affordability-crisis-may-persist-years-despite-rate-cuts-2024-09-30/ 

Kamloops Housing Report. Housing Needs Assessment Final Report 2020|Final. https://www.kamloops.ca/sites/default/files/2022-02/scd_27500_kamloopshousing_needs_assessment_final_oct2020.pdf