I stayed in the BUNAC recommended HI Hostel in Calgary, and here’s why you should too!

1.     To understand Canada with other international people:

Arriving solo into Calgary airport after twenty hours of travelling was nothing short of stressful. While the process is simplistic, it’s a long travel day for anyone, and it was my first alone. I faced the officer at the VISA office and managed to hail myself a taxi in minus eighteen weather, over a foot of snow and two very large suitcases. 

Arriving in the lobby I was tired to say the least, but I smiled at the front desk and attempted to look approachable. Scanning the room, I paused on one person. I’d chatted with another girl going to my resort through the JENZA (BUNAC linked) work abroad group chats. At that moment we sort of chose each other. Luckily being placed in the same room, we quickly bonded and became a little duo, sharing notes on our whole experience. While I initially found the hostel intimidating, I quickly realised that while I made a friend within five minutes of arriving, some others had spent days by themselves, too nervous to speak to others (especially if they were nervous about speaking English). 

Andrea and I faced the whole of the following process together, ultimately living together and becoming close friends. 

2.     Work abroad admin:

Let’s face it, the admin related to working abroad is overwhelming. Arriving in a new city and having to get your social insurance number, bank account and possibly phone plans can shake everyone up a bit. 

After a random lady from the hostel introduced lots of the Panorama girls to each other, we quickly became a group of ten. Closer in little groups, bringing in new people each day and sending any plans into the group chat, we were able to support each other in the process. 

The Harry Hays Building (where you receive your social insurance number, SIN) was packed with people from the hostel. Whether you knew each other or not, we’d all nod or point where to go if someone looked lost. We went to our bank appointments together, opening a checking and savings account. The accounts and regulations were different from what I’m used to in the UK, you often pay monthly to keep an account open in Canada. I chose to book an appointment at the local CIBC office and then the girls did the same. Being twenty-two I had a bit more experience under my belt, but some people are newly eighteen, on their first time away from home, and may want some support. 

3.     Making friends: 

Not wanting to sit in our dorms by ourselves and being frightened by the food costs, we decided to do a pizza night. Buying premade dough from the local supermarket and allocating the two cooks to lead, we made a range of pizzas and shared them between us. We quickly noticed that other groups started doing group dinners as well. It’s something to do, helps you bond and saves you all money. It was also a conversation starter with other people who complimented the food, so we’d offer them to pull up a chair. 

We’d play card games in the communal basement room, play pool, mafia and would chat away. New people would join and some would leave. When you’re all thrown together it’s natural that some people may not want to be a part of your group. We were a girl heavy group so I can imagine guys wanting to find more male friends and people can be very different. 

I ended up moving in with a group of girls from the hostel. The four of us moved into a condo and lived together for five months, becoming our Canadian family. 

4.     Checking you hadn’t missed anything:

Before leaving I made the mistake of informing my mum about the process. Being an admin person, she jumped into research. Finding me a bank, writing a list of details I’d need to know for my appointment, I relayed this to the group. I found a Phone Box deal, and we all used them as our phone providers. We found Phil and Sebastian (a local coffee shop and roasters) so that was an excuse to get out every day. It was all a case of exchanging notes. 

Staying in the hostel was one of the best decisions I made during my time in Canada. Without it, I would’ve been so nervous and wouldn’t have met some of my best friends.