Since most of our visitors are coming to Calgary to study English, we have put together some information about most of the ESL Schools in Calgary.

Continue reading "Schools"

Posted by admin at 11:11 PM

BUS

Calgary has an extensive bus system. Bus fares are $2.00(2003) each or a book of 10 can be purchased for $17.50(2003) . A montly bus pass can be purchased for $70(adult, 2005). Single tickets are vaild for 90 minutes on the bus and/or train (including return trips). Passes are valid on all buses and trains. Tickets can be purchased at all convenience stores, grocery stores and drug stores. Adult passes can also be purchased in the same stores. Student passes can only be bought at theTransit office downtown upon presentation of your ESL school issued student card. You deposit your ticket in the box beside the driver. If you have no ticket you can put exactly $2.00 in the box beside the driver. If you put in more no change is given. If you need to transfer from one bus to another or from a bus to a train, ask for a transfer. Show this transfer to the next driver or have it ready to show if asked. You can use a pass, ticket or transfer on C-trains. (You cannot use cash on the train but you can buy a ticket from the machine at C-train station. It is a criminal offence to ride the C-train without a ticket expcept in the downtown free zone). Transit maps and schedules can be attained at the Calgary Transit Office on 7th avenue S.W.

TAXIS

There are many taxis at the airport. They are also easy to get at most hotels, and other downtown local restaurants have direct lines to taxi companies. Just pick up the phone in residential areas. You need to look in the yellow pages of the phone book under taxis.

Posted by arie at 06:13 PM

Pay phones are available in many locations, Street corners, shops, restaurants, service stations. Local calls are 35 cents. You can usually use coins credit card or calling cards. International calling cards can be purchased at the airport, convenience stores, news stands and many other locations downtown.

Faxing services are available at Post Offices for a fee, and usually at your ESL school for no charge. There are many red mailing boxes in various locations on the street, at shopping malls, beside stores, etc, Just drop your postcards or letters in if they have postage stapms on. If you do not have stamps on, or do not know the amount if postage needed. Please contact a post office. Postage within Canada for normal size/weight letters is 48 cents(2002) at this time.

Posted by arie at 10:00 AM

All long-term resident of Canada must pay into the Alberta Health Care system. There with working holiday visa or a also use Alberta Health Care,. The fee is $44 per month and covers most ordinary medical situation . Students must have medical insurance coverage before they arrive. There is a plan available that through one of the ESL schools which is $2 per day. If you have no medical insurance you would have to pay very high prices for medical treatment and we recommend that you have some sort of medical insurance.

The libraries are available for use free of charge for reading and studying as long as you do not take anything out. You can only take out books, CDs etc, if you have a library card. You also need a library card for internet access to use the productivity computers.There are 2 types of library card - one for residents or long term visitors(over 6months) the fee is $10 per year, and one for visitors which is $20 for 3 months.

Posted by arie at 09:45 AM

Calgary weather is very changeable. In winter there could be a change in temperature of up to 40 in just a few hours. This is caused by warm west winds called Chinooks. Spring and Fall are kind of a mix of summer/winter weather. Summer is usually warm to hot 20~30 degrees. In all seasons the nighttime temperatures are quite a bit lower than daytime temperatures. Calgary is a windy city and has a very dry climate, little snow or rain. We have long, sunny summer days.

Posted by arie at 08:49 AM