Example Accommodation Questions to Ask
Here are some examples of questions that we encourage you to ask when you contact the placement facilitator or coordinator in the community where you’re going to:
- How do I get there?
Ask the community to provide a description of how to get to the community by car (how many hours of driving from Vancouver, Kelowna, etc.) or by bus/train/plane. Are there any cheap ways to get there (e.g., Northern Health Connections Bus is available to students)? Once there, how will students get around if necessary?
- Where will I be staying?
Can you share resources/ideas you may have on housing options in your community? - What do I need to do before I go?
Purchase or pack anything important (for example, stock up on espresso – there isn’t a Starbucks in Fraser Lake but there is one in Bella Coola!). - What do I do when I get there?
Is there an orientation? Whom do you meet with first? - What collaborative learning activities should I expect to participate in while in the community?
Rounds, case conferences, shadowing other students, shadowing professionals form other professions, etc. - What is the coolest thing about the community? What is the community most famous for?
Before you go
- Contact your community and your preceptor to introduce yourself and ask if there are any resources that you should take with you.
- At least one week in advance, you MUST let the preceptor and (if applicable) community coordinator know how and when you’ll be arriving. You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements.
- Wherever and whenever possible, we encourage you to coordinate your travel with other students on placement in the same community.
- Look up the community description and learn about the community prior to your arrival.
- Pack your gear for a range of outdoor activities and take some of your favourite recipes and music to share with the others.
When you get there
- Work out your schedule with your preceptor and (if applicable) community coordinator after your arrival.
- Review the other sections of this website to start to plan your IP experiences.
- Let your preceptor and the community lead know of any particular experiences you would be interested in.
Before you leave
- Acknowledge and thank your preceptor and community representatives—a simple thank you card goes a long way.
- Document your lessons learned and share your stories—through professional journal articles, newsletters, or presentations to fellow students or others at conferences.
- Stay in touch… with your team and the community.