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Through a unique collaboration between the Ontario-based SpacesShared and the University of New Brunswick (UNB), Gunjan Karnwal, from the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, (IISER) Tirupati in India, experienced her first visit to Canada through a short-term guest and host pairing. Living with her host, Tracy Seper, they embraced each other’s cultures, forming a deep and lasting friendship.

While Karnwal was studying in India in 2022, her school received a visit from Dr. John Kershaw, UNB’s assistant vice president of global partnerships. As she considered international options for her master’s thesis, Dr. Kershaw introduced her to the exciting work being done in UNB’s forestry program, ultimately sparking Karnwal’s interest in travelling to New Brunswick.

“After talking with Dr. Kershaw, I knew I wanted to do my master’s thesis project at UNB, but I needed to find short-term, furnished and affordable housing. While searching through Kijiji, I realized housing was going to be my biggest barrier,” said Karnwal.

“That's when Dr. Kershaw recommended the SpacesShared app and encouraged me to sign up as a guest.”

SpacesShared is a virtual platform that pairs students looking for safe and affordable housing with hosts who have a spare room or space to rent for either a short- or long-term stay.

Through the app, SpacesShared verifies the host’s identity, confirms that the host lives at the home address and conducts a criminal background check.

The Fredericton resident and business owner, Seper was listening to the radio when she heard the news of the partnership and decided to become a host.

“I was living alone with my husband after our kids had grown up and moved out. When I heard about the SpacesShared program, I thought, why not offer a student struggling to find housing a place to stay since I had an empty room,” said Seper.

“I didn’t like the thought that housing would be the only reason a student would choose not to pursue their education and passions.”

The compatibility between Karnwal and Seper was evident from the start. The app's detailed questions about personality and cleaning habits ensured a perfect match for both.

Karnwal moved in with Seper in early September, just before the fall term began, and will stay until January.

Living together brought numerous benefits for both Karnwal and Seper. Seper learned about Indian culture, cuisine and traditions like Diwali, while Karnwal experienced North American festivities such as Thanksgiving and Halloween and saw her first snowfall.

“Having Karnwal live with us has been comfortable and easy. We've become great friends, almost like family,” said Seper. “She draped me my first saree, a traditional Southeast Asian dress, and taught me how to cook my new favourite morning snack, aloo paratha.”

“Living with Tracy and her husband Jamie has been amazing,” said Karnwal. “They have two cats and a dog, whom I love so much. They respect my space and make me feel comfortable, taking away any sense of homesickness.”

Both Tracy and Karwal highly recommend the SpacesShared program.

“As an international student, I felt supported by the SpacesShared program,” said Karnwal.

“The app was a blessing, allowing me to have a new cultural experience and sense of freedom in an affordable and flexible way that I didn’t think was possible.”

Interested in becoming a host? Start your journey through SpacesShared.