Pre-Arrival Guide - Students - University of Saskatchewan

Pre-Arrival Guide
INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
students.usask.ca/international

Welcome
Congratulations on your admission to the University
of Saskatchewan. We are very pleased that you
have chosen our university as your place to study.
You will need to think about and plan for many
things before and soon after you arrive. This booklet
can help you prepare.
The International Student Office (ISO) is here to
help you with your questions and concerns. If you ever need support or
assistance, we will do our best to provide you with answers or refer you
to the right place to get them.
We look forward to meeting you.
Derek Tannis
Manager, International Student Office
International Student Office
University of Saskatchewan
Room 80, Place Riel
1 Campus Drive
Saskatoon SK S7N 5A3 Canada
Telephone: +1-306-966-4925
Email: iso@usask.ca
Hours: Monday–Friday,
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
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Table of Contents
Now that you have been admitted to the University of Saskatchewan there are a few things that you can do to prepare for
your arrival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada!
Use this Table of Contents as a Check List to keep organized. For additional information for new students visit
students.usask.ca/international
Before You Arrive 4
Apply for your Study Permit 4
Arrange Transportation and Accommodations 5
Register for Classes 6
Plan Your Finances 8
Prepare Documents for Canadian Port of Entry 8
Plan for Transportation Around the City 8
Prepare Any Documentation for Admission 9
Register for New Student Orientation 9
When You Arrive 10
At The Port Of Entry 10
Meet Us at the Airport 11
Life in Saskatoon 12
Getting to Know Campus 14
Come to the International Student Office
for Support Services and Programs 16
Register for your Health Coverage 18
Provide Admissions with Any Outstanding
Documentation 18
Get Your Student Card 19
Pay Your Tuition & Fees 19
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Before You Arrive
Apply for a Study Permit
You must have a Study Permit if you plan to study in Canada for
longer than 6 months. Depending on your country of origin the study
permit process can take several months. We encourage you to apply as
soon as possible. Your University of Saskatchewan Admission Letter
(conditional or final) contains all the necessary information required
about your studies. If Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) requires
additional information, contact International Recruitment and
Admissions at international@usask.ca.
For more information on the study permit and visa application process
and documents required, visit www.cic.gc.ca. If you do not have
Internet access, contact the Canadian Consulate or Embassy nearest
you.
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Arrange Transportation and
Accommodation
• Air – Arrange connecting flights from larger airports such
as Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary, to Saskatoon.
• Train– VIA Rail Canada can connect you from many
Canadian cities to Saskatoon www.viarail.ca.
• Bus– On Greyhound, it takes three days to travel to
Saskatoon from Toronto and two days from Vancouver
www.greyhound.ca.
Make sure you contact the Residence Office before you
arrive to arrange a time to move in.
Residence Office
Telephone: +1-306-966-6775
Email: residence@usask.ca
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
You must pre-arrange your accommodations before
you arrive in Saskatoon. Begin your search early.
On-campus housing is popular. Apply early.
Voyageur Place offers single or double rooms with meals
in the cafeteria. McEown Park has one-, two- or
six‐bedroom apartments where students prepare their own
meals. There is a special residence available for families.
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Off-campus housing depends on your personal
preference and budget and is not run by the university. You
should plan to spend from $450 to $1,000 per month for
rent. Other costs include electricity, heating, water, phone,
cable and Internet.
For more information on on-campus and off-campus
housing, please go to explore.usask.ca/housing. You will
need to arrange temporary accommodations if you
arrive in Saskatoon after Residence office hours or earlier
than your residence contract or rental lease starts.
Free Taxi and first-night accommodation
are available. Contact the ISO to request a free taxi ride
from the airport, train or bus terminal to your pre-arranged
on-campus, off-campus or temporary accommodation.
Register for Your Classes
We encourage you to register for your classes online before
you arrive in Saskatoon. The longer you wait to register, the
fewer class options you will have. Your admission letter
includes your NSID (Network Services Identification) and
temporary password to access PAWS (Personalized Access to
Web Services). Enter your NSID and Password from your
Admission Letter in the Secure Access Login box
at paws.usask.ca.
Your registration date can be found in the Academics Tab of
your PAWS account. Class registration for Spring and
Summer Terms begins in February and registration for Fall
and Winter Terms begins in June.
For more information on temporary accommodations and
our Free Taxi and First Night Accommodation service, please
visit students.usask.ca/international/support/arrival.
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Detailed instructions on how to
register for courses are online at
students.usask.ca/academic/registration
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Plan Your Finances
You may need to transfer funds to a Canadian bank before
you arrive in Saskatoon. When choosing your bank, keep in
mind that the Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, the Royal Bank
of Canada, TC Canada Trust, and the Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce have bank machines on campus. Bank
drafts are the best way to transfer funds to Saskatoon. Make
the draft payable from your bank to yourself at a specific
bank branch in Saskatoon.
We suggest you bring approximately $1,500 in cash or
traveller’s cheques for your initial expenses. If you are
bringing your family or must pay a deposit for your rent, you
may need more than this amount.
In special circumstances, the U of S will allow new
international students to deposit funds. To learn more about
the guidelines and procedures for International Student
Deposits visit usask.ca/fsd/students/international_
student_deposits.php or contact Student Accounts by
phone at +1-306-966-4595.
Prepare Documents for Canadian
Port of Entry
• Study Permit or Letter of Intent
• Passport
• U of S Admission Letter
• Evidence of Financial Support
• List of any items that you are sending separately (anything
that is not cleared personally on your date of arrival)
Plan for Transportation
around the City
Undergraduate students receive a U-Pass (city bus pass)
which is included in your student fees. If you are planning to
drive in Saskatchewan, we urge you to obtain an
International Driver’s License before coming to Canada.
However, international students with a Study Permit and a
valid driver’s license from their home country are entitled to
drive in Saskatchewan. Your license must be in English or
accompanied by an official translation.
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Prepare Any Documentation for
Admission
Read your Admission Letter to see if you are required to
present any supporting documentation for admission
upon arrival. Such documents may include original
graduation documents or transcripts, for example.
Register for New Student
Orientation
Learn more about all Orientation
and Welcome events online at
students.usask.ca/orientation
Orientation is held before classes begin in September and
January. During this time, there is a special International
Student Welcome. By attending these events you will:
• meet other international and Canadian students
• join an International Peer Group
• learn about life in Saskatoon
• tour campus
• find your classrooms
• learn about U of S services
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When You Arrive
At The Port Of Entry
At the first Canadian airport you arrive in, a customs officer
will verify your passport and your Visa to enter Canada (if you
needed one). The customs officer will ask you a few questions
about the purpose of your visit to Canada. For students
studying under six months, be sure to have your letter of
acceptance.
You will then proceed to the Canada Immigration Office
where a Canadian immigration official will request to see your
passport, your Study Permit or Letter of Intent from
Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the original letter of
acceptance from University of Saskatchewan and evidence of
sufficient funds for your studies in Canada. Keep these
documents with you at all times.
If you have a Letter of Intent, make sure the Canadian
Immigration Officer issues you a Study Permit. Ensure that the
Canadian Immigration Officer stamps your passport, indicates
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your arrival date, and returns all your documents to you.
After verification of these documents, the immigration officer
will complete your Study Permit (IMM 1442), or will issue you
one if you arrived with a Letter of Intent.
Do not leave the airport without having your study permit
processed and checked to make sure it is accurate (i.e. your
name, date of birth, etc.)
Meet Us at the Airport
For approximately one week before the first day of classes,
the ISO International Peer Leaders are present at the airport
for afternoon and late night arrivals to welcome and assist
you. If you arrive outside of this period, you may ask for
assistance from the Airport Ambassadors at the airport kiosk.
In emergency situations contact the ISO
at +1-306-966-4925.
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Life in Saskatoon
The University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon are
excited to welcome you to our vibrant cultural and artistic
community. There are many university and community groups you
can get involved in and events that you can enjoy in all seasons.
The International Student Associations will help you to connect
with people from around the world and with over 100 campus
clubs you are sure to meet students with the same interests as you.
Saskatchewan is known for having beautiful open skies, and
Saskatoon is one of the sunniest cities in Canada. While studying
at the University of Saskatchewan, you will experience four unique
seasons and the activities that each season brings with it. Summer
temperatures can range from 11˚ to 30˚ Celsius, lightweight
clothing, primarily cotton, is popular in the summer. In spring and
autumn, when the weather is cool, a light weight coat and
sweaters are most comfortable. To enjoy our Prairie winter, you
should plan to purchase a knitted wool hat, gloves, scarf and
sweaters as average Winter temperatures can range from -12˚ to
-22˚ Celsius.
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Quick Facts
Saskatoon Population: 235,000
U of S Students: 18,682
International Students: Over 1,200
Countries represented in student body: Over 100
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Getting to know
Campus
• There are many support services for students on
campus. Whether you are looking for a job, need
help writing an essay or require health services there
is a Centre on campus to help.
• There are 69 computer labs and seven libraries on
campus.
• Food courts, cafés and restaurants are located in
convenient locations around campus.
• The Physical Activity Complex (PAC) features a
13,000 sq. ft. fitness centre, a triple gymnasium
and a 42-foot rock climbing wall. Other facilities
include tennis courts, a curling rink, a hockey
rink, two swimming pools and 11 sports fields.
• The average class size is 39 students. Class
sizes vary. An upper-level class may have only 30
students, while an introductory class can have up to 360 students.
• Tunnels connect most of the buildings on campus allowing you to
walk from class to class inside.
Royal University
Hospital
Hospital
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D
I
L
I
International
Student Office
Student
Counselling
Services
Employment Centre
• Residence
Office
• Student
Health
Centre
Administration
Physical Activity
Complex
S
N
S T A
U
M
Stadium
Parkade
C
R E S
C
E
N T
Beach
Volleyball
S T A D I U M
C
R
E S C
N T
E
D
A
E
U
N
Ball Fields
4 3
Williams
PotashCorp Park
2
5 6
Language Centre
1
Griffiths
Stadium
Ball Fields
7 8
13
O
R
Canadian students dress
casually for lectures—long
pants or jeans are acceptable
for both men and women.
E
S
U
O
H
D
E
F
P R E S T O N
A V E N U E
E
V
A
Ball Field
12
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Come to the International Student
Office for Support Services and
Programs
Meet and Greet
From the last two weeks in August and the first week in
September, you can come to the Global Commons Lounge
(Room 70 Lower Place Riel). You will receive an Arrival
Guide and can ask International Peer Leaders any questions
you have, from housing to shopping to preparing your
Saskatchewan Health Coverage application. If you arrive
outside of this period, you can come to the ISO and we will
provide you with the same support.
International Peer Group Program
All new international students can request to be placed in
an International Peer Group, led by senior international and
Canadian students. This group will provide you with an
opportunity to make friends from around the world and
receive support to help you transition to your life and
studies at the University of Saskatchewan.
Communication Café
Communication Café is a group of international and
Canadian students who meet once a week to have fun
talking about different topics and doing different activities.
Advising and workshops
The ISO provides advising and workshops in a number of
areas:
• immigration, health insurance, taxes and work permits
• Canadian culture and cross-cultural learning
• referral to on-campus and off-campus academic,
employment, health and settlement support services
(for you and your spouse/family)
• connection to cultural, religious or spiritual
communities
• support during times of personal, academic or financial
difficulties
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The International Student Office is temporarily located
in Room 260 in the Arts Building and will move to a new
permanent home in Room 80 Place Riel in August, 2010.
Visit the ISO online for additional information about
services, events and our new location:
students.usask.ca/international
The ISO has a lounge
area, where
international and
Canadian students
come together to eat,
study, talk and
participate in events.
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Register for Health Coverage
Saskatchewan Health
Coverage provides free
health coverage to full-time
international students who
hold a valid study permit. Spouses and
children of international students with a valid
study permit are also eligible for this coverage.
Saskatchewan Health pays for most doctor’s fees and
hospital bills. If you come to Canada on a visitor visa, you
should pre-arrange health insurance before your departure.
If you arrive in Saskatchewan after living in another
Canadian province, you are not eligible for Saskatchewan
Health Coverage for three months. Check with your current
provincial health insurance plan to inform yourself about
what you need to do to ensure that you have health
insurance during this period.
The Student Health & Dental Plan covers expenses for
health services not covered by Saskatchewan Health. In
September, you will be automatically enrolled in the plan
when you pay your student fees. If you begin your studies in
January, you need to register for this plan.
The International Student Office can help you complete the
necessary forms for Saskatchewan Health Coverage and
answer any questions you may have. For more information,
visit: students.usask.ca/wellness/healthplans
Provide Admissions with Any
Outstanding Documentation
To drop off any required Admission documents, such as
original graduation certificates or transcripts, visit
International Recruitment and Admissions at:
Administration Building (Atrium)
105 Administration Place
Telephone: +1-306-966-6450
Email: international@usask.ca
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
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Get Your Student Card
Your student card is your Residence key, library card, gym
membership and more! You may get your student card after
you have registered for classes. For details, visit: usask.ca/
hospitality/cardoffice.html.
Pay Your Tuition & Fees
Full-time students attending from September to April may
choose to pay their tuition and fees in two instalments. The
first instalment is due by the end of September. The second
instalment is due by the end of January.
To view your account balance and pay tuition after you have
registered for your classes, log in to PAWS at
paws.usask.ca and select the Academics Tab.
If you have a sponsor paying your fees, contact Student
Accounts & Treasury at +1-306-966-4604 to make deposit
arrangements.
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International Student Office
Telephone: +1-306-966-4925
Fax: +1-306-966-7824
Email: iso@usask.ca
Website: students.usask.ca/international
SASKATOON
Saskatchewan