WELCOME AUGUST 2015

COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE WELCOMES YOU
As you prepare to arrive in Hamilton either as a parent or a student, we hope that this will be a time
of growth and success for the student and for the parents that this would be a very fruitful and
rewarding experience when you share in every transformational moment of your child/children’s life
spent at Columbia International College.
• August 2015 Semester begins with residence check-in August 8 to 14,
2015
• Specific Orientation & Registration date has been scheduled for each
student. Refer to the date on the Letter of Acceptance. Parents’
participation is recommended.
Parents are always encouraged to attend the orientation program. It is recommended that parents
remain in Hamilton up until when they have met with the guidance counselors and their children
have chosen subject. If possible a day after classes have begun. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to
meet, interact and get acquainted with staff that will be working with parents and students on this
journey. Vital connection for continuous communication is established at this point. Information about
expectations is shared.
• Classes begin August 17, 2015
- All students take diagnostic placement assessment in English and Mathematics. Additional Physics,
Chemistry and Biology diagnostic placement assessment has been designed for students who wish to
enter into Engineering, Medicine and Science programs in the University
- Assessment is to enable guidance counselors place students at the right level of academic ability
and be able to formulate a study plan for each individual student
- Parents must join in the subject selection with the student and guidance counselors
- A very informative and rewarding experience a parent would not want to miss
- Students arriving from outside of North America must arrive in Hamilton well before the beginning
of orientation. This allows them to overcome time differences and jet lag before orientation begins.
- Adequate arrival information must be given to the school one week prior to arrival, to enable all
necessary residence, airport pick up and hotel arrangements (if parents request) to be confirmed.
o FINAL COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTS
*Important! May I remind all parents to send updates of all transcripts that are still
pending. Transcripts pending would be as follows:
- Just completed S.S.S 3, provide recent mock examination results
- Just completed Year/Grade 11, provide recent I.G.C.S.E or G.C.E mock examination results or G.11
final term
- Just completed any other level and beginning studies at Columbia International College in August
2014, we will require the final term report of recent level completed
- Final external examination results if available
- Any student whose transcripts sent in is incomplete is required to provide complete transcripts
ASAP
- *All updated Transcripts from Grade 7 right through to Grade 11 and or 12 must be sent
before July 28, 2015*
- Transcripts must be scanned and sent to me immediately.

o ARRIVAL- IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Bring the following in your hand luggage
• Passports
• Package with Letter of acceptance, receipt for payment and all documents sent
from Columbia International College
• All documents received from admissions by email
Port of Entry
• Port of entry is Pearson International Airport in the city of Toronto
• Health Insurance has already been purchased (check invoice and payment receipt)
• Study Permit will be issued at the port of entry
• *Parents are required to complete and send back to school as soon as possible the
‘Status of Student Visa Notification and ‘Arrival Notification & Pre-Arranged Airport
Pick Up Request’ forms attached*
• Emails must be sent to admissions copied myself as soon as study permit approval
is obtained and when flight schedules confirmed*
If student(s) is (are) arriving on their own or with parents
• Notify staff of flight schedule with completed appropriate forms attached. Send an email to
ALL these addresses admissions02@cic-TotalCare.com, airport.pickup@cic-TotalCare.com,
mzieman@columbiainternationalcollege.com, avrabie@columbiainternationalcollege.com,
sjones@columbiainternationalcollege.com, that airport pick up is required from the school.
Kindly copy me on all emails.
• If you do not require airport pick up indicate this on the form
PAUSE!
VISIT THIS WEBSITE FOR IMPORTANT VIDEO INFORMATION ABOUT THE
SCHOOL
www.cic-TotalCare.com/welcome
o POCKET MONEY & OPENING BANK ACCOUNTS:
Suggestion to parents:
• Suggested pocket money could be between CND$150 and CND$ 250 a month
• This could be used in purchasing and replenishing of personal items such as toiletries, beauty
and hair products, hair dressing/grooming, items for projects, occasional optional movies,
eating out etc
• However the amount to be given as pocket money still remains the parents’ decision
*The school will disburse pocket money to students if parents choose to deposit or
transfer money to the school
• Pocket money disbursement forms are available with the accounting department
• Parents can still choose to have their children keep all the money in their own
bank accounts
• Students will open bank accounts with local banks
• Students do not need to have immediate cash to open accounts with the banks

Opening of bank accounts can be done when students arrive in Hamilton. Some banks may allow
parents to open their personal accounts as well, however this is not consistent and it is not
guaranteed. Use of banking facilities assists students to familiarize themselves with the Canadian
banking system. Parents can easily wire money into the children’s account
• At the school the accounting department can only issue cheques when disbursing pocket
money or refunds
• Students deposit the cheques in to their bank accounts
• Students can use debit cards to purchase almost anything in shops
• Students are encouraged to deposit large sums of money in the bank. Keep only a
limited small amount of money $20 in the wallet to avoid great loss
o LAPTOPS:
It is advisable that students have their own laptops and if necessary their own printers (personal
choice)
• Assignments, presentations and projects are part of the course requirement for every subject
• Most assignments must be typed and printed out. (Assignments make up part of the final
marks. It is important that teachers are able to read written work to give marks accordingly.
Hand written work could be illegible)
• Use of the computer labs in school is possible during the day until 5:00pm when school closes
• If assignments should be done in the residences, student would require their own laptop
• Cost of laptop in Canada is from CND$700 and up
• Parents can choose any brand of lap top to purchased for the student
• Suggestion: purchase laptops that would be useful for basic academic needs
o INTERNET:
-Internet connectivity available in the all residences and school
-Students provide their own laptop
TEXT BOOKS & STATIONARY: (Cost Not Included in the Invoice)
o
-After the diagnostic placement assessment students are placed on the appropriate level when
choosing subjects
-Textbooks will be purchased after subjects have been chosen
-Textbooks for one semester of 4 subjects will cost between CND$350 and CND$400.
-Stationary for lessons, projects and presentations, can be purchased in stationary shops in the city
of Hamilton
-List of relevant stationery is attached. Suggestion: purchase items during orientation in Canada to
confirm one has the appropriate items indicated
-Cost is between CND$75 and CND$150 per semester

o CLOTHING:
-During the summer months it could be extremely hot
-Students’ wear their own clothing after school and at weekends
-Parents should make provision for purchase of warm clothing in the winter months usually at the
beginning of November
-It would be more appropriate to purchase warm clothing in Canada in view of the uniqueness of the
weather
o STUDENTS MEDICAL RECORDS
If your Child/Children has/have medical condition(s) that require constant and regular
medical attention, kindly bring along comprehensive Doctors medical report/records
covering the condition(s) and instructions on how the condition(s) is/are or could be
managed. You will meet with the medical staff to discuss assistance that could be
provided by the school or otherwise
o ACCOMODATION IN HAMILTON for PARENTS
Parents can contact hotels directly for reservations or make the request through the
school. Kindly send all hotel requests to admissions02@cic-TotalCare.com,
avrabie@columbiainternationalcollege.com, sjones@columbiainternationalcollege.com,
admissions02@cic-TotalCare.com and copy me.
Mandatory Requirement for all hotels and Mohawk Residence to confirm accommodation:
- Credit card type
- Credit card number
- Name on Credit card
- Expiry Date
Note:
Parents who wish to use the Mohawk Residence facilities should note that they would
have to make personal contacts with the Mohawk Residence. The school is unable to
make reservations on behalf of parents at the Mohawk residence.
MOHAWK RESIDENCE ACCOMMODATION
* See attached document