Additional Resources
Here, find the following resources, including external site links and handouts:
Additional Resources
- Questions and Answers by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada at https://settlement.org/ontario/education/colleges-universities-and-institutes/information-for-foreign-students/
- Applying to college as an international student by Ontario Colleges at https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply/international-applicants
Pre-Arrival Checklist
This pre-arrival checklist features reminders, tips, and suggestions for tasks to complete and items to bring with you before you leave for Canada. Not everything will apply to all international students, but we think these are we think these might be important to consider. What reminders will you add to your to-do list? You can download a fillable PDF of the Pre-Arrival Checklist by clicking here.
Have you…
- applied for your study permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)?
- found temporary or long-term accommodation (I.e. a place to stay)?
- checked if you have all your immunizations (e.g. vaccines, booster shots)?
- purchased private travel health insurance if are arriving in Canada before the fall semester begins?
- set up your official institutional e-mail account and checked it regularly for updates from your college or university?
- printed out or downloaded any official documentation that you’ve received from your institution and IRCC?
- completed any additional instructions or tasks assigned to you by your institution or IRCC?
- figured out what to expect once you land at the airport and mapped your route to your accommodation?
- have your passport and other forms of identification stored in a safe compartment in your carry-on luggage?
Consider bringing with you:
- Clothing that you can easily layer (e.g. long-sleeved t-shirts, sweaters or hoodies, light jackets)
- Essential medications and prescriptions
- Travel size products for your carry-on items (e.g. toothpaste and shampoo) as well as other toiletries you might need (e.g. nail clipper and brushes)
- Eyeglasses, contact lenses, travel-size lens solution, and/or spare pairs (strongly recommended if you need any kind of vision correction)
- Chargers, cables, power adapters, and/or universal travel power plug adapters
- An unlocked smart phone
- A SIM card tray removal needle for your smart phone
- A pen in your hand luggage in case you need to fill out paper documents during your voyage
- Hand sanitizer and cloth/medical facial masks
- A set of bedsheets and pillowcases
- Some cash in Canadian dollars and/or a major credit card (which are widely used and accepted in stores)
What you can leave behind:
- Buy your winter jacket and gear after you arrive in Ontario – these items will take up valuable space in your suitcase and if you arrive in late summer, wearing layers will keep you sufficiently warm
- Non-prescription vitamins and supplements, cosmetics, or skin care products (which you can easily buy “over-the-counter” at pharmacies/drugstores)
- High power electrical appliance (such as hairdryer and electric kettle), note there might be a voltage difference: the outlets and voltage in Canada is 110Vs
- Heavy alcohol disinfectant/sanitizers (heavy and might not be accepted by the custom due to high flammability)
- If you are considering buying a new laptop or electronic device for your studies, there are often “back-to-school” sales and some educational discounts you could be eligible for by showing proof of your student status
What to avoid bringing entirely:
- Note that some items are banned or restricted from entering Canada with you; check out these official government pages for more information: Restricted and prohibited goods at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/rpg-mrp-eng.html and What you can bring home to Canada at https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada
Tip! Some airlines offer more generous baggage allowances for international students. You might have to apply for this benefit with some documents – check and confirm with your airline directly.
Glossary of Terms
Here are a few frequently used college and university terms that you might come across. Definitions of key terms in our chapters are also included.
Academic calendar
At the beginning of each academic year (usually in the fall), your faculty or department will publish an academic calendar. This resource will contain important information related to your academic studies including degree or certificate requirements, program requirements, important dates, institutional policies, and course offerings. The academic calendar is a comprehensive schedule of all important events in a given academic year. You will likely find your institution’s academic calendar on their website.
Academic integrity
The principle that students should appropriately acknowledge any external sources of information in their verbal or written work and present their independent ideas on assignments, projects, and/or tests. Your course instructors will likely have guidelines and resources to help you understand your responsibilities in practicing academic integrity, so check out your course outline or ask if you’re ever unsure about the expectations.
Aid Centre
Offices that provide support to students in the development of various academic skills – math, statistics, research, writing, etc.
Artifacts
Objects that you might create during your academic journey – e.g. personal diaries, pieces of art, class projects, blogs or vlogs, etc.
Bloom’s Taxonomy
A hierarchical model representing the different levels of complexity of learning objectives. See the “Adjusting” chapter for more about Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Campus
The physical location of your college or university, including lecture halls and classrooms, libraries, administrative offices, residences, recreational facilities, outdoor amenities, and other spaces.
Co-Curricular
Activities and opportunities that are in addition to the normal course of academic study.
Course
Your institution will offer courses or classes, taught by a course instructor (sometimes also called a “professor”). The instructor will teach the course subject matter and evaluate their students’ understanding using assessment methods such as written assignments, presentations, and examinations. All your credit courses will have a value that counts towards meeting your degree or certificate requirements.
Course outline
Also called a syllabus, this is a formal document that your instructors will make available to you at the beginning of each course. This document outlines the course objectives, assigned readings and tasks, a schedule of events, assignment deadlines, a grading scheme, and other important information. A syllabus is meant to help students clearly understand what is expected of them in the course and how to access related resources.
Department
This is an academic unit within your faculty or school that is dedicated to the study of a particular discipline (e.g. History, Chemistry, English, etc.).
Diasporas
Groups of people that emigrate to a different country and resettle there.
Discipline-Specific Skills
The knowledge and competencies that are related to a subject of study (e.g. chemistry or geography).
Engaged Learner
A person who is curious, active, persistent, diligent, and conscientious in their approach to study.
Funding
This refers to any or a combination of sources that a student uses to pay for their tuition fees and other costs related to their studies. These sources can include scholarships, funding packages (for graduate students), personal and family savings, governmental student loan programs, and bank loans. If you have questions about funding as an international student, please check with your institution directly.
Hallmarks
Distinctive features or examples of something.
Jet Lag
When your internal clock becomes misaligned with local time at your destination. It can interrupt your sleep patterns for a while, especially if you have traveled across time zones.
Metacognition
Thinking about one’s own thinking as a form of learning.
Milestones
An important or significant moment in one’s development.
Online Platforms
Digital interface(s) that facilitate interactions between instructors, students and learning content (e.g. Zoom; Moodle; Blackboard).
Post-Secondary
A term that refers to education that takes place after secondary school (e.g. pursuing a diploma or degree at a college or university).
Prerequisite
A course that is meant to be successfully completed by a student before they can register for another related or upper-level course that builds upon earlier material.
Profession
A vocation or career that involves specialized knowledge and extensive academic preparation.
Semester
Also often called a term, this is a segment of the academic year usually spanning about 12 weeks, but these can be shorter during the summer. Some of your courses might take place within one semester whereas others can be spread over two.
Sessional dates
This is the range of time that a faculty or department’s academic activities take place within (not including scheduled breaks or other holidays). Each academic calendar will outline important sessional dates such as the start and end of classes; deadlines for dropping classes; and mid-term or final examination periods.
Students’ Association
Sometime called Student Clubs, Groups, or Societies – these are groups of students who gather to promote or engage with a common interest.
Study Cycle
A five-step approach to effective classroom learning. See “Adjusting” chapter for more about the study cycle.
Study Permit
The document issued by the Canadian government to allow foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions in Canada.
Support Network
A network of people in your life – friends, family, peers, advisors, instructors – you can rely on for various kinds of help and support. Having this is a characteristic of academically resourceful students.
Timetable
A schedule which displays course offerings for a given semester or academic year. After you enroll in courses, you will likely be able to view or download a personalized timetable through your online learning management system.
Trade
A job that requires specialized skills and training.
Welcome Booth
A kiosk setup at the airport to welcome arriving international students. Your college or university may have a designated booth. Pearson International airport in Toronto also offers their Airport Welcome Desk so check for these places when you arrive.
Work Study
Paid on-campus jobs that provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities for students.
