2. International Student Advisor 403-210-9595 mostrows@ucalgary.ca international.advice@ucalgary.ca International Students Melissa Ostrowski

3.  Demographics  Expectations of international students  Services at CISSA  International Student Orientation  Challenges international students face  How advisors can help  Resources

4.  Fall 2012 ◦ Exchange Students: 300 ◦ Regular Registration: 2605 ◦ Visiting: 52 ◦ Total Registration: 2957  Exchange: France, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Singapore  Degree Seeking: China, Iran, India, United States and Saudi Arabia  Visiting Students: Brazil  ESL and EAPP students are not included in these numbers

5.  To have knowledge of our institution ◦ Academic programs at U of C ◦ The cost of tuition ◦ Contacts with other departments and areas on campus  Know about the education system in Canada and how U of C fits into that system (rankings, reputation, transition pathways, etc.)  To be a personal contact at the U of C  Ensure they are successful ◦ This can mean different things to different people

6.  Advising ◦ Drop-in Advising: Monday to Friday 9am – 12pm and 1pm to 4pm  Programs ◦ Global Friendship Program ◦ Mentorship Program ◦ Spouse and Partner Program  Workshops (post-graduate options and income tax)  Handouts  Orientation

7.  Advising topics: ◦ Study permit, temporary resident (‘entry’) visas and general immigration issues ◦ On and off campus employment regulations ◦ Social Insurance Number (SIN) ◦ Co-op, post-graduation, and off-campus work permits ◦ Visitor visas and work permits for spouses/common-law partners ◦ Health insurance and the Canadian medical system ◦ Resources to apply for US visitor visas ◦ Any other non-academic questions or concerns

8.  International Student Programs and Services  Advising for International Students on Immigration Matters (study permits, work permits & regulations, visas)  Using the UofC Libraries and Resources  Filing Canadian Tax Returns to get Government Refunds  Living in Calgary and City of Calgary Services  Opening a bank account, transferring funds, and obtaining credit cards

9.  Health Care & Insurance, Visiting a Doctor and services at the U of C Wellness Centre  Emergency Loans for international students  Student Rights and where to go for help  U of C Regulations and Services  Tips from current U of C students on everything you need to know to be a successful student  Upcoming trips, social events and workshops designed for international students  Campus Tour

10.  Friday, January 4  8:30 am to 3:30 pm  Location – KNB 132  Lunch is provided for students  http://www.ucalgary.ca/uci/students/orienta tionprogram/registrationJan4-2013

11.  Adjustment and transition issues ◦ Culture shock ◦ Isolation ◦ Weather  Financial stress ◦ Difficulty getting loans/financial aid ◦ Cost of living ◦ Unsteady/unreliable source of funds

12.  Parental Expectations ◦ Students pursuing the ‘wrong’ degrees – doing what their parents want them to do  Landlord and Roommate issues ◦ Landlords taking advantage of students’ lack of understanding about their rights ◦ Particularly of concern with landlord-tenant of the same ethnic background  Academic ◦ Supervisor (grad students) ◦ ESL ◦ Plagiarism

13.  Keep up the fantastic work!!  Attend UCAN and make connections on campus  Use each other’s expertise  Have clear boundaries  Ask appropriate questions ◦ To the student, department, other advisors, etc.  Be aware of resources on campus ◦ Workshops ◦ Events ◦ Programs  Be aware of current issues in the world ◦ Ie. the suspension of diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran

14.  Annie Pilote & Asmaa Benabdeljalil ◦ Supporting the Success of International Students in Canadian Universities  Naeem “Nick” Noorani & Sabrina Noorani ◦ Arrival Survival Canada: A Handbook for New Immigrants  Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade ◦ A Profile of the Interculturally Effective Person  Canadian Bureau of International Education ◦ A World of Learning: Canada’s Performance and Potential in International Education