Compiled by: Ryerson International 11th Floor, 1 Dundas St. W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada Mailing Address: 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B

Transcription

1 2012/2013 Pre-arrival Information for International Exchange Students Compiled by: Ryerson International 11th Floor, 1 Dundas St. W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada Mailing Address: 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3

2 Table of 3. Welcome/Contact 4. The Exchange Process Contents 5. Study Permits and Visa 6. When to Arrive 7. Arriving in Canada 8. Getting to Ryerson 9. Once you Arrive 10. UHIP Health Insurance Accommodations 14. Finances 15. Employment Living in Toronto 18. Emergency Contacts

3 Contact Welcome! Congratulations on being accepted as an International Exchange Student at Ryerson University! You will have three main contacts: Ryerson International (RI Help) and your exchange coordinator, prior to your arrival. Once you arrive, there is a student run committee called RISExC that will help you settle in. Please note that this information is current as of February Prices and procedures are subject to change. Your Exchange Program Coordinator The Exchange Program Coordinator is the member of your Faculty who assists you with your academic program at Ryerson, including such activities as course selection, course registration, access to computer laboratories and other academic facilities as well as thesis/project supervision, if appropriate. The Exchange Program Coordinator is also responsible for liaising with your home university exchange coordinator. To determine who your contact is at Ryerson, see: Ryerson International The staff members of Ryerson International work in partnership with each Faculty/ School to assist you in your pre-arrival preparations and settling in at Ryerson. After your arrival in Toronto, staff of Ryerson International will provide you with an orientation to the campus and Toronto. They are available to provide information and assistance with immigration documentation, health insurance, employment regulations in Canada, etc. In addition, Ryerson International organizes social activities and events for international exchange students. From your application, your address will be used to place you on the international student exchange list. Ryerson International is located on the 11th Floor, 1 Dundas St. West. If you would like more information, or have questions, please contact: The Ryerson International Student Exchange Committee (RISExC) RISExC (pronounced Rye-sexy! ) is a student committee utterly and completely devoted to helping exchange students make the most of their non-academic time here at Ryerson. Aside from organizing a bi-yearly Toronto tour/ Scavenger Hunt, ski trips, outings to New York, Montreal and Niagara Falls and arranging group tickets to sports events and concerts, these folks are an excellent source of wisdom on all things Toronto. Need a student opinion on mobile phone plans, shopping or where to take your visiting parents out for dinner? Ask RISExC! Most of this group s activities are planned and communicated via Facebook, just look them up! Campus Map Online: rihelp@ryerson.ca ext

4 The Exchange Process 1 Acceptance by your 2 Home University Once you have been selected by your home university to participate in a Ryerson International Student Exchange Program, you are required to formally apply to Ryerson. The online application can be found at: Formal Acceptance as a Ryerson International Exchange Student Once your Application for Admission form has been received at Ryerson, approved and processed, you will be sent a formal Offer of Admission (OoA) letter. The Offer of Admission letter is required to obtain the appropriate Canada Immigration documentation, a Study Permit (formerly called a Student Authorization, commonly called a Student Visa), for studying in Canada. Students staying in Canada for less than 6 months may or may not require a student visa. It depends on the student s nationality. Please see: and speak to the nearest Canadian consular office to see if you are exempt. However, Ryerson highly recommends that all Exchange Students obtain such documentation since it provides certain privileges that are not available to those who do not have a Study Permit, such as being able to work on campus and easier entry and return to Canada if visiting the USA. A Study Permit is definitely required for a period of study greater than six months. *Note As an International Exchange Student, you are generally not required to pay standard tuition fees to Ryerson. You are responsible for covering the costs of course materials and books, residence, and other living expenses. If you wish to make use of the Ryerson Athletic Centre, you will be required to pay a student membership fee of approximately $40.00 for one semester. 4

5 Study Permits & Visa Requirements For entry into Canada as an International Student, you may require a Study Permit and, in some cases, a Visitor s Visa. Both these documents can be obtained from a Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission in your home country or elsewhere. The application process and time varies slightly depending on your home country so we urge you to contact the Canadian foreign mission closest to you for the application kit. The following website lists Canadian diplomatic missions abroad (including the USA): *Please note that you cannot obtain a Study Permit from within Canada. * Citizens of the United States, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Greenland may obtain a Study Permit at the border upon entering Canada. If you are driving into Canada, be sure to stop at the Canada Immigration Office (just after the first check point) to obtain your Study Permit In general, the following documents are required for application for a Study Permit: Original Offer of Admission letter from Ryerson Valid Passport Proof of sufficient funds to cover your anticipated expenses for the duration of the exchange study period. (Living Expenses: Immigration standard is approximately $12,040 for one full year). Medical clearance, if required. Note: If you plan to participate in an internship or work practicum, a medical clearance will be required after arriving in Canada. *An application processing fee of approximately $125 Canadian is required to obtain a Study Permit. 5

6 6 When To Arrive We recommend that you arrive at least one week before the first day of classes. This will give you enough time to settle in, meet with your Exchange Program Manager and finalize your academic program, complete course registration procedures, register for UHIP health insurance, and become familiar with the campus and university community. Orientation It is very important that you attend the international exchange student orientation. Dates and times for the orientation will be sent to you once you have registered for the exchange program with Ryerson University. Please also make note of the following important dates: Semester Dates Fall 2012 Tuesday September 4th Saturday December 15th Winter 2013 Friday January 11th Saturday April 27th Classes Start: Tuesday, September 4th Exam Period: December 4th - December 15th Classes Start: Friday January 11th Exam Period: April 15 - April 27 It is best to arrive on a weekday, Monday through Friday, between the working hours of 9:00 am-5:00 pm. For those arriving for the Fall Term, Monday, September 3rd is a national holiday and all university, government, and banking offices are closed. For those arriving in the Winter Term, the University will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 21 and the University will re-open at 8 a.m. on Monday, January 7, 2013.

7 Arriving in After landing at the airport, you will pass through Canada Immigration and Canada Customs. Be sure to carry the following documents in your hand luggage as you will require them at the Canada Immigration post: Passport- along with your Study Permit Copy of the Offer of Admission from Ryerson Proof of funds available for support examples: bank statement, traveler s cheques The first Canadian official you will come in contact with is a Canada Customs officer, who will direct you into Immigration Canada office. You must indicate to this officer that you are here to study and only then will you be referred to Immigration. As a general rule at the airport and when dealing with Immigration/Customs officials, when in doubt, be sure to declare or to ask. Canadian Customs permits you to bring along all personal items such as clothes and books. There are, however, restrictions on the amount of liquor and tobacco allowed, and on the importing of agricultural produce such as food, seed, or meats of any sort. It is best to check with the Canadian mission in your country about customs restrictions and regulations on personal goods, food items, etc. Upon landing in Canada, you will be provided with a Customs declaration form. You are required to declare any such goods on this card and sign. Canada Tips for dealing with Canada Immigration Officials: DO have your passport and relevant documentation ready. DO respond to any questions you are asked both simply and truthfully. Service will be available in both English and French. If you do not understand what is being said, DO ask if an interpreter is available for other languages. If you are shipping additional luggage, be sure to inform the Customs Officer as you pass through Customs to avoid duty tax on the contents when they arrive in Canada. It is strongly advised that you carry photocopies of all your official documents in a place separate from the originals so that if you lose your passport or other document, you have copies to assist you in replacing the lost ones. Also leave copies of your documents with family members at home. 7

8 Getting to Ryerson Toronto s Pearson International Airport is located in North West Toronto. Allow approximately one hour to get from Pearson International to downtown Toronto. There are several means of transportation that you can take. AIRPORT BUSES ( will take you to the Delta Chelsea Hotel, which is a five minute walk from Ryerson. The bus service runs between Pearson International Airport and 14 downtown locations every 20 minutes from :55. Upon presentation of your International Student Identity Card (ISIC) your student fare will be approximately $ The Delta-Chelsea Hotel is the nearest stop to the Ryerson campus. It is a five-minute walk to the Ryerson residences and Neill- Wycik Co-op (co-operative housing for students). You can ask the driver to stop at Pitman Hall, 160 Mutual Street at Ryerson, and she/he may be able to drop you off at the residence door. AIRPORT TAXIS are available at set rates. The trip to Ryerson costs approximately $55.00 with Airport Taxi Service. Telephone: (416) If you wish to take local PUBLIC TRANSPORT referred to as the TTC, you can take the 192 Bus to Kipling Station then get on the Bloor-Danforth Subway line. A one-way fare for the TTC is $3.00. Refer to the TTC website for exact stops: If you arrive by train: Ryerson is a short taxi ride from Union Train Station (approx.$7.00). If by airport bus: A 10 minute walk from the main bus terminal located at Elm and Bay. If by Public Transit: Ryerson is around the corner from the Dundas Subway Station on the Yonge/University Subway Line. 8

9 Once you Arrive Visit your Exchange Program Coordinator: Visit the Ryerson International office: Located on the 11th Floor, 1 Dundas St. W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They will be pleased to welcome you to Ryerson and explain what you need to do next, including: UHIP Registration Obtaining a Ryerson Student Identity Card Orientation Programming and Activities 9

10 Health UHIPMandatory Insurance University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) The UHIP Plan is comprehensive and is designed to pay the cost of hospital and medical services international students may need while in Canada. Coverage includes basics such as routine examinations and emergency care, and is effective from the date of arrival in Ontario. Some pre-existing medical conditions are not covered. Please note that UHIP does not cover routine dental expenses, only emergency care as a result of a major accident. In addition, it is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance to cover the time period from your date of departure until arrival at Ryerson. If you already have medical insurance, you can apply for exemption from UHIP. However, (a) you must purchase UHIP upon arrival at Ryerson before applying for exemption, and (b) you should be aware that, because coverage under UHIP is so extensive compared to most other insurance programs, no exemptions have been granted to date with the exception of citizens of Norway. Should you decide to apply for a UHIP exemption, you should begin the process before leaving your country. For more information about the procedure, please refer to the UHIP website ( for exemption information, or contact the Health Insurance carrier directly, uhip@ sunlife.com If you have any questions regarding UHIP please contact: rihelp@ryerson.ca Tel: (416) extension 2611 Ryerson Health Services The Ryerson Campus Health Centre is open to all Ryerson students. It is located in Kerr Hall West 181. Physicians are available from 9:00am- 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The Health Services is closed on weekends and evenings. If you have any questions about the Health Centre please contact: (416) UHIP Fees The 2011/2012 UHIP fees: One term: Academic year: September - April Full year: September - August We recommend the following: $ per semester $ $ A visit to your physician and dentist before departure for Canada. Bring along a copy of your health records, with information on your allergies and immunizations, especially if you had previous medical concerns or an existing medical condition. Bring along an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, if you use them. Be sure to carry adequate prescription medication if you are presently taking any. Be sure to bring along the prescription from your local doctor and ensure that all medication is clearly labeled. When traveling to Canada, it is best to have a doctor s note for injection kits if you are insulin dependent. 10

11 Accommodations *Please note that it is your responsibility to secure accommodations in Toronto. Neither your exchange coordinator nor Ryerson International are able to secure a place to live on your behalf. It is highly recommended that all exchange students secure accommodation well in advance of their arrival in Toronto. While private accommodation may be found in Toronto upon arrival, appropriate and affordable options can be very difficult to come by, particularly during the late August/ early September Back to School period. Also keep in mind that, in Toronto, a standard private residential lease is one year in length inexpensive, short-term (4-6 months) accommodation is generally difficult and/or expensive to arrange. September to December, January to May Accommodation OR September to May (single term) Off-Campus Housing PRIMROSE BEST WESTERN HOTEL is a five minute walk from campus. Several floors have been converted into student residences. Each suite houses two students (very small private bedroom, shared common area, cooking facility and bathroom). A meal plan is required, but several options are offered. Very clean and secure, but small. This option requires a deposit which is non-refundable. Contact information: Tel: (416) ext Fax: (416) Carlton St., Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2G3 joseph@torontoprimrosehotel.com (Click on Hotel Info, then Student Area. password: student) CAMPUS COMMON is an unfurnished student apartment complex in the heart of downtown Toronto and adjacent to Ryerson University. A number of options are available including single, double and triple occupancy. Please note that accommodatons at Campus Commons are only available for a full academic year (two terms). Web Site : 11

12 Accommodations Off-Campus Housing Continued NEILL-WYCIK is an independent cooperative residence directly across the street from the main Ryerson campus. Although Neill-Wycik is very popular with Ryerson students, mixed reviews, with particular emphasis on cleanliness and the presence of vermin in the rooms, has been received from former exchange students. Exchange students who will be arriving in Toronto for the Fall Term only are strongly encouraged to request a New Member Application form for Neill- Wycik and apply as soon as possible. You will need some cooking utensils and bedding, but these can be purchased very cheaply near the University. Contact information: Noreen - Housing Coordinator Tel: (416) ext 3019, Fax: (416) Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1G7 housing@neill-wycik.com Web Site: TARTU COLLEGE is an independent cooperative near the University of Toronto that is used by university and college students in the down town area. Applications are available online as of early March. Contact information: Tel: (416) Web Site: September to May Accommodations (Two Term) *Unfortunately, students coming to Ryerson for the Fall term (September to December) do not have the option of living on campus. For various reasons, spots DO become available for the Winter term (January to May). If this is of interest, get in touch with the housing office (see below) by early November to let them know. RYERSON HALLS OF RESIDENCE: PITMAN HALL, THE INTERNATIONAL LIVING AND LEARNING CENTRE (ILLC) AND O KEEFE HOUSE. The first two choices are popular among international students; the ILLC being more expensive than Pitman Hall. Although living on campus is not the least expensive option, there are many advantages for new international students. There are many services and activities to assist new students to make friends, become familiar with Ryerson and Toronto, and particularly the university academic environment. Staff members on each floor are available 24 hours a day. The most common negative comment is that the cafeteria meals tend to be more expensive than if you live on your own and do your own cooking. For students applying for the Winter semester (January - April) application details can be found at: Check with your Exchange Manager for availability. More information on the residences of Ryerson University can be found at: Tel:

13 13 Short-Term Accommodations If you will require short-term temporary accommodation when you arrive in Toronto, you may wish to contact the following guest houses or hostels to reserve a room in advance. YWCA (women only), 80 Woodlawn Ave E, Toronto, Ontario M4T 1C1, Canada. Phone: (416) Room rate: From $48/night with shared bath and breakfast. From $420/month. woodlawn@ywcator.org website: CITY S HEART BED AND BREAKFAST, 8 Linden St (close to Bloor and Yonge) Single daily rate $50/person. Website: citys_heart@yahoo.com HAVINN INTERNATIONAL, Dorm rates from $25/ night 118 Spadina (Bloor and Spadina) Phone: (416) havinn@ eol.ca CANADIANA BACKPACKERS INN, Voted best hostel in North America for 2003 and was voted third best hostel in North America in Room rate: $25 and up METROPOLITAN BED AND BREAKFAST REGISTRY OF TORONTO, 650 Dupont St., Suite 113, Toronto, Ontario M6G 4B1, Canada. Phone: (416) , Fax: (416) Room rate: From $40 to $165/night; includes breakfast and free parking. B AND B HOMES OF TORONTO, a group of 10 homes in interesting neighborhoods. Phone: (416) HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL TORONTO, 76 Church Street W, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2G1, Canada. Phone: (416) or (tollfree, North America only). Room rate: $30 per night and up or $26 with membership. (5 minute walk to Ryerson) or also see GLOBAL VILLAGE BACKPACKERS, 460 King Street W, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1L7, Canada. Phone: (416) or (toll free, North American only). $24+ per night. 15 minute streetcar ride to Ryerson. www. globalbackpackers.com/toronto/tor.htm ASHLEIGH HERITAGE HOUSE, pvt bedroom shared bathroom, College and Dovercourt, (416) ashleigheritage@hotmail.com $30 to $60 ADMIRAL HOUSE, 32 Admiral Road, pvt. Bedroom shared bathroom, (416) $35 to $45. COLLEGE HOSTEL, 280 Augusta Street, Tel: (416) ; private rooms or shared dorm rooms ($25 and up), reservations@affordacom.com website: LESLIEVILLE HOME HOSTEL, 185 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario M4M 3C6, Canada. Phone: (416) Room rates: $195/week for a single room, from $300 (dormitory) $595 (single room)/month; all with kitchen and laundry facilities. leslieville@sympatico.ca If you require additional information about housing options, please contact your Exchange Manager

14 Financesto request Some banks offer special student accounts and student packages. You should research all options and select a bank that best suits your needs. It is advisable to arrive in Canada with at least $200 in Canadian currency and immediate access to about $500 - $1000 to cover initial expenses. Remember, if you choose private residence, that it is standard practice for landlords two months rent in advance of moving in. The Canadian dollar is the only currency commonly accepted across Canada. You can exchange most currencies for Canadian dollars at most commercial banks. Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard or American Express are widely accepted. Diner s Club and JTB are not commonly used. The cost of living in Toronto may differ from that of your home country. The absolute minimum cost for a 12 month period in Canada is approximately $12,850, including accommodation, food, local transportation and incidentals. Do check with your Exchange Program Manager for an estimate of the cost of books, course materials, lab fees and academic field trips for your program. There are several ways to transfer money to Canada, including bringing travelers cheques, a bank draft or having a telephone or cable transfer of funds from your bank at home to the Canadian bank where you open an account. Remember to inquire about the service fees and length of time required for each transaction. Some foreign banks have branches in Toronto but they may focus on corporate business and may not provide an appropriate range of personal financial services. Check if your home bank has a special linkage agreement with one of the banks listed below. There are five main Canadian banks and a few major trust companies. The following bank branches are close to the Ryerson campus: TD Canada Trust Bank: College Park Branch, 777 Bay Street, Toronto,Ontario M5G 2C8, Canada. Phone : (416) , press «3». Website: Royal Bank of Canada: Yonge and Grenville Branch, 468 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1X3, Canada. Phone: (416) Website: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Queen and Yonge Branch, 1 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W5, Canada. Phone: (416) Website: Bank of Montreal: Dundas Street West and Chestnut. Westward from Dundas and Yonge. Phone: (416) Website: Bank of Nova Scotia: 1 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2M3, Canada. Phone: (416) Website: Sales Tax: The HST is a 13% tax that is added to the price of items such as books, cell-phone services, movie tickets and clothing. Tipping is customary for services such as taxis, restaurants and hair salons. 15% of the bill is sufficient. 14

15 Employment of international students in Canada is RESTRICTED. As a Ryerson student, you are eligible to work on campus at Ryerson without an Employment Authorization AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A VALID STUDY PERMIT. Spouses of students holding a valid Study Permit are allowed to work off campus after applying for an Employment Authorization. It should be noted that there are very limited job opportunities on the Ryerson campus for exchange students. NOTE that off campus placements/practicum, paid or unpaid, are not generally legal. Check out: Employment 15

16 Living in Toronto Winter is cold! But we also have a wonderful summer! In fact, in Toronto we enjoy four distinct seasons. Temperatures can range from 32c or more during the summer, to occasional lows of -20c (or colder!) in the winter. Students find they require several sets of clothing. Winter clothing can be bought once in Toronto, with costs averaging $500- $750 for basics such as a winter coat, boots, mittens, warm undergarments and a few sweaters. Ryerson International and the RISExC group will provide guidance in purchasing appropriate clothing at reasonable rates. The following websites can be used as reference on how to dress for winter in Canada: The Weather Network Weather and Clothing Note that if you plan to bring along with you any electrical equipment, Canadian voltage is 110 volts or 60 Hertz.16

17 Living in Toronto Useful Resources

18 Emergency Contacts In case of an emergency OFF CAMPUS 911 call: In case of an emergency ON CAMPUS call Campus Security at: *Note: If you need to leave a message, please state your name clearly, where you are, what the difficulty is, and be sure to leave a phone number where we can reach you. Please also provide these numbers to your family members in case of emergency. (Please note: 416 is the area code for central Toronto.) 18