INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE COMING TO RYERSON UNIVERSITY WELCOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS! You are very important to us. By choosing Ryerson University, you are joining a motivated community of students taking exceptional programs that lead to great careers. We are focused on your success, both in your studies, and in helping you enjoy the experience of our campus and our wonderful City of Toronto. I extend very best wishes and a warm welcome. Welcome to Ryerson University! You are about to begin the experience of a lifetime, and International Services for Students is here to help you every step of the way! Come by ouroffice as soon as you arrive in Toronto, say hello, and pick up important documents. We are located in the Podium building s basement (POD 61), 50 Victoria Street. We look forward to meeting you! Sheldon Levy President, Ryerson University Diana Ning Co-ordinator, International Services for Students

2 Moving to Canada YOUR CHECKLIST GET YOUR STUDY PERMIT Apply for your Canadian Study Permit immediately! This immigration document is required to study in Canada legally. You will need: Send your signed Offer of Admission to Ryerson with your tuition deposit Apply for your Study Permit An original Offer of Admission from Ryerson Your valid passport Written proof of sufficient funds or a reliable source of such financial support, to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses for the duration of your program Medical examination (if required) Application fee (currently $125 CDN) Completed application form Other items specified by the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate nearest you Apply for your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if required Visit the ISS website (pg 6) Secure housing arrangements FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Immigration Canada s website: an International Student Advisor at issask@ryerson.ca FIND A PLACE TO LIVE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING Ryerson has three residences: Pitman Hall, ILLC (International Living Learning Centre), and O Keefe House. Residences are for first-year undergraduate students only, but space is not guaranteed. Apply as early as possible! APPLY ONLINE Download the residence application from the internet at Enter the login ID: ryerson and password: approved student to access the application. Ryerson is a university that lets you bring home with you, both in terms of the culture and the warm environment with an enhanced sense of belonging. Rafeeya Abjal, Business Management Graduate, Guyana APPLY BY REQUESTING A HARD COPY Contact the Student Housing office by telephone at , fax at or at housing@ryerson.ca. APPLICATION DEADLINES May 1: applications open Mid-June: application and $400 CDN payment deadline (certified cheque, money order or bank draft) Mid-July: residence offers sent OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING Finding off-campus accommodation takes time, so arrive at least three full weeks before classes start. For information on off-campus housing listings call , offcamp@ryerson.ca or visit FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

3 Arriving in Canada GET TO THE AIRPORT CARRY WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES: Original Offer of Admission from Ryerson Your valid passport and Study Permit Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if required Other items specified by the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate WHAT CAN YOU BRING WITH YOU? The voltage of any electrical appliance must be 110 volts, 60 hertz. Declare cameras, computers, or any other electrical equipment when at Customs so that you will not be taxed on them when you leave Canada. Declare any luggage being shipped to Canada at Customs so that you will not be taxed. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: The Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission nearest you. Our International Student Advisor at GET TO RYERSON BUS/SUBWAY Cost: $2.75 CDN.* The 192 Airport Rocket bus runs from Terminals (Arrivals) and 1 (Ground Level) at the Pearson Airport to the Kipling subway station. From the Kipling subway station, take the subway eastbound to the Bloor/ Yonge subway station and transfer southbound to the Dundas subway station. From Dundas subway station walk to the Ryerson campus. This is a 5 minute walk. AIRPORT EXPRESS SHUTTLE BUS Cost: $16.95 CDN.* When you come out of the Arrivals area, you will see an Airport Express Bus stop. The bus runs every 20 minutes and will bring you downtown. For more information: Visit Call info@torontoairportexpress.com TAXI Cost: approx. $50.00 CDN.* Airport taxis are available. Agree on a fare with your driver when you enter the taxi. *Costs are estimates and are subject to change. YOUR CHECKLIST Take a Campus Tour (pg 4) Visit the ISS office (pg6) Make an appointment with an International Student Advisor Get in contact with your Peer Supporter Attend our International Student Orientation events and workshops (pg 4) Pick up your Welcome Package from ISS (pg 4) Get your UHIP card (pg 5) Ryerson University is a great place and ISS is the main department that connects all the international students to university life, new friends and local culture. I enjoy studying here and I am sure you will too! - Victoria Chen, Radio and Television Arts, China

4 First Week at Ryerson University INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION It is crucial that all new international students attend the special orientation sessions created just for you! These sessions will inform you about services on campus important to international students, issues with immigration including study permits and work permits, health services at Ryerson and registering for your UHIP card. If it hadn t been for my peer supporter, my first year at Ryerson would have been impossible. He helped me so much and is now one of my best friends. I strongly advise all new students to contact their peer supporters. They re a great resource! Nazuk Jain, Computer Engineering, India ISS student orientation was an awesome event that helped show Ryerson school spirit. It made me feel comfortable being with other students who show the same enthusiasm. Angel Xing, Retail Management, China You will get to meet staff from the International Services for Students office, upper year international students, and staff and faculty from other areas at Ryerson University. You can register for any of the events below by visiting the ISS website at and clicking on the orientation link. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION EVENTS WELCOME BOOTH Mid-Aug to Mid-Sept (Daily) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Location TBA CAMPUS TOUR Friday of Orientation Week 12:00-1:0 p.m. Location TBA ORIENTATION WORKSHOP Thursday, - 5 p.m. OR Friday, 10 a.m p.m. (Orientation Week) Locations TBA WELCOME BBQ Thursday of Orientation Week 5:0-7 p.m. Location TBA ORIENTATION WORKSHOP for Graduate International Students Location and Date TBD Pick up your Welcome Package containing important information about starting your life at Ryerson, living in Toronto and much more! This is also where you will connect with your Peer Supporter, who will help and guide you during the year. International Peer Supporters will guide you around the campus, pointing out the location of important services, such as ISS, Cashiers, the Library, Bookstore, Health Centre and more. This workshop gives you information about everything you need to know, such as immigration policies, health insurance, events and programs throughout the year and much more. Your first big social event is our famous annual BBQ. Make new friends! Win prizes! Enjoy free food! Be a part of all the fun to start off the year! Hosted by the ISS Coordinator, this event provides information on immigration policies, health insurance and other issues that specifically relate to graduate international students. Please note that times and days are subject to change. Please contact ISS for more detailed information.

5 Living in Canada YOUR MONEY It may take several weeks for your funds to be transferred through the banking system from your country to Canada. Make arrangements to transfer funds as soon as possible! For more information visit WHAT YOU NEED TO BUDGET FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR These are estimates of the average range of costs (in Canadian dollars) for Ryerson international students, based on a 12-month period from September to August. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS EXPENSE LOW $ HIGH $ Fees* 1,500 15,500 University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) ** Books, supplies, course materials, lab 800 5,000 fees, academic field trips Accommodation *** 7,200 12,000 Food,900 5,400 Clothing **** 1,200 2,000 Transportation ***** 1,05 1,700 Incidentals 1,200 2,400 TOTAL $29,57 $44,684 GRADUATE STUDENTS EXPENSE LOW $ HIGH $ Fees* 1,500 22,000 University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) ** Books, supplies, course materials, lab fees, 1,200 5,000 academic field trips Accommodation *** 7,200 12,000 Food,900 5,400 Clothing **** 1,200 2,000 Transportation ***** 1,05 1,700 Incidentals 1,200 2,400 TOTAL $29,97 $51,184 *Exact fees vary by student and program. Fee statements are mailed sometime between June and September. Fees are subject to change without notice. **Subject to change each year without notice. ***Does not include hydro or utility costs, which may not be included with rent. ****Costs vary depending on the need to purchase seasonal clothing. *****Costs for traveling within City of Toronto; may vary for traveling outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). YOUR HEALTH UNIVERSITY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN (UHIP) is a mandatory health coverage service for all full-time international students studying at Ontario universities. [1] Fill out a UHIP enrolment form as soon as you arrive, and at the beginning of each academic year that you study at Ryerson. [2] UHIP coverage includes basic medical care, general examinations, emergency care, allergy shots and a variety of other medical services. [] The annual fee will be charged to your student account along with your tuition. RYERSON STUDENT UNION (RSU) MEMBERS HEALTH AND DENTAL PLAN [1] Provides coverage for prescription drugs, dental care and specific health services which may not be covered under UHIP. [2] All full-time Ryerson students are enrolled in this plan. The annual fee is added to your tuition. For more information visit the RSU s website at THE RYERSON HEALTH CENTRE [1] Provides medical services to all members of the Ryerson community. Located on campus in Room 181 Kerr Hall West. [2] Present your UHIP enrolment form or card for coverage of costs. Call or visit I wasn t aware that international students could file tax returns until I heard about ISS tax workshop. The workshop made me realize that it s not a complicated process! Kendel Chitolie, Business Management (Accounting), St. Lucia.

6 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Important Things to Know Before Coming to Ryerson University INTERNATIONAL SERVICES FOR STUDENTS (ISS) ABOUT ISS Get Your VISA Places to Live Managing Money Airport Arrival ISS Office International Services for Students (ISS) provides support services for registered international students, facilitating their transition to Canadian university life and promoting cultural awareness to the Ryerson Community. ISS strives to provide helpful and comprehensive support to all international students throughout their time at Ryerson. Some of the essential services that ISS provides include international student orientation, immigration advising and support, health insurance, status letters, work opportunities, events, workshops, peer support and much more. THE INTERNATIONAL EYE Our monthly newsletter via will update you on information regarding immigration, visas, health insurance, events, work opportunities, Ryerson International Connections, Peer Supporters, social and extra-curricular activities. Sign up to receive the newsletter by ing THE ISS LISTSERV Health Insurance Orientation Would you like to be kept up-to-date on immigration policies, health issues, events and workshops, jobs and academic related information? Join our mailing list and stay directly connected to ISS and information that affects you. Sign up online at to begin receiving our regular messages. Contact the office: INTERNATIONAL SERVICES FOR STUDENTS (ISS) International Services for Students Ryerson University POD-61, 50 Victoria Street Toronto, ON M5B 2K Telephone: ext Fax: Website: