1 / 14

Supporting our International Students

Supporting our International Students. International Students. Melissa Ostrowski. International Student Advisor 403-210-9595 mostrows@ucalgary.ca international.advice@ucalgary.ca. Overview. Demographics Expectations of international students Services at CISSA

ivan-hartman
Download Presentation

Supporting our International Students

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Supporting our International Students

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

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

  4. Demographics of International Students • 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. What do international students expect from us? • 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. Services at CISSA for International Students • 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. Services at CISSA – cont’d • 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. Orientation – What do we discuss? • 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. Orientation – cont’d • 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. Winter 2013 Orientation • Friday, January 4 • 8:30 am to 3:30 pm • Location – KNB 132 • Lunch is provided for students • http://www.ucalgary.ca/uci/students/orientationprogram/registrationJan4-2013

  11. Challenges that International Students Face • Adjustment and transition issues • Culture shock • Isolation • Weather • Financial stress • Difficulty getting loans/financial aid • Cost of living • Unsteady/unreliable source of funds

  12. Challenges that International Students Face – cont’d • 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. How can we help students and meet their expectations? • 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. Resources • Annie Pilote & AsmaaBenabdeljalil • 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

More Related