FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY & MARITIME STUDIES PROGRAMS
Welcome to the Marine Institute. This guide contains information that will help you with your arrival plans and transition to life in Canada. We encourage you to read it carefully. MI is committed to assisting you with any problems or concerns you may have during your studies here. So, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time!
ABOUT MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY (MUN) AND THE MARINE INSTITUTE (MI) Memorial University is a multi-campus, multi-disciplinary, public, teaching and research university. It offers more than 100 degree programs to more than 18,500 students at four campuses and throughout the world. Not far from the St. John’s Campus, the largest campus among the four, is the Marine Institute (MI). MI is Canada’s leading centre of marine learning and applied research. We are dedicated to education, training, applied research, and industrial support.
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YOUR CONTACT POINTS MI International (MII) is the international office at Marine Institute. With Student Affairs and Office of the Registrar, MII manages international student recruitment and provides international student services at MI. We also collaborate closely with the Internationalization Office (IO) at the St. John’s Campus to provide various support services for you! Please see our contact information below: MARINE INSTI T U T E ( M I )
MI INTERNATIONAL (MII) OFFICE
155 Ridge Road, St. John’s, NL
Room C3218, 3rd Floor Tel: (709) 778-0408 E-mail: internationalstu@mi.mun.ca Facebook: facebook.com/International.MI
Office Hours: Monday to Friday — 8:30am to 4:30pm (8:30am to 4:00pm during summer)
Sonia Ho
International Student Coordinator Tel: (709) 778-0631 E-mail: sonia.ho@mi.mun.ca Skype: miinternational_isc
MI STUDENT A F F A I R S
Room W3011 & W3013, 3rd Floor
Angie Clarke
Director Tel: (709) 778-0565 E-mail: angie.clarke@mi.mun.ca
MI REGISTRAR’S OFFICE
Room C2210, 2nd Floor
Krista Sweetland
Leah Condon
Student Liaison Officer Tel: (709) 778-0611 E-mail: krista.sweetland@mi.mun.ca
Coordinator of Advanced Programs Tel: (709) 778-0682 E-mail: cap@mi.mun.ca
MEMORIAL UNI V E R S I T Y ( S T . J O H N ’ S C A M P U S ) :
Internationalization Office (IO)
Facebook: facebook.com/MUNinternational Twitter: twitter.com/memorial_intl Instagram: instagram.com/muninternational
Corte Real, Room 1000A, Burton’s Pond Apartments 57 Allandale Road, St. John’s, NL Tel: (709) 864-8895 E-mail: international@mun.ca
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WHAT’S NEXT? Now that you have been accepted, you should be completing the following:
POST ADMISSION (PAGES 5-6):
❑ Apply for study permit (p. 5) ❑ Decide on housing (p. 5) ❑ Join MUN Mentors (p. 5) ❑ Set up your MUN Portal and MUN e-mail (p. 6) ❑ Prepare for English Placement Test (p. 6) AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (PAGES 7-15):
❑ Book temporary housing if permanent housing is not confirmed (p. 7) ❑ Book your flights to YYT (St. John’s) and sign up for airport greeting service (p. 7-8) ❑ Register with the Internationalization Office (p. 8) ❑ Register for your courses (p. 8-9) ❑ Understand your fees and health insurance (p. 9) ❑ Pay your fees ahead of time and arrange money transfer (p. 9-10) ❑ Familiarize yourself with the University Calendar for school regulations and University Diary for important dates (p. 10) ❑ Pack and prepare for travel (p. 11-15) AFTER ARRIVAL (PAGE 16):
❑ Settle in and update your family/friends ❑ Visit MI International ❑ Attend orientation!
If you have any questions at any point, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
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POST ADMISSION APPLY FOR STUDY PERMIT Most international students are required to obtain a study permit before studying in Canada. Depending on your country, you may be required to apply for a visitor’s visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) as well. For more information on these documents and how to apply, please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website (www.cic.gc.ca/english/study). If you have any additional questions, please contact IRCC (www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts). As this process can take up a long time, you are strongly recommended to apply RIGHT AFTER you are admitted to your program. You can check the estimated application processing times here: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times.
DECIDE ON HOUSING MI students can access MUN Student Residences and resources at the Off Campus Housing office at St. John’s Campus. Student Residences (www.mun.ca/residences): Most on-campus accommodations are located approximately a 15-minute bus ride to Marine Institute. There are three types of housing: dormitory, apartment style housing, or family housing. To apply, you need to follow the instructions on the Student Residences website above. Space fills up quickly, and you can apply as soon as you have applied to a MI program. Off Campus Housing (www.mun.ca/student/DepartmentsUnits/offcampus): If you choose to live off-campus, you can begin your search online through the rental properties listing on the Off Campus Housing website. You should look for housing that is close to school. If the housing location is farther way, you should consider how you will commute to school. More information about the local bus system is available under the “Pack and Prepare for Travel - Research about Canada, Newfoundland and St. John’s” section below. The IO also provides some helpful tips and resources on housing here: www.mun.ca/international/students/housing.php
JOIN MUN MENTORS MUN Mentors program matches new students with senior students, who can provide some help in navigating the academic system and the new environment. A mentor will be assigned pending on availability. For more information about this program, please visit: www.mun.ca/international/programming/mun-mentors-program.php.
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POST ADMISSION (CONTINUED) SET UP YOUR MUN PORTAL AND MUN E-MAIL Once accepted to MI, you will be assigned a MUN Portal (my.mun.ca) account and a @mun.ca e-mail account. The MUN Portal will allow you to access various services (including Self-Service, where you can register, view your timetable, pay your fees, check your marks etc.), and important e-mails from the university will be sent to your MUN e-mail regularly. To set up your account, visit login.mun.ca/, click “create account” and follow the prompts.
ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST You are required to participate in the English placement test at Memorial University if: • You are beginning an undergraduate degree for the first time at Memorial University, and • You were required to submit IELTS, TOEFL, MELAB or other standardized English test results for admission to Memorial University, and • Your first language is not English, or you have not completed a degree in an all-English medium university You will be tested on reading comprehension and be required to write an essay on a given topic. For test schedule, registration process and more information, please contact the ESL department at St. John’s Campus or visit: www.mun.ca/esl/support/english_placement_test.php
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AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED BOOK TEMPORARY HOUSING If you have not confirmed housing in St. John’s, you may wish to book temporary housing for the first few days of your arrival as you look for long term accommodation. For suggestions on temporary accommodations, please visit: www.mun.ca/international/students/temphousing.php
BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS AND SIGN UP FOR AIRPORT GREETING SERVICE Orientation for all new first semester undergraduate students will take place on September 4 and 5. Your lectures will begin on September 6. If you are staying at a campus residence, please check with Student Residences Office directly for the first day you can move in. In general, it is not necessary for you to arrive far in advance of the start of classes. Arriving a few days to a week before classes begin should be sufficient. If you are planning to search for off campus housing after your arrival, you should arrive at the end of August. Check with your travel agency or the airline directly about the most reasonable fares for travel between your point of departure and St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador. There may be discounts for students, so do not hesitate to ask. Air Canada now offer direct flights through London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and WestJet offer flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Please ensure your final destination is St. John’s (YYT) in Newfoundland as there are many cities with similar names. If you are not flying through London, your flight to St. John’s is likely connected through one of the following Canadian international airports: • Vancouver, British Columbia (YVR) • Toronto, Ontario (YYZ) • Montreal, Quebec (YUL) • Halifax, Nova Scotia (YHZ) Please note that you will go through Customs and Immigration at the first point of entry in Canada. You should allow at least two hours to go through immigration when booking your connecting flight to St. John’s. Please refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for documents you need to bring and show to the immigration officers when you first arrive in Canada: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/arriving.asp Your final destination should be St. John’s, Newfoundland and not any other city in Canada. Some travel agents cannot book flights within Canada, but you can book it yourself through the websites of Canadian airlines such as Air Canada, Westjet, Porter and Sunwing. Please make the booking BEFORE you leave your country. If you decide to stop over at any city in Canada before you fly to St. John’s, please ensure you have enough money to cover costs for food and accommodation (you may want to do so anyway in case of delays or flight changes and for your taxi when you first arrive). 7
AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED) Finally, when you reserve your ticket, please ensure your name is spelled exactly the same as it is on your passport. The IO offers a friendly airport greeting service for students arriving in St. John’s cost of transportation to your accommodation is not covered). You can register for the service by following the steps here: www.mun.ca/international/students/beforearrival/#airportgreeter Upon arrival, you can also hop into a taxi outside the arrival area of the St. John’s International Airport. Taxi fare to downtown St. John’s generally costs $30 or more. Metrobus (bus system in St. John’s) Route 14 is now servicing the airport. Cash fare is $2.50. More information about the service can be found here: www.stjohnsairport.com/to-from-airport/ground-transportation/public-transportation
REGISTER WITH THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OFFICE (IO) In order to register with the IO, you must have your MUN Portal and MUN e-mail account set up (see the “Set up Your MUN Portal and MUN E-mail” section above on how to do so). Visit my.mun.ca and log in. Then, click the ‘Students’ tab at the top of the page and ‘ISA Services’ at the bottom right hand corner. Follow the instructions and answer the questions on each screen. You can leave the questions incomplete if you are unable to answer. Upon arrival, you must attend one of IO’s information sessions. We will offer one on the MI Campus within the first couple weeks of school. These sessions will provide you with important information on things such as health insurance, immigration and other initiatives offered through the IO.
REGISTER FOR YOUR COURSES Registration for courses usually begin two months before the semester begins. For Fall 2017, registration will begin on July 11 and will be ongoing until September 20. In general, you should wait till your study permit is approved before registering, as you are required to pay your school fees once registered. However, some courses do fill up quickly. If you register ahead of time but find out later you cannot pursue your studies, please ensure you drop ALL your courses BEFORE the full refund date. You should register for courses before your first lectures begin, and you cannot register after the regular registration period ends. If you wish to finish your program at the earliest date possible, it is important that you complete all your required courses first. Please note that certain courses in our Bachelor programs are offered online only. If you plan to work in Canada during or after your studies, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has certain restrictions regarding your course load and the number of online courses you can take. More information is available under the “Work” section on the IRCC website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/students/index.asp. 8
AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED) You can also contact our certified immigration consultant, Miss Natasha Clark (nclark@mun.ca), for any additional questions. Please follow the instructions below to register: www.mun.ca/regoff/registration/how/index.php. For information about important deadlines and dates, please visit the 2017-2018 University Diary: www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar/sectionNo=GENINFO-0086
UNDERSTAND YOUR FEES AND HEALTH INSURANCE It is important that you check your financial charges on Self-Service at the beginning of each semester. You are responsible for paying all your fees by the first day of class, otherwise a late fee will apply. All registered students are required to purchase a mandatory health insurance plan. International Students are automatically enrolled in the foreign health insurance plan. More information regarding health insurance coverage for international students is available here: http://www.mun.ca/international/programming/healthinsurance/.
PAY YOUR FEES AHEAD OF TIME AND ARRANGE MONEY TRANSFER As the first few weeks in Canada can be quite hectic, you may wish to make arrangements to transfer your school fees to Canada ahead of time. You can pay your school fees through one of the following methods: 1) International check, money order, or bank draft – send to the Office of the Registrar at MI, address it to “Memorial University of Newfoundland and be sure to indicate your name, student number and program with the payment. 2)
Wire transfer (bank info can be provided upon request) – be sure to: i) make the wire payable to “Memorial University of Newfoundland”, and ii) indicate your name, student number and program name with your payment. Please note that the sending and receiving banks may charge a service fee for the payment. Any extra fees paid will either be refunded or applied to any future charges.
3) Online with a credit card – this option is available ONLY after registration, payment can be made through Self Service (www5.mun.ca/admit/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin) or the MUN Portal and only MasterCard credit cards are accepted. If you require a receipt of your payment, please send an email to BOTH of our cashiers: dapne.barron@mi.mun.ca and pamela.butler@mi.mun.ca. One of them will respond to you shortly.
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AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED) A breakdown of your tuition fees is available here (please check back periodically for updates): www.mun.ca/undergrad/money/index.php AND www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar/sectionNo=REGS-2001 Other ESTIMATED Expenses per Year (12 Months): In general, living expenses are very personal and can vary greatly depending on one’s lifestyle. Our international students usually spend between C$15,000 and C$18,000 a year in living expenses. (Excluding all school related fees). Please note that the living expenses below are only estimates. Accommodations 1 bedroom in a house @ $500/month
~ $6000
Note: varies depending on location and type of accommodation.
Groceries
$3600
Books & School Supplies
Note: varies by program and types of books purchased.
Personal Needs Including: clothes, transportation, entertainment, telephone, laundry etc.
TOTAL PER YEAR
~ $2000 $3600
~ $15,200
For transferring additional funds to Canada, please speak to your financial institutions regarding your options. If you have an account with a bank that has international branches (e.g. HSBC, Scotiabank), you should still find out ahead of time how to access your funds in your account back home while in Canada.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH UNIVERSITY CALENDAR AND UNIVERSITY DIARY It is very important that you understand the academic regulations outlined in the University Calendar and are aware of all important dates listed in the University Diary: MUN University Calendar: www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar MUN University Diary: www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar/sectionNo=GENINFO-0086
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AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED)
PACK AND PREPARE FOR TRAVEL Before you start packing, it is advisable to check the Canada Border Services Agency website (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html) to verify what items are permitted to be brought into Canada. In addition, you should check with your airline to find out restrictions on carry-on and checked baggage. You should be able to purchase all essential and daily use items in Canada. The general rule of thumb is to bring ONLY items that you cannot live without. Below are a few suggestions about what to bring. CLOTHING We dress rather casually in Canada. However, you may want to bring some traditional and formal clothing for special occasions (e.g. cultural events, class presentations, job interviews etc.). If you are coming from somewhere warm, you may find the weather in St. John’s and Newfoundland much cooler compared to home. Bring your warmest clothes and sweaters if you have any, otherwise you should wait until you arrive to purchase any winter clothing and gear. Since weather can fluctuate quite a bit (even within a day), we advise students to dress in layers. This way you can adjust the layers based on the weather and the temperature in/outdoor. DAILY NEEDS Cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, beddings and toiletries can all be purchased at local grocery stores (e.g. Dominion or Sobeys) or big box stores (e.g. Walmart or Canadian Tire). However, you may wish to bring some spices from home as they may not be available at the regular or specialty grocery stores here. If you are bringing any food items, please ensure you meet the requirements of Canadian Border Services Agency, otherwise you can be fined and the items can be confiscated. A set of sheets and a pillow case may also come in handy when you first settle in. Student Residences Office or your landlord can tell you ahead of time what is included in your accommodation. ELECTRONICS Generally, it is easier to purchase your electronics once you are here. If you are bringing any electronic equipment, please make sure they are compatible with Canadian voltage (110 volts, 60Hz). If they are not, you will need to purchase a voltage converter. In some cases, you may also need to purchase a plug adapter. You should bring along your chargers as well.
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AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED) CARRY-ON Remember to carry your essential documents, such as passport, other personal identifications, flight itinerary and ticket info, travel insurance etc. You may wish to pack a small pillow and a light blanket for your long journey and for your first few days upon arrival. In addition, you should carry your medications, electronics and valuables (if applicable). It is also a good idea to carry a change of clothes and some basic travel size toiletries in case there is a layover or delay. Bring some local currency, a credit card that can be used overseas (if you have one), and a few snacks. Again, please ensure you review and follow the guidelines for carry-on baggage with your airline.
RESEARCH ABOUT CANADA, NEWFOUNDLAND AND ST. JOHN’S Canada is the second largest country in the world measured by area. So, our climate and cultures vary greatly from province to province. St. John’s is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s most easterly province. It is close to the ocean and features some of the most breathtaking scenery you will ever experience. Our city is safe, affordable and rich in cultures. It offers a vibrant music and art scene, and people are very friendly! Temperatures in St. John’s tend to be neither extremely hot nor cold. During the summer months, the temperature ranges from cool to hot with an average of 18-22 degrees Celsius. Our winters are 0 to -5 degrees Celsius on average, but it can feel colder with the wind (windchill effect). For more information about Canadian weather and forecasts, please visit the Environment Canada website: weather.gc.ca/canada_e.html. For transportation, most students get around the city by bus or on foot. During summer and fall, some students may bike as well. Others may purchase a car or call a taxi when needed. Our public transit system is called Metrobus (www.metrobus.com/home.asp). You can search for schedules and bus routes either on the Metrobus website or on Google Maps (www.google.ca/maps). Bus fare is generally $2.50 per ride (or discounted with a bus pass). You can ask for a transfer slip from the driver if you need to change buses to reach your destination. Your classes will be either at the St. John’s Campus (University Centre stop) or at the Marine Institute (Marine Institute stop). Please feel free to ask the driver if you are not sure which bus to take or where to get off. Sunny summer days in Newfoundland are among the most delightful anywhere in Canada. You can go whale watching, iceberg sighting and berry picking! There are plenty of places to hike, swim and picnic in St. John’s. Only a short drive outside the city, you will find provincial parks, camping grounds, nature preserves, hiking trails, and much more. During winter, students can enjoy activities such as skating, sledding, snowshoeing, snowboarding and skiing within or right outside the city. For more information about the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the city of St. John’s, you can visit: http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/ http://www.stjohns.ca/
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AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED)
FIGURE 1 Google Maps image of travel time/distance between Marine Institute campus and St. John’s campus: • commuting – 20 minutes, • walking – 28 minutes (2.3 km), • driving – 4 minutes (2.1 km).
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AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED)
FIGURE 2 Google Maps image of commuting time between Marine Institute campus and downtown St. John’s: • commuting – 36 minutes, • walking – 53 minutes (4.2 km), • driving – 10 minutes (4.9 km).
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AFTER STUDY PERMIT IS APPROVED (CONTINUED)
FIGURE 3 Google Maps image of commuting time between Marine Institute campus and the nearest mall (Avalon Mall): • commuting – 20 minutes, • walking – 28 minutes (2.3 km), • driving – 4 minutes (2.1 km). 15
AFTER ARRIVAL SETTLE IN AND UPDATE YOUR FAMILY/FRIENDS Contact your family and/or friends to let them know you have arrived! There are various applications you can use to call or send messages for free through Wi-Fi. You can access free Wi-Fi at the university (either St. John’s Campus or MI), in most coffee shops and some public areas (e.g. airport).
VISIT MI INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONALIZATION OFFICE After you arrive in St. John’s, please visit MI International and meet the International Student Coordinator. You will find out what you need to do next and get your questions answered (e.g. how to set up cellular/mobile phone, opening a bank account etc.). You will be receiving regular emails from your International Student Coordinator regarding activities or events at MI that are relevant to you. In addition, by registering with the IO, you will receive regular emails with information concerning international students.
ATTEND ORIENTATION! Students who attend orientation sessions usually have an easier time in their classes, in making friends, and in finding help when they need it. Attending orientation is your first step to succeed at Memorial University! In collaboration with the IO, we will offer a mandatory info session for international students at the MI campus. More details about this session will be available soon! There will also be a week full of orientation events in September that you should participate at the St. John’s Campus. For more information and registration, please visit: www.mun.ca/become/orientation/ Finally, we wish you a safe journey to St. John’s and we look forward to seeing you soon!
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Marine Insti t u t e P.O. Box 492 0 , S t . J o h n ’ s Newfoundland a n d L a b r a d o r Canada A1C 5 R 3 facebook.com / m a r i n e . i n s t i t u t e twitter.com/ m a r i n e i n s t i t u t e instagram.co m / m a r i n e . i n s t i t u t e youtube.com/ m a r i n e i n s t i t u t e p r