International students Booklet

Welcome to Oxford College and Toronto, Canada – both of which we hope you will enjoy over the next few months and years. As you receive a great education on our campus, we think you will also find that our city also has a lot to offer. This guide will give you a start on what to expect and what to explore.

At Oxford College International students will receive a free welcome pack containing various information, tools and tips for getting started in Toronto including:

Getting Started It is your responsibility to obtain the correct documents from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and to abide by their conditions. If you are outside of Canada, refer to the Canadian Visa Offices webpage for a list of visa offices around the world and visit the website of the visa office that is responsible for your country of citizenship or country of current residence. If you are within Canada, phone the CIC call centre toll free at1-888-2422100.

If you plan to visit other countries, either on your way to Canada or during your time at Oxford College, you should inquire about the necessary documents before leaving home.

Study permit Most international students need to obtain a study permit before beginning their studies in Canada.

Visit the Study Permit Requirement webpage to verify whether or not you need a study permit.

Even if you don’t, we recommend that you apply for one. It will make things much easier if you want to extend your stay in Canada, continue your studies or search for employment on campus. Detailed instructions and application kits are available on the Study Permit Application webpage.

When your application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction confirming the ap-

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proval. This letter is not a study permit. It is proof that your study permit application was approved, and it authorizes the issue of a study permit at any Canadian port of entry.

I already have a study permit: Be sure to check the expiry date of your study permit as it may need to be extended. If you are coming to Oxford College from a Canadian high school, you will need to change the conditions of your study permit before starting classes at Oxford. Detailed instructions and application kits are available on the Study Permit Extension Application webpage.

Temporary resident visa: Students from certain countries need a temporary resident visa (TRV) to enter Canada. Visit the Temporary Resident Visa Requirement webpage for a list of countries whose citizens need a TRV. Detailed instructions and application kits are available on the Temporary Resident Visa Application webpage. When your application is approved, your passport will be returned to you with a TRV sticker inside.

I am also applying for a study permit: Students who apply for a study permit at a visa office outside of Canada do not need to apply for a TRV separately; one will be issued automatically.

Double-check your documents: To avoid problems later on, make sure your name is spelled correctly on all documents and that all other information is accurate. If anything is incorrect, request that the issuing visa office correct the document before you travel to Canada. Unless you are a citizen of the United States, Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon you must not travel to Canada until you have obtained your letter of introduction and TRV (if required).

• Canadian Visa Offices www.cic.gc.ca/english/ information/offices/apply-where.asp • Study Permit Requirement www.cic. gc.ca/english/study/study-who.asp

• Study Permit Application www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp • Study Permit Extension Application www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-student.asp • Temporary Resident Visa Requirement www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp • Temporary Resident Visa Application www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp • Work for Partners www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-spouse.asp

Our campus We have a well-designed and spacious campus located in the heart of Toronto East, one block east of the Scarborough Town Centre (STC) – one of the largest shopping malls in the Toronto-area. We are just steps away from the McCowan TTC station, Go Bus Station, 401 Highway as well as many apartments and condominiums. We also have large parking facilities for students who wish to drive. Our 45000 square-foot campus has full wifi access.

Health Insurance In Canada, health insurance is very important, so important that Oxford College requires all students to have ample health insurance for the entire time they are attending our programs.

All International Students coming to Canada should examine their options for having health care coverage.

Oxford College has partnered with St. Andrews Direct to offer various insurance services to all our students, staff and alumni. Please visit their website for more details: http://www.standrewsdirect.ca/oxford/

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Many of the International Students attending Oxford College come from different parts of the world.

Accommodations are available to students that are located close to Oxford College’s campus. Our Students Services staff will be able to help you locate safe and comfortable accommodations.

The college is also located a block away from both McCowan TTC Subway Station and Highway 401, which allows for easy access by public transit or by driving. Therefore, students living throughout the Greater Toronto Area will find commuting to Oxford College to be easy and simple.

For further information, please contact Student Services at: studentservices@oxfordedu.ca or access the following websites for suitable accommodation: • •

http://toronto.kijiji.ca http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca

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Academic and Peer Counseling Support: Oxford College Student Services will be glad to assist students with Academic Support through our Program Directors/Instructors and the below services can be arranged through peer groups, for more information contact the Student Services Department at Oxford College.

Peer counseling groups are available to help students with: •

Academic Goal Planning

•

Personal Counseling

• • • •

Studying Techniques Stress Management Professional Skills

Time Management

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For Emergencies people are encouraged to call 911.

Always call if you encounter one of the following: • • • •

Fire Violent person Severe injuries Crime in progress

If you are unsure – Do not hesitate to call 911 The 911 operator will transfer you to the appropriate agency.

Do not hang up as additional information will be needed.

If you have a non-emergency situation, here is how you can contact the City of Toronto’s law and safety agencies.

Toronto Police 40 College Street Toronto, Ontario M5G 2J3 http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/ Phone: 416-808-2222

Toronto Fire Services 4330 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario M3H 5R9 http://www.toronto.ca/fire/ ‎ Phone: (416) 338-9051

Toronto Emergency Medical Services 4330 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario M3H 5R9 http://www.torontoems.ca/ Phone: 416-392-2000

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Toronto City www.toronto.ca To access their services by telephone, call 311 – this provides residents, businesses and visitors with easy access to non-emergency City services, programs and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

311 can offer assistance in more than 180 languages.

Shopping, Attractions and Events in Toronto One great advantage of Oxford College is its location in the heart of downtown Scarborough, the eastern section of Toronto. In the last ten years, this area has seen a building boom with over a dozen highrise condominiums opening up. Many of the condominiums, stores, restaurants and offices are within walking distance from the college and offer excellent amenities to our students.

The Scarborough Town Centre is a short walk from the Oxford College campus. This shopping mall is home to over 250 stores and services and includes a major cinema. You can visit their website at http://www.scarboroughtowncentre.com/

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The City of Toronto is home to many internationally-acclaimed attractions, including the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, and an extensive network of parks and beaches.

One can also find special events in Toronto throughout the year, including the Toronto International Film Festival, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Doors Open Toronto and more.

To learn more about the attractions and events in Toronto, please visit http://www.seetorontonow.com/

Religious and Cultural places in Toronto Multicultural Websites • Toronto.com contains a wide range of listings of restaurants, bars, shopping, community services, and religious services throughout Toronto’s various communities.

• Toronto Tourism - A site created and maintained by the

Toronto Convention & Visitors Association, it provides a brief description of Toronto’s neighbourhoods.

• Toronto’s Diverse Communities • The Toronto Multicultural Calendar African and Caribbean • Share - An on-line newspaper serving the Black and Caribbean community of Toronto. Contains international and community news, sports, entertainment and community information.

• Black Business and Professional Association - Contains information on this Toronto based organization, its community events and a business directory.

• Caribana - Modelled after Carnival in Trinidad, this yearly parade and music festival celebrates Carribean culture with more than 1 million participants • Best of Jamaica - Toronto - All things Jamaican! Find the best in restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.

• •Black Pages - The official guide to Canada’s Black and Carribean community East Asian • Japan Foundation Toronto - This group aims to promote the understanding of japanese culture and lists events in Toronto and throughout Canada.

• Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto - A “non-profit, non-political organization with an objective to build a Chinese cultural centre for residents of the Greater Toronto area.”

• Toronto’s Chinatown • Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre • Atin Ito - Monthly Filipino newspaper South Asian • Gerrard India Bazaar - The largest marketplace of South Asian goods and services in North America • MyBindi - Arts and Entertainment: Blind Dates, Miss India-Canada, Music, What’s-on and more.

• The Weekly Voice - Canada’s largest South Asian newsletter European • Toronto Ukranian Festival - North America’s largest Ukranian street festival • Russian Canadian Cultural Aid Society • Italian Cultural Institute of Toronto - Lists upcoming community events and courses conducted by the Institute.

• Greek Community of Metropolitan Toronto (GCMT) This site represents over 120,000 Canadians of Hellenic descent in the city of Toronto.

• Greektown on the Danforth - This website aims to represent the “largest Greek community in North America,” lists upcoming events and contains a business directory.

• Oktoberfest - Canada’s largest Bavarian festival Latin/Hispanic Canadian • Toronto Hispano - A website in Spanish. Includes Entertainment, Events, Sports, Job Postings, Forums and more.

Middle Eastern Canadian • Toronto’s Persian Directory - “Everything Persians need to know in T.O.” • Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario • CanadaTurk - The leading Turkish-language newspaper in Canada Buddhist Community • Soka Gakkaj International-Canada (Toronto Buddhist Society) Hindu Community • Council of Agencies Serving South Asians: Community Directory - A listing of temples in the Toronto area.

• Toronto Kalibari • Vishnu Mandir Temple Sikh Community • Guru Gobind Singh Children’s Foundation • World Sikh Organization of Canada • Canadian Sikh Coalition Jewish Community • B’nai Brith Canada (advocacy and service) • Jewish Community Centre • Shalom Toronto Christian/Catholic Community • Catholic Community in Toronto - Includes links to Archdiocese, Schools and Institutions of Higher Learning, Hospitals, Charitable Organizations, Religious Orders, Retreat & Pilgrimage Centres.

• Diocese of Toronto - the largest diocese in the Anglican Church of Canada. Contains News, Events, Parishes, links, and more.

Toronto Baptist Ministries • United Church of Canada (Presbyterian) Islamic Community • Muslim Business Directory - A Toronto guide to Muslim restaurants, doctors, legal services, travel services, etc.

• Torontomuslims.com - “Where Toronto Muslims Go First”. Includes information on Masjids/Islamic Centres, schools, events, news and more • Masjid Toronto

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Apply Online at: oxfordedu.ca

Oxford College of Arts, Business and Technology

670 Progress Avenue Toronto, Ontario M1H 3A4 Canada Phone: 416-439-8668, Toll free:1-866-600-6604, 1-866-600-6605 E-mail: info@oxfordedu.ca