BRANTFORD CAMPUS
FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Welcome! 2015
Pack your bags...
You’re a Golden Hawk now! Congratulations! Your hard work has earned you a place at Laurier. We hope you’ll accept the offer to join us for an unparalleled student experience. Our close-knit community environment will make you feel like you belong here right away, so you can focus on learning and growing as a person. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Laurier family. IMPORTANT DATES MONDAY, MAY 4
First date to log in to LORIS and register for courses at loris.wlu.ca.
MONDAY, JUNE 1 | 11:59 PM
Deadline to accept your Offer of Admission, or other date as indicated on your offer letter, online at ouac.on.ca.
MONDAY, JUNE 1 | 11:59 PM
Deadline to submit the online residence application with deposit at resapplication.com/wlu.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 WEEK OF AUGUST 31 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Deadline for your required official documentation to be received by our office, or other date as indicated on your offer letter. International Orientation Week begins. Residence move-in date. Orientation Week begins for first-year students. Fall term begins.
Important steps m 1. ACCEPT YOUR OFFER Go to ouac.on.ca and select the OUAC 105 application. Follow the “Online Application� link. Log in with your OUAC reference number, PIN/password and follow the instructions. A confirmation number will be generated upon proper submission of your acceptance. Please print the confirmation screen for your records. You must confirm your offer with OUAC by 11:59 pm on June 1, 2015 or other date as noted in your Offer of Admission, to proceed with your registration. If your offer letter states to confirm your Offer of Admission directly to us, please go to chooselaurier.ca/acceptmyoffer.
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2. OBTAIN YOUR STUDY PERMIT In order to study in Canada, you will require a study permit. Contact a Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to obtain an application. You will need to show your Letter of Acceptance in order to apply. Application processing time can take up to three months in some countries, so we encourage you to apply well in advance of your program start date. For complete information on immigration and application requirements, visit the Government of Canada website at cic.gc.ca.
m 3. APPLY FOR RESIDENCE AND PARKING Visit resapplication.com/wlu.
Residence applications are completed online and must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit by 11:59 pm on June 1, 2015 to guarantee your spot in residence. You can apply online for a residence parking permit as of June 1, 2015. Visit chooselaurier.ca/admissions-toolkits/international click on Step 3: Accept your Offer and select Parking on Campus from the left navigation. The application closes on August 8, 2015. Students who have received a parking permit will be emailed on August 15, 2015.
ENROL IN HEADSTART m 5.INTERNATIONAL Headstart International is a live online presentation designed to make the transition to university life easier for our incoming international students. Visit chooselaurier.ca/admissions-toolkits/international click on Step 3: Accept your Offer and select Headstart from the left navigation. While Headstart International offers sessions to assist you in course selection and registration, you do not need to wait until you attend Headstart to begin choosing your courses. Course selection for first-year students begins on May 4, 2015.
m 6. REGISTER FOR COURSES After accepting your Offer of Admission through OUAC (see Step 1), you will receive registration information from Laurier. Log in to LORIS (Laurier Online Registration and Information System) at loris.wlu.ca beginning May 4, 2015. Enter your Laurier student ID number (indicated on your Offer of Admission) and your PIN number (your default PIN is your date of birth, MMDDYY). You will be asked to reset your PIN the first time you log in.
REGISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL m 7.ORIENTATION WEEK (IOWEEK) Visit wlu.ca/international and click on Student Services. We also encourage you to participate in the Orientation Week for all first-year students. Visit wlusu.com for more information.
m 4. SUBMIT REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION In order to meet the conditions outlined in your Offer of Admission, please submit any outstanding official documentation by August 15, or other date as indicated on your offer letter to: Wilfrid Laurier University, International Recruitment & Admissions, 75 University Ave. West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5.
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Succeed in Canada Making the transition to university and life in a new country can be challenging and exciting at the same time. Staff and student volunteers in our Laurier International Office are here to help you succeed in this new chapter of your life as a student in Canada, and our international student support team will be available to you every step of the way. Here is checklist of a few programs, services and activities that our current students have found valuable.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME: qqReview
the Pre-Arrival Guide that will be sent to you, which will help you understand your health insurance, prepare you to arrive on campus and connect you with important services and resources.
qqTake
part in our online Headstart Transition to University Program before you arrive. Visit wlu.ca/admissions-toolkits/international and click on Step 3, then Headstart for more information.
qqEnsure
you are receiving our emails. Our Recruitment & Admissions and Laurier International teams want to keep in touch with you to ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines. If you haven’t heard from us, email international@wlu.ca and laurierinternational@wlu.ca.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE: qqPlan
to take part in our International Orientation Week. In addition to participating in activities and information sessions that will help you become oriented to the campus and the Brantford community, we will help you take care of some important details, like opening a bank account, getting a cell phone or phone card, finding a grocery store, getting your student identification, proof of health insurance, etc.
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qqParticipate
in our day trips to places like Niagara Falls and Canada’s Wonderland amusement park so you can get to know other students in a fun, social environment.
qqMeet
with your Peer Mentor – an upper-year international student. They are here to help answer your questions and help you find your way around campus.
DURING YOUR STUDIES: qqMake
an appointment with an International Student Advisor. They can help you with any transition or orientation issue you may encounter, and they will also make you aware of the resources available on campus to help you achieve your goals.
qqGet
involved with a campus club, intramural sports activity, or volunteer – you’ll find that we have something for everyone! Being active outside the classroom is also a great way to meet new people.
qqPlan
to take part in Laurier International’s First Language Tutoring Program and SPEAK, a program that will assist you with gaining more confidence in making presentations in class.
qqVisit
the Centre for Student Success for academic assistance. They offer supplemental instruction for many first year courses and will help enhance your communication skills through the Writing Centre.
Academic Services & Support We are committed to providing a variety of services to ensure your success while you’re at Laurier. There will be new academic expectations at university, very different from high school, along with a different learning environment. Laurier offers services to help you deal with all these changes, to ensure you have access to support if you need it. Academic Advising Academic advisors can help you develop a plan to achieve your academic goals. Whether you have questions about choosing your courses, you want to change your major or you just want some advice, they are ready and willing to help.
Career Development If you need help with your resumĂŠ, cover letter, interview preparation, career planning, or finding employment opportunities on- and offcampus, the International Programs Career Consultant at the Career Development Centre will be happy to assist you. One-on-one and drop-in appointments are available to meet your needs.
The Centre for Student Success If you want to improve your academic success in the classroom, the Centre for Student Success is the place to go on campus. Develop effective study strategies with our Mathematics & Statistics handouts; learn note-taking skills and critical reading techniques with our Study Skills Resources; get assistance with understanding assignments and feedback on drafts at the Writing Centre; develop a plan to achieve your academic goals at Central Academic Advising; if you have a diagnosed disability, the Accessible Learning Centre will assist you in reaching your full academic potential.
For more information, and to view the variety of services that we offer to students, visit: wlu.ca/academics/academic-services
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Need assistance? Dean of Students, Adam Lawrence, is committed to creating conditions that support your success at Laurier. If your personal or academic life needs a supportive boost, you can connect with Adam about financial matters, health issues or anything else affecting your Laurier experience. Whatever the reason — Adam is here to help. To explore what services Laurier has to offer visit wlu.ca/life-at-laurier/services-for-students
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Outside the classroom Laurier offers many opportunities to further your learning by mixing in-class experiences with extracurricular involvement. Put theory into practice through a variety of activities like co-op work terms, volunteering with organizations that you are passionate about, or participating in a community service-learning placement.
Co-Curricular Record The Co-Curricular Record is an official document that recognizes your participation in activities that are not for academic credit, but contribute to your learning. This document is an excellent addition to your transcript when applying for jobs after graduation!
Community Service-Learning (CSL) Did you know that you can volunteer with local community organizations related to your field of study and get credit for it? Many of our courses offer a CSL component because we believe that learning happens both inside and outside of the classroom.
Volunteering - For Fun! Get involved, make a difference and gain valuable experience by volunteering! Choose from a variety of organizations such as: Social Justice Coalition, Amnesty International (Canada), World University Service Canada (WUSC), Habitat for Humanity or the United Way of Canada.
WLUSU Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union All undergraduate students are automatically members of the Students’ Union. Opportunities to get involved include:
Clubs There are more than 175 clubs and associations across our Brantford and Waterloo campuses, bringing like-minded people together to share their
EXAMPLES OF CLUBS AT THE BRANTFORD CAMPUS BEST BUDDIES CAMPUS IN ACTION DEBATE CLUB EAST MEETS WEST IMPROV CLUB LAURIER BRANTFORD KNITWITS POWER TO CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY SOCIETY SOCIAL JUSTICE COALITION WLU POKER ASSOCIATION
passion for anything from arts and business, to religion and culture.
Services The Students’ Union provides numerous services to the Laurier community that you can participate in: Foot Patrol, Food Bank, Peer Help Line and Student LifeLine.
For more information, visit wlusu.com.
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I work out ATHLETICS Our Brantford campus offers fitness classes and recreational activities at the Wilkes House Recreation Centre. Some of our intramural programs also take advantage of the City of Brantford parks and recreational space, including the Civic Centre for hockey and Lions Park for softball. Our Brantford campus entered into an agreement with the local YMCA to build a $58.4 million recreation, athletics and wellness facility that will support the needs of our growing campus. The 130,000 sq. ft. building will be an excellent addition to our Brantford campus. laurierathletics.com/brantford
Competitive Sports
INTRAMURAL SPORTS COMPETITIVE BASKETBALL
If you want to play sports at a high level, we are part of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and offer a competitive extramural sports program. These teams travel to tournaments, competing against other college and university students. We will also be welcoming OCAA varsity men’s and women’s basketball and soccer over the next couple years. Call the Hawk desk at 519.756.8228 x5728 for more information. You can also play Ontario University Athletics (OUA) varsity sports at our Waterloo campus and we recommend that you contact the coaches in the summer to inquire about try-outs. Visit laurierathletics.com for details.
DODGEBALL EUROPEAN HANDBALL CO-ED HOCKEY INDOOR SOCCER CO-ED SOFTBALL COMPETITIVE VOLLEYBALL RECREATIONAL VOLLEYBALL
Sport clubs: Aquatics Badminton Cheer Team Curling Figure Skating KAOS Dance Powder Puff Football Run Club Ski & Snowboard Women’s Basketball Women’s Rugby
Fitness classes: Boot Camp Cycle Hard Core High Velocity Stretch & Technique Yoga Zumba Personal Training & Group Training packages available.
EXTRAMURAL SPORTS CO-ED DODGEBALL CO-ED INDOOR SOCCER CO-ED VOLLEYBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S HOCKEY MEN’S INDOOR SOCCER WOMEN’S HOCKEY WOMEN’S INDOOR SOCCER
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All for sports, sports for all. 7
Home 2.0
We offer single and double rooms in apartment-style buildings. WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR RESIDENCE ROOM: • Bed frame and mattress • Dining room table and chairs • Living room sofa, chairs, coffee table, end tables • Desk and chair and lamps • Bookshelves • Fridge and stove • Closets and shelves • Internet access • Wastebasket and recycling bins 8
For more information, visit chooselaurier.ca/residence
Bring your toothbrush RESIDENCE So, you’re going to study at Laurier for the next few years. To be guaranteed a place in residence, you must complete the online application and submit it, with a non-refundable deposit, to the Residence Office by 11:59 pm on June 1, 2015. To fill in the application, visit resapplication.com/wlu. Rooms are assigned based on preference (indicated on the application) and availability. We do everything we can to ensure that students sharing rooms are compatible — that’s why the application form asks about your personal habits and preferences. If you’d like to share a room with a friend, we’ll also try to accommodate your request. When filling out your residence applications, be sure that each of you indicates each other as a preferred roommate, and that you select the same residence style and room type preferences.
Residence life Our staff in the Residence Life office are committed to making your first year at university both enjoyable and rewarding. To ensure a positive atmosphere, senior-year students known as Residence Life Dons live in each community to act as role models and mentors. Our residence life program also offers several ways for you to get involved. The Brantford Residence Council (BRC) and Residence Athletic Council (RAC) plan and manage major academic and social events as well as activities for the residence community.
Living and learning Residence Learning Communities (RLCs) provide a holistic approach to student development and learning. They encourage students to become more involved in their program and learn outside of the classroom by living and networking with others who have similar interests. In Brantford, we have RLCs with the following themes:
L eadership and Service Learning Criminology
Concurrent Education Healthy Lifestyles
Eat in or out Meal plans are required for residence students at the Brantford campus at a cost of $400 per term (fall and winter). Even though all of the residences are apartment-style, which means you’ll have a kitchen in the apartment to cook all of your meals, the meal plan will come in handy for buying groceries at FreshCo, a local grocery store, just a short five minute walk from campus. You can also use your meal plan at Williams Fresh Cafe, Subway and Golden Grounds, just to name a few locations. If you want to eat out, there’s lots to choose from in downtown Brantford. Why not try: • a wrap or salad at Warmington’s Bistro • lasagna or pulled pork at Strodes Express • Mexican fare at Burrito Brothers
LIVING OFF CAMPUS? If you are interested in living off campus, our Residential Services department can provide general information on market trends and assist students to find appropriate housing. For more information visit chooselaurier.ca/residence.
Brantford Residences Expositor Place | 216 students | single rooms Grand River Hall | 150 students | single and double rooms Lawyers Hall | 28 students | single rooms Lucy Marco Place | 112 students | single rooms Post House | 57 students | single rooms Rizzo Building | 28 students | single rooms Wilkes House | 41 students | single and double rooms 9
Earn while you learn
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Money matters
ESTIMATED COSTS TO ATTEND LAURIER* BRANTFORD CAMPUS FULL TIME TUITION
Scholarships Laurier’s Student Awards office is committed to helping you maximize the support you receive through loans, scholarships, awards and bursaries. We are committed to ensuring that all students offered admission to Laurier receive the assistance they need to complete their degree. The following scholarships are available to International Students in their first year (based on academic eligibility): • Farouk and Dawn Ahamed International Student Scholarship $700 • Automatic Entrance Scholarships $750-$5,000 • Scotiabank Scholarship $5,000 • President’s International Friendship Scholarship $5,000 • Martin Business Administration Award of Distinction $5,000 • Neo Material Technologies Academic Scholarships of Distinction $5,000 • President’s Gold Scholarship $3,000
$22,247
RESIDENCE
$5,000
GROCERIES
$2,400
MEAL PLAN
$800
(SINGLE ROOM) ($300/MONTH) ($400/TERM)
TEXT BOOKS
$1,000
HEALTH INSURANCE
$700
INCIDENTAL FEES
$650
TOTAL
$32,797
(TWO TERMS, EIGHT MONTHS)
Note: For academic year 2014-2015. Fees subject to increase for 2015-2016. This chart is an estimate only. *Incidental fees for BBTM students is $1,156.
To apply for these scholarships, please visit wlu.ca/studentawards. International students can also apply to scholarships and awards in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th years at Laurier that are based on year, program, athletic and extracurricular involvement. For more information on how to qualify please visit wlu.ca/studentawards.
Work experience Placement experiences, on- and off-campus work permits and co-op opportunities allow international students to integrate their academic studies with practical experience. Through these avenues, students gain marketable skills, network with future employers and earn a salary at the same time. Unique to Canada is the ability for international students to stay and work here for three years following graduation and then apply for citizenship. Part-time work Laurier is located in a thriving community with a healthy retail and service sector that offers plenty of employment opportunities throughout the year. Laurier’s Career Development Centre is an excellent resource for off-campus job postings, resume and interview assistance and information about career opportunities. For more information, visit wlu.ca/career. Did you know? As a full-time student with a valid study permit, you do not need a work permit to be employed on- or off-campus.
JOBS ON CAMPUS Laurier hires hundreds of students every year. Positions are available in virtually every department across campus. Here are just a few: • Residence Life Don • Hawk Desk Attendant • Fitness Instructor • Intramural Official/Coordinator • Research Assistant • Laurier Ambassador • Summer Fun 101 Camp Counsellor (Summer) • Williams Fresh Cafe or Golden Grounds Server • Learning Services Mentor • Departmental Administrative Assistant • Headstart Ambassador • U-Desk Attendant and much more!
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The city of Brantford is a student-friendly community, offering small town hospitality with big city variety. Our campus is located in the downtown core, so students are within walking distance of great value restaurants, shopping and entertainment. The Grand River provides a picturesque backdrop for walking, jogging or biking. Victoria Park, across from the Carnegie Building, is just one of the many green spaces where students can relax outside and enjoy what Brantford has to offer.
Around Town “THE BEST OF” IN BRANTFORD Here are a few popular spots to visit while in Brantford, according to our students. All locations featured are within walking distance or a short bus ride from our campus: Best place to have a coffee: Williams Fresh Cafe Best restaurant to have dinner on a budget: Strodes Express Best patio: The Piston Broke in Harmony Square Best area for shopping: Lynden Park Mall Best pizza: Maples Best burger place: The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro Best sandwich/wrap shop: Warmington’s Bistro Best sports bar: Boston Pizza Best fries: Lonnie’s on Market Best buffet: Kings Buffet Best supermarket: FreshCo Best place to relax: Along the Grand River
For more information, visit discoverbrantford.com. 12
No car, no problem! All full-time students are automatically enrolled in the Universal Bus Pass program, meaning you can ride local Brantford Transit through the fall and winter terms by scanning your OneCard for access.
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WELCOME CENTRE/CAMPUS TOURS
Student Centre
ACADEMIC/SUPPORT BUILDINGS
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Carnegie Building 2. Grand River Hall 3. Library 4. Market Place 5. Nipissing Building 6. Nipissing Education Centre 7. Odeon Building 8. Research and Academic Centre 9. SC Johnson Building 10. St. Andrew’s
12. Williams Fresh Café
1.
13.
19.
97 Dalhousie Street
14. Aboriginal Student Centre
(111 Darling Street) 15. Dalhousie Centre
Rizzo Residence
20. Expositor Place Residence 21. Wilkes House Residence
ATHLETICS 21. Wilkes House Gym 22. Future Site of the
RESIDENCE BUILDINGS
2.
PARKING
Grand River Hall Residence 16. Lawyer’s Hall Residence 17. Lucy Marco Place Residence 18. Post House Residence
Laurier/YMCA facility
23. Market Centre Parkade P PUBLIC PARKING
CAMPUS TOURS
QUESTIONS?
Book a campus tour or take a virtual tour at chooselaurier.ca/tours.
T 519.884.1970 x4684 international@wlu.ca chooselaurier.ca/international
FSC
LB004
Our guidebooks are printed on Rolland Enviro100 stock which contains 100% post-consumer fibre, is manufactured in Canada using renewable biogas energy and is certified Ecologo, processed chlorine free and FSC® certified recycled.
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#Laurier2019 Congratulations on receiving an Offer of Admission to Laurier! We have created an exclusive community for students just like you, to keep you informed of important dates, campus updates and to connect you with other in-coming students for September 2015. Join the conversation!
I can't even handle how excited I am for Laurier next year #GoldenHawks
Finally clicked the submit button and accepted my offer to Laurier, so excited to be a golden hawk @ChooseLaurier
chooselaurier.ca/international WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY BRANTFORD | Waterloo | Kitchener | Toronto 73 George Street Brantford, Ontario Canada N3T 2Y3
As much as I'm going to miss a lot of friends and family, I'm ready to move to Brantford #Laurier #Freedom
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