WATERLOO 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 our table. 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 Deadline for your required official documentation to be received by our office, or other date as indicated on your offer letter. MONDAY, AUGUST 31 International Orientation Week begins. SEPTEMBER 6-7 Residence move-in days. Orientation Week begins for first-year students. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 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 on 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.
m 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 isit resapplication.com/wlu. V 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 for a residence parking permit at the same time as you apply for residence. Or, visit chooselaurier.ca/admissionstoolkits/international click on Step 3: Accept your Offer and select Parking on Campus from the left navigation for more information. The deadline to apply for a permit is July 24, 2015. Notification of parking status will be emailed to your MyLaurier email account.
m 5. ENROL IN HEADSTART 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) IOWeek starts the week of August 31. To find out more information and to register, 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.
Non-residence students can apply for a permit online beginning March 9, 2015. The deadline to apply is August 7, 2015.
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. 1
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 a 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 participate in our International Orientation Week, which happens the last week of August. In addition to taking part in activities and sessions that will help you become oriented to the campus and the Waterloo 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 and 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 we have something for everyone! Being active outside the classroom is 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, as they offer supplemental instruction for many first year courses and will help you enhance your communication skills through the Writing Centre and the Vocabulary Café.
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 resumÊ, cover letter, interview preparation, career planning, or finding employment opportunities on- and off-campus, 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.
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. Strengthen your understanding of fundamental math concepts at the Mathematics Assistance Centre; learn study strategies and develop note-taking skills at the Study Skills & Supplemental Instruction Centre; 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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Your support system Dean of Students, Leanne Holland Brown, 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 Leanne about financial matters, health issues or anything else affecting your Laurier experience. Whatever the reason – Leanne 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.
EXAMPLES OF CLUBS ON THE WATERLOO CAMPUS ACTS OF RANDOM KINDNESS (ARK)
Co-Curricular Record
DREAMS
The Co-Curricular Record is an official document that acknowledges 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!
EAST MEETS WEST
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. The Student Leadership Centre This centre was created to support your leadership learning and development. Not only does it house a wide variety of resources to help you grow your skills, it also offers workshops, seminars and personal consultations with Leadership Ambassadors to direct you to opportunities within Laurier.
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.
FUTURE OF AFRICA GLOBAL CHINA CONNECTION INTERNATIONAL STUDENT’S ASSOCIATION MUSLIM STUDENT ASSOCIATION WLU FILM SOCIETY PRE-MEDICAL SOCIETY SOS (LAURIER STUDENTS OFFERING SUPPORT) WLU CHESS CLUB SAME (STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC EDUCATORS) THE VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN ASSOCIATION HABITAT FOR HUMANITY (H4H) HAWKAPELLA LAURIER SALSA CLUB
WLUSU campus clubs
FASHION N MOTION
There are more than 175 clubs and associations across our campuses, bringing like-minded people together to share their passion for anything from arts and business, to religion and culture. wlusu.com
LAURIER COMIC BOOK ASSOCIATION (LCBA)
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All for sports, sports for all. 6
I work out ATHLETICS Laurier offers a very popular intramural program. In fact, last year more than 8,000 students participated in a variety of intramural sports to keep their bodies as active as their minds. With options as diverse as ultimate frisbee, squash and dodgeball, there’s a sport for everyone.
Facilities Laurier also provides students access to some of the best facilities in the region. The newly updated Athletic Complex is a 20,000 sq.ft state-of-the-art fitness facility, complete with cardio and strengthtraining equipment. It also houses a triple-court gymnasium, physical therapy room, air-conditioned squash courts, an indoor climbing wall and many multi-purpose/fitness classrooms. The 50-metre Laurier pool has also been recently updated to offer a better swimming experience. Alumni Field is directly in front of the Athletic Complex and offers a full-sized, artificial surface, providing space in the middle of campus for students to engage in interuniversity and intramural sports as well as spontaneous play. Visit laurierathletics.com. Varsity sports
EXAMPLES OF INTRAMURAL SPORTS BALL HOCKEY BASKETBALL DODGEBALL EUROPEAN HANDBALL FLAG FOOTBALL ICE HOCKEY INNERTUBE WATERPOLO INDOOR/OUTDOOR SOCCER COMPETITIVE SQUASH ULTIMATE FRISBEE VOLLEYBALL
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
If you are a competitive athlete, and want to be a part of the interuniversity program at Laurier, call the Hawk desk at 519.884.0710 x3803 for more information.
BOOTCAMP
Baseball (M)
Hockey
CORE
Basketball
Lacrosse (W)
CYCLEFIT
Cheerleading
Indoor Middle Distance
PILATES
Cross Country
Rugby
Curling
Soccer
STEP
Football (M)
Swimming M-Men’s W-Women’s
Golf
SWIMFIT YOGA ZUMBA
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Home 2.0
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.
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Living and learning Residence Learning Communities (RLCs) provide first-year students with the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and gain a deeper understanding of classroom activities through themed residence environments. They include: Faculty of Science Glocal: Think global, act local Innovation: Entrepreneurship Languages and Literatures School of Business and Economics Singer and Songwriter
T he Reel World: English and Film Studies Vimy Hall: War memory and the Canadian Military experience Global Engagement Community
RESIDENCE STYLES
Dorm-style room, two beds
Dorm-style room, one bed
Apartment-style room, four beds, two bathrooms
We offer single and double rooms in both dormitory and apartment-style buildings. What’s included in your residence room: Apartment-style room • Bed frame and mattress • Desk and chair • Bookshelves • Closets and shelves • Wastebasket and recycling bins • Dining room table and chairs • Living room sofa, chairs, coffee table, end tables and lamps • Fridge and stove • Internet access Dorm-style room • Bed frame and mattress • Desk and chair • Wastebasket and recycling bin • Bookshelves • Closet and shelves • Internet access
For more information, visit chooselaurier.ca/residence. Roll up your sleeves There’s no better way to meet people and feel like you are a part of the community than by volunteering on one of the residence councils. Students involved in House Councils plan and manage academic and social activities for their residence. What the House Councils do for each residence building, the Waterloo Residence Council does across all Laurier residences. Members work to create a healthy residence community through events and leadership development.
LIVING OFF CAMPUS? For those students who choose to live off campus, we have a program called LOCUS (Laurier Off-Campus University Students) that functions as a “virtual residence,” offering off-campus students all of the support and fun of residence life...without the building! For more information, visit chooselaurier.ca/residence and click on Off-Campus Students.
You can also participate in any one of the following councils: Arts Laurier Diversity Council Residence Athletic Council
Sustainability Council Upgrade Council
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Extra mustard, please MEAL PLANS Meal plans can be purchased by any student at Laurier, but they are mandatory for those who live in residence. Meal plans are included on your OneCard, and come in four sizes, from “light eater” to “freedom,” depending on how much you typically eat. There is a special small plan available for those who live in an apartment-style residence, but you are also able to upgrade to a full meal plan, if you choose. Plans have dollars allotted to the Fresh Food Company in the main dining hall, and dollars allotted to the food service outlets on campus.
Our Fresh Food Company in the main dining hall offers an all-you-can-eat structure for three meal periods a day. Our chefs create weekly rotating menus featuring items such as all-day omelettes, homemade stone-fired pizzas, burgers, sushi, salads, pastas and more. Our team takes pride in creating healthy menu items that fit a variety of dietary constraints. We have a dedicated vegetarian station and several gluten-free items available daily. We can accommodate special diets, such as halal, and most food allergies and restrictions. wlu.campusdish.com
Freedom | $4,800* Unlimited All-You-Care-To-Eat meals, plus $400 tax-free Flex Dollars and 8 guest passes Ultimate | $4,600* 375 All-You-Care-To-Eat meals, plus $500 tax-free Flex Dollars and 8 guest passes Hearty Eater | $4,285* 310 All-You-Care-To-Eat meals, plus $750 tax-free Flex Dollars and 8 guest passes (averages 11 meals/wk for an academic year) Light Eater | $4,141* 230 All-You-Care-To-Eat meals, plus $1050 tax-free Flex Dollars and 8 guest passes (averages 8 meals/wk for an academic year) Apartment Comfort Plan | $1,714** $1,714 Flex Dollars *Plus an additional $50 university levy **Plus an additional $20 university levy Meal plan fees listed are for academic year 20142015. Fees subject to change for 2015-2016.
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There are also some restaurants off campus that will accept your OneCard as payment. E ast Side Mario’s (University Ave) International News Pizza Pizza
Songkuza Veritas Cafe Williams Fresh Cafe
THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES TO EAT RIGHT ON CAMPUS!
Money matters SCHOLARSHIPS
WORK EXPERIENCE
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.
Placement experiences, volunteer work 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. Unique to Canada is the ability for international students to stay and work here for three years following graduation and then apply for citizenship.
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 To apply for these scholarships, please visit wlu.ca/studentawards.
Part-time work Laurier offers plenty of opportunities for part-time employment as a teaching assistant, residence don, computer analyst, telefundraiser or through the hundreds of food service opportunities right on campus. We are also located in a thriving community with a healthy retail and service sector that offers plenty of employment opportunities throughout the year. Did you know all full-time students studying in Canada with a valid study permit are allowed to work on- or off-campus. 2014–2015 UNDERGRADUATE TUITION FEES & EXPENSES FULL TIME TUITION
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.
RESIDENCE
$22,247 $5000
(SINGLE, ROOM, DORMITORY) MEAL PLAN
$4,000
TEXT BOOKS
$1,000
HEALTH INSURANCE INCIDENTAL FEES TOTAL (TWO TERMS, EIGHT MONTHS)
$700 $650 $33,597
Guide is an estimate only. Fees subject to increase for 2015/2016. .
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Uptown Waterloo
Around town CITY INFORMATION Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) is a thriving, culturally diverse community, that is home to the largest Oktoberfest celebration this side of Munich and the birthplace of the world-renowned BlackBerry smartphone. With a population of about 350,000, K-W is small enough to be safe, comfortable and easy to get around, yet big enough to provide most of the services expected of a large city – a great selection of restaurants, a symphony, live theatre, interesting shops, art galleries, parks and an efficient public transit system. There is an extensive variety of facilities and activities in the community, including walking and hiking trails, golf courses, skating rinks, soccer fields and even a ski hill! In between classes and studying, there are plenty of spots to get away for a little down time. Toronto, with all it has to offer, is only an hour away; the United States is two hours south; and the beaches of Lake Huron and Lake Erie are close enough for day trips. K-W is also home to an international airport offering flights to Ottawa, Western Canada and winter sun destinations. K-W is a very student-friendly community, offering great value restaurants, shopping and entertainment. The opposite list contains a few popular spots to visit while in K-W, according to our students. All locations featured are within walking distance or a short bus ride from our Waterloo campus.
explorewaterlooregion.com
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“THE BEST OF” IN WATERLOO... Best place to have a coffee | Death Valley’s Little Brother Best Chinese | King Tin Restaurant Best Korean | Da Won Best Halal food | Ammar Halal Meats Best African & Caribbean grocery store | A to Z Best sushi | Sushi 99 Best sandwich shop | Quick Sandwiches Best wings in town | Morty’s Pub Best place to have a picnic | Waterloo Park Best restaurant to have dinner on a budget East Side Mario’s (you can even use your OneCard to pay!) Best place to buy food for a picnic | Vincenzo’s Best place to catch a movie | Princess Cinemas (make sure you get the popcorn!) Best karaoke | Chainsaw
NO CAR, NO PROBLEM! All full-time students are automatically enrolled in the Universal Bus Pass program, meaning you can ride local K-W Transit throughout the term by scanning your OneCard for access.
OUR STUDENTS
Waterloo campus LOVE LAURIER 28
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WELCOME CENTRE/CAMPUS TOURS
Schlegel Centre
28. King’s Court Residence
ACADEMIC/SUPPORT BUILDINGS
15.
Alumni Hall 2. Arts C Wing 3. Arts E Wing 4. Bricker Academic Building 5. Co-operative Education & Career Development Centre 6. Service Laurier 7. Dining Hall 8. Dr. Alvin Woods Building 9. Fred Nichols Campus Centre 10. John Aird Centre/Recital Hall 11. Library 12. Office of Aboriginal Initiatives 13. Northdale Campus 14. Peters Building
16. Science Building
29. King Street Residence
Science Research Centre 18. Seminary 19. Special Constable Service 20. Future Site of the Global Innovation Exchange Building 21. Theatre Auditorium 22. 202 Regina Street 23. Cold Regions and Water Science
30. Leupold Residence
RESIDENCE BUILDINGS
37.
1.
17.
24. Bouckaert Hall Residence 25. Bricker Residence 26. Conrad Hall Residence 27. Euler Residence
31.
Little House Residence
32. Macdonald House Residence 33. Spruce Street Apartments 34. University Place Residence 35. Waterloo College Residence 36. Willison Hall Residence
ATHLETICS
Alumni Field
38. Athletic Complex 39. University Stadium 40. MAIN ENTRANCE 41. PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
CAMPUS TOURS
QUESTIONS?
Book a campus tour or take a virtual tour at chooselaurier.ca/tours.
519.884.1970 x4684 international@wlu.ca chooselaurier.ca/international
FSC
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 WATERLOO | Brantford | Kitchener | Toronto 75 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2L 3C5
As much as I'm going to miss a lot of friends and family, I'm ready to move to Waterloo #Laurier #Freedom
Join the Conversation facebook.com/chooselaurier twitter.com/chooselaurier chooselaurier.wordpress.com instagram.com/chooselaurier
international@wlu.ca
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