International Student Welcome
August 29, 2024
As an international student, you have a unique experience transitioning to university and life in Canada, so we have designed an orientation program just for you. International Student Welcome will introduce you to UVic staff, students, and volunteers who will help you settle into your learning at UVic.
- Make new connections with fellow students while discovering important campus resources.
- Learn about immigration documents, work eligibility requirements, health insurance, and other important tasks as an international student.
- Engage in fun activities to build and get to know your community, including the International Centre for Students team.
For questions about International Student Welcome, please contact the International Centre for Students at gcmentor@uvic.ca.
Program
International Student Welcome will be a full day of in-person programming that will start with an opening ceremony, include lunch and information sessions, and end with a social that will connect you with new friends, campus resources and the International Centre for Students team.
| Event | Description |
| Welcome ceremony | We are looking forward to celebrating your arrival to UVic at this interactive ceremony. Meet new friends, our volunteers, and the International Centre for Students team. From Canadian Trivia to small group activities, this will be a fun and enjoyable way to start your journey at UVic. |
| Information sessions | These sessions will equip with all of the information you need as an international student. Learn about immigration documents, work authorization, health insurance, resources, and more! |
| Lunch | Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch with your new friends while also getting to know your team for our Discover Your Campus activity. |
| Discover your campus activity or Family coffee social |
Participate in some friendly competition together with your team while also getting to know about the great resources that are available to you as an international student at UVic. There will be prizes for those that complete all of the activities and for teams who win the photo challenge! For parents and family members that are joining us today, there will be refreshments and calming music for you to relax to while Discover Your Campus is taking place. Participants will have the opportunity to meet Tricia Best, the Director of the International Centre for Students. This will also be a chance for parents and families to ask and get answers to questions that they may have. |
| Ice cream social | Connect with your new friends and relax over some delicious ice cream to finish off a busy day! |
Parents and family members of international students are also invited to participate in International Student Welcome and will attend a coffee social during the 'Discover your campus' activity.
Registration
International Student Welcome is for all new international undergraduate and graduate students, including degree-seeking and short-term exchange students, study abroad students and visiting students
International students who are participating in the International Student Welcome and will be living in residence may be eligible to move in as early as August 26, 2024. Applications for early move-in will be available in late July on the Residence Services website.
UVic Orientation and the International Centre for Students are committed to making our events as accessible and barrier-free as possible. If you have any accessibility needs in order to participate in our events, please provide details when you register and/or contact us at gcmentor@uvic.ca.
International Student Orientation Programs
August 19 - September 7, 2024
In addition to the International Student Welcome, the International Centre for Students and the UVic Global Community have organized two weeks of online information sessions and fun in person social programs from August 19 – September 7. These programs offer opportunities to meet both international and domestic students, will help you learn more about UVic and Victoria, and will ease your transition to Canada. We hope you will join us!
- August 19 – August 23: online information sessions
- August 27 – September 7: in person events and activities
The full International Student Orientation Programs schedule will be available by the end of June.
Other programs supporting international students
Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program offers friendship and guidance for international students as they navigate their social and academic transition to UVic and Canada.
Conversation Partners
The Conversation Partners Program provides students with opportunities to practice and build confidence in their conversational English skills.
Global Community Events
The Global Community hosts a number of events and activities that celebrate diversity and foster intercultural connections! They are open for all students.