International Student Services

OfficeWe’re here for you!

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Can you believe it’s almost time to start your new adventure at McGill?

Are you ready?

Let’s go over some of the essentials you need to know

before you arrive!

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Presentation Outline

1. ISS team & role

2. Part I webinar – what was covered

3. Packing

4. Arriving & navigating customs

5. Getting to campus

6. Housing

7. Setting up the essentials

Transportation, Banking, Phone/internet, Cards (student & health), Tuition…

8. Orientation & Making new connections

9. Questions & discussion

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International Student Services (ISS)

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Our Services

• Immigration information

• Health insurance

• Orientation activities

• The “Buddy Program”

• Workshops & webinars (e.g. Winter 101, Immigration, etc.)

And much more!

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Bookmark our website!

http://www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/

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Connect with us online!

“Like” us onfacebook.com/mcgill.iss

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Follow us on Instagram: ISSMcgill

Part I Re-cap – Are your documents ready?

Immigration• How to get your Study Permit• How to get your CAQ• Do you need a TRV or an eTA

Health Insurance• Eligibility • How it works• Exemption

Missed Part I? All the info can be found on our website

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Download the Medavie Mobile App for easy reimbursement of your health expenses!

What do I do if I can’t get my Study Permit on time?

• US citizens: apply at the border

• All other students: must have their Letter of Introduction

BEFORE coming to Canada*

• DO NOT enter as a visitor*

Can’t start in January? Consider deferring your admission for a term

Contact deferral@mcgill.ca by December 31

* Unless you are a 1-term

exchange student

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Working during your studies

Your Study Permit allows you to work*:

• Part-time on campus during registered terms (degree & exchange)• a maximum 20 hours/week off-campus (only degree students)

CONDITION: full-time registration as a student

(minimum 12 credits per term in Fall & Winter – UG & non-thesis Masters)

(full-time registration in a graduate thesis program)

You will need a Social Insurance Number to be paid.

For details, see “Work & Permits” tab on ISS website * 1-term exchange

students are not permitted to work - on or off campus

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Packing

Montreal’s climate:

• Hot & humid in the summer (up to 35 degrees Celsius)

• Cold & snowy in the winter (down to -20 degrees Celsius)

• Wide range in spring and fall (-10 to +10 degrees Celsius)

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Also consider:

• What is the maximum weight & size of luggage allowed by the airline/train/bus company?

• What will I need right away?

• What can I purchase in Montreal once I arrive?

• What will make my new room feel like home?

N.B. Caution packing food – some

fruits, vegetables, meats & other

products cannot be imported

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Arriving at the border or port of entry

Clearing Customs

Keep the following documents with you at all times:

• Passport

• Letter of Acceptance from McGill

• Copy of your proof of financial support

• Certificate of Acceptance from Quebec* (CAQ)

• Letter of Introduction from CIC (for your Study Permit) * *

• Temporary Residence Visa or eTA (if applicable)

*US students can get their Study Permit at the border or port of entry without needing a Letter of Introduction.

* Unless you are a 1-term

exchange student

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1. Customs Officer

• Will check your documents

• Will ask you a few questions about purpose of visit to Canada

1. Explain that you need to get your Study Permit*

2. You will then be directed to the Immigration Office

*1 term exchange – you don’t need a study permit

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2. Canadian Immigration Office• Will check your documents

• Issue your Study Permit*

Important!

Do not leave Customs and Immigration without your Study Permit,

even if they are willing to waive you through as a tourist.

Check that all the information on the permit is correct (e.g. spelling, date of birth, gender, etc.)

*1 term exchange – you don’t need a study

permit

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Downtown Campus

Macdonald Campus

Not sure what campus you’ll be on?

Check your Admissions Letter!

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2 Campuses

And free, dedicated shuttle buses that run between them

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Preparing to come to Montreal

Leaving the airport

Taxi

Flat rate from airport to downtown = $40 (+ add 10-15% tip)

747 bus

Least expensive option = $10

(can buy ticket in airport)

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Arriving by Bus or Train

• The bus/train will stop at the border for at least 1 hour

• Make sure you obtain your Study Permit before leaving

• Make sure that all the information on it is correct

Central Bus Station downtown

+ short taxi ride

Central Train Station downtown + short taxi ride

Mac campus: 30-40 minute taxi rideMac campus: Via train to

Dorval + short taxi ride

Arrivals

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[Your Name]

c/o International Student Services

William & Mary Brown Student Services Building

3600 McTavish, Suite 5100

Montreal, QC Canada H3A 0G3

Ensure you provide the officer with a Montreal address. If

you do not yet have an address, you can use ours for this

purpose only:

If the Immigration Officer is unable

to print your Study Permit on the

train, ask if they can send it to you in the mail.

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Housing(On & Off Campus)

There are student residences on the downtown campus and on the Macdonald campus, and a lot of off-campus housing options downtown

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Planning to live in student residence?

• Move-in date varies for January starts

You must contact housing.residences@mcgill.ca ASAP with your arrival info.

• What do you need to pack for residence?

See our links document

• Book separate accommodations for guests (e.g. parents – see list of local hotels & hostels)

MORE QUESTIONS? Contact McGill Student Housing

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Where to apply?

*Exchange Students can email to determine availability

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Visit Student Housing’s Website by clicking here

Accommodations upon arrival

Plan to look for an apartment/room off-campus?

**Book at least 3 nights in a local hotel or hostel if you plan to look for housing upon arrival

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For guidance on finding an apartment, understanding Montreal leases, tenants’ rights and other related information, visit:

• McGill’s Off-Campus Housing website

• Likehome.info

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Have a question?

Ask it now!

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The Essentials

• Getting around Montreal

• Banking

• Cell phone/internet

• Student ID card

• Health insurance card

• Paying tuition

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Getting Around

McGill students mostly travel by BMW

(Bus, Metro & Walk)

Tip: Bring good walking shoes/Boots!

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Bus & Metro

• Safe and convenient

• Can get student rates

• Monthly student pass: $51.00

• Apply online through Minerva!

• Go to mcgill.ca/opus

• Interactive transit map

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Taxis

More expensive

Better for short distances, or returning late at night

Bicycles

Montreal is very bicycle-friendly city

Can bike comfortably between mid-April and mid-October

Check out BIXI – bike-sharing program

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Banking• Banks in Canada are all highly regulated

• Many banks to choose from; consider

Student plans/rates offered

Services included

Convenience

• Most banks will require 2 pieces of ID

Passport and Study Permit

Proof of Residence

Proof of Registration

N.B. You do not need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to open a bank account.

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Cell Phone/Internet Service/Cable

• Recommended to get a local phone number

• Some companies offer cell only or “bundles”

• WiFi is available for free on campus (Residence: charged to your account)

• Use Free Calling services eg. FaceTime, Skype, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts, etc.

Cell phone companies will be on campus at Orientation; you can sign up for a plan on the spot!

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Service PointHouses: • Student Administrative Services

• Legal Documentation & Transcript

• Student Accounts

• Exchange Student Advisors

Book an appointment at myappointment.mcgill.ca.

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This is where you will:

A. Get your McGill Student ID Card Macdonald Campus – Student Affairs Office, Laird Hall

B. Email electronic copies of your Immigration Documents (CAQ, Study Permit) legaldocumentation@mcgill.ca

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Paying Tuition

Tuition deadline:

January 6th, 2020

Payment can be made by:

1. Telephone/internet banking

2. Pre-authorized debit (e-cheque)

3. Travelex (Western Union)

4. Bank to Bank Transfer

5. Wire transfer

6. By mail (cheque, money order or bank draft)

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Need more information?

Contact Student AccountsVisit: Service Point (corner McTavish & Sherbrooke)

Phone: (514) 398-7878

Email: student.accounts@mcgill.ca

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Making new connections

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Consider joining:

McGill

International

Student

Network

McGill

Exchange

Student

Association

Student Society Clubs & Associations

Don’t miss Activities Nightin Sept & Jan!

Post Graduate

Student Society

Macdonald

Campus

Students’

Society

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The International Buddy Program

• 2019 marked the 31st Anniversary of the

Buddy Program – which has helped

thousands of international students settle into

McGill and Montreal

• Connects new international students with

returning students

• Buddies can also offer linguistic support,

cultural guidance and information about life

at McGill

• Find out more at:

https://www.mcgillbuddyprogram/.com

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Orientation

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Campus-Wide Orientation Events >> coordinated by CLE

info in the Links document

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International Student Orientation Events

• Meet & Greet Lounge Friday, January 3rd, 11am – 4pm

Location: Brown Building, 5001

• Orientation Pizza Party Wednesday, January 8th, 5-7pm, New Residence Ballroom

• Bitesize MTL* Excursions – Winter edition: Bitesize Underground

Saturday, January 4th and Sunday, January 5th, 11am to 3pm

* Registration required via ISS’ Website

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Still have questions?

Contact us or stay for the Q&A!

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International Student Services

General Information514-398-4349

international.students@mcgill.ca

Buddy Program

international.buddy@mcgill.ca

Health Insuranceinternational.health@mcgill.ca

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Follow us on Facebook

International Student Services at McGill University

Need more information?

Bookmark our online International Student

Pre-Arrival Resource page

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Welcome to McGill!

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