2015-2016 pre-departure guide.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
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Greetings and congratulations on your acceptance to Sault College!
We are pleased that you have chosen Sault College for your studies in Canada and look forward to
meeting you.
Moving to another country will be a big change for you. To make your transition easier, we have prepared
this guide in the hopes that it will help answer some of the questions you may have about Sault College,
Sault Ste. Marie, and Canada.
In this guide you will find information on:
Important documents to bring with you
Canada immigration regulations
Financial matters and banking information
Sault Ste. Marie—its weather, transportation, healthcare, things to do
Airport pick-up service
Arriving at Sault College
Student Services
Housing
Important contacts
And much more!
We encourage you to read this guide and contact us at [email protected] or 705-759-2554
ext. 2424 if you have any questions.
On behalf of all the staff at Sault College, we look forward to your arrival and being a part of our college
community.
Sincerely,
Krista Pearson and Sasha Coleman
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Contents Travelling to Canada ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Important Documents Checklist ............................................................................................................... 4
Entering Canada ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Travel Tips ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Canadian Currency .................................................................................................................................... 6
Banking Information ................................................................................................................................. 6
Working in Canada ........................................................................................................................................ 7
On-Campus Work ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Off-Campus Work ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Cooperative Education and Internships .................................................................................................... 7
Post Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP) ....................................................................................... 7
Minimum Wage ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Social Insurance Number .......................................................................................................................... 7
Sault Ste. Marie ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Getting to “The Soo” ................................................................................................................................. 8
Transportation .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Climate ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Things to Do .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Places of Worship.................................................................................................................................... 11
Health Information ................................................................................................................................. 11
Sault College ................................................................................................................................................ 12
Airport Pick-Up Service in Sault Ste. Marie ............................................................................................. 12
Orientation Week ................................................................................................................................... 12
Student Services ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Sault College Health and Wellness Centre .............................................................................................. 13
Housing ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Helpful Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Important Contacts ..................................................................................................................................... 15
New International Student Arrival Form ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Campus Map ............................................................................................................................................... 16
City Bus Map: Sault College/Algoma University Route ............................................................................... 17
Map of Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Area ................................................................................................... 18
Hub Trail Map ............................................................................................................................................. 19
Canada and Sault Ste. Marie Fun Facts ....................................................................................................... 20
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Travelling to Canada When travelling to Canada, remember to bring the following items in your carry-on luggage (do
not place these items in your checked luggage; you will need them upon arriving in Canada.
Important Documents Checklist
Valid passport
Letter approving study permit (issued by Canadian Visa Office)
Temporary Resident Visa (if required)
Original letter of acceptance from Sault College
Official transcripts of your high school grades (and college grades, if applicable)
Proof of English language proficiency documents (if applicable)
At least $100 cash (either US or Canadian Dollars) for incidental expenses while travelling
Proof that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, accommodations, and living expenses
Immunization records (i.e., the medical shots that you usually receive as a child), if required
Police records check (if required)
We recommend carrying photocopies of all your official documents, kept in a separate place from the
originals, and also leave copies with a family member at home. This will assist you in replacing your
documents in the event that you lose your passport or other original documents.
Entering Canada Once you arrive in Canada you will go through Customs and Immigration and speak with a Canadian
Customs Officer. Service will be available in both English and French. If you do not understand, ask for
an interpreter.
You must indicate to the officer that you are going to be studying at Sault College. Have all your
documents ready to show the officer (e.g., passport, letter of acceptance, letter approving study permit,
etc.). You may be asked a number of questions; answer all questions truthfully and be polite. This is
where you will receive your study permit. Do not leave the Customs and Immigration area without
having been issued your study permit.
If you are shipping additional luggage, inform the Customs Officer.
Detailed information about Canada’s customs regulations is available from the Canadian visa office in
your home country. You can also download the brochure “Entering Canada to Study or to Work” at
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html
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Travel Tips
To ease your transition and travel experience, here are a few suggestions:
Carry the following in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost or delayed (this is
common in international travel):
o the important documents found on the previous page
o a change of clothes
o any required medications (in the original bottle)
o toothbrush and toothpaste
o soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc.
o extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
Confirm your living arrangements prior to leaving for Canada
Obtain necessary travel and health insurance
If you are arriving in the fall or winter, pack some warm clothes (coat, hats, gloves,
hooded sweater)
If you plan to bring electrical equipment, note that Canadian voltage is 110 volts, 60
hertz
Bring enough Canadian money or traveller’s cheques to cover your first few days in
Canada
Be prepared to pay a 13% tax (called the HST) on many goods and services in Ontario
(e.g., books, cellphone services, movie tickets, clothing will all have an added HST price).
Most prices you see on products, restaurant menus, hotels, etc. do not include the 13%
tax.
Bring some of your favourite treats or spices that you may not find in Sault Ste. Marie
After going through Canadian customs and immigration, you will need to bring your
bags to your next gate. There are luggage carts available that require a $2 coin, also
called a “toonie”.
In the luggage pick-up area look for the Travelex sign. This is where you can exchange
your currency for Canadian dollars.
Once you arrive in Canada, contact your family and let them know that you have
arrived—most Canadian airports offer free wireless internet
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Canadian Currency The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is the official currency of Canada. There are $5, $10, $20, $50, and
$100 paper bills and 6 different coins (see image below). The penny is no longer being used in
Canada; therefore, any purchases will be rounded to the nearest nickel.
Banking Information
Many banks offer special student accounts. You should research your options and select a bank that
best suits your needs. There are a number of banks within walking distance to Sault College:
Scotiabank 294 Northern Av E www.scotiabank.com StartRight Program: eligible applicants from certain countries can apply for a bank account before landing in Canada. Contact Scotiabank for more information.
TD Bank Cambrian Mall 44 Great Northern Rd www.tdcanadatrust.com
Bank of Montreal (BMO) Cambrian Mall 44 Great Northern Rd www.bmo.com
CIBC Cambrian Mall 44 Great Northern Road www.cibc.com
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Working in Canada
On-Campus Work
A valid Study Permit allows an international student to work part-time on-campus at Sault
College.
There are part-time jobs available through the International Student Work Program (usually 10
hours of work per week); however, you must apply and employment is not guaranteed.
Visit the Job Centre in room A0150 or email [email protected] to learn more.
Off-Campus Work
As of June 1st, 2014, full-time international students with a valid study permit are able to work
off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session and full-time during
regularly scheduled breaks.
For more details about the changes to the International Student Program, visit
www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-changes.asp
Cooperative Education and Internships
If you are required to work off-campus as part of your academic program, a work permit is required.
There is no fee for this type of work permit. Students may apply after arriving in Canada. Students must
receive the work permit before beginning any required work.
Visit www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-coop.asp for more details.
Post Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
The PGWPP allows students who have graduated from Sault College to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
The PGWPP allows international students who have completed their studies to work for an
employer in Canada for up to three years, depending on how long their course of study was. For
more information visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage (the lowest wage permitted by law) in Ontario is $11 CAD per hour.
Social Insurance Number
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work in Canada. To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), international students must present a valid study permit that indicates the permit holder “may accept employment” or “may work” in Canada. Visit http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/ to learn more.
If you have any questions about working while studying at Sault College, contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] or visit us on-campus.
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Sault Ste. Marie Sault Ste. Marie is home to approximately 80,000 people and is affectionately called “the Soo”.
The city is considered to be part of Northern Ontario and is located on the Canada-US border.
The city has been recognized by the World Health Organization as an “international safe
community.” English is the main language spoken in the Soo; however, it is a multicultural city
with residents from many different countries.
Sault Ste. Marie waterfront and downtown
Getting to “The Soo” You can fly to many major cities within a few hours:
Sault Ste. Marie to Toronto: 1 hour flight
Sault Ste. Marie to Ottawa: 3 hour flight
Sault Ste. Marie to Detroit: 1 hour flight
Sault Ste. Marie to New York: 3.5 hour flight
Sault Ste. Marie’s airport code is YAM and is serviced by Air Canada Express, Porter and Bearskin
Airlines.
Transportation Many of the things you will need are within a 10 minute walk to Sault College. This includes
restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores, cell phone stores, banks, barber and hair salon, and
a pharmacy; however, you may need to travel around the city for a wider variety of stores.
City Bus
The city bus stops right in front of Sault College. You can obtain a bus pass from the Sault
College Students Union for $160 per semester (subject to change annually). The bus arrives at
the college every thirty minutes, Monday to Friday, from 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. On
weekends, the bus runs every hour from 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. There is a bus map for the
Sault College/Algoma University route located at the end of this guide for your reference.
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Taxis
There are several taxi companies in Sault Ste. Marie; however, you cannot hail them on the
street. You must call a taxi service at least 15 minutes prior to the time you want to leave to
ensure you arrive on time. Taxis are much more expensive than the city bus.
EZ Cab: 705-256-2222
Yellow Cab: 705-942-0005
Cruz Cab: 705- 450-2789
Climate Sault Ste. Marie experiences four distinct seasons with temperatures varying throughout the
year, with summer highs of 30°C and winters lows of -25°C. Snowfall usually begins in late
November and ends in March.
You will need both warm and cool clothing in order to remain comfortable throughout the year.
You will likely need to purchase some items when you arrive such as a heavy winter coat and
boots, which are too heavy to pack in your luggage. It is advisable to budget around $400 CAD
for winter clothing purchases. You will be able to purchase these items new or gently-used.
Things to Do
Outdoor Activities
There are many outdoor activities year-round. In the winter you can snowshoe or cross country
ski on 40 km of groomed trails at Hiawatha or downhill ski at Searchmont Ski Resort.
In the summer you can visit some of our beautiful beaches or walk, run, or bike on the John
Rowswell Hub Trail—a 25km paved trail system connecting many significant points of interest
in Sault Ste. Marie including the waterfront walkway, Bellevue Park, Algoma University, Sault
College, and the new hospital. A map is located at the end of this guide for your reference.
You can see a detailed list of exciting outdoor activities at: http://www.saulttourism.com/what-
to-do/outdoors/
Hub Trail
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Festivals and Events
There are many festivals and events held throughout the year including:
Bon Soo Winter Carnival—a 10 day celebration every February featuring events held all
over town for all ages and interests.
Algoma Fall Festival—brings the best in Canadian and international performing and
visual arts to our community every October.
Passport to Unity—an annual multicultural festival held every May, bringing our
community together in celebration and discovery of the many diverse cultures and
traditions that exist within our city.
Bon Soo “polar bear swim”
Sporting Events
As you will soon find out, hockey is very popular in the Soo. The Soo Greyhounds are the local
hockey team and they play a game every 4 to 5 days from September to March. The Sault
College Residence rents a bus several times per season to transport students to the games and
they invite all international students to attend!
Soo Greyhound hockey players in action
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Although hockey is popular, there are a variety of other sporting activities that you can get
involved with including cricket, indoor and outdoor soccer, indoor and outdoor skating, curling,
baseball, golf, tennis, volleyball, football, and much more!
Restaurants
Sault Ste. Marie has a variety of restaurants including:
Tandoori Gardan (East Indian Cuisine) at 663 Queen St. East
Shogun Sushi (Japanese Cuisine) at 168 Great Northern Road
JC Sakura (Thai and Japanese Cuisine) at 150 Churchill Boulevard
Lychee Thai Restaurant at 280 Queen Street East
And several Chinese restaurants!
Shopping
Sault Ste. Marie has two main malls: the Cambrian Mall and the Station Mall.
The Cambrian Mall is less than a km from Sault College and offers clothing stores, grocery store,
a pharmacy, cell phone store, eye glass store, and many banks.
The Station Mall is located downtown and has over 110 stores, a food court, and a 7-screen
movie theatre.
The downtown area (Queen Street East) also offers a wide variety of coffee shops, speciality
stores, and restaurants.
Places of Worship Prayer and meditation rooms are located on Sault College’s campus. These rooms offer a quiet,
safe place for students of any faith to enjoy silent reflection or group devotion.
The Sault Ste. Marie community also has a number of churches, a synagogue, and an Islam
Association.
Contact [email protected] if you have any questions!
Health Information Sault Ste. Marie offers a number of walk-in health clinics as well as the Sault Area Hospital
(SAH). SAH is located at 750 Great Northern Road—a short bus ride from the College.
International students are covered by the Sault College International Student Health Insurance
plan provided by “Guard.Me” insurance. This insurances covers you in case you get sick or
injured. Students pay for this coverage along with tuition and ancillary fees. It covers things like
doctor’s visits, x-rays, and hospital stays.
Coverage is for 12 months, from September1st until August 31st, conditional upon full-time
registration at Sault College. Visit http://www.guard.me/ for more information.
We advise that you obtain coverage for the time spent travelling between your home country
and enrollment at Sault College.
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Sault College
Airport Pick-Up Service in Sault Ste. Marie Sault College offers a free airport pick-up service. To arrange this service, complete the New
International Student Arrival Form found at the back of this guide and return to
[email protected] or fax 1-705-759-3273.
To ensure pick-up service, send the completed form at least 3 days prior to your arrival.
Orientation Week
Orientation week is usually held the first week of September; during this week there will be
many different activities for all new students. Orientation is a great way to meet all new
students and become familiar with the campus. If you have any questions about orientation,
email [email protected].
Student Services Sault College offers a wide range of student services that can provide you with the support you
need. You are welcome to visit the Student Service office in room E1101 or contact us at:
Services include:
Academic Advice
Personal Counselling
Career Advice
Note Taking
Peer Tutoring
Writing Workshops
Accessibility Services
If you have a disability (e.g., physical disability, visual or hearing impairment, or have a learning
disability) we encourage you to contact our Student Services Office by telephone at 705-759-
2554 ext.2703, by TDD at 705-946-8619. This is a confidential, self-identification process that
enables us to effectively plan for any required support services.
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Sault College Health and Wellness Centre All Sault College students have access to our 4700 square foot open concept fitness centre,
featuring:
State-of-the-art cardio and weight-training equipment
Open-concept fitness studio for group exercise
114 metre indoor track
Full-sized gymnasium for varsity and recreational use
To learn more about varsity and recreational activities visit: http://www.saultcollege.ca/Services/Athletics/
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Housing International students can stay in the Sault College residence or choose to live off-campus. If
you plan to live on campus, you must submit a housing application before May 9th.
Room Assignment* Your Meal Plan Selection Total Fees - Due July 31, 2015
Super Single $6594
(Limited Number)
Standard Meal Plan $2900 $9494
Enhanced Meal Plan $3200 $9794
Single $5794 Standard Meal Plan $2900 $8694
Enhanced Meal Plan $3200 $8994
Double $4994 Standard Meal Plan $2900 $7894
Enhanced Meal Plan $3200 $8194
*Prices subject to change prior to April 2015
Room fee includes high-speed and wireless internet, local telephone service with voice mail and caller ID, full cable, unlimited use of laundry facilities, and a Residence Activity fee
If you choose to live off-campus, Sault colleges provides access to housing lists and can also
provide advice on convenient areas to live, in relation to both Sault College and essential
shopping areas. While Sault College does not endorse individual landlords, we can introduce
students to landlords who previous international students recommended.
If you have any questions regarding residence, off-campus housing, or how to get involved in
campus activities, please contact (705) 759-2554 ext. 2684 or [email protected].
Helpful Resources
Sault Community Career Centre has a “New to the Sault” program that can help you learn
more about immigration to Canada, obtaining a driver’s license, translating documents, etc.
They can also help put you in touch with other newcomers to the city. Visit
www.saultcareercentre.ca for more information.
Discover the Sault has a website that provides links to many helpful government websites and
quick links to housing, getting a Social Insurance Number, job postings, and much more. Visit
www.discoverthesault.ca.
Employment Solutions provides job opportunities both on and off-campus. They also provide
resume writing assistance and help with interview skills. Visit www.employment-solutions.ca
Citizenship and Immigration Canada processes study and work permits and can answer any
questions you have about immigration in Canada. www.cic.gc.ca or call toll-free (in Canada) 1-
888-242-2100
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Important Contacts
General Inquiries including Health Insurance 705-759-2554 ext.2424
Skype: internationalsaultcollege
Email: [email protected]
Admissions/Registration/Payment 705-759-2554 ext. 2405
Cell: 705-542-1251
Skype:Kristapearson
Email: [email protected]
Residence 705-759-2554 ext.2683
Email: [email protected]
Security 705-759-2554 ext.2712
Email: [email protected]
Academic Assistance and Counselling 705-759-2554 ext.2703
Email: [email protected]
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Campus Map
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City Bus Map: Sault College/Algoma University Route
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Map of Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Area
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Hub Trail Map
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Canada and Sault Ste. Marie Fun Facts
Canada is the world’s second largest country covering 9.98 million square kilometres
Canada has six time zones—Sault Ste. Marie is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone
Canada is home to approximately 35 million people—with 1 in 5 born outside of Canada
Approximately 85% of Canadians live within 100 kilometres of the US border
Canada has 10% of the world’s forest cover; 31% of Canada is covered by forest
The beaver is Canada’s national animal due to the importance beaver pelts played in the
fur trade
Canada has more than 31,000 lakes—that’s more than all other countries combined
Canada is the world’s most educated country—over half of its adult residents have
completed post-secondary education
While ice hockey is Canada's most popular sport, lacrosse is the country's official sport
Famous Canadians include: Avril Lavigne, Jim Carrey, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Ryan
Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Seth Rogen, Rachel McAdams, Mike Myers, Lorne Michaels,
Michael J. Fox, Keanu Reeves and Kiefer Sutherland
Foods we think of as being “Canadian” include: peameal bacon, poutine (fries with gravy
and cheese curds), Kraft dinner (cheese and macaroni), ketchup chips and maple syrup
Tim Hortons is Canada’s most popular restaurant chain. There is a Tim Hortons on
campus; you can view the lineup by clicking on the “Tim Cam” link via your Sault College
Student Portal!
Sault Ste. Marie is located in the district of Algoma
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is connected to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan by the International
Bridge—the cities are referred to as “the twin Soos”
Sault Ste. Marie is one of the oldest settlements in North America
Sault Ste. Marie is home to Roberta Bondar—Canada's first female astronaut and the
first neurologist in space