New International Student Guide
Use this guide as you prepare for your arrival in Calgary and throughout your UCalgary studies.
Welcome to UCalgary!
We at ISS are excited to welcome you to UCalgary.
Please register for International Student Orientation events. We look forward to seeing you then!
Featured events
After Receiving Your Letter of Acceptance
Carefully read all documents or emails from the University of Calgary so you are aware of important deadlines or steps you must complete.
Set up your UCalgary student email address.
Once it's set up, check it regularly.
Review the ISS Immigration Resources.
Send your questions about Canadian immigration directly to issimmigration@ucalgary.ca.
The International Student Services (ISS) team is one of many offices at UCalgary that supports you throughout your studies. We are excited to be welcoming you—whether you’re located in Calgary or joining us remotely. Check the ISS Contact Us page to meet the team!
- Learn more by exploring the website and watching this short video for an overview of our programs and services.
- Stay in touch with our team by signing up for our email newsletter, following our social media accounts, and asking questions along the way by contacting our team. We’re here to help!
Plan for Your Expenses: learn about what to expect for expenses in Calgary and what strategies you will use along the way.
- Use the undergraduate cost estimator or Graduate Student Association’s graduate student cost calculator
- Learn about tuition & cost of living in Calgary
- Explore banking options that meet your needs—will you transfer money, open a Canadian bank account, get Canadian credit card?
Visit the Finances website for information and helpful resources: ucalgary.ca/student-services/iss/resources/finances
Review the "Finances and Planning for the Year Ahead" under "Welcome Webinars".
Canadian immigration and working in Canada
Learn about the immigration advising services provided by ISS and important reminders from Lien Tran (RCIC, International Student Specialist — Immigration).
- Fall 2021: Watch the video here.
*Welcome Webinar: "How to Prepare for Your Arrival in Calgary during the Covid-19 Pandemic"
A SIN is a confidential nine-digit number that you need to have in order to receive an income in Canada. A SIN also makes you eligible to receive benefits and services from government programs (such as tax rebates). You can set up your SIN remotely.
Learn how Career Services supports you as an international student! These short videos will introduce you to key services and support for finding jobs and developing your career.
You’ll meet Liliana Gonzalez the career development specialist for international students.
*Welcome Webinar: "Preparing to Start Your Career in Canada"
Staying healthy and safe
UCalgary Student Wellness Services provides holistic support for students’ mental and physical health, with professionals dedicated to helping students’ reach their goals. Whether you are studying in Calgary or are studying from elsewhere, it is important to prioritize your wellness, especially during these exceptional times.
For further information about the many different services offered, please visit the Student Wellness Services Website.
Services for students both in Calgary and outside of Calgary:
Information and supports around navigating substance use:
General tips and ideas for navigating the pandemic:
Short informational videos on different mental health topics including: anxiety, stress, sleep, self-care, motivation and procrastination, healthy thinking and perfectionism:
If you’re planning to travel to Calgary, there are three important components to your medical insurance:
- Travel medical insurance: to protect you while travelling to Alberta and provide coverage if you arrive before the GSA/SU plans are active.
- Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP): to cover basic services while you’re in Calgary
- The SU or GSA Health and Dental Plans: to help cover services not covered through AHCIP
Learn more about these important components (and what you need to do) on the Medical Insurance page.
*Welcome Webinar: "Healthcare & Insurance in Alberta"
It’s important that you stay informed about how Covid-19 may affect aspects of your studies. Check the ISS Covid-19 Frequently Asked Question page for regular updates.
Watch this short video for an overview of helpful numbers to know for your health and safety on campus and around Calgary. These are great to familiarize yourself with even if you aren’t studying in Calgary yet. You’ll meet Kirsty Gruber, Advisor International Student Transition Support.
Watch this video to learn about common scams and how to protect yourself.
As a new resident of Canada, you may not know how to spot a scam or what’s normal for legitimate communication from businesses or government agencies. It’s extremely important to review the information below so you know what to watch out for if you receive a suspicious phone call, text message, email, rental, or job opportunity.
Common scams include phone calls, emails, or messages where the caller is fraudulently posing as a representative from an authority or organization (Canada Revenue Agency, IRCC, Alberta Health Services, or the Calgary Police). Their goal is to intimidate you into sharing your personal information (banking details, Social Insurance Number, etc.) or finances with them (payment by e-transfer, credit card or gift card, or bit coin).
It’s also important to be aware of fraudulent job postings or rental accommodation opportunities.
- Keep your personal information and documents safe
- Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize
- Use caution before clicking links in texts or emails
- Hang up—block phone numbers
- Ask for a number to call back later
- Research a potential rental property or job opportunity
If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of any communication, please speak to ISS or someone you trust before taking any action or sharing any information.
Please familiarize yourself with examples of common scams, how to keep your information safe, and how to report a scam if you think you’ve fallen victim to one:
Navigating a new culture
Take this opportunity to learn acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
Watch the Calgary Foundation's: Stories of the Land: Acknowledging Treaty 7 Territory
Learn about the resources provided through the Student Success Centre (SSC) through these short videos. You’ll meet Jennifer Parsons, International Academic Development Specialist.
*SSC Webinars:
- Transitioning to first year as an International student
The UCalgary Library
There are lots of experts, services and resources available in Libraries and Cultural Resources to you as a new International student. This interactive orientation gives you a big-picture of these that will come in handy for your first year at UCalgary
Throughout your time here at university you are expected to maintain the highest level of honesty in your academic work. You achieve this by maintaining academic integrity. But what does that mean? Academic integrity is a core value of the university and ensures that we are able to build a community based on honesty, trust and integrity. Maintaining academic integrity while earning your degree represents your true academic accomplishments.
We are a diverse community, and your current interpretation of academic integrity may be different to the expectations of the University of Calgary. Many of our international students are aware of academic integrity but are unaware that different universities, different countries, and different cultures may articulate academic integrity differently. Therefore, it’s vital for you to understand what academic integrity means at the University of Calgary and how to ensure that you uphold it.
Support and Resources
The university offers a wide range of supports and resources to help students understand academic integrity. A great place to start is by reading the Student Academic Integrity Handbook, attending one of the academic integrity workshops and testing your knowledge in one of the academic integrity quizzes and scenarios available on D2L. Learn more about these resources here or email askacademicintegrity@ucalgary.ca with any questions.
Culture shock is the feeling of disorientation and discomfort that someone may feel when adjusting to living in an unfamiliar place (or navigating a new online learning experience). As an international student studying at UCalgary and living in a new city, you’ll likely experience some form of culture shock during your time here in Calgary.
*Webinar: "How to Adjust to Living in a New City"
The SSC is running a free D2L course called Introduction to Online Learning.
- The goal of this module is to provide first-time University of Calgary online students with opportunities to learn about and practice with common technology tools associated with online courses. These include:
- Attending lectures and participating in lectures through Zoom
- Using discussion boards
- Online group work and setting up group study sessions
- Submitting course assignments
- Completing online tests and quizzes
Within each content area, you will also find links to resources and study strategies for online learning success. You can register at https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_eA7Er4Cz2TWC4dL After receiving your registration, a Student Success Centre staff member will enroll you in the course within 2-3 business days, after which time, the course will appear within your list of D2L courses.
Are you studying from outside Canada?
Check out this fantastic document "Studying at UCalgary from outside Canada" for resources and services to help you navigate your remote learning experience, created by the Student Success Centre, International Student Services and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.
*SSC Webinars
If you’re an exchange student, make sure to review the Incoming Exchange information on the Study Abroad website. Or, contact iexch@ucalgary.ca with questions.
Many students practice their speaking and listening skills in informal, social environments by joining a student club or committee on campus, a sports team or fitness class, volunteer program, or faith community. These are just some examples.
UCalgary also has resources for practicing English and learning or sharing additional languages.
Meeting other students and finding community
The ISS team and student leaders run social programs and remote events. Visit the ISS Student Life website tab to learn more about the programs, events, and best ways to stay in touch!
- ISS events are low-cost or free opportunities for students to meet with other new and returning students. Check the ISS events calendar to see what’s coming up.
- Global Families events are low-cost opportunities for students with children to meet other UCalgary students who are studying with families. Check the ISS events calendar for upcoming events.
- USpeak Global is a language sharing program that is open to all UCalgary international and Canadian students. Sign up, if you are studying a language, have a general interest in languages, or if you enjoy helping others develop their own language skills.
- International Student Mentorship Program is a program that connects new international students (whether studying remotely or in Calgary) with current UCalgary students during their first term studying with UCalgary. Sign up through our website.
The Faith & Spirituality Centre (FSC) encourages cultural and religious literacy, community building, and social change as an integral part of the student experience.
- Watch this quick video introduction to the FSC.
- FSC Website: ucalgary.ca/student-services/faith-spirituality
The Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) offers a safe and welcoming place for students, staff, faculty, and the community to connect. Learn more through this quick video introduction to the WRC.
- WRC Website: ucalgary.ca/student-services/womens-centre/home
Leadership and Student Engagement is committed to helping every student thrive. Through new student orientation, facilitating peer connections in leadership and student life programming, and serving the community through ucalgarycares, the LSE connects students to one another, and to the wider campus community.
- Learn more at ucalgary.ca/student-services/leadership.
- Check out the Unwind event series!
If you’re an undergraduate student, it’s important to know what the Students Union does for you! Check out the website to learn more: su.ucalgary.ca. In particular, check out:
- How to connect with a Student Club (to find other students with share interests)
- Volunteer opportunities
- Student programs & services
Clubs Week
Take some time to explore the various clubs at UCalgary, learn about upcoming events for the term, and meet club executives. Clubs week is hosted every September and January.
Visit the SU Clubs website for more details.
For questions, please contact clubsoff@ucalgary.ca.
If you’re a graduate student, it’s important to know what the Graduate Student Association does for you! Check out the website to learn more: gsa.ucalgary.ca/. In particular, check out:
- How to connect with a student group or committee (like the Newcomer & International Student Subcommittee)
- Volunteer opportunities
- Student programs & services
Getting settled in Calgary
Visit the ISS Housing website to learn more about options in Calgary: ucalgary.ca/student-services/iss/resources/housing
*Welcome Webinar: Consider attending "Finding Off-Campus Accommodation" on Dec. 14. Register through the ISS Events Calendar.
- Did you miss this session? View past presentations under "Welcome Webinars."
Watch this short video to get started: Food, Housing Goods, and Other Shopping
- Visit the ISS Resources tab to find the related webpages
Watch this short video to get started: Alberta ID Card & UNICARD
Watch this short video to learn about getting around campus, biking in Calgary, Public Transit, Driving, and Taxis/Ride Share: Getting around in Calgary
- Visit the ISS Resources tab to find the related webpages
Watch this short video to get started: Preparing for Calgary Weather
- Visit the ISS Resources tab to find the related webpages
- Webinar on August 25!
Visit the ISS Information for Families website for helpful information: ucalgary.ca/student-services/iss/resources/information-families
*Welcome Webinar: Did you miss this session? View past presentations under "Welcome Webinars".
What's next?
Visit the ISS Getting Familiar with UCalgary Campus website for helpful suggestions from our staff and student leaders: ucalgary.ca/student-services/iss/resources/getting-familiar-ucalgary-campus
Whether you’re starting your studies remotely or from Calgary, making acquaintances, attending events, and meeting new people will help you find community and make connections. No matter where you are, you’re a part of the UCalgary community, so get involved!
Check the ISS Events Calendar to learn more and register for the Welcome Social Events! Sign-up for one or more based on your availability. Events are shared mid- to late August.
n addition to the event recommendations throughout this page, keep an eye on the ISS Newsletter to see what’s coming up each week. It comes out every Wednesday! Sign up here.
