OFFICE OF rYl BRANDON INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES W UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ON and off-CAMPUS JOBS FOR ACTIVITIES 1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS .................... 8 POST-GRADUATE WORK PERMITS ......... 8 ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES (EAP) ............................................................ 2 FINANCING YOUR STUDIES .......... 8 FACULTIES AND SCHOOLS .......... 3 TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO CANADA .......8 FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS .............. 9 FINANCIAL & REGISTRATION SERVICES ....................................... 3 BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS ....... 9 STUDENT SERVICES ..................... 3 PERSONAL CARE......................... 10 ACADEMIC ADVISING ................................. 3 WEATHER: SEASONS .............................. 10 COUNSELLING: PERSONAL ...................... 3 WINDCHILL FACTOR ................................ 10 COUNSELLING: CAREER ........................... 4 DANGER: FROSTBITE/FREEZING .......... 10 CAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT .... 4 THE WRITING CENTRE .............................. 4 THE MATH CENTRE .................................... 5 CULTURE SHOCK ........................ 11 LEARNING SKILLS ...................................... 5 STUDENT SERVICES AND FINANCIAL DEALING WITH CULTURE SHOCK .......... 11 SUPPORT .................................................... 5 HEALTH ......................................... 13 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS/BUSU ......................................................... 5 HEALTH INSURANCE ................................ 13 FAMILY DOCTORS/WALK-IN CLINICS .... 13 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICES .. 14 ORGANIZATION (ISO) ................................. 6 HOSPITALS ............................................... 14 BUS PASSES ............................................... 6 DENTISTS .................................................. 14 ISIC CARDS ................................................. 6 SIZE CONVERSION REFERENCES ......... 15 COMPUTERS ............................................... 7 ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ....................... 15 FOOD BANK ................................................. 7 THE QUILL ................................................... 7 TRANSPORTATION ...................... 16 CAMPUS RECREATION ................. 7 BRANDON BUS SYSTEM ......................... 16 BUS SCHEDULE ....................................... 16 BOBCATS ATHLETICS ................................ 7 TAXICABS .................................................. 16 DRIVING IN BRANDON ............................. 16 REGISTERING YOUR OWN CAR ............. 16 SAFETY/SECURITY ........................ 7 AUTOPAC CLAIMS CENTRE .................... 16 IMMIGRATION ................................ 8 TRAVEL OUTSIDE BRANDON ..... 17 CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA BRANDON AIR SHUTTLE ..........................18 (CIC) ............................................................. 8 GREYHOUND BUSES ............................... 18 TRAINS ...................................................... 18 AIRPLANES ............................................... 19 TRAVEL AGENCIES .................................. 19 WORKING – INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CANADA ................. 8 HOUSING ...................................... 20 RECREATION IN BRANDON ........ 27 MANITOBA HOUSING AUTHORITY ......... 20 BRANDON FAMILY YMCA .......................... 27 LANDLORD-TENANT AFFAIRS ................ 20 CANADA GAMES SPORTSPLEX................ 27 KEYSTONE CENTRE .................................. 27 CANADIAN HOLIDAYS ................ 21 APPENDIX CANADIAN SOCIAL APPENDIX I – STATEMENT OF CUSTOMS/CULTURE AND LAWS STUDENT RIGHTS AND ....................................................... 22 RESPONSIBILITY POLICY APPENDIX II – BRANDON UNIVERSITY TIME ........................................................... 22 STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROCESS GREETINGS ............................................... 22 TIPPING/GRATUITIES ............................... 22 APPENDIX III – BRANDON UNIVERSITY THE CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE AND FREEDOMS ....................................... 22 LEGAL SERVICES ..................................... 23 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION................ 23 ALCOHOL/LIQUOR LAWS ......................... 23 TOBACCO LAWS ....................................... 23 LITTERING ................................................. 23 SHOPPING IN BRANDON ............ 24 GROCERIES .............................................. 24 SECOND-HAND STORES ......................... 24 SHOPPING CENTRES ............................... 25 POSTAL SERVICES ..................... 25 SENDING LETTERS AND PARCELS ........ 25 MAILING A LETTER OR PACKAGE .......... 25 TELEPHONES ............................... 26 GETTING YOUR OWN PHONE ................. 26 USING PAY TELEPHONES ....................... 26 TELEPHONE BOOKS ................................ 26 PUBLIC WASHROOMS ................ 27 RESTAURANTS ............................ 27 PUBLIC LIBRARY ......................... 27 BRANDON, MANITOBA, CANADA WELCOME TO BRANDON UNIVERSITY We are happy that you have chosen to study at Brandon University. We hope your stay with us will be pleasant and enriching, with new friends, great faculty, challenging courses, and lifelong memories. The faculty and staff of Brandon University are committed to helping you succeed. We know that you may have many questions and concerns and realize that moving to a new country, a new city, and a new university can make you feel a bit confused and uncomfortable. We hope this booklet will provide you with useful informationand introduce you to Brandon and to the Brandon University community. We are here to help you; please do not hesitate to ask for any assistance youmay require. We want you to succeed, have fun, and graduate with fond memories of life at BU. OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES Lower level, McMaster Hall Brandon University 270 18th Street Brandon, MB R7A 6A9 Tel: 204-727-7479 Fax: 204-727-7471 Email: [email protected] Website:www.brandonu.ca/academic/international/ David Rowland (204) 727-7308 Director, Office of International Activities [email protected] Laurie Shewchuk (204) 727-7390 International Student Advisor, Student Services [email protected] 1 OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES The Office of International Activities is dedicated to serving your needs and making your stay at Brandon University as enjoyable as possible. We are happy to be your first connection to the university and to the community. We encourage you call or visit us if you need help of any kind or if you are having trouble with anything. We know you may have many questions, and encourage you to ask them. It is important to us that you have access to all the services you need to make your stay here a memorable one. Our services ensure that you have an easy and quick integration into the university system and the community in general. Assistance provided at the OIA: - arranging transportation between Brandon and the Winnipeg International Airport - information about how to apply for and renew study permits, temporary resident visas and post- graduate work permits - applying for social insurance numbers - information on exchange programs - information on campus recreation opportunities - study and meeting space, kitchenfacilities - referrals to appropriate resources This office keeps in close contact with student organizations, such as the International Students’ Organization and the Chinese Students’ and Scholars’ Association. Please come to the OIA to discover how you can get involved with these student organizations. Participation allows you to make new friends, improve your English skills, share your own culture, and learn about other cultures. Information about events and trips will be sent to you by email. Please be sure to give us your most current e-mail address. ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES (EAP) Lower level, McMaster Complex Brandon University Head Teacher: Patricia Birch Website: www.brandonu.ca/eap English for Academic Purposes is a program for students interested in improving their English language skills for entry into regular university courses. Successful completion of the highest level of EAP entitles you to regular student status and admission to the bachelor’s degree program of your choice without having to satisfy any further English language entrance requirements (i.e., TOEFL, IELTS, etc.). Four levels are offered; thirteen-week sessions begin in January, April and September each year. Many students attend EAP classes to improve their use of English as a second language for personal or professional purposes. 2 FACULTIES AND SCHOOLS Faculty of Arts Clark Hall, Room 101 School of Music Tel: 204-727-9780 Queen Elizabeth II Music Bldg Fax: 204-726-0473 Room 106 Tel: 204-727-7388 Faculty of Education Fax: 204-728-6839 Education Building, Room 102 Tel: 727-9616 Faculty of Science Fax: 204-728-3326 Brodie Building, Room 1-72 Tel: 204-727-9624 School of Health Studies Fax: 204-728-7346 Health Studies Building, Room 119 F: 204-726-5793 Tel: 204-727-7459 FINANCIAL & REGISTRATION SERVICES Located on the second floor of Clark Hall (Use elevator or centre staircase) 270 18th Street Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9 Tel: (204) 727-9724 or (204) 727-7313 Fax: (204) 726-4573 Email: [email protected] Financial & Registration Services is responsible for: - student registrations and registration revisions - tuition and other fee collection, refunds - transcripts, visa registration letters, letters of permission, registration guide, addendum/limited availability