International Student and Study Abroad Centre

The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) is a central support unit and a campus partner for all students, staff, and faculty. ISSAC is dedicated to fostering a welcoming, globally aware and inclusive campus community.

To speak with someone: Email or join a remote drop-in session.

Address
Room 80, Place Riel, 1 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan
Hours
The ISSAC physical and digital offices are open 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. The Global Connections Student Lounge is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 10:00 p.m.

About

Arrival, Transition and Cultural Support

The International Student and Study Abroad Centre is a place for international students to:

  • receive support with their transition into student life in Canada
  • get involved in transition events and social activities
  • access advising services, including immigration advice
  • make friends from around the world
  • attend workshops on topics such as employment in Canada and immigration
  • get support throughout their studies
  • inquire about supports during unexpected life events

Study Abroad, Awards and Travel Safety

ISSAC supports all USask students who wish to travel abroad with the university. Through ISSAC's various programs and services, the centre is a place where students can:

  • apply to go on exchange for one or two terms
  • take part in summer programs offered by our international partners
  • get travel safety support and complete the University's pre-departure process
  • apply for travel awards and conference funding
  • get support while studying abroad with the university

Intercultural Programming

ISSAC supports the university in its internationationalization efforts also by offering intercultural programs that students can participate in. Through ISSAC, ratified student associations can:

  • Become members in the Global Connections Network
  • Apply for support for student-led events that are open to all students
  • Take part in the planning and delivery of the annual Global Village event

International Students Advising

ISSAC offers:

  1. Non-Immigration Drop-in Advising
  2. International Student Experience Drop-in Advising (*new)
  3. Immigration Drop-in Advising
  • All drop-in advising are one-on-one 15 minute Zoom sessions with ISSAC advisers, on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • When you access the Zoom link, you will be placed in a queue in a virtual waiting room. When it’s your turn, the adviser will let you in the session. Our office and advisers are always busy assisting students and campus community. Please do not leave the queue and be patient.
  • ISSAC advisers are equipped to handle a wide range of general and case-specific questions. However, if your enquiry proves to require more time and attention, the adviser will set up a follow-up meeting with you. 
  • All newly admitted and current USask international students currently located within Canada or abroad can access any drop-in advising option depending on the nature of their enquiry.

Non-Immigration Drop-in Advising via Zoom

Provided by ISSAC's International Education Officers. Topics include: settling and transition at USask, on-campus student supports and services, pre-arrival and arrival supports, newly admitted and returning international student questions, health care, social insurance number, finance and tuition, on/off campus accommodation, general referral to immigration information, and more.

When and how:


International Student Experience Drop-in Advising via Zoom (*new)

Provided by ISSAC's International Education Officers. Topics include: questions about the life beyond USask campus, settling and living in Saskatchewan and Canada, making friends and connections, cultural and social adjustment, City of Saskatoon supports and services, banking and taxes general information, community referrals for international students’ family members - spouses, common-law partners and children (not immigration questions), and more.

When and how:


Immigration Drop-in Advising via Zoom

Provided by ISSAC's Regulated International Student Immigration Adviser (RISIA). Topics include: study permits, initial and extensions, visas, work eligibility, post-graduation work permit, entry to Canada requirements, inviting family and friends to Canada, and more (not permanent residence questions). 

Upcoming Drop-in Sessions:

Wednesday, March 20: 

Thursday, March 21: 

You can also direct any inquiry to international.students@usask.caPlease provide as much detail as possible in your email enquiry so we can assist you the best we can. If a current student, please use your USask email address when contacting us. 

 

Study abroad/outgoing exchange student advising: Inquiries can be directed to study.abroad@usask.ca or visit the study abroad website.

Inbound exchange student advising: Inquiries can directed to study.abroad@usask.ca or visit the incoming exchange student website.

Financial Need Scholarship for USask International Students - Winter 2024

The University of Saskatchewan is excited to announce that the SIOS International Student Scholarship is available for the Winter 2024 semester. This scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to continuing international or refugee students at USask, who are in good academic standing and unable to continue or complete their studies due to unforeseen financial barriers.

The scholarship will be available for the 2023-24 academic year until funds have been exhausted. Students who received the award in Fall 2023 are not eligible to receive the award again until the 2024-25 academic year.

Applications deadline for the Winter 2024 semester is Sunday, March 17, 2024. Successful applicants will be informed via their PAWS email late April 2024. Award may be withheld until proof of future registration is provided. Award will be applied directly to a student’s account.

Learn about eligibility criteria and complete an application by visiting the Scholarships and Bursaries channel on PAWS. Contact awards@usask.ca if you have any questions.

Introduction to Intercultural Communication

This non-credit course is designed for students undertaking an intercultural experience throughout their studies (i.e. studying abroad, COIL coursework, internship abroad, service learning with an intercultural organization). The course outlines foundational concepts in intercultural studies to help them process their intercultural experience and provide them with tools to understand better how to communicate with cultures outside of their own dominant culture. It also seeks to assist students in self-reflecting and improving upon their own intercultural competencies.

Module 1 introduces the concept of culture and how to define it. The iceberg analogy for culture is used to assist students in understanding surface/external and deep/internal cultural elements.

Module 2 discusses the dimensions of culture including: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, long/short term orientation, indulgence/restraint, and low/high context communication.

Module 3 highlights the 5Rs of cultural change: routine, reactions, roles, relationships, and reflections about yourself. This portion of the course is designed for students who are moving to another culture for a period of time and is intended to help them process transition or culture shock and to prepare them in advance for this experience.

Module 4 then introduces Intercultural Communication Competencies (ICCs) and asks the student to reflect on their own ICCs.

Module 5 asks students to reflect on the above modules during their intercultural experience.

Module 6 takes place after the intercultural experience and asks the students to reflect on what they have learned through their intercultural experience.

The modules can be delivered as stand alone modules or through mixing and matching what is relevant to the student’s experience.

Anyone (student, staff or faculty) can self-enroll and take the course by going to the Training and Development section in PAWs. To access the course directly click below.

Building Bridges

  • An opportunity for international, Indigenous and domestic students to learn and build multicultural relationships and understanding through informal and semiformal activities, workshops, sharing circles and events.
  • Help students to learn about one another's identities as well as their own

Global Connections Lounge

A place where you can relax with friends, enjoy your lunch, study or get involved.

Faculty

Assisting faculty with immigration matters

ISSAC is the first point of contact for faculty and staff regarding immigration matters involving international students.

Travel safety

ISSAC assists faculty and staff with risk assessment and emergency planning. The centre oversees the USask pre-departure process.

Staff

Bassey Bassey
International Education Officer


Leslie Bowditch
International Education Officer, Study Abroad and Student Mobility (On leave)


Tara Carmichael
International Education Officer


Lecia Ellis
International Education Officer


Jordan Hartshorn
Senior International Education Officer, Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) (On leave)


Weifan Li
International Education officer (On leave)


Mirjana Mandaric
Immigration and Settlement Coordinator, Regulated International Student Immigration Adviser (RISIA)


Erasmo Mendez
International Education Officer


Christine Ruys
Office Administrator (On leave)


Saalimah Saeed
International Education Officer