International Student and Study Abroad Centre

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

• Incoming exchange student website
• Study abroad website

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 student guide

ISSAC offers:

1. Non-Immigration Drop-in Advising (via Zoom and in-person)
2. Immigration Drop-in Advising (via Zoom and in-person)
3. Appointments (in-person, online via Zoom and via phone)

• All drop-in advising are one-on-one 15 minute virtual Zoom or in-person sessions with ISSAC advisers, on a first-come, first-served basis (no appointment necessary). 
• For virtual drop-in advising: 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. The wait times are determined by the number of students in the queue. Please do not leave the queue and be patient.
• For in-person drop-in advising: Please visit ISSAC office in Room 80, in Lower Place Riel. Our front desk staff will greet you and when it's your turn, the adviser will meet you. The wait times are determined by the number of students waiting. Please do not leave the waiting area and be patient.
• Both virtual and in-person drop-in will be closed once we reach capacity, or 15 minutes prior to the drop-in end time, whichever is earlier. 
• 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.
• Do you know your time zone? Use this online time converter if Zooming from another country or outside of Saskathewan. 
• Please read further below on how to book an appointment (in-person, online via Zoom or via phone) outside of drop-in advising schedule. 

 

Via Zoom:	In-person:
Every Thursday from 1:30 - 3:00 pm,  Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Zoom link: https://usask-ca.zoom.us/j/410289734?pwd=Z2I4TGRFN2ZTWjQzbXVCSTVnS0tMdz09  Meeting ID: 410 289 734 Passcode: 65054808	Every Tuesday from 10:00 - 11:30 am,  Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Visit ISSAC office, in Room 80, Lower Place Riel

---

Immigration Drop-in Advising

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). 

Via Zoom:	In-person:
Every Monday from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Zoom link: https://usask-ca.zoom.us/j/95382696577?pwd=QUpGRW5Bd2FiT1dVV0daWHFwRVpEdz09  Meeting ID: 953 8269 6577 Passcode: 84541099	Every Wednesday from 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Visit ISSAC office, in Room 80, Lower Place Riel

Additional Zoom Session:	Additional In-person Session:
Thursday, October 10 from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Zoom details are the same for all additional sessions Zoom link: https://usask-ca.zoom.us/j/95660468147?pwd=QnRlY2VyUDBOVEpBbTRidFJaU3p4QT09   Meeting ID: 956 6046 8147  Passcode: 95826161	Wednesday, October 9 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Visit ISSAC office, in Room 80, Lower Place Riel

 Appointments (in-person, online via Zoom, or by phone)

If drop-in advising schedule does not work for you or your enquiry will require more time, you can request to book an appointment with one of our advisers. You simply need to send us an email at international.students@usask.ca with the below details and we will get back to you with the earliest appointment date and time available:

• NSID and Student Number 
• First and last name 
• Whether you are in Canada or abroad
• Program/college name 
• Detailed description of your situation 
• Your appointment preference: in-person, via Zoom or by phone

---

You can always direct any inquiry to international.students@usask.ca. Please 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.

---

The University of Saskatchewan is excited to announce that the SIOS International Student Scholarship is available for the 2024 Fall Term. 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 2024-25 academic year until funds have been exhausted.

Award eligibility

• Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.
• First-year students are not eligible for the award. Students in second year or higher are eligible to apply
• Past recipients of the SIOS award are eligible to apply again. However, the committee will prioritize applicants who have never received the award prior.

Applications deadline for the 2024 Fall semester is Friday, September 20 (11:59 pm). Successful applicants will be informed via their PAWS email early November. 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.

• 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

• Building Bridges

Assisting faculty with immigration matters

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

• Faculty info

Travel safety

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

• Faculty travel safety