Learning Modules to Assist your transition to Canada

Preparing for life in Canada as an international student doesn't need to be difficult. Sure, there's lots you need to do, but that's where our office can help! Take a quick 20 minutes to review our International Student pre-arrival learning modules. These modules will ease your transition and make you prepared for your life in Canada! 

All students require a valid NSID and password to review the view the module content.

Module 1: Study Permits and Immigration

• Note: The Study Permits and Immigration module is for information purposes and does not subsitutte for immigration advice. Further, it does not contain information related to COVID-19. All students should refer to the COVID-19 International students page for information on traveling to Canada during COVID-19.

Module 2: Working in Canada

Module 3: Managing Cultural Adaptation

Module 4: Healthcare in Canada - See videos below

All international students are responsible for ensuring they have adequate health care coverage while studying in Saskatchewan. We have prepared the below videos to help you understand the following:  

• Healthcare coverage international students should apply for in Saskatchewan   
  • Saskatchewan Health Card  
  • USSU/GSA Student plans 
• A tutorial on applying for the Saskatchewan Health Card 

Health care coverage needs for study permit holders

Saskatchewan Health Card application tutorial

• Apply for Sask. Health Card
• Undergrad health plan
• Grad health plan

Immigration and travel restrictions

 Please monitor our USask updates page for international students to learn current travel and entry requirements for international students along with any quarantine requirements.

• Immigration and travel restrictions
• Quarantine requirements

Accommodation and housing

All international students starting their studies in Canda should obtain permanent housing before traveling to Canada.  

Please visit the Residence Services office's website for more detailed information about on-campus housing. They have Covid-19 FAQ page about their services during the pandemic. Please contact the Residence Services Office at residence@usask.ca if you have any questions. 

USask has an extensive guide to off-campus housing as well. 

Check out other resources that may help your transition to your studies in Canada. 

• Set up a bank account and transfer money from home
• Learn to budget your finances during student life
• Sign up with Access and Equity Services (AES) if you have a medical or learning-based disability
• Find your community on campus with the USask Faith Leaders
• Find housing and childcare
• Apply for a Saskatchewan Health Card
• Learn about taxes in Canada
• Learn about driving in Saskatchewan
• Connect you with new community
• Connect you with Student Learning Services to receive academic help or tutoring

Our staff members are working remotely to ensure we stay connected during this unfamiliar time – we are here to support you. 

There are many ways for you to get involved and meet new people outside of the virtual classroom — Follow the USask International Facebook page, attend our online immigration workshops and social events, and join a student group. Together apart, let us stay connected. 

Our current online programming offering includes 

• Daily online drop-in advising
  • Degree-seeking students and all immigration inquiries: Monday to Friday,  9:00 to 12:00 noon Central Standard Time (CST)
    
  • Incoming exchange students: Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00 noon and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST)
• Virtual social events
• Virtual immigration workshops 
• Weekly Global Connections Newsletter on Thursdays (sent to your USask email). We try our best to help you stay informed of our operations. 

You can contact our office by phone by phone at +1-306-966-4925 or via email:

• Degree-seeking students and all immigration inquiries: international.students@usask.ca 
• Incoming exchange studenets: study.abroad@usask.ca