Join the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) for an information session before departing to Canada. This pre-arrival session will ensure USask international students have a smooth transition from their home country, during transit to Canada and their initial days in Saskatoon.

Please register online via Eventbrite.

Join the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) for an online orientation session for new international students starting in the Fall 2022. Attendees will learn more about the programs and services available to USask international students. The orientation will provide new international students with the knowledge and skills they need to not only settle, but thrive at USask inside and outside of the classroom. The session will be both informational and interactive. We look forward to meeting you!

Register online here.

Settling to Canada as a new international at USask doesn't need to be hard -- and you certainly don't need to do it alone. Come to Welcome Centre for new international students and our International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) staff and volunteers will provide support anyway we can. We're here to answer any of your questions -- from banking, to health coverage, to making friends in Canada -- you may have in your first days on campus. All international students are encouraged to check-in to Welcome Centre and recieve a QR code from Discover Saskatoon for deals at local restaraunts and tourist sites.

The Welcome Centre opens on August 29 and will run daily Monday to Friday until September 9. Join us in Room 70 Lower Place Riel.

No registration necessary -- just drop in on your own time.

Now that you've settled into classes, come enjoy an evening of fun and socializing at the International Student Welcome. The Welcome will be hosted by ISSAC and other members of the campus community. There will be food, performances and opportunities to make friends and build community at USask.

The Welcome will be hosted on campus at Louis' pub. Event will be alcohol-free and family friendly.

All new USask international students will receive a personal invite to their PAWS email in Spetember. Registration link will be included with that email.

ISSAC Goes to the Firstworks Festival - Saturday, September 3

The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) will be going to River Landing to join the city in watching the annual Nutrien Fireworks Festival! This is the biggest fireworks festival of the year, and will feature performances, musicians, food trucks and much more! We will meet in the ISSAC Global Connections Student Lounge (Room 70, Lower Place Riel) in the evening and then take a beautiful riverside walk down to the event together (30 minute walk).

Register via LibCal.

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ISSAC goes to the Huskies Football Game! - Friday, September 9

The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) will be cheering for the USask Huskies at their Homecoming (Canadian) Football game! The Huskies will be playing against the UBC Thunderbirds for their first home game of the season. The game will take place at Griffiths Stadium across the street from campus. The event is free for all USask students, but please make sure you have your student card ready to present at the box office. We will meet at the ISSAC Global Connections Student Lounge (Room 70, Lower Place Riel) at 6:15p.m., enjoy a brief description of football and its rules, before walking to the stadium together. 

Register via LibCal.

Students eligible to travel to Canada must inform USask via the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) of your exact travel date, your flight details as well as your intended location for quarantine (including the specific address) if required to quarantine. 

Your arrival information is required so that USask can provide necessary support to students upon arrival and during quarantine (if necessary). 

Please provide us with your arrival details and request a taxi ride from the Saskatoon airport (if eligible) through our online form.

• Submit your arrival info and taxi request

Apply for your required immigration documents as early as possible so that you can start your studies here as planned. Please read the immigration section in the International Student Guide as well as the study in Canada section on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for more information about study permits and entry requirements.

If you are experiencing delays and difficulties in obtaining your immigration documents, please contact ISSAC at international.students@usask.ca or speak with us through our online drop-in advising. We are here to support you.

You should find permanent housing before travelling to Canada. 

Visit the USask Residence website for more detailed information about on-campus housing for the upcoming summer, fall and winter terms. Contact the Residence Services Office at residence@usask.ca if you have questions. USask has an extensive guide to off-campus housing as well. 

Coming to a new country for your studies means you may go through a process of adjusting to a new country and culture. This a natural part of international student experience.

Students can begin their mental preparation for the cultural adaption process by learning about the stages of the cultural adaption process.

Saskatchewan's cold winters can be quite intimidating to international students. Winter temperatures are, on average, near -20 degrees celsius with temperatires reaching -40 degrees not uncommon. However, with the right preparation, you will be able to adapt and enjoy the winter season.

Students arriving in September (Term 1) will have time to purchase winter clothing in Canada, as the winter temperatires usually don't start until October at the earliest. Student arriving in January (Term 2) should look to arrive in Canada with thick clothing and several layerss to endure their intitial days in Saskatoon.

USask has an excellent guide on Preparing for the cold winter weather which all students should read.

• Prepare for winter weather

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
• Student health plans

All USask students should obtain a USask student card immediately upon arriving on campus.Your Student ID card is used to

• take out books at the library
• track your meal plan balance
• get into your residence room and building
• access the Physical Activity Complex (PAC)
• get discounts from business' that offer deals to students

Full-time on-campus students should look to obtain their U-Pass bus pass -- now available on your smartphone.

• Apply for a USask Student ID card

Looking after one's finances is an important aspect of your stay in Canada as an international student.

You'll want to set up a bank account in Canada as soon as possible. This will allow you deposit and currency you brought with you on your travels, and for any future employment you obtain in Canada. Learn about how to set up a bank account and the doucments required below.

Financial budgeting is a key skill to develop early during your studies at USask as well.

• Set up a bank account
• Budgeting

Photo identification may be required when visiting certain venues or accessing services outside of the Univrsity of Saskatchewan campus. Many non-Canadian national ID cards are not always permitted within Canada.

Instead of using your passport -- which should be kept secure -- USask international students are encouraged to obtain a Non-driver photo ID (informally known as a Saskatchewan ID Card) from Saskatchewan Government Insurnace (SGI).

• Apply for No-driver photo ID

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a government issued number that is legally required for all work in Canada and is issued for employment purposes only. If you are going to work in Canada, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). If you did not receive a SIN at the port of entry, you must apply at Service Canada.

• Social Insurance Numbers

Building a community of friends is an important part of your time at USask. Make friends and connect with others at USask by:

• Watch for international student events in the Global Connections NewsletterSent to your PAWS email
  • Thursday of every week during the academic year
• Join a international/cultural association in the Global Connections Network
• Connect with Faith Leaders
   

• Get involved