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:
- Non-Immigration Drop-in Advising
- Immigration Drop-in Advising
- Appointments (in-person, online via Zoom and via phone)
- 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. The wait times are determined by the number of students in the queue. Please do not leave the queue and be patient.
- The drop-in queue in the virtual waiting room 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.
Non-Immigration Drop-in Advising via Zoom
Provided by ISSAC's International Education Officers. Topics include:
- On-campus student matters, such as settling and transition at USask, 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.
- Off-campus student matters, such as 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.
Details:
| Every Monday from 1:30 - 3:00 pm |
Every Tuesday from 10:00 - 11:30 am |
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Every Wednesday from 9:30 - 11:00 am |
Every Thursday from 1:30 - 3:00 pm |
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All session times are Central Standard Time with no appointment necessary. All sessions have the same Zoom details. |
Zoom details for all sessons:
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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).
Details:
| Every Monday from 10:00 - 11:30 am, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary |
| Every Wednesday from 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary |
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Additional Immigration Drop-in Advising sessions:
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Wednesday, September 18 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Thursday, September 19 from 10:00 - 11:30 am, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary |
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Zoom details are the same for all additional sessions
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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.
Financial Need Scholarship for USask International Students - 2024 Fall Term
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.
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
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. Regulated International Student Immigration Adviser (RISIA).
Leslie Bowditch
International Education Officer, Study Abroad and Student Mobility
Jordan Hartshorn
Senior International Education Officer, Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) (On leave)
