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Welcometo Georgian
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Congratulations and welcome to Georgian College!You are about to
take an exciting journey to earn your certificate, diploma or
degree. This international student guidebook will help you feel
like part of the Georgian community.
If you have any questions after reading this guidebook, the
international team is ready to listen, answer your questions, help
you find services, and refer you to useful resources.
The International Centre offers a wide range of services and
programs that cover: • health insurance • study permits and VISA •
Canadian culture • improving your English • Georgian services and
resources to help you succeed • information about the city and
surrounding communities • how to meet other international
students
Adjusting to Canadian culture can take time – we are here to
help you adjust, learn, grow, and get the most out of your time
here at Georgian.
Your Canadian education is based on experiences both inside and
outside the classroom. We encourage you to volunteer in the
community or on campus, and to share the knowledge of your home
country with Canadian students.
Have a safe trip, and we will see you soon!
The Georgian College International Centre Team
You’ve been accepted intoGEORGIAN COLLEGE
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Confirm your study permit
Register for your courses
page 5
page 5
page 5
page 10 page 12
page 14
page 16
Begin youradventure
Decide where you want to live and start applying
Register fororientation
Book yourflight, then
reserve your airport pickup
Connect with other students
Time to get ready!
Startpacking!
YourNEXT STEPS
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Confirm your study permit
...............................................................................................page
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Register for courses
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Your new home
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Homestay
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On-campus residence
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8
Off-campus residence
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8
Find your own place
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How do I pay for living expenses?
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9
Register for orientation
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Important dates
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Book your flight to Canada
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How do I get from the airport to Georgian College?
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Book airport pickup
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What if I don’t book an airport pick up ahead of time?
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Get ready for your adventure
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Bring proof of immunization records
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Time to start packing
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Documents to bring
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What kind of clothes should I bring?
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What should I wear in the winter?
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Can I buy everything when I get there?
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Campus addresses
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Stay connected online
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TableOF CONTENTS
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Confirm your study permitTo register for courses, you must let
us know as soon as you have an approved study permit.
Email [email protected] as soon as you receive
it.
Remember to include your name, program, student number, and a
copy of your study permit approval in your email. If you are
experiencing delays with your study permit, it is very important to
email us and let us know.
Register for your courses Once you have confirmed you have an
approved study permit, you will be able to pick your courses.
Students must register before Aug. 21, 2018 to ensure a complete
timetable.
GeorgianCollege.ca/admissions/banner-login-information
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Live in your own room in a home with a family. Homestay provides
a safe, caring and interactive family environment for international
students to improve language skills and cultural awareness.
Homestay families provide necessary household items such as linens
and towels. Your bedroom is furnished with a bed/bedding, desk or
table, lamp, dresser and closet. Meals may also be included
depending on the package your select.
Georgian Green Student Residence is located across the street
from the Barrie Campus. The apartment style building features
private rooms with shared common spaces such as kitchen, living
room and bathroom, with one to three other students.
studentrez.com/georgian-green Students will be required to sign an
8 to 12-month lease and provide their own linen, food, cutlery and
dishes for any off-campus or residence accommodations. Approximate
rental cost is $7,000 for eight months.
Available housing fills up extremely fast, so we recommend you
start looking for a place to live and apply right
away.GeorgianCollege.ca/international/housing
You have four different options:
On-campus residences are offered at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen
Sound campuses. Enjoy the convenience of being steps away from
campus and the opportunity to fully intergrate into Canadian
student culture, take part in residence life programs, and make
lifelong friendships with fellow residents.
GeorgianCollege.ca/residence
If you prefer to find your own accommodations, visit our
off-campus housing resources page at
GeorgianCollege.ca/international/student-services/housing-tab. Be
prepared to share a house/room with other students, purchase and
prepare your own meals, pay your own bills, and live with other
college students.
**Please note that Georgian College has not verified and is not
responsible for the accuracy of the information listed, or for any
liability of any kind relating to or arising out of the information
or any use of the information.**
Your
New Home
Homestay1 On-campus residence2
Off-campus residences3Find your own place4
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Homestay provides a safe, caring and interactive family
environment for international students to improve language skills
and cultural awareness. Homestay families provide necessary
household items such as linens and towels. Bedrooms are furnished
with a bed/bedding, desk or table, lamp, dresser and closet.
To participate in the Homestay program, students are expected to
stay for two months or more in their Homestay. Students must pay
first and last month’s rent to the host family on the day of their
arrival (see the Homestay application form for details). You must
submit your Homestay application at least two weeks before you plan
on arriving.
To apply for the homestay program contact Canada Homestay
Network
canadahomestaynetwork.ca/georgian-college
[email protected]
With MealsThe family is responsible for providing a variety of
nutritional, well-balanced meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
every day – including weekends. Students are responsible for snacks
or specialty items. – $650 to $750/month (2 meals/day)– $750 to
$850/month (3 meals/day)
Without MealsStudent share the kitchen with the Homestay family,
but students buy, prepare, and clean up after themselves. The
Homestay family helps students become familiar with the kitchen,
explaining use of equipment and where to store food supplies. –
$450 to $550/month
Homestay1
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On-campus residences are offered at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen
Sound campuses. Enjoy the convenience of being steps away from
campus and the opportunity to fully integrate into Canadian student
culture, take part in residence life programs, and make lifelong
friendships with fellow residents. GeorgianCollege.ca/residence
Georgian Green Student Residence apartments are located across
the street from the Barrie Campus. These four-storey residential
buildings house 257 students and have been specifically designed to
meet the needs of students attending Georgian College. For more
information, please visit studentrez.com/georgian-green Students
will be required to sign an eight to 12-month lease and provide
their own linen, food, cutlery and dishes. Approximate rental cost
is $7,000 for eight months.
Barrie – dorm layout Orillia – apartment layoutOwen Sound –
townhouse layout
On-campus residence2
Off-campus residences3
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If you prefer to find your own accommodations, visit our
off-campus housing resources page at
GeorgianCollege.ca/international/housing/tab/off-campus-housing. Be
prepared to share a house/room with other students, purchase and
prepare your own meals, pay your own bills, and live with other
college students.
Please note that Georgian College has not verified and is not
responsible for the accuracy of the information listed, or for any
liability of any kind relating to or arising out of the information
or any use of the information.
For housing assistance please contact our International Housing
Coordinator, who will provide information about housing and how to
find a [email protected] ext.
1392
How do I pay for housing and living expenses? You DO NOT pay for
tuition and housing together.Tuition is paid to Georgian
College.Housing is paid directly to the Homestay company, the
residence, or your landlord.
It is important that you bring money with you when you arrive to
pay for housing and immediate living expenses such as a phone,
books and food. We suggest you bring traveler’s cheques, since bank
drafts can have holds placed on them for one month and you
cannot access the money until the hold is removed.
Find your own place4
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Orientation is mandatory for all new international students, so
book flights accordingly.
Students will be asked to show their passport, study permit, and
acceptance letter. A free activity will be provided to students who
attend orientation.
Email [email protected] to register for
orientation.
The college is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are
attending the Barrie Campus, we recommend you come to the
International Centre as soon as you can – it’s located on the
second floor of C building.
In the days leading up to orientation, student ambassadors will
be available in the International Centre to answer a variety of
questions about Canada, including banking, cell
phones, public transit, and important places in Barrie.
Register
FOR ORIENTATION
Orientation topics include: Barrie and communityAcademic
planningCampus toursRegistrationTimetables
Student cardsOn-campus servicesCanadian cultureSocial
activitiesImmigration
Working in CanadaCo-op workHealth insuranceCollege policies and
procedures
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Monday,Aug. 27
Monday,Sept. 3
Sunday,Aug. 26
Sunday,Sept. 2
Wednesday,Aug. 29
Wednesday,Sept. 5
Tuesday,Aug. 28
Tuesday,Sept. 4
Thursday,Aug. 30
Thursday,Sept. 6
Friday,Aug. 31
Friday,Sept. 7
Saturday,Sept. 1
Saturday,Sept. 8
Classesbegin
International orientation for postsecondary
and EAP programs
International orientation for EAP program
International orientation for postsecondary
programs
College-wideorientation
for allstudents
Canadian holidayLabour Day
College closed
International orientation for postsecondary programsBarrie Aug.
30 and 31, 2018Orillia and Owen Sound
GeorgianCollege.ca/international/orientation
International orientation for EAP programSeptember start Aug. 29
and 30, 2018 November start Oct. 24 and 25, 2018
Insurance coverage startsEAP program Aug. 29, 2018Postsecondary
programs Sept 1, 2018If you arrive before this date you must
purchase your own health insurance coverage from the date you
arrive to this date. Apply online at guard.me/georgian
Canadian holiday - Labour Day Monday, Sept. 3, 2018 — Georgian
College and many business will be closed
College-wide orientation for all students at all campuses
Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018
Classes beginWednesday, Sept. 5, 2018 Barrie 2018
Important
DATES
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Most international students travel to Canada by air. Here are a
few things to consider when booking your flight:
• most offices on campus are open Monday to Friday from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • the First Monday in September is the Labour Day
holiday – Georgian College, government offices, banks, and most
businesses are closed • if you are moving into on-campus residence,
it will be open on Labour Day for new students to move into •
Lester B. Pearson International Airport (code YYZ), also known as
Toronto Pearson International Airport, is the closest major airport
to Georgian College and is the biggest and busiest airport in
Canada; the airport is about one hour’s drive to the Barrie
Campus
How do I get from the airport to Georgian College?If you have a
confirmed address, and you reserve your pickup in advance, you can
take advantage of Georgian College’s airport pickup service. See
information on the next page on how to reserve your spot today!
Book your
FLIGHT TO CANADA
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Book an airport pickupTo book your airport pickup, you MUST
already have a Homestay confirmation or the address of your
drop-off destination. Complete the Airport Pickup Request Form on
the Georgian College International Centre website:
GeorgianCollege.ca/international/student-services/airport-arrival-tab
The cost for airport pickup is $100 CDN and must be booked at
least 72 hours before you leave.
Once the Airport Arrival Form is completed, print and bring it
with you on your flight to Canada. Simcoe County Airport Service
provides new international students transportation from Toronto
Pearson International Airport to their address in Barrie, Midland,
Orillia or South Georgian Bay. If you are attending the Muskoka or
Orangeville Campus, please
make alternate arrangements by emailing
[email protected].
What if I don’t book an airport pickup ahead of time?If you do
not book your airport pickup using the online form, you will be
treated as a new arrival with no reservation. As a result: • you
will be responsible for paying for your own transportation with
Simcoe County Airport Service from Toronto Pearson International
Airport to Barrie, Midland or South Georgian Bay • you will not be
given priority seating and will have to wait in sequential order
until seats become availability • airport greeters may not be
available to assist you
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Now that you know you are coming to Georgian, it’s time to get
to know your new campus, and country! The college continues to grow
– this keeps our campus at the forefront of the industry with
innovative spaces and services to help you progress through your
postsecondary career.
Virtual tourTake a virtual tour to see what your new home away
from home looks like! GeorgianCollege.ca/virtualtour
Check out these other links for important information you need
to know before arriving in Canada:
Confirm living arrangements See the housing section of this
document for more information
Learn about Canadian money
cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/after-money.asp
Learn how to do a basic budget
GeorgianCollege.ca/finance-and-fees/budgeting-tips-tricks
Apply for bursaries GeorgianCollege.ca/awards
Learn about student insurance
GeorgianCollege.ca/international/current-students/tab/health-insurance
Get ready for your
ADVENTURE
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Bring an UPDATED IMMUNIZATION RECORD signed by a doctor.
Immunization records must mention the following: • generic type of
the vaccine (e.g., Diphtheria); not just a product or a brand name
of the vaccine – if possible, include dosage details and
manufacturing lot number of vaccine • date when the vaccine was
taken, including day, month and year • full name of the doctor who
administered the vaccine – MUST also include any license or
registration number of the doctor • complete address of the
doctor’s clinic and contact details (address of the clinic or
hospital, landline phone number and/or cell phone number)
It is OK if you have separate vaccination records from different
doctors. Bring ALL records of every vaccine you have taken. Records
for vaccines listed below are required. Check with your doctor if
you need to update any vaccine or take a booster:
Bring proof of
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
• Tetanus • Diphtheria • Polio • Hepatitis B • Pertussis
(whooping cough)
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (known by its abbreviation of MMR)
• Varicella (for Chicken Pox) • any other vaccine you may have
(e.g.
BCG, Yellow Fever, Smallpox, etc.)
If you are in a Health, Wellness and Sciences or Community
Services program:
It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit all
records and documents as requested by the program area. The
documents are required by the listed due date on page 3 of your
specific programs document (see link below) to ensure your
placement and to allow participation in clinical and field
placements.
Placements require TB clearance; if you have a positive TB test
(either from the 1 step or the 2 step), then a chest x-ray is also
required.
The college assumes no responsibility on these matters and
students should be aware that we are unable to refund tuition fees
in the event that access to a placement is denied. Please visit the
link below to learn the specific requirements related to your
program.GeorgianCollege.ca/admissions/forms/tab/placement-requirement-forms
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Things to consider before you pack: • verify your luggage
restrictions with your airline • check which items Canadian Border
Services Agency (CBSA) does not permit through Customs, such as
firearms, pets, plants, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and meat
products • do not pack any money or valuable items in your checked
luggage • pack two sets of clothing in your hand luggage in case
your flight is delayed or if your luggage gets lost in transit.
Documents to bringYou do not need the following documents to
enter Canada, but you may find them useful:
• photo identification • official academic transcripts and
degree certificates • English language test scores • international
driver’s license or driver’s license from your home country •
driving history (if you plan to buy a car in Canada) • immunization
records (see page 13 for details)
NOTE: All documents in your native language should be translated
into English.
Time to
START PACKING
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What kind of clothes should I bring?Bring whatever clothing you
like in the style you are used to wearing – there is no dress code
at Georgian College. Students usually dress casually in comfortable
and practical clothes. You may want to bring a formal outfit for
interviews. The weather in Canada varies from season to season.
Although classrooms are heated in the winter and air-conditioned in
the summer, we recommend you bring different types of clothing to
suit the changing climate.
• light-weight clothing is best for spring and summer • sweaters
and light waterproof jackets are useful for cool and rainy days in
the spring and fall • heavy jackets, scarves, gloves, hats and
waterproof boots are essential for winter
What should I wear in the winter?If you are coming to Canada
from a warm climate, especially if you are arriving in the winter
(December to March), be sure to bring warm clothing. You may find
it less expensive to purchase additional winter clothing in Canada.
Most students dress in layers as it may be cold outside, but warmer
inside, including in your home, the college and stores.
Can I buy everything when I get there?Yes! We recommend you buy
bulkier or heavier items once you have arrived, especially if you
have a luggage allowance. Everything you may need is available
locally in each campus
community.
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BarrieOne Georgian Dr., Barrie ON L4M 3X9
[email protected]
South Georgian Bay499 Raglan St., Collingwood ON L9Y 3Z1
[email protected]
Midland649 Prospect Blvd., Midland ON L4R
[email protected]
Muskoka111 Wellington St., Bracebridge ON P1L
[email protected]
Orangeville22 Centennial Rd., Orangeville ON L9W
[email protected]
Orillia825 Memorial Ave., Orillia ON L3V 6S2
[email protected]
Owen Sound1450 8th St. E., Owen Sound ON N4K
[email protected]
Campus
ADDRESSES
SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY
BARRIE
ORILLIA
MIDLAND
BARRIE
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Stay connected onlineThe easiest way to stay updated is through
Facebook. We post regular updateson everything that is happening at
Georgian College that applies to international students.
We also post to Twitter and Instagram.
@ICGeorgian
facebook.com/ICGeorgian
twitter.com/ICGeorgian
Questions or [email protected]
