We are currently accepting applications for the SFU International Mentorship Program Student Coordinator position. Please review the position description for more details.

Application Deadline: Friday, June 14th, 2013, 4:00pm

Thank you for your interest in the SFU International Mentorship Program!

All new international students enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or exchange program at SFU are automatically enrolled in a mandatory 4 month primary medical insurance plan starting in their first term at SFU, through guard.me@sfu.ca. This plan provides interim coverage during the waiting period for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). New students staying in Canada for 6 months or longer must apply for BC MSP.

As soon as you receive your BC CareCard/Services Card, you must provide proof of MSP enrollment to guard.me. Opt out online at https://www.guard.me/sfu. Failure to do so will result in your continued enrollment in the guard.me@SFU plan for your second term, and related fees assessed on your student account.

For more information on your plan and medical insurance, visit http://www.sfu.ca/medical-insurance.html

When do I need to opt out? The deadline to opt out for your second term is the 30^th day of the first month of the term (January 30, May 30, September 30).

Have more questions? View the Frequently Asked Questions page or meet with an International Student Advisor.

Highlights:

- Cross a 230 foot high, 450 foot long suspension bridge

- Enjoy the Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, and walking tours through coastal rainforest

- Experience First Nations culture in the Totem Park and Kia’palano Village

Cost: $20/person (includes transportation from SFU Burnaby)

Tickets can be purchased at the ISS office (MBC 1200) starting on Monday, May 13. Space is limited – buy your ticket early to avoid disappointment!  All students are welcome to join this trip.

For more information visit:  http://students.sfu.ca/isap/current/events.html

If you started an online application before May 4, 2013, you will need to download and complete the new application form as old forms will not upload.

Still having difficulty? Connect with an International Student Advisor via email (intl_advising@sfu.ca), phone (778-782-4232) or during drop-in advising (Burnaby: Monday - Friday, 1-4 p.m.).

Some of the questions in the wizard can cause some confusion; below are a few tips:

What would you like to do in Canada? Indicate “Study”
How long are you planning to stay in Canada? For most degree/diploma students, the answer would be “Temporarily – more than 6 months”
What is your current country of residence? Your current country of residence is Canada
What is your current immigration status in Canada? Select “Student”
Which of the following best describes your situation? Select “I have a study permit”

After generating your personal checklist code, you will be provided with a checklist of documents and application forms that you must submit. Ensure than the documents and forms match with what is outlined on our instructional handout.

TIP #1: When in doubt, click on the “?” next to the question for help.

TIP #2: An electronic signature is required at the end of the online application process in order to create a secure internet environment. If you are submitting your application online, your personal details (i.e. Name, Date of birth, Country of birth) must be the same on your MyCIC account, your Come to Canada Wizard answers and your IMM application form.

Some of the questions in the wizard can cause some confusion; below are a few tips:

What would you like to do in Canada? Indicate “Study”
How long are you planning to stay in Canada? For most degree/diploma students, the answer would be “Temporarily – more than 6 months”
What is your current country of residence? Your current country of residence is Canada
What is your current immigration status in Canada? Select “Student”

After generating your personal checklist code, you will be provided with a checklist of documents and application forms that you must submit. Ensure than the documents and forms match with what is outlined on our instructional handout.

TIP #1: When in doubt, click on the “?” next to the question for help.

TIP #2: An electronic signature is required at the end of the online application process in order to create a secure internet environment. If you are submitting your application online, your personal details (i.e. Name, Date of birth, Country of birth) must be the same on your MyCIC account, your Come to Canada Wizard answers and your IMM application form.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced that the following online services will be unavailable from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Eastern standard time (EST) on Saturday, May 4, 2013:

• • MyCIC
• • Apply online
• • Authorized Paid Representatives Portal
• • Partner Portal
• • Come to Canada Wizard

In addition, application forms for study permits, work permits and temporary resident visas are being updated on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

If you are submitting your application online after May 4, 2013, please go back into your application to download and complete the new application form. Forms downloaded before May 4th but submitted after this date, will not upload to MyCIC.

For more information: CIC’s announcement

Please view our step-by-step application instructional handout.

Welcome to SFU! We hope the start of the term is going well; below are a few details to help you settle into life at SFU.

Medical Insurance

PRIMARY MEDICAL INSURANCE

All new international students enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or exchange program at SFU are automatically enrolled in a mandatory 4 month primary medical insurance plan starting in their first term at SFU, through guard.me@SFU. This plan provides interim coverage during the waiting period for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). New students staying in Canada for 6 months or longer MUST APPLY for BC MSP.

SECONDARY MEDICAL INSURANCE

New students beginning their studies in the Summer Term are not automatically enrolled in a secondary medical insurance plan (SFSS Health and Dental for undergraduates or GSS Benefit plan for graduates).

You may enroll yourselves during the Summer Change-of-Coverage Period for coverage from May 1 – Aug. 31, 2013 by completing an Enrolment Form and paying the applicable fee. Together, these plans work to help you avoid unexpected health costs.

Please note automatic enrollment occurs during the Fall and Spring terms.

Click here for more information on your plan and medical insurance.

• Have BC MSP or an acceptable plan? You may be eligible to opt out, visit the above website for more details.
• Need assistance with applying for BC MSP? Bring your completed BC MSP application with a photocopy of your study permit to SFU International Services for Students (MBC 1200) before May 24th, 2013, and we will mail it for you!
Note: TAs and eligible RAs need to submit their completed forms to Human Resources. Visit this website and select the “graduate students” tab for more info.
• Can you enroll your family members into both your plans? Yes, there are different procedures and dates you will need to follow. For your guard.me@SFU plan, click here. For your SFSS Health and Dental or GSS Benefit plans, click here.
• Have more questions? View the Frequently Asked Questions page or meet with an International Student Advisor.

Have an Off-Campus Work Permit?

Did/do you hold an off-campus work permit or received verification from your previous institution for an off-campus work permit? If yes, you MUST request a “transfer of eligibility verification” through MyCIC account.

Failure to complete the online transfer will result in you being reported ineligible by your former institution as you are no longer registered there.

The contest runs in the first week of classes, from Monday May 6th to Friday, May 10th. Each day, a trivia question will be posted at SFU International Services for Students on Facebook, giving all SFU students the chance to win!

THE CONTEST

Questions will be posted on each page at 9:00am. Participants will have until 4:00pm on the day the question is posted, to post an answer to the trivia question. At the end of the day, ALL correct answers will be entered in a draw; each day, one winner per page will be picked, announced and brings home a prize!

RULES

• When posting an answer on Facebook, your answer must be posted in response to the question. Answers posted in a new thread will not be considered.
• Winners will need to bring their SFU student ID with them to claim their prize.
• Only SFU students are eligible to win. You may only win once.

Good luck, and stay tuned for further contest announcements!