SFU International Services for Students

Participating students with an Off-Campus Work Permit who have transferred to SFU for the Fall 2011 term from another institution must request a “transfer of eligibility verification” through Citizenship & Immigration Canada’s “MyCIC” web portal.

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

Being in a new academic environment or in a new country can be both exciting and challenging.  To help you make the most out of your SFU experience, health professionals at SFU will be offering three group sessions just for you.  Each of the sessions will be co-facilitated by an international student who has already experienced what it is like to study abroad.  You can sign up for one, two or all three sessions. Drop ins are also welcome.

Building Your Social Network: Communicating Across Cultures

Learn effective ways to establish a strong social network, including ways of connecting with others that are culturally sensitive.  Learn communication skills that will be useful whether living with a new room-mate, working on a group project with others, or becoming successful in your career.

Date: Monday, October 3rd
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am 

or

Date: Thursday, October 13th
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm 

Managing Your Student Life: Tools for Dealing with Stress

Students often report feeling stressed during the term in getting assignments done and studying for exams.  Stress can contribute to making you physically sick or worn down.  Be proactive and invest your time in this session to learn tools and strategies to tackle stress.  Learn ways to maintain physical, mental, and emotional balance.

Date: Thursday, October 6th
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm

For more details and to sign up for the sessions, visit http://students.sfu.ca/health/counselling/enhancingsuccess.html

Mitacs Step trains graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in essential interpersonal, project management and entrepreneurial skills required for you to succeed in your future career. The workshops are free and open to all SFU graduate students. Pre-registration with a Visa or Mastercard is required.

Please note: your credit card will not be charged if you attend the workshop, or if you cancel your registration more than 5 prior to the date of the workshop. However, your credit card will be charged a $50.00 fee if you do not cancel within the designated cancellation period, or if you register but not attend the workshop.

October workshops being held in Vancouver are:

• Managing Projects Oct. 17
• Basics of Intellectual Property: Oct. 18
• Discovering the Entreprenuer Within Oct. 19
• Foundations of Project Management II: Oct. 24 – 25
• Practice Your Presentation Skills: Oct. 26
• Build Your Scientific & Technical Writing Skills Oct. 27 & 28

For more information and to register, please see http://www.mitacs.ca/seminars-and-workshops/6

Connect with other grad students, get your questions answered, offer advice, promote your events….be part of the international academic community at SFU. Login to webct.sfu.ca and click on the “International Grad Community Forum”. If you can’t find it, see http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/international_students/webforum.html for instructions on how to join. (Open to all SFU graduate students)

Please join the SFU Intercultural Community Program (ICP) on October 13th at our Thanksgiving Potluck Event. All students are welcome to attend this event!

To Register: please fill out the websurvey HERE

Being in a new academic environment or in a new country can be both exciting and challenging.  To help you make the most out of your SFU experience, health professionals at SFU will be offering three group sessions just for you.  Each of the sessions will be co-facilitated by an international student who has already experienced what it is like to study abroad.  You can sign up for one, two or all three sessions. Drop ins are also welcome.

Managing Your Student Life: Tools for Dealing with Stress 

Students often report feeling stressed during the term in getting assignments done and studying for exams.  Stress can contribute to making you physically sick or worn down.  Be proactive and invest your time in this session to learn tools and strategies to tackle stress.  Learn ways to maintain physical, mental, and emotional balance.

Date: Monday, September 26th
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am

OR

Date: Thursday, October 6th
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30am

Being Successful at SFU: Boosting Your Mental Fitness and Resilience 

Any big change or transition can wear down your natural resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from every day problems and challenges.  Learn ways to achieve success and to thrive as a student.  Learn six ways that you can boost resilience.

Date: Thursday, September 29th
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30am 

For more details and to sign up for the sessions, visit http://students.sfu.ca/health/counselling/enhancingsuccess.html

If you plan on travelling during the December holidays, make sure that your study permit is valid; in addition if you also require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada, please check that your TRV will be valid for your anticipated re-entry date.

If you need a new TRV, you may apply for one in-person or by mail to a Canadian Consulate in the US; alternatively you may consider applying at the Canadian Consulate or embassy where you are travelling (subject to processing times).

Attend our upcoming workshop for information on the TRV application process to avoid delays or disappointments or review our handout for more details.

Date: Thursday, October 6th
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Location: AQ 2013 (Next to Simon C Convenience Store)

Do you have a spouse, common-law partner or family member with you in Canada, who would like to work? Finding employment in an unfamiliar country can be a challenge for international spouses, partners and families; SFU International would like to connect you to the resources and services that are available to you while you are in Canada.

•    Date: Wednesday, October 12th
•    Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM
•    Location: AQ 2013 (Next to Simon C’s and the James Douglas Safe Study Area)

How to register for this workshop:

STEP 1:  Apply online

STEP 2:  Pay your $5.00 registration fee in exact cash to the SFU International Services for Students front desk (MBC 1200) by Tuesday, October 11th. Please note that if you do not pay your registration fee, you will not receive a workshop ticket and will not be able to participate.

Topics that may be covered include:
- How do international spouses and students find jobs they are qualified for?
- How do I search for jobs in the Canadian job market? How do I access the “hidden job market”?
- What employment services are available to international spouses and students while they are in Canada?
- What to expect from the Canadian job market; what are the expectations while working in Canada?

For more information, contact intl_programs@sfu.ca

Please join the SFU Graduate International Community Program (Grad ICP) for an opportunity to make new friends, while enjoying one of Vancouver’s best known attractions. This event is open to all SFU graduate students, families (including children) and friends.

Date: Saturday, October 15th, 2011

Time: 2:00PM – 5:00PM

Location: Meet at 2:00 pm in front of Science World (1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver, BC; accessible by transit)

Cost: Admission rates are $23.50 (adults), $19.75 (students with ID, youths aged 13-18 and seniors aged 65+), and $16.75 (children aged 3-12). Please visit the Science World website for details.

To register, please complete the registration form by Tuesday, October 11th, 2011. Please feel free to email intl_community@sfu.ca if you have any questions.

The SFU Graduate International Community Program (Grad ICP) offers various social events throughout the year, with the intent to build community among graduate students and families across cultural differences. Please visit our program website for more upcoming events!