SFU International Services for Students

U-Passes for January 2012 will be available for pick-up from the machines on campus starting Saturday, December 17, to allow students extra time to obtain them before the university closes for the winter break.  

If you do not obtain your U-Pass before the break, you will need to pay regular transit fares as of January 1 until you are able to pick up your new U-Pass (January 3 at the earliest - click HERE for information regarding hours). Please visit HERE for fare information. 

In addition, if you will be travelling home for the holidays, please note that there is a $5.00 surcharge for anyone taking the Canada Line from YVR airport without a U-Pass.

Overview:

The ELC Student Volunteer will assist ELC staff with engaging students in activities and encouraging an English Only environment.

Tasks:

• • Accompany ELC students on selected activities. Activities may be either on site or off site;
• • Speak English with ELC students and promote an English Only environment;
• • Assist with other activity-related tasks such as gathering waivers.

Other Expectations:

• • Communicate clearly with ELC staff as to availability;
• • Demonstrate reliability – show up for activities committed to;
• • Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early for activities;
• • Give at least 24 hours notice of cancellation.

Hours:

Activities take place 5 to 6 times in an 8-week period. It is not necessary for volunteers to commit to all activities. Activities can take place any weekday afternoon, but most fall on:

• • Wednesday afternoons after 3:30
• • Friday afternoons after 12:30

Commitment:

• • A minimum of one activity during the January 3 to February 27, 2012 term.
• • A calendar of activities will be made available closer to the end of December.

To Apply:

Please contact Cathy Mutis, the Program Coordinator at ELC, at cmutis@sfu.ca.

The International Teaching Assistants Program will offer free seminar courses for international TAs and graduate students in the Spring 2012 Semester.

You will have the opportunity to take full advantage of the integrated academic communication and teaching skills training in a supportive environment that will help not only improve your abilities but give you confidence in being a better functioning member of the SFU academic community.

For more information about this program, please visit the ITA website.

For students from developing countries who are currently studying in the United States or Canada, the MMMF awards grants of approximately $12,000 each; grants are not renewable. The MMMF also typically invites the recipients to Washington DC to participate in a three day Awards Program organized in their honor.

The application process for students from any eligible country studying at accredited Universities in the US or Canada is now open until January 17, 2012. Interested female students, please click here for more information.

TED is now accepting applications to its TED Fellows program.

- We are looking for an eclectic, heterogeneous group of young thinkers and doers from the fields of technology, entertainment, design, the sciences, engineering, humanities, the arts, economics, business, journalism, entrepreneurship and NGOs. …

- We are targeting applicants of ages 21-40 from five target regions: Africa, Asia/Pacific, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East. However, anyone over the age 18 from around the world is welcome to apply.

Fellowships include travel to a TED conference, coaching and networking with global leaders.

Applications are due by December 13, 2011.

• • Tips for applying
• • TED Fellows Application Form

A research team comprised of faculty members and graduate students in the Department of Education is recruiting student participants—both domestic and international—for an online questionnaire and/or interviews related to the internationalization of education at Simon Fraser University. It’s very important for us to get student input on what is working and what is not, as well as a sense of how you feel about international education.

About this study: Simon Fraser University has a strong commitment to creating an international context for and edge to education in all faculties and departments. We are curious to get a sense of the on-the-ground experiences of students with regard to the internationalization of education in all faculties. It’s our hope that this research will help us to understand more about international education to support good practice at SFU and other universities in Canada and abroad. Your participation in this research is invaluable!!

Who are we looking for?: We are looking for participation from domestic and international students in all faculties at SFU. 
 
How to participate?: There are two possible avenues for participation in the study: 

1. Participation in an online survey (approx. 30-minute time commitment), accessible by clicking on this link. This link will bring you to the consent form first and if you agree to participate, then it will lead you to the questionnaire itself. The survey is completely anonymous—your name will not be linked to the answers in any form. 
2. Participation in an interview with one of the research team members in the Department of Education. Interviews will run throughout 2012, and so we can set up appointments anytime. Anybody who is interested can send an email to Saskia (stait@sfu.ca) to set up an appointment. One does not need to complete the online survey in order to participate in an interview.

Prizes: To show our appreciation for the time and support of students who opt to participate in the online survey and/or interviews, names will be entered into a draw for several $50 cash prizes.  It’s a small token of appreciation. The greatest good will be the information we gather and its potential impact on international education at SFU and other universities. 
 
If you are interested and have further questions on this project, please feel free to contact Saskia (stait@sfu.ca) or Olivia (zza28@sfu.ca).

Thank you very much for your time. Enjoy the questionnaire and good luck with the draw!

If you plan on travelling during the December holidays, below are a few tips:

- Make sure that your study permit and temporary resident visa (if applicable) is valid for your anticipated re-entry date.

- Carry a current SFU confirmation of enrolment letter that proves your registration status for when you return.

- If your visit is solely to the United States; an agreement between Canada and the United States allows you to re-enter Canada without a temporary resident visa after a visit solely to the US. You will need a valid passport and a valid study permit to re-enter Canada. Print out the section of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that mentions this temporary resident visa exemption policy and take it with you. Scroll down to Division 5-190 (3) (f) of http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/section-190-20110616.html   

Have a wonderful and well-deserved break!