Coming to Canada!

From University of Regina

The differences between being a backpack-savvy traveler, visiting Canada (probably in the summer) and a luggage-in-tow student, arriving as the fall leaves fall to the ground, aren't that drastic. Here are a few points of interest to remember as well as a few Canadian myths to discuss that will help give you the best possible 'Great White North' experience you're looking for:

• If you can't beat it, join it. Well, trust us; you can't beat our winter, so embrace! It's not going away until March. Afterwards you can tell all your friends about how you used to drink slurpees when it was -20 outside.
• Even if you don't like coffee, you will like Tim Horton's.
• Hockey, we believe, is the beautiful game played by people all over the world.
• Maple syrup is delicious but to us it's not really that big a deal.
• In our opinion, Canadians don't have an accent (unless you're from Newfoundland).
• We chew sunflower seeds one mouthful at a time, not one seed at a time.
• We absolutely love summer and the sun!

Okay, now that you're a seasoned Canadian and know everything there is to know about Canadians, living in the second largest country in the world should be a cake-walk.

So now you arrive at the airport, Tim Horton's coffee in one hand, hockey stick in the other, looking for direction. Well, look no further because there's someone there from the University of Regina to pick you up.

That's right, we do airport pick-ups and we'll even carry your bags to the car, while sewing a Canadian flag on it! We pride ourselves, at the University of Regina, on personal attention and giving you a family-like support system the moment you step onto campus.

It's why we have the International Student Success Office (ISSO) handling everything from immigration and health registration to programs like the Student Success Mentor program, which pairs you up with a faculty or staff member helper.

The ISSO also organizes and hosts numerous cultural and social events to help international students enjoy their free time, make friends and gain new experiences.

Check out their website to see all their services and pictures from the many events of the past year: http://www.uregina.ca/isso.

The last thing to do before classes begin is take part in our Orientation on August 28. More than 700 new students will attend this one-day Orientation to have fun and help alleviate the anxiety that goes along with starting classes.

Orientation will help the you understand what it is like to be a U of R student, allow you to bond with other students and teach you about the U of R's services and programs.

The University of Regina looks forward to not only helping you adjust to life in Canada, but also to learn from you - in one of the most diverse, naturally beautiful countries in the world. See you soon!