Frequently Asked Questions
Topics:
For links to a wide variety of information on Canada (i.e., currency exchange rates, culture and entertainment, news and information services, travel & tourism, government services links, etc.) click here.
Tuition & Registration:
How Do I find out about Tuition Fees and Course Registration?
Tuition Fees
For information on your tuition fees and arranging payment out of country, click here. When you arrive on campus you can pay your fees in Student Central, Room 1120 in the Western Student Services Building.
Course selection
To look up course descriptions, click here.
To enroll in your courses online through Student Center, click here.
Graduate Students:
Visit the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' FAQ (click on "Prospective Students", then on "Information for International Students > Frequently Asked Questions")
For information on Resources for Graduate Students
Visit: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/int/documents/prearrival/9_Academic_Information.pdf
(Scroll down to 3.2 Graduate Students - Resources for Graduate Students
)
The Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) is another useful source of information. SOGS is a Western graduate student organization whose goal is to help other graduate students. To find out more about SOGS, go to www.uwo.ca/sogs. You will find information specifically for International Students on their web page.
Immigration:
What do I need to obtain a Study Permit? A Work Permit? How do I get application forms?
- For information on how to apply for your Initial Study Permit click here.
- For information on how to Extend or Change the Conditions of your current Study Permit click here.
- For information on Working in Canada click here.
When You Arrive in Canada:
When would be a good time for me to arrive?
A good time to arrive depends on what you have to do before school starts. If you still have to find accommodation for the year, for example, you may want to come before classes start..
If you have further questions about important dates, you can look in the front section of Western's Academic Calendar, or you can check Western's web page at http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca
When You Arrive On Campus:
I know that I'll have a lot of questions when I arrive and a lot to do before school starts; where's a good place to get help and information?
Come find International and Exchange Student Centre! Visit our International and Exchange Student Centre located in WSS 2120. We are available to help and answer any questions you may have. We will also give you an ORIENTATION INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. This package includes information on London, the university, the programs and services offered by International and Exchange Student Centre, and the International Student Handbook.
Transportation:
How can I get from the Toronto airport to London?
There are a variety of options for getting to London from the Toronto airport. One option would be to catch a connecting flight from Toronto to London's airport. A less expensive alternative would be to take the airport bus service from Toronto to London. This service is provided by two companies: Robert Q Airbus and Aboutown Airbus Express.
If you are INSIDE the city of Toronto and want to get to London (NOT recommended for people at Toronto's airport), you can take a bus or a train. For more information see:
Bus: http://www.greyhound.ca/
Train: http://www.viarail.ca/
Fore more information, please view our International Student Pre-Arrival Guide online .
Accommodation:
TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION
When I arrive in London I'll need to find a place to stay while I search for a place to live. Where are some inexpensive places I could stay?
For an updated list of temporary accommodation, please view our International Student Pre-Arrival Guide - Chapter 7; Housing. Here you will find information on on-campus temporary accommodation for the summer as well as information about Bed & Breakfast locations located close to the University.
PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION
Information on on-campus (residences) and off-campus (including apartment, room, and house listings) housing can be found at http://www.residenceatwestern.ca/
For further information on finding permanent accommodation, please visit the Off-Campus Housing Service. Additinal information and tips can be found on our International Student Pre-Arrival Guide online.
Apartments, Rooms, & Houses:
I need to find a place to live in London. Is there a way I could start searching before I come?
Before you leave or when you arrive, you can go to the Off-Campus Housing web site for listings. The local newspaper, London Free Press, as well as the campus newspapers, Gazette and Western News, also have listings of available accommodations (rental listings are in the newspaper’s “Classifieds” section). You can also find rental listings in the London Penny Saver Web Page or the Renter’s News Web Page.
TIP - The City of London Web Page has an interactive map called "CityMap" that allows you to input an address and a map showing its location appears with the option of viewing the surrounding bus routes as well. This is a great resource when researching housing.
Financial Assistance:
Is there any kind of financial assistance available to International Students at UWO?
The University of Western Ontario, through International and Exchange Student Centre (IESC), offers emergency financial assistance to "in-course" international students. This assistance is tightly constrained by funds available, and the criteria for distribution is uniformly applied. For more information, contact International and Exchange Student Centre.
International and Exchange Student Centre
WSS 4100
Phone: (519) 661-3031
E-Mail: iesc@uwo.ca
For further information on financial assistance available to international students, click here.
Canadian Weather:
One thing that really worries me about coming to Canada is the cold weather. I've never experienced snow before and I don't know what to expect.
If you have never experienced winter before, you may have some concerns about winter in London. The winter season officially begins in December but snowfall could start in October or November and last until April. January and February are the coldest months where the temperature can range between -2°C and -10°C with an average temperature of -6°C. Blowing winds can lower the temperatures considerably. In the weather forecast, pay attention to the wind-chill factor, a number which refers to the combination of wind and temperature.
Survival tips for winter:
- WEATHER CHANNEL: Listen to the weather forecast daily and dress accordingly. Weather reports can be obtained from the radio, newspaper, on television, or online at http://www.theweathernetwork.com. Channel 23 (cable) in London is a 24 hour weather station.
- EAT a sufficient breakfast in order to generate enough energy to warm the body.
- DRESS WARMLY! Some winter clothing essentials include: water resistant winter boots/footwear with good sole grips, coat, ski jacket or parka, earmuffs or wool hat, gloves or mittens, and a scarf. THE SECRET TO DRESSING WARMLY is to layer your clothing (i.e., a sweater over a t-shirt for example). Thermal underwear (pants & shirts) can be purchased in underwear departments in local stores, and are good to wear under one's clothes to keep warm. Also, a large percentage of body heat is given off by your head. You will be amazed at how much warmer you feel when wearing a hat.
- Skin that is exposed to air may chap and dry easily. Apply lotion or moisturizing cream to your hands, face and lips. Also, drink water regularly to prevent dehydration.
NOTE: If you have winter clothing, bring it with you. If you do not, you may wish to purchase it in Canada with the aid of your Peer Guide; this can be helpful in determining what you will really need and what to look for in the wide variety of winter clothing outerwear.
FALL (AUTUMN)
The weather for this season can be best described as cool and rainy. In both Fall and Spring you will need a sweater, light coat or lined jacket. A raincoat would also be a good investment.
SPRING
This season usually begins in March and is an unpredictable season of fluctuating temperatures and a mixture of rain and sunshine.
SUMMER
This season begins in June and is a warm and sunny season with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C. These temperatures tend to continue into the first few weeks of September.
Miscellaneous:
What is the normal voltage of Canada electrical equipments? And are the feet of plugs usually rectangle or round in shape?
The normal voltage for Canada is 110/120V 60Hz and the plugs are rectangular.
Do I have to pay duty on my electrical equipment like CD player or camera when I enter Canada?
No. The Canadian Customs office says that when you arrive in Canada and go through customs (at the airport) you can fill out a 'temporary import' card and list the items (and their serial numbers) so that when you leave Canada, you won't have to pay duty on them.
Are there any supermarkets or stores on campus?
There is currently a small supermarket on campus called Grocery Checkout, which is located in the basement of the University Community Centre (UCC). There is also a pharmact which sells a a few basic food items, a photo development shop, a hair dresser, a travel agency, a computer store, a post office, a bookstore, as well as restaurants and places to buy snack food.
There are some supermarkets and shops near campus such as those located in Masonville Mall (on Richmond Street). When you arrive on campus, come and find International and Exchange Student Centre (IESC) (we're in Western Student Services Building 2120). We will give you an Orientation Package for International Students which contains helpful information including where the nearest grocery stores are. We are also available to answer any questions you may have.
How do I get an e-mail account at Western?
If you are registered as a student at Western, an account has already been set up for you. You must, however, activate the account by either going to the Information Technology Services (ITS) office in the Natural Sciences Centre building. You may activate your account at http://www.uwo.ca/its/accounting/StudentForm_new.html. You will need your login name and password in order to activate your e-mail account online. If you don't know (or have forgotten) your login name and password you will need to see ITS Operations/Accounting and show your Western ID card (go to the Front Counter, 2nd floor, Natural Sciences Centre). Or you can generate a new password online here.
How do I meet other International Students?
A great way to meet other international students and gain some insight into Canadian culture is through the ISPC Program. The ISPC (International Peer Connection Program) is designed to help international students during their transition to Canada and university life. It will provide you with meaningful contact with Canadian and International Students and will assist you in feeling comfortable in your new environment and in making the most out of your experience at Western.
For more information visit here.
Another great way to meet people and get involved at Western is by joining one (or more!) of the many clubs on-campus. For more information on Western's clubs, see http://www.usc.uwo.ca/westernclubs/
Last Updated: June 25, 2012
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Confidentiality
All information disclosed by students to IESC will be kept confidential. It will not be shared with family, university staff, course instructors, or others without written permission and will not become part of academic records.
The International and Exchange Student Centre is experienced in working with diverse populations.
