Ditch the stress of international student life.

As you’ve probably noticed, Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber have a pretty diverse student body. Between all three campuses, there are nearly 5,000 international students enrolled at any given time. Many of them have never left their homes before coming to Canada.

Going to college or university can be stressful for anyone, but international students face more obstacles than the average domestic student. They have to worry about applying for study or work permits, paying higher tuition fees, adjusting to a new culture, and more.

Humber and UofGH recognize that pursuing a diploma or a degree as an international student isn’t easy. That’s why they’ve created services that cater specifically to their needs.

Here are seven helpful resources for international students:

Wall with outline of a map inside the Humber International Centre.

1. The International Centre

As Humber’s main hub for international students, this one probably seems most obvious. Located on the 2nd floor of the LRC at North campus and in H100A at Lakeshore campus, the International Centre has all sorts of services to help students from abroad. They assist with things like:

  • Scholarships
  • Work permits
  • Health insurance
  • Student housing
  • Academic support
  • Financial guidance

 

Three international students studying in L building at Humber's Lakeshore campus.

2. Humber Connect

This is a peer mentorship program that is tailored to new international students. It’s designed to address the unique challenges faced by those coming to Canada for the first time. The key benefit of Humber Connect is the program starts supporting first-semester international students before they even get here. A peer mentor is just an email or phone call away to ensure they are not alone on their journey. Once they begin their studies, the mentors provide information about workshops, events, and answer any questions the mentees might have throughout their first year.

 

Humber international students that completed Passport to Success in 2015.

3. Passport to Success

This is a cool program that encourages international students to participate in school activities by offering incentives. The activities alone are worthwhile as they help students excel both academically and professionally, but extra stuff is always nice!

Passport to Success is available to all full-time international students in any semester of study. Incentives are earned by attending activities and gaining points towards completing your “passport”. Four points will earn you the Starter prize of a $5 Tim Horton’s gift card. After that, you can work towards Bronze, Silver, and Gold prizes. Once you’re satisfied with your points progress, you can submit your “passport” to the International Centre to claim your rewards, which include a certificate of completion and a progress letter.

 

Entrance area to the Humber Student Wellness & Accessibility Centre.

4. The Student Wellness & Accessibility Centre

People face many challenges in their daily lives, but students can be especially prone to hurdles affecting their health or their progress. And for many reasons, international students may experience an added layer of stress during their time at Humber and UofGH. This space is dedicated to providing students with a number of health, counselling, and accessibility services for FREE. The Student Wellness & Accessibility Centre provides:

  • Doctor’s appointments
  • Walk-in visits with a nurse
  • One-on-one counselling
  • Group counselling
  • Accessible learning services
  • Sexual health support (birth control, STI education, and more)
  • Vaccinations (not free, but partially covered by IGNITE’s Student Insurance Plan)

 

Humber student tutoring another student.

5. The Math and Writing Centre

Learning new topics, ideas, and concepts in a new country can be overwhelming. Especially if English isn’t your first language. Luckily there are a number of tutors and resources that can help you out for FREE. If you’re struggling with a tough assignment, head to the Math and Writing Centre on the 3rd floor of the LRC at North campus or in F201 at Lakeshore campus.

 

Two suede benches in a room with a book resting on one of them.

6. Multi-faith Spaces

The international students at Humber and UofGH are a diverse group of people from over 138 different countries. Our school recognizes that for many students faith and religion play an important role in their lives. For those in need of a space for quiet prayer and reflection, there are multi-faith spaces located in D223 at North campus and in HB102 at Lakeshore campus.

 

Three Humber student volunteers in Campus Walk uniforms.

7. Campus Walk

Campus Walk helps students stay safe by pairing them with a walking partner to escort them to their car, bus stop, or residence. The idea is that there’s safety in numbers, which can be especially helpful when travelling across campus in the evening. International students might find Campus Walk especially helpful while they get acquainted with the campus and surrounding area. This service is provided by student volunteers and Humber security and it’s available 24/7. Visit the security desk in NX101 at North campus or M building at Lakeshore campus to request a walking partner. If you’d prefer to arrange Campus Walk by phone call 416-675-8500.

Want to hear from a current international student? Watch our Student Spotlight video with Martin Jr. Powlette.

Follow IGNITE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat for our latest updates.