ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity is a fundamental part of all Canadian post-secondary institutions and is taken very seriously. Every school has their own policy on academic integrity. As a new student, it’s very important that you familiarize yourself with this policy. Any violation of this policy could result in serious consequences that could jeopardize your education. Ask your Local Committee to guide you to the academic integrity policy of your campus. Here is an example of an Academic Integrity policy from the University of Ottawa. 

SWITCHING ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

As you move through your first semester of studies, you may be thinking about how to navigate towards the academic major you are most interested in. Your Local Committee may have registered you in a general program before you arrived or you may be taking language courses this first semester. Either way, you may be thinking about your options for which academic program you want to focus on in your second semester, or in your second year.

If you do want to change academic majors - this is often possible, though there are things to keep in mind and consider. It is possible that some of your first semester or first year credits (courses) can be transferred to your new program of study. There may be some limitations to this (program-specific courses, program requirements, etc.), so it’s best to speak with an Academic Advisor from your institution for specific guidance. If you’re unsure how to access one, speak with your Local Committee! 

If the academic program you are most interested in is at another academic institution - transferring institutions, especially if in another province, is a different process that usually involves more steps. It’s important to note that SRP students are able to consider applying to transfer to a dif­ferent institution after the initial 12 month sponsorship period. It is a requirement of the WUSC sponsorship to remain in the same city or town where your sponsoring group is for the duration of the 12-month sponsorship. If you’d like to transfer institutions in your second year, it is important to note that you are fully responsible for financial support at a new institution. Any second year financial support that your LC may provide to SRP students is only available if you remain at your sponsoring campus.  If you decide to change institutions, it is possible that some credits can be transferred, but the new institution will have to complete an assessment from one course to another. Also, the institution you are interested in is in a different province, you should find out about the eligibility for student loans in that province (some require 6-12 months of residency in that province before you can qualify for student loans). These are important topics you should discuss with an Academic Advisor and your Local Committee before you make any decisions. Check out this website for more general information. 

PRE-DEPARTURE ACADEMIC ADVICE

You'll probably recognize this material from your pre-departure course, but we wanted it to be easily accessible for you. The resources below will give you a basic understanding of the different levels and types of institutions in the Canadian academic system. They will also help you build the skills needed for the Canadian classroom and learn how to navigate towards their desired course of study and future career path. 

FEELING ALONE 

As you go through the stages of settling into Canada, it may be difficult to meet new friends or classmates and socialize. We would like to share with you a resource developed to assist newcomers who arrived to Canada by themselves. We hope this can serve as a guide to you as you settle into the new life here in Canada. Please find this helpful resource online here: 

https://settlement.org/downloads/Alone_in_Canada/english_alone_in_canada.pdf

DEALING WITH DISCRIMINATION

Coming to Canada, while new and exciting, requires a lot of adjustment that isn’t always easy. Some of you may have experienced bias and discrimination relating to gender, cultural diversity and race. Below are some articles that can help you understand and cope with situations like this, along with a reminder that you are supported to know your rights as a new Canadian. WUSC and your Local Committee have a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity. If you have experienced discrimination or racism and need support in coping or dealing with a situation, you can reach out to your Local Committee or a WUSC staff member. We also encourage you to talk to someone at your academic institution - most campuses have an Equity and Inclusion office, or a Gender Equity office. There are counsellors and advisors that can help ensure that you are receiving fair treatment on campus. 

PRE-DEPARTURE SOCIAL TOPICS

Below you will find resources that will support you to build new and safe social connections.

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST FRAUD

Each year there are various cases of scams targeting newcomers and we have learned that unfortunately, some former SRP students were targeted. Please be aware of scam emails and scam phone calls - if you receive a call (or text message) from an unknown or private international number or local number and a person claiming to be a government official or official from your bank asks you for personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or your banking information, it could be part of a scam. Please do not call the number back or give them personal information. If you are in doubt if a call (or text message) is real or a scam, please contact your Local Committee for advice. Be very careful about clicking on links that you suspect as suspicious. 

This CRA link explains it more in detail.

TRAVEL LOAN 

As you may recall, the Canadian government requires resettled refugees to pay back the travel costs for your trip to Canada. This is called the “Transportation Loan”. You can read more about this loan here or on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website. 

At the end of your 12-month sponsorship, you will be receiving the travel loan invoice from Immigration, Refugees, & Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Please check with your Local Committee - in some cases, the LC may have set aside funds to help you repay your travel loan. If not, you will be able to set up a monthly repayment schedule to repay this loan to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 2ND YEAR  

Now that you have completed 6 months under your 12-month sponsorship, it is a good time to begin reviewing financial assistance options if this will be needed for your 2nd year of studies. We encourage you to talk to your Local Committee to find out if your institution offers any ongoing financial support to SRP students. It is also important to learn about the timelines in your province or institution for applying for student loans and other scholarships and bursaries. We encourage you to visit the financial aid office or website of your campus for more specific information. 

Here are some useful links to general financial assistance resources:

• Student Financial Assistance general information

• Links to provincial or territorial financial assistance offices

• Government of Canada Scholarships

• Universities Canada Scholarships

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT

Make sure that you are connected to employment services on campus and in the community, to update/create a resume/CV and apply for summer employment. Visit the career centre on your campus and make an appointment to help with job search and updating your resume. Below are some popular job searching engines for entry-level and part-time jobs across the country:

• www.workopolis.com 

• www.jobbank.gc.ca 

• http://canada.indeed.com

PRE-DEPARTURE FINANCIAL ADVICE

Below you will find some resources on building financial literacy skills, becoming financially self-sufficient, and employment.

WELLNESS TIP: VITAMIN D

As the shorter days of winter approach, we wanted to encourage you to consider taking Vitamin D supplements during the darker winter months. This may be new to you, especially if you are coming from a sunny and warm climate! Since vitamin D production is triggered by a chemical reaction that occurs when our skin is exposed to the sun, most Canadians produce very little or none at all throughout the winter because we are not outside as often, and we are bundled up under many layers of clothing. According to Health Canada, adults 19-50 years old need 1000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per day. It is difficult to meet our vitamin D requirements with dietary sources alone, since very few foods are high in vitamin D. In order to make up for this deficiency, Health Canada recommends that all Canadian adults take a vitamin D supplement. These supplements are affordable and available in most grocery stores or pharmacies. 

INTERIM FEDERAL HEALTH PROGRAM (IFHP) COVERAGE

As a privately-sponsored refugee, you are entitled to additional health insurance coverage during your first 12 months in Canada. This is called the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Check to make sure that you have received the IFHP paperwork in your IOM bag or upon arrival in Canada at the border. This will have your IFHP policy number - keep this paperwork in a safe location. IFHP insurance is additional to the health insurance you will receive from the province you are living in. You may also have special health insurance as a student.  

IFHP will cover supplemental and medication coverage including services and products such as:

• urgent dental and limited vision care;

• home care and long-term care;

• services provided by allied health care practitioners including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, physiotherapists; and

• assistive devices, medical supplies, and equipment.

Talk to your Local Committee about the IFHP program. More information on the IFHP including submitting claims and service providers that are registered can be found on this page.

FEELING LOW, STRESSED, OR ANXIOUS?

It is very important to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health. It is a very stressful life experience to move to another country and it is very natural that you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed, tired and anxious. We encourage you to talk to someone you feel comfortable with - either here in Canada, or a friend from back home. Sharing your worries with others can help you come up with positive coping strategies. We also encourage you to go online and read about how you can understand and manage any negative feelings you may be having. This is a resource that was developed for young people, coping with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. We think it is still a helpful resource and suggest you check it out: here are some materials for “reclaiming your health” from the Canadian Mental Health Association. 

PRE-DEPARTURE HEALTH & WELLNESS TOPICS

Below you'll find some resources on the Canadian healthcare system along with the importance of wellness and self-care. 

TRAVEL WITHIN CANADA

We know that some of you may be planning to visit friends or family in another city (or province). If you are considering a short visit from your community of sponsorship, be sure to discuss in detail with your Local Committee about the various and important implications related to travel arrangements, identification required to book bus or train and health insurance coverage if you do travel out of province. If you are outside of your home province, you need to be aware of the rules for health care access which vary from province to province. Always remember to carry your “Interim Federal Health Program” (IFHP) paperwork with you when you travel within Canada as this provides national health care coverage. 

TRAVEL OUTSIDE CANADA

If you choose to travel outside your community of settlement or outside of Canada, your Local Committee has no financial obligation to cover your travel expenses. Furthermore, please note that travelling outside of Canada without proper documentation and precautions can have an impact on your status as a Permanent Resident.

Before travelling outside of Canada, SRP students are strongly advised to secure proper travel documentation. You must have a Permanent Resident Card. In addition, SRP students should ensure they have the appropriate visas or the necessary Travel Document issued by Passport Canada. These documents enable the bearer to apply for travel to all countries, except the bearer’s country of origin.

Below is a link to the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) web page which states that, travelling to your home country (even for a short visit), travelling using the passport of your home country, or applying for a new passport from your home country can put you at risk with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). We strongly advise students who must travel urgently to do so after the end of their sponsorship year, to apply for a refugee travel document, obtain the necessary travel visas, and contact the destination country’s embassy for more information on entry/exit requirements prior to leaving Canada.

http://ccrweb.ca/en/psr-toolkit/other-useful-info-travel-outside-canada

WUSC advises you to fully consider the consequences of returning to your country of origin. This may have an impact on your Permanent Resident status. You were given the Permanent Resident status in Canada because of the political situation of your country of origin and that you are unable to get the protection you need to peacefully live there. By going back, the Government of Canada may interpret this as indicating you feel safe to return and you no longer require the protection you sought as a former refugee.

Below are other useful links:

• Citizenship Eligibility

• Physical Presence Calculator 

• Refugee Travel Document Application

HOW TO SPONSOR A FAMILY MEMBER

Many of you may have friends or extended family members (i.e. parents, siblings, cousins, etc.) living as refugees and you may be interested to know how you can try to sponsor them to Canada. For more information about different options under Canada’s private sponsorship program, please check the following links:

• Sponsorship of Parents or Grandparents

• Private Sponsorship of Refugees Toolkit

Please note that it can be a long process to sponsor one’s family to Canada, requiring you to fundraise and form a sponsorship group (called a Group of 5) and/or getting on a waiting list for one of the sponsorship agreement holders (SAH). Based on what we know, approximately 30% of SRP alumni have been involved in successfully sponsoring their family to Canada. If you would like more advice about how to sponsor your family or friends, we recommend you go to the newcomer settlement service provider in your town or city and they may be able to offer you more specific and personalized advice. 

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

We recommend students reach out to different newcomer-serving organizations in their communities as they might have events and activities for newcomers which you can take part in! Click here to find out more about newcomer services in your area. 

REQUIREMENT TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY OF SPONSORSHIP

It is a requirement of the Canadian government’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program that sponsored students are living in the community where you are sponsored. It is acceptable that a sponsored person is temporarily outside of the community of sponsorship for various reasons, including for winter holidays or summer employment for example. However please note that after these short breaks, all SRP students should return to live full-time in the community where they are sponsored and remain living in that community for the duration of the 12-month sponsorship. If you have any questions about this, please contact the WUSC office.