[music] hi! my name is carla. i'm going to sharewith you some things i wish i knew before i started at waterloo. many students at waterloo identify as an international student. this term can meansomething different every one. you may have completed high schoolinternationally or in canada and you're enrolling at waterloo on a study permit.you may have canadian citizenship, but completed high school internationally.you may be new to canadian culture. you may be continuing to develop your english language skills. however you identify,
waterloo has resources and programs to support you with immigration matters, adjusting to new cultural or social situations, andpracticing your english. an important resource for all international students is the"guidebook for new international students". this guide book is divided into sectionsbased on what point you're at in your journey to waterloo. from the time you'reaccepted, to preparing to come to canada, right up to your first term on campus. everything you need is right here. theguide book is available online. download it now so you can refer back to it wheneveryou need to.
waterloo offers many services to support you before your classes begin. global representatives can help you before andafter you arrive at waterloo. these upper year students are from countries allover the world and can answer your questions by email about life on campusand in canada. check out the current list of global representatives. i asked myglobal representative for advice on how to get involved on campus and meet other students who are also for my home country. they were really helpful. as soon as you land in canada, we are here to help. we offer a free bus pick-up service thatwill take you from toronto pearson
international airport to campus. see buspick-up dates and register for it on our website. as an international student youwill attend two orientations. the first is international orientation, and it takesplace right before orientation for all new students. international orientationis a great chance for you to move into residence early, and start adjusting tolife in waterloo and canada before orientation starts. at orientation, you will meet otherstudents as well as staff and professors from your faculty. you will get to take partin social activities and learn about campus resources and services. registerfor both international orientation and
orientation on the orientation website. during your time at waterloo, international student advisor's are here help. they can assist with any of your immigration questions and be your main point ofcontact if you need any help. now once you're on campus, there are many great student-run services and campus clubs for you to get involved with and meet other students. peer programs are also available. these students can help you transition to canada, learn about campus resources, and practice your english language skills. we know this is a lot of information.
that's why we encourage you to check out the international student guidebook. it's all covered in there. if you can't find what you're looking for in the guidebook or on the web site, contact theinternational student experience team in the student success office. you're going to have a great year here at waterloo. we can't wait to meet you. see ya!