International student orientation
Studying in a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. To help international students with their transition to Canada and the University of Manitoba, the International Centre offers orientation and welcome programming at the beginning of each term. Get the information you need and connect with other international students going through the same experience.
No matter where you are in the world, we still have a complete series of online events to welcome you virtually!
International Centre orientation and events
All Winter 2021 International Orientation programs are being offered online.
Please visit the Covid-19 information for students page for the latest UM information and updates.
1. Complete your UM Essentials online training
All new undergraduate students are expected to complete UM Essentials online orientation.
All new undergraduate students are expected to complete UM Essentials online orientation. This is a course that will give you the information you need to be successful as well as provide you the opportunity to ask questions of upper-level students and get to know your fellow first-year students. Some of the topics covered include:
- Moving to Winnipeg
- Finding your community at the U of M
- Preparing for online learning
- Supports for your academic success
- Planning your study schedule
- Building skills through volunteering
- Career planning
- Study strategies
- And more!
Students who complete UM Essentials will be entered into a draw to win a $500 tuition prize or a prize from the UM Bookstore. The earlier you complete the modules, the more chances you have to win!
We suggest completing your UM Essentials online training before attending our online International Student Orientation sessions in January. A lot of the information covered in UM Essentials online training will not be covered during our International Orientation online sessions.
Undergraduate students are automatically registered for UM Essentials. This should be completed by mid-December.
Graduate students are not able to access the UM Essentials course. Instead, plan your success with #UMGradGoals.
To access the course, log in to UM Learn using your UM Email.
2. Attend International Student Orientation
We have organized three main events to help you prepare for life as an international student:
- About the UM and the International Centre (IC) (Wednesday, January 6)
- Canadian culture, communication, and adaptation (Thursday, January 7)
- Academic culture at the UM (Friday, January 8)
In addition, you are encouraged to attend as many of these additional events as you can, so that you can be informed, healthy and successful:
- International student health insurance
- Finding part-time work in Canada
- Renting housing in Winnipeg
- Money basics for newcomers
- Taking care of your health & wellness
- Indigenous history and reconciliation in Canada
- Writing essentials for international students
- Meet your UM international community support
International Student Orientation Schedule
To access the recordings for these sessions, please click on the session title below. To access a PDF of the slides used, please email Crystal.Stewart@umanitoba.ca
Date/Time |
Session Title |
Description |
|
December 8 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM (CST) |
Finding part-time work in Canada
|
Interested in finding a part-time job? This session will help you to learn about resources and prompt you to consider opportunities that connect to your studies and career goals. You will also learn about the importance of references and volunteering as a bridge to building skills.
|
|
December 9 9:00-10:30 AM CST |
Learn about selecting safe off-campus housing in Winnipeg and what to watch out for to avoid being a victim of fraud. |
|
|
December 16 10:00-11:30 AM (CST) |
Money Basics for Newcomers (no recording available) |
Learn about the banking & Credit system in Canada, as well as how to avoid debt and scams. |
|
January 6 9:00-10:30 AM (CST) |
About the University of Manitoba and the International Centre (One of three main sessions) |
Learn about how to navigate the University of Manitoba system, resources for students and supports for international students. |
|
January 7 9:00-10:30 AM (CST) |
Canadian Culture, Communication & Adaptation (One of three main sessions) |
Learn about Canadian values, communication styles, and feel prepared and equipped to adapt to Canadian culture. |
|
January 8 9:00-10:00 AM (CST) |
Academic Culture at the U of M (One of three main sessions) |
Learn about the rules and expectations at the University of Manitoba and how to provide quality work with integrity. |
|
December 8, January 8 & January 11
|
International Student Health Insurance *Important to attend one of the offerings |
Learn about aspects of your Primary Health coverage plan also known as the Manitoba International Student Health Plan (MISHP) including what it covers and how to expense claims. |
|
January 11 9:00-10:00 AM (CST) |
Learn about how to take care of your health & wellness as an international student at the University of Manitoba. |
|
|
January 11 |
Meet Your UM International Community Support | Come meet the International Centre, University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU), Spiritual Care, and International Students' Organization to identify ways that we can help you find your international community, connect you with support and meet other international students. |
|
January 12 9:00-10:30 AM (CST) |
Indigenous History and Reconciliation in Canada (January 12 cancelled; recording from August 27, 2020) |
Learn about Indigenous history in Canada and reconciliation in the Canadian context. |
|
January 12 11:00-12:15 PM (CST) |
Learn about specific study skills, practice with some writing examples and find out where to get academic writing support. |
3. Things to do
- Make sure that you review the important dates and deadlines page to know when you can view the course calendar, when you can find out your registration access time and when registration opens
- Claim your University of Manitoba UM Net ID in signUM
- Activate your U of M email account
- Complete your UM Essentials online training (log in to UM Learn using your UMnetID). All new undergraduate students are expected to complete UM Essentials before attending one of our International Student Orientation sessions
- Graduate students are not able to access the UM Essentials course. Instead, plan your success with #UMGradGoals
- For undergraduate students: email to an Academic Advisor in your Faculty if you have questions about course selection and registering for courses
- Download your FREE copy of Office 365, with the newest version of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote
- Review our Immigration information to help you understand your responsibilities as an international student before you arrive
- Review information on International student health coverage
- Purchasing travel insurance before leaving your home country is strongly encouraged, to cover you until you can receive your International Student health insurance card
Additional orientation resources
Join our events
Check back often for events hosted by the International Centre!
Contact us
Crystal Stewart
International Transitions Coordinator
541 UMSU University Centre
75A Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
204-474-8064
204-474-7562