International student orientation and welcome
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.
Pre-arrival Online Orientation
Start with pre-arrival information to learn what you need to know before you arrive in Canada.
Our International Student Pre-Arrival Online Orientation is intended to help you prepare for your arrival in Canada.
It is MANDATORY for all international students to complete their online orientation.
In the online orientation, you will learn very important information about:
- Services and supports from the International Centre, including before and after you arrive
- Winnipeg: get familiar with transportation, weather, and safety in your new city
- Housing options, and your renting rights and responsibilities
- Healthcare: including the Manitoba International Student Health Plan (MISHP)
- Canadian Culture: learn about Canadian culture and communication styles, Indigenous culture, and how to adapt to culture shock
- Registration, Finances and Fees, including how to register, when to pay your fees, how to set up a bank account, and ways to find scholarships and awards.
Work through each of the modules at your own pace with the ability to stop and return to your last spot to complete later. You can expect the course to take anywhere from 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your speed. Ideally you should complete the course before arriving in Canada. However, it is still beneficial if you still complete it within your first month on campus.
Winter 2025 course opens November 20, 2024!
After finishing the Pre-arrival Online Orientation modules, it's safe to say I've learned a ton of valuable information to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience during my upcoming time in Winnipeg...
Quoc
Completed Online Pre-arrival course Fall 2023
How to get access
1. Enrolment: After you have accepted your offer, you will automatically be enrolled in the course. Enrolments occur weekly, on Tuesdays. You will receive an email to your @myumanitoba.ca email once you are enrolled in the course.
For students starting in Winter 2025 students will gain access to the course by November 20, 2024.
2. Signing in: you need to sign into our online course system, UMLearn using your UMNetID (same as your Email account). Don't have your email account yet? Claim it here.*
*You can claim your ID 48 hours after you’ve accepted your offer.
3. To access the course, once you are logged into UMLearn, navigate to the menu bar at the top of the screen and search International Student Pre-arrival Orientation.
Need additional support?
If you want to learn more about how to navigate courses in UMLearn, you can watch this video: UM Learn Navigation Tutorial - Learner
If you need support accessing your course, you can contact crystal.stewart@umanitoba.ca.
Welcome Mentors
Get a Welcome Mentor who is an experienced UM student to help you during your first term on campus!
The Welcome Mentor program pairs new international students with experienced UM students, allowing both to develop skills and meaningful relationships.
Welcome Mentor Application (Apply by December 6!)
Who can apply to receive a Welcome Mentor?
New international UM students are encouraged to apply. New students (called mentees) must be:
- Enrolled at UM for the Winter 2025 term in their undergraduate or graduate program.
How can a Welcome Mentor help me?
A Welcome Mentor will:
- provide information and support as you prepare to leave your home country and arrive in Canada. Your mentor would start contacting you by email and you can meet virtually to ask questions
- create a safe and open environment that encourages you to discuss any concerns and ask questions
- make appropriate referrals for supports and resources, both on and off-campus
- create a supportive environment to help you transition to UM
Time Commitment
Mentors begin meeting virtually (by email and video chat) before you leave your home country, then meet in-person once you arrive on campus. Mentors are volunteers and can receive recognition if they complete the program, therefore must complete at least 15 hours or more of meetings with you by the end of the Winter terrm (hours must be completed by April 2025.
Application deadline extended to December 18, 2024!
International Student Orientation
To help you prepare to start your studies, we have designed International Student Orientation and Welcome sessions specifically for international students. We offer sessions at the beginning of every term.
Winter 2025 International Student Orientation
will be Friday, January 3, 2025
Room 210 (MPR), second floor, UMSU University Centre
For students entering their studies this Winter 2025 in your undergraduate or graduate program.Students entering ICM, entering ELC, or Exchange students will have their own program-specific orientation to attend. Please contact your program coordinator/advisor for more details.
Event Details:
Friday, January 3, 2025
9:30 am - Registration & Sign-in
10:00 am - Program Starts
1:00 pm - Lunch and Sponsor Fair
Registration instructions:
Register using our event management system, WaitWell here: Register here.
Register before December 18 to guarantee a spot.
Signing up with generate a QR code. Save it or screenshot it to access the event on January 3, 2025.
Waitwell will email you instructions for completing your Arrival Form. Please do this at the same time to indicate all your arrival details.
Schedule your travel to arrive in advance of the program in-person on January 3, 2025.
Orientation Slides
Welcome Events
These workshops and events will help you be informed, healthy, and successful as you transition to the University of Manitoba.
Register for our additional workshops and events below!
Meet the IC (Jan 8)
Wednesday January 8, 12:00-2:00 pm, 541 UMSU University Centre, IC Global Lounge
- Come visit the International Centre staff and on-campus partners: Career Services, Spiritual Care and Student Care! Have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about programs for international students.
- Take a look at our winter clothing display so you can learn what type of clothing to shop for, what to look for, where to buy and how to stay warm this winter!
- Come and drop in anytime between 12-2 pm, coffee and snacks provided!
- Registration not required.
Get your SIN on Campus (Jan 9)
Thursday January 9, 2025 9 am-3 pm, 544 UMSU University Centre
Service Canada will be coming to the U of M’s Fort Garry campus to issue Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) to qualifying U of M international students. Saves you a trip to their office!
Students will be seen on a drop-in basis (first come, first served). We anticipate that waiting times could be long and we cannot guarantee that all students will be able to receive their Social Insurance Numbers.
Students coming to the SIN card sessions must bring the following documents:
If you have a valid Study or Work Permit:
- U of M student card (or Acceptance letter from University of Manitoba)
- Original Study Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that states the permit holder “may accept employment” or “may work” in Canada.
- Government-issue Photo ID, such as a Passport or Canadian Driver's License.
There is no fee to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Registration is not required. Drop in; be prepared to wait as it is first-come, first-served. We will be using the Waitwell virtual queue system.
Find a Part-time Job & Build Toward Your Career Goals! (Jan 10)
Friday, January 10, 2025, 1:30-3:00 pm, 474 UMSU University Centre, Career Services classroom
Getting a part-time can be tricky, but necessary and critical for building skills to reach your long term career goals! Attend this session to learn how to find a part-time job in Canada – and how you can gain skills to help you become employable after graduation!
Register here
Healthy Grocery Shopping Workshop & Tour (Jan 13)
Monday January 13, 2025, 4:00-6:00 pm, 541 UMSU University Centre
Learn how to select healthy food without exceeding your budget! We will start with a 30 minute presentation at the International Centre office, then go together on the bus to Bison Drive Superstore to learn how to navigate a large grocery store. Practical skills will be learned such as choosing healthy foods, how to shop within your budget, and how to read food labels. Session will be interactive and fun!
Register here
Register here
Introduction to Student Banking (Jan 14)
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 2:30-3:30 pm, virtual over Zoom
Presented by Bank of Montreal (BMO) - learn about the basics of banking in Canada and financial considerations for you as a student!
A virtual link will be sent to you 24 hours in advance
Our Sponsors
Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors!
Your support helps to welcome new UM students to our campuses and set them up for success as they start their studies at UM.
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
204-474-8501