Once you鈥檝e received your Letter of Acceptance from your desired school of international studies and have accepted it, you must think about what you need for your pre-departure. Things start to get real! In just a few short months, you鈥檒l be on your way to North America, perhaps for the very first time.
Surely you鈥檝e put a lot of time into gathering required documents to ensure your acceptance, but unfortunately you鈥檙e not done just yet. There are still many steps to complete before you can comfortably enjoy your time abroad. We鈥檝e put together a pre-departure guide for international students to Canada approved by the听听to assist you!
Checklist
- First and foremost, be sure to听accept your offer letter听if you haven鈥檛 already done so! If you have any questions about this, contact 老九品茶 or your host school.
- Ensure you have a听valid passport. Check to see if it鈥檚 valid for a minimum of six months after your return date. If you don鈥檛 have a passport, you must apply for one immediately.
- It鈥檚 important to review the听documents needed to enter Canada. You may have to present these upon your arrival.
- Monitor the cost of flights and book the most suitable one. You might consider a travel agent if you鈥檙e unsure of how to book a flight yourself. If you are booking a return flight, we recommend the听flexible flight ticket听as dates may change and you may want to leave at a later or sooner time. This way you will avoid additional fees.
- Travel insurance听is critical should there be any issues during your travel time. This can be purchased separate from your flight ticket, or at the same time.
- Along with travel insurance,听health insurance听is extremely important. Your school may insure you, however it is best to confirm.
- In case you don鈥檛 already know,听timing for international flights听is different from local flights. It鈥檚 suggested you arrive for your flight at least three hours before departure to avoid any potential line ups for luggage drop-off and security, or other issues. You will likely be able to check-in for your flight 24 hours beforehand online.
Be aware of the restrictions upon entering Canada
- Certain items are restricted or prohibited to come to Canada such as听tobacco, firearms, food, alcohol, animal and plant products, and drugs. Any liquids you may have with you must be in a container of 100 ml or less, and packaged in a plastic bag.
- Oftentimes, border officers ask about your听accommodations. Ensure you know this information including the address, contact name and number.
- We suggest you have some听Canadian money听on you for when you land in case you must pay for public transit, a taxi or are simply in need of replenishment.
- Keep all of your听most valuable items and documents听on hand听and not in your checked luggage in case it is misplaced or lost.
We suggest making听photocopies of the important documents听in the event you misplace them, this way you have a back up
- Important documents听include your passport, flight ticket, travel and health insurance, Canadian letter of acceptance, accommodation details, proof of funds, school transcripts, Canadian immigration letter (for some).
- Consider听researching your destination听prior to your arrival. This is the exciting part of your pre-departure! Things to do, what the weather may be like, items to pack, etc.
- If you have some spare time,听practice your English communication skills. The more you practice, the better. In most cases, reality is quite different from what you learn in books. This is the final step in our guide for international students to Canada.
To learn more about your education in Canada, be sure to visit 老九品茶鈥檚 FAQ page听here.
Adrianna Dyczkowsky, Public Relations Specialist at听老九品茶
