International Student Experience Support at the Global Student Centre
At the Global Student Centre (GSC), your experience as an international student matters and we are here to support you. GSC is your space to access a wide range of non-academic support and services throughout your time at SFU.
Who is International Student Experience Support for?
Open to all international undergraduate and graduate students.
What is the International Student Experience Support?
The International Student Experience Support is a suite of drop-in individual & group advising services offered by our team of professional staff and trained student advisors at the Global Student Centre. We are here to offer you assistance and guidance on various topics and questions.
i Important Reminders:
- No appointments are necessary.
- Hours are subject to change. Refer to our Events Calendar below for the most up to date drop-in schedule.
- Drop-in is only offered in person and on a first-come, first served basis.
- For individual meetings, the wait times are determined by the number of students in the queue.
Use the links below to navigate to different sections on this page:
Group Advising:
Individual Advising:
Ask and Learn with an International Student Advisor! A series of in-person group support sessions is offered at the Global Student Centre (GSC) on a weekly basis. You will meet with an International Student Advisor to ask questions about medical insurance and get tips on completing your immigration applications with confidence. Join us for the session that best fits your question based on our weekly schedule.
Important Reminder: Group Advising Format
This is a group advising session, and privacy or confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. If you prefer 1:1 advising with an advisor, please join our drop-in sessions (in-person or virtual).
Fall 2025 International Student Group Advising Drop-in Schedule:
- Thursdays, 1:30 pm - 3pm
Session Dates & Topics:
*Bring your digital device (laptop or tablet) with your application form(s) and documents to get the step-by-step support in completing your applications.
| Sept. 18 | 🏥 Medical Insurance & Canadian Healthcare |
| Sept. 25 | 💼 Co-op Work Permit* |
| Oct. 2 | 📝 Study Permit Extension* |
| Oct. 9 | 💼 Work Eligibility: On & Off Campus |
| Oct. 16 | 💼 Work Eligibility Continued |
| Oct. 23 | 💼 Co-op Work Permit* |
| Oct. 30 | 📄 Study Permit Extension* |
| Nov. 6 | ✈️ Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)* |
| Nov. 13 | 📝 Enrolment Requirements |
| Nov. 20 | 🎓 Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)* |
| Nov. 27 | 📝 Study Permit Extension* |
| Dec. 4 | 💼 Work Eligibility Wrap-Up |
Kick-start your career this fall! Join our quick and practical info sessions designed to help international students build career confidence and take action toward future success. Each session features two bite-sized 10-minute segments packed with tips on timely career topics.
Our Career Education Specialists, Amrit, will be leading the career sessions at the GSC to offer personalized advice on your career and job search related questions. They will be your thought partner to navigate the job market.
You can also meet Amrit or other Career Education Speciliasts. Visit the Career and Volunteer Services webiste to learn more about further career supports and resources available for you.
Fall 2025 Career Prep Drop-in Schedule:
- Tuesdays, 1:45 pm - 3 pm
Session Dates & Topics:
| Oct. 28 | 💼 Finding jobs in Canada and coffee chats
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| Nov. 4 | 🤝 Growing your network in Canada from strangers to connections:
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| Nov. 18 | 🌟 Discovering your strengths and using them in job applications:
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| Nov. 25 | 🎤 Job interviews in Canada:
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Need help with your academic writing? Our Graduate Writing Facilitators are current SFU graduate students trained to offer support and guidance with academic writing. They will be available at the GSC to answer questions and chat about your writing needs.
Visit the Student Learning Commons website to learn more about the Graduate Writing Facilitators and other academic writing support and services.
Fall 2025 Academic Writing Support Drop-in Schedule:
- Selected Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 11:30 am - 1 pm
| Sept. 23 | Oct. 16 | Oct. 23 | Oct. 28 |
| Nov. 4 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 25 |
| Dec. 2 | Dec. 4 |
📚 Topics:
- Writing a Strong Thesis Statement
- Paragraph Structure & Organization
- Analytical & Concise Writing
- Reflective or Journal Writing
- Ethical Use of Sources
- Quoting & Paraphrasing Effectively
Life is never nice and tidy, it’s always messy! Come by and talk with Ricky if you want help to improve your wellbeing, manage stress, find social supports, learn about career and financial resources, and how to access counsellors or doctors.
Visit the SFU Health & Counselling website to learn more about the support options Ricky offers.
Fall 2025 Guidance & Wellness Drop-in Schedule:
- Wednesdays, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
| Oct. 1 | Oct. 29 | |
| Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Dec. 3 |
📚 Topics Ricky can help you with:
- Family dynamics/family pressures
- Mental health
- Intercultural communication
- Social and recreational supports and activities
- Financial pressures
- Understanding medical systems and services
- Canadian labour market information
- Transition to academic life at SFU
Support Starts Here! If you have a disability, health condition, or learning challenge—or think you might—come chat with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) during our drop-in at the Global Student Centre.
They will walk you through what CAL offers, how to register, and what kinds of support are available. Whether you’re already diagnosed, still figuring things out, or just want to learn more, we’re here to help.
Open to international students - No appointment, no documentation needed—just stop by and say hi!
Visit the Centre for Accessible Learning website to learn more about the support available.
Fall 2025 Centre for Accessible Learning Drop-in Schedule:
- Tue, Sept. 23: 1:30 pm - 3 pm
- Wed, Oct. 1: 11:30 am - 1 pm
📚 Topics:
- What is the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)
- Who does CAL support
- What are academic accommodations
- How do students register with CAL
- What information and documentation does CAL require for registration?
- Do I need a medical diagnosis to register with CAL?
- Is my information confidential?
- What information do course instructors receive if a student is entitled to academicaccommodations
- Are accommodations visible on my transcript?
Need support with your housing search or have questions about your current rental? Meet your Off-Campus Living Advisor, Danielle, for one-on-one guidance on finding housing and addressing other housing concerns.
The Off-Campus Living Advisor helps you navigate housing beyond SFU’s campuses. Please note they cannot provide individual searches, process residence applications, or access waitlist information.
Visit the Off Campus Housing Resources website to access available resources.
Off Campus Living Advisor Drop-in Schedule:
In-Person Drop-in:
- Thu, Nov. 27: 12 pm - 2 pm
- Global Student Centre (AQ 2013)
Virtual Drop-in:
- Tue, Dec. 9: 10 am - 12 pm
- Zoom Link