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 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.
No appointments are necessary. Please refer to our GSC Calendar for the drop-in schedule.
i Important Reminders:
- Hours are subject to change. Refer to our GSC Calendar for the most up to date drop-in schedule.
- Drop-in is only offered in person and on a first-come, first served basis.
- Advising sessions are 10-15 mininutes or 20-30 minutes depending on the topic.
- The wait times are determined by the number of students in the queue.
- If your question is more complicated, you may be recommended to book a follow-up appointment.
At the Global Student Centre, our International Student Experience Coordinators are always available during the GSC opening hours. They are here to:
- Help you navigate the resources available to international students on and off campus
- Support your transition, settlement, and cultural adjustment in Canada
- Provide you with tools and strategies to enhance your educational journey at SFU
- Guide your personal development to enrich your overall transition experience
Use the links below to navigate to different sections on this page:
Our Graduate Writing Facilitators are current SFU graduate students trained to offer support and guidance with academic writing. They are available to answer questions and chat about your writing needs.
- Writing a thesis statement
- Paragraph structure and organization
- Analytical and Concise writing
- Reflective or journal writing
- Ethical use of sources
- Quoting and paraphrasing sources
} Visit the Student Learning Commons website to learn more about the Graduate Writing Facilitators and other academic writing support and services.
Our Career Education Specialists, Amrit and Jill, are here to offer personalized advice on your career and job search related questions. They will be your thought partner to navigate the job market.
- Resume & Cover Letter guidance
- Work and volunteer search
- Interview preparation
- Networking
} Visit the Career and Volunteer Services webiste to learn more about further career supports and resources available for you.
Our International Student Advising Team provides guidance on essential topics for international students.
- Study permit and Temporary Resident Visa
- Work eligibility requirements
- Enrolment requirements for studying and working in Canada
- Medical insurance and the Canadian healthcare system
- General tax information for international students
} Please note that this is only one of many ways to connect with our International Student Advisors. Visit the International Services for Students website to learn about various options to access International Student Advising.
The Transition Case Manager, Ricky, is available to provide support to you with your mental health and well-being. Interested in learning how to maintain and improve your well-being, receive social and emotional supports, or how to access mental health supports such as doctors or counsellors? The Transition Case Manager can also answer the following topic areas and much more, as wellness encompasses different aspects of our lives.
- Understanding the medical care system (e.g. seeing psychiatrists, getting mental health diagnosis works in Canada)
- Stress management
- Mental health
- Family dynamics/family pressures
- Social and recreational supports and activities
- Financial pressures
