Congratulations! You’ve accepted your offer and now it’s time to plan your International Student Pathway to Success at Brock University for the Spring Semester!
The Brock International Student Pathway to Success represents a guide to help international students prepare for their first term at Brock University and in Canada!
The guide not only includes various resources across all essential topics (e.g., Immigration & Travel, Health Insurance & Wellness, Life in Canada & Culture, etc.), but it also includes 4 main checklists for students to complete, each allowing them to do so at their own pace while also suggesting the most ideal timeline to complete each Stage:
- Stage 1: After Acceptance
- Stage 2: Pre-Semester Prep
- Stage 3: First Week
- Stage 4: At Brock
We Have Outlined the Stages Below
Stage 1: After Acceptance
Below are the steps students should complete after they have been accepted to Brock University.
Whether you are travelling to Canada or understanding the conditions of your acceptance, your offer letter is an important key to your education and should be accepted as soon as possible.
Once you accept your offer from Brock, don’t forget to save it as a PDF or take a screenshot so you can go back to it; you never know when you will need it!
It is important that you pay your deposit as soon as possible so that you can continue forward. Please see Brock’s Make a Payment page for more guidance on making a payment.
As you begin your Brock journey, it is imperative that you use your Brock email; this will ensure that you reach the correct people, have access to all of Brock’s services, and all in all set you up for success!
You should also review your Multi-Factor Authentication settings.
Why should I review my MFA settings?
MANY students have had issues accessing their Brock account once they arrive in Canada because of Multi-Factor Authentication. Essentially, once students get a new phone or phone number in Canada, they are unable to login to their accounts because they can no longer verify their identity with:
- SMS texts
- phone calls
To ensure you avoid these issues, you should modify your MFA settings using ITS’s guide. and set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone to verify using the app instead.
Should you experience issues, feel free to contact ITS by submitting a Help Desk Ticket.
A study permit is a document issued to international students that allow them to study at an approved institution in Canada. It is important that you apply for your permit and/or other required immigration documents as soon as possible and before you travel to Canada so that you allow enough time for approval. Just note that applying does not guarantee approval!
To start, we suggest that you learn more about how to apply and all the required immigration documents for an application. Should you have any questions, you can reach out to Brock International for more support either in a drop-in session, at an info session, or via email at isa@brocku.ca.
If you are required to pay for tuition as part of your study permit application, please check out Brock’s resources below:
Brightspace is a Brock’s learning management system – a platform that only Brock students can access! It is where you could access your online course content and gain valuable resources from campus services.
As a new international student, you have a lot you must do before starting at Brock, and so we have designed our Brightspace site just for you! Once you have joined the site (click here), click below on the different resource pages to explore all the different topics:
- Immigration & Travel*
- Health Insurance & Wellness*
- Life in Canada & Culture*
- Academic Skills*
- Student Life*
- Career & Employment*
- Post Graduation*
What are you waiting for? Login to Brightspace now and check out the International Student Pathway to Success!
Not sure what to expect when living in Canada? Check out our website for an overview!
Brock International’s Brightspace site also has various resources on life in Canada, Ontario, and as a student at Brock. Feel free to check them out and best prepare yourself for your time in Canada!
Health care not only provides you with health services while you study in Canada, but it can also protect you if ever you encounter a health emergency.
There are two parts to your health insurance as Brock students in Undergraduate or Graduate programs: UHIP & Student VIP.
- UHIP – It covers eligible medically necessary health services and medical treatments. Essentially, when you see a doctor, go to a hospital, or do a medical test, you use UHIP.
- StudentVIP – It has drug coverage, extended health coverage, vision coverage, dental coverage, etc. Essentially, when you buy medicine, see a dentist, take eye exams, or have to buy glasses, you use your StudentVIP.
- Undergraduates: Check out BUSU’s article on the StudentVIP coverage to learn more! If you have any issues or questions, you can also reach out to healthplan@brockbusu.ca!
- Graduates: Please check out the BrockGSA website to learn more! If you have any issues or questions, please reach out to GSA at health@brockgsa.ca.
As an international student at Brock, you have two main choices for living:
- On-Campus in Housing
- This can reduce stress for international students as they transition to Canada and can ensure that they make the most out of their campus experience!
- Off-Campus in the Niagara Region
- This can give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to when you can arrive in Canada and allows you to be immersed in your local community!
For more information about the Niagara Region, check out our site on Living in Niagara!
If you plan to arrive in Canada prior to your residence move-in date, you may want to consider short-term accommodations.
A huge part of being a Brock student is not just taking classes, but also engaging with the Brock community and experiencing Brock to its fullest! By learning about ExperienceBU, the Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum (CWC), and campus life at Brock, you can begin to take full advantage of the Brock experience and make your time at Brock as memorable as possible.
What are you waiting for? Login to ExperienceBU today and explore all the different ways to engage within the Brock community!
Stage 2: Pre-Semester Prep
Below are the steps students should complete around the time you need to register for classes.
Brock’s SmartStart program gives you exclusive access to content designed to make your transition to Brock a successful one. Led by a team of current students and supported by the broader campus community, this program will provide answers to all of your questions, including areas such as Course registration, finance, residence & off-campus living, and much more!
NOTE: Smart Start for Spring students usually becomes available towards the beginning of March.
Once you are eligible to register for classes, it is important that you do so to avoid classes filling up or to address any initial issues with registration. With the help of Brock’s Undergraduate Course Registration page or Brock’s Graduate Course Registration page, you will be all set to register for your classes.
Remember – to be considered full-time:
- undergraduate student – you need 1.5 credits in Spring (minimum) and 0.5 credits in Summer (minimum)
- Graduate student – full-time/part-time status is not defined by credits, instead, graduate students’ status is defined according to the academic regulations
Please Note: Spring & Summer classes run differently than Fall and Winter; they are much shorter and require that you pay careful attention to when they start and end by looking at the duration codes (e.g., D1, D2, D3, etc.).
Brock International hosts several pre-arrival webinars with international students in mind. From Immigration topics like study permits and Visas, to academic skills topics like online learning platforms and academic expectations in university, these webinars are here to help and guide you!
Remember: there are events throughout the Winter (Mar-May) to support you in preparation for the Spring term!
Microsoft Office is the main software that Brock students use to be successful in their studies.
From attending virtual classes and meeting with your professors online using MS Teams to completing assignments using MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, MS Office is an important tool for your success! Therefore, don’t forget to download all the MS Office 365 apps to both your computer and phone – it’s free!
Do you wonder what the academic expectations are in Canada? Do you want to learn about the most essential academic skills you will need to be successful at Brock?
Visit the International Student Pathway to Success Brightspace site and explore the Academic Skills tab to learn all that you need to know before you begin your studies.
Academic Integrity must be understood and abided by in order to be a successful student at Brock! Therefore, please take our Academic Integrity Survey to learn about Academic Integrity at Brock before you begin your studies.
BU101 (undergrads) and Grad 101 (grads) are free online academic skills programs that you can complete at your own pace before your classes begin. Build your technology, scheduling, note-taking, and studying skills.
Learn all about BU101/Grad 101 and consider signing up by checking out their website.
NOTE: BU101 closes by May 1st so that the site can go through updates and repairs. It does not re-open until July, and so it is important for you to sign up for it beforehand if you want to prepare for your studies in the Spring/Summer!
Though you may not think of it, providing your emergency contact information is very important; it allows us to have a person to contact in case of emergencies and can give you more peace of mind when studying in another country.
Click on our tip sheet below and learn how to update your emergency contact today!
As you plan to travel to Canada, it can be confusing to identify all that you need to do, especially when it comes to having certain documents ready.
Be sure to review the International Student Travel Requirements for the ideal steps to take to be ready!
Not sure what to pack? Want to make sure you bring all the necessary items for living & studying in Canada?
Once you book your flights, it is best to arrange for airport pickup ahead of time so that you avoid expensive taxi fares.
Brock does NOT currently provide transportation from the airport. However, we can recommend some great options to book in advance so that you can have a smooth transition from the airport to your destination. Below are the airport transport companies we would recommend:
Our New International Student Orientation is aimed at getting new international students familiar with the Canadian and academic culture, as well as policies and services at Brock that are available throughout your studies to ensure that you succeed as a Brock Badger!
You can expect to learn about:
- Canadian Culture (e.g., norms, expectations, daily life needs, getting around)
- Academic Culture (e.g., course formats & expectations, academic integrity)
- Important Dates
- UHIP & Health Insurance
- Student Life & Engagement
- Immigration & Work
NOTE: if you cannot find it, it may have not be posted just yet. Please email intlstudents@brocku.ca with any orientation questions!
After registering for classes, you should paid your tuition, and any other fees associated with your account. This is to ensure that you didn’t forget to do so and that you don’t have any late fees!
Don’t know what fees you need to pay? Not sure how to make a payment? Check out Brock’s resources below:
Stage 3: First Week
Below are the steps students should complete before and during the first week of classes at Brock University.
Your student ID card is essential, especially if you intend to live on campus or utilize the public transit system. From paying for food at various locations on campus to traveling around St. Catharines with a Semester Bus Pass, getting your student ID card is a must.
Check out Brock’s Get your Student ID website for detailed instructions on how to get your card!
In the Spring and Summer, you must pay for your own St. Catharines Bus Pass. Starting April 24, 2023, you can purchase a monthly pass at the BUSU front desk (Student-Alumni Centre) for $70.
- The 31 days starts from the first time you swipe your bus pass
- If you choose to purchase your pass directly from the transit app, it will cost $85
-
- Beginning Apr 1st, you can visit the BUSU front desk with receipt and get reimbursed the $15 subsidy amount!
Getting a Canadian cell phone plan is one of those tasks that may seem easy, but once you begin looking, it can seem overwhelming. You can gain tips on getting a cell phone plan in Canada on the link below.
Opening a Canadian bank account will not only make your life easier when making purchases, but it can also facilitate getting paid should you decide to work in Canada. You can learn all about getting a bank account in Canada on Brock International’s Brightspace site.
Every class will have different requirements when it comes to the textbooks you need. Some might require more than one while others may not require any; regardless, it is important to use the Campus Store’s textbook search feature and ensure that you have the textbooks you need to succeed in your courses.
International students are automatically enrolled in UHIP once they register for classes and begin their studies. To access UHIP information (including the UHIP eCard) and to submit claims, students should access their UHIP portal.
How do I enroll my family members in my health plans?
UHIP
If students have a spouse or dependent children living with them while they study or work in Ontario, the dependent must also be enrolled in UHIP. Dependants are not automatically enrolled in UHIP. Students are required to enrol their dependent family member(s) within 30 days of their arrival in Canada to avoid a late fee of $500.
Check out Brock International’s UHIP website to learn about enrolling dependents.
StudentVIP
To learn about enrolling dependents on your StudentVIP plans, please contact:
- healthplan@brockbusu.ca (undergraduates)
- NOTE: currently, new Undergraduate students in the Spring and their dependents cannot be enrolled in StudentVIP for the Spring/Summer terms.
- health@brockgsa.ca (graduates)
We take your safety very seriously at Brock and you should too! It is very important that you learn about the role of the police in Canada, how they can help you, and what to do should you need to reach out to the police while here. Therefore, please watch the video below learn all about police and safety in Canada!
If you plan to work while studying in Canada, you need to apply for a Social Insurance Number first! Brock’s Social Insurance Number website has great information on how to apply and on the frequently asked questions (FAQs) from students!
Stage 4: At Brock
Below is the next step for current students once they have completed Stage 3 and have begun their studies at Brock.
As you study, it is important to keep meeting with your Academic Advisor (undergrads) or your Program Coordinator (graduates) to plan for your future semesters.
Sometimes, our initial plans change, or we may need additional advice going forward, and so your Academic Advisor/Program Coordinator is a great person to consistently meet with each semester!
Once students start their classes, they often notice that they need additional help with the academic skills they need to do well in school (e.g., writing, reading, time management, study strategies, citing/referencing, etc.). Students need academic skills in order to do their assignments and assessments, and so it can be said that if they do not have strong academic skills, then they will have a hard time succeeding in their courses. Check out the following resources for academic support across campus:
Undergraduate Students:
Graduate Students:
Did you know that Brock University students have access to services provided by the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) as part of their ancillary fees paid annually?
From personal counselling to crisis resources, to even a Wellness HUB where students can drop in to chat with a Peer Health Educator about ways to improve their overall health and wellness, there is lots available to help you throughout your studies!
What else can the Brock Library provide you other than access to books and articles? A lot! Our James A. Gibson Library has MANY services available to you, including:
- Research Consultations with Liaison Librarians
- Research Help on Demand
- Library Workshops (e.g., Intro to Research, Library Yoga, etc.)
- And much more!
Start learning about the many services just waiting to be explored!
Brock Human Rights and Equity works with many other departments and services on campus to prevent harassment and discrimination from occurring and to quickly address incidents as they arise. If you witness or experience harassment/discrimination and would like support from experienced staff, Brock Human Rights & Equity is here to support you!
Supports include workshops, events, and resources in accessibility, anti-racism, gender & sexual violence, intercultural training, and much more!
There is nothing worse than experiencing fraud or scams while studying as a student. Take action to protect yourself from these experiences by learning more about frauds and scams in Canada, either by attending a workshop or by accessing all the resources on the International Student Pathway to Success Brightspace site!
We encourage you to continue your journey on your path to success throughout your time at Brock with the Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum (CWC). You can find the CWC in the Paths section of ExperienceBU. To learn more, visit the CWC website.
