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.
All international students MUST complete their online orientation BEFORE arriving in Canada.
In the online orientation, you will learn very important information about:
- Services and supports from the International Centre, including before and after you arrive checklists
- 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)
- Finances, including banking, paying fees and 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.
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 the Summer term, enrolment will begin March 4.
For the Fall term, enrolment will begin in July.
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.
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.
Further learning
Undergraduate and Graduate students have further learning to do to prepare for the start of classes
UM Essentials Online Orientation (undergraduate students)
It is expected to complete UM Essentials before attending Orientation programming.
You will receive an email to your @myumanitoba.ca email when you have been enrolled in the course. We do enrollments once a week, after you have accepted your offer.
#UMGradGoals (for graduate students)
Graduate students can plan your success with #UMGradGoals
Summer Buddy
Get a Summer Buddy to Mentor you during your first month on Campus this summer!
In the Summer Buddy program, mentors provide one-on-one intercultural and personal support and connect their mentees to academic resources for your first month on campus!
Applications now closed.
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.
Spring Orientation- Friday, May 3, 2024, Room 220 (MPR), second floor, UMSU University Centre
For students entering their studies this Spring-Summer term in your undergraduate or graduate programs. 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.
Note: for students starting their courses this Fall term, save the date for our Fall Orientation August 27, 2024.
Schedule:
- 12:30-1:00 pm - Sign in and refreshments
- 1:00-3:00 pm - Orientation programming, topics include: understanding the University of Manitoba (UM), UM academic expectations, cross-cultural awareness, academic integrity.
- 3:00-4:30 pm - Sponsor tabling and get stuff done: Student ID card, purchase buss pass, activate gym membership.
Be here on time! Here in Canada time is valued and it is expected that participants arrive in advance of the session, so you are settled and ready to learn at 1 pm.
How to Register:
- Sign up using the Registration form (google form)
- Register for the event to get your QR Code and secure your spot.4
- Save or screenshot your QR code to scan in easily on May 3. (The QR Code will be texted to you once you register, but if you provided an international number, you may not receive the text. Please register on a laptop and screenshot the QR code for easy entry to the event.)
Did you already fill out the arrival form? To help us in our planning, please indicate your fight arrival date and time in our Arrival Form. Please only fill out the form once. This will help us schedule volunteers for our Airport Welcome Booth.
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 below!
Meet the IC for Coffee & Tea- May 7
Meet the IC for Coffee & Tea, May 7, 12:00-2:00 pm, IC Office - 541 UMSU University Centre
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.
Writing Essentials for International Students - May 8
May 8, 2024 - 3:00-4:00 pm, room location to be announced.
Learn about specific study skills, practice with some writing examples and find out where to get academic writing support.
Register now Deadline to register: May 6, 4:00 PM.
Email confirmation with room location send 24 hours prior.
Past Session Recordings
Please select the topics below to access recordings of past virtual workshops.
Indigenous History and Reconciliation in Canada
How does reconciliation relate to me? Learn about the Indigenous history in Canada and reconciliation in the Canadian context.
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