Arrival and Orientation

Orientation

Acadia University is excited to welcome all new international students beginning Winter 2022, and weencourage all new students to review our Welcome Week page. Please login to your Status Portal andsign up for orientation and airport pickup under your "My Next Steps".

Orientation will take place on January 7th and 8th, 2022.

All new students should plan to arrive on campus on January 6th, 2022, this is the only date to take part inthe free airport pick up service. You MUST arrive on January 6th if you are quarantining on campus.

Travelling to Canada

Learn more about Acadia's plan to welcome International studentsLearn more about International travel to AcadiaPlease review the Government of Canada's Travel Restrictions, Exemptions, and AdviceinformationWe recommend that you book flexible airline ticketsPlease bring your vaccination certificate if applicable

Canadian immigration laws and procedures are ever-changing, so please refer to COVID-19: Travel,Quarantine and Borders site for the most recent information. In the event of a discrepancy regarding theinformation provided on this website, IRCC and Government of Canada take precedent.

Returning to Canada by Land (from the US)

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be allowed to enter Canada for discretionary travel if they meetspecific criteria. Travellers entering by land who are not fully vaccinated will have to follow specificguidelines. We encourage you to review IRCC's website regarding travellers entering by land.

Quarantine (Self-isolation)

If you are a fully vaccinated traveller, with one of Canada's approved vaccines, you may be exemptfrom quarantine. Please visit the Government of Canada's website for fully vaccinated travellers formore information.

The following is applicable to those who are not quarantine exempt:

14-Day Quarantine (Self-isolation) in Nova Scotia

Students must also complete a COVID-19 test on day 8 during their 14-day mandatory quarantine. If youare not provided with your COVID-19 testing kit, or arrive in Nova Scotia without one, please email yourname and quarantine address to homekits@switchhealth.ca. Please include the land or air border that youcrossed plus the arrival date for verification.

On-Campus Quarantine

If you will be living in residence when you arrive, you may quarantine on campus. Please contact Residence Life for more information.

Off-campus Quarantine

If you are living off-campus, you are responsible for finding your own quarantine accommodations beforearriving in Canada.

Expectations for Students (On-campus and Off-campus)

Updated March 15

During Quarantine (Self-isolation) and/or Isolation Period:

1. During quarantine (self-isolation) and isolation periods, refuse all visitors, wear a mask if you needto leave your residence for any reason (such as outdoor time, designated laundry time, or whileusing designated washroom facilities). As well, follow the federal and provincial guidelines for

quarantining (self-isolation) or isolation, during this time.· Canadian Government How to Quarantine· Nova Scotia How to Quarantine

2. Actively perform a daily self-assessment to ensure you are symptom free from COVID-19.

3. Stay home or in your residence and away from others if you feel sick. If you are exhibitingsymptoms of COVID-19, please follow the directions below:

· If you require transportation to the test site, call 1-844-996-0694 and they will book your test andtransportation at the same time.· If you do NOT require transportation, you can book your test online· If you are unable to access the internet, call 811 and speak directly to a nurse to book yourCovid-19 test.

4. Eat healthy and ensure to get fresh air and proper exercise by going outside, ensuring to followoutdoor time restraints during quarantine (self-isolation). Ensure you are not exhibiting signs andsymptoms of COVID-19, prior to participating in outdoor time.

5. Keep a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres or 6 feet) from others.

6. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are notavailable, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

7. Follow all the rules and guidelines outlined in your Acadia Student Pledge and review the orientation presentation (.pptx)

8. Ensure to keep your personal space clean and disinfect high touch areas (such as light switches,remotes, door handles, etc.) routinely with the provided disinfectant.

After Quarantine (Self-isolation) Period is Over

1. Wear a mask according to Acadia campus policy.

2. Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering while out in public is required in Nova Scotiaparticularly in crowded public settings, such as:· shopping areas· public transportation· stores and personal service settings

3. Actively perform a daily self-assessment to ensure you are symptom-free from COVID-19.

4. Avoid closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact with others.

5. Stay home or in your residence and away from others if you feel sick. If you are exhibitingsymptoms of COVID-19, please follow the guidelines below:· If you require transportation to the test site, call 1-844-996-0694 and they will book your test andtransportation at the same time.· If you do NOT require transportation, you can book your test online. · If you are unable to access the internet, call 811 and speak directly to a nurse to book yourCovid-19 test.

6. Stick to a small and consistent social circle and avoid gathering in large groups. Ensure to know andfollow the Nova Scotia gathering limits.

7. Limit contact with people at higher risk, such as older adults and those with underlying medicalconditions or weakened immune systems.

8. Eat healthy and ensure to get fresh air and proper exercise by going outside if you are notexhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

9. Keep a distance of at least 2 armlengths (approximately 2 metres or 6 feet) from others. Householdcontacts (people you live with) do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or havetravelled in the last 14 days.

10. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are notavailable, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

11. When coughing or sneezing:· cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand· dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash yourhands immediately afterwards· avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

12. Follow are the rules and guidelines outlined in your Acadia Student Pledge.

13. Ensure to keep your personal space clean and disinfect high touch areas (such as light switches,remotes, door handles, etc.) routinely with the provided disinfectant.

Travel Documents

Checklist

A valid passportA valid temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA)Valid study permit or a study permit approval letterAcceptance letter from Acadia University. For returning students, please provide proof ofregistration (request Letter of Verification of Enrolment and unofficial transcript from the Registrar's Office)Proof of financial support for yourselfDownload the ArriveCAN app to submit important information to the Canadian government,including your quarantine location within 48 hours of arrival or call 1-833-641-0343You must have a negative COVID-19 test completed within 72 hours of boarding your flight.14-day quarantine (self-isolation) plan as a precaution, even if you are fully vaccinated

Learn more about considerations if you are traveling from within/entering/departing Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a study permit to start my courses online?

Acadia is moving primarily to an in-person study model. Students are required to have a valid study permitand temporary visitor visa before beginning in-person studies in Canada. Without it, you will not be able tojoin in-person classes at Acadia.

Currently, you do not need a study permit to study online. However, if you do have classes on-line atAcadia, we strongly recommend that students apply for a study permit before beginning any online studiesas there may be some risks associated with beginning your studies without a study permit.

Please note:

Choosing to join us virtually does not guarantee your ability to obtain a study permit. If you chooseto move forward with your studies without a study permit in place, you are responsible foraffiliated tuition fees. Please review Acadia’s financial policies prior to making your decision.

2. How do I start my study permit application? Are they still processing applications?

You are required to apply online by creating an account with the Immigration, Refugees & CitizenshipCanada (IRCC). Visit the IRCC website to learn more and to start your study permit application.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to accept applications, but applicationsare being processed at slower rates. Processing times posted on the IRCC website are based on the normalprocessing times for an application, and it does not take into account any delays caused by COVID-19.Currently, there are no options to expedite processing of study permit applications. However, IRCCrecently announced new measures to prioritize processing of study permit applications.

3. I received the Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) as part of my study permit application. How can Icomplete this?

When Visa Application Centres (VAC’s) re-open, you must make a new appointment and carry youroriginal BIL with you at your designated Visa Application Centre to show proof of payment. You do notneed to request a new BIL. Since most VAC’s are presently closed, your application will remain open for90 days or until you are able to provide the required biometrics- you do not need to request an extension.According to IRCC, no application will be refused or closed if you are not able to give your biometrics onthe date indicated on your BIL.

For more information, please visit the Government of Canada's biometric information page andprocedures page.

4. If I defer my program to next term, when should I apply for my study permit and temporary residentvisa?

If you decide to defer your program to next term, you should start your study permit and temporaryresident visa applications as soon as possible due to delays in processing. Please visit the Immigration,Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for more information.

5. If my (initial) study permit is refused do I get back my tuition money?

Choosing to join us does not guarantee your ability to obtain a study permit. If you choose to move

forward with your studies without a study permit in place, you are responsible for affiliated tuition fees. Please review Acadia’s financial policies prior to making your decision.

6. What to do if I can’t provide the required documents for my application?

If you cannot provide all the documents required for your study permit application, you must provide aletter of explanation stating why you can’t submit all the required documents. You must also provide aletter of acceptance from the DLI when you apply. For more information regarding this, please visit letterof explanation for any documents that are missing.

7. What documents do I need to enter Canada as an international student?

As stated by IRCC, International Student Entering Canada must have:

a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.You must be attend a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness planapproved by its province or territory.Proof of enough money to support yourself and any family members travelling with you to Canada

Please review our Travel Documents Checklist for more.

8. Can family members travel with me to Canada?

According to IRCC, immediate family members may be able to travel with you to Canada.

You will need a written authorization from IRCC in order for them to travel with youAll family members must follow the Government of Canada's health requirements for travelersto CanadaPlease review IRCC’s requirements for visitors to Canada

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Winter 2021 Orientation

Welcome to Acadia!

Meet The Wong International Centre Team (PDF)

Access the Acadia Network

Microsoft Teams Session

Effortless Transition to Nova Scotia

Academic Expectations

Acadia Resources

ASU Clubs

New Student Information Session

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Option 1: Join us on campus!

To study on campus at Acadia, you must have a valid study permit or letter ofintroduction, and must be able to travel to Nova Scotia by January 3rd, 2021.International students need to arrive between January 1st-3rd, 2020.

Are you planning on living in residence? You can begin your application process byvisiting the Residence Life page.

Next Steps:

1. Please be sure to read the International Arrival Guide for more information.2. New to Acadia? Review our Enrolment Checklist in your status portal.3. Sign up for our Airport Shuttle service.

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Option 2: Join us virtually!

If you have a valid study permit or letter of introduction but cannot travel toNova Scotia by January 3, 2021:

Next Steps:

1. Review course formats and your timetable.2. New to Acadia? Review our Enrolment Checklist in your status portal.3. Plan to join us in September 2021? (Guaranteed Residence Accommodation).

If you do not have a valid study permit and cannot travel to Nova Scotia byJanuary 3rd:

Please note that:

Immigration Canada has introduced a new two-step visa approval process that allows students toreceive a conditional visa approval pending receipt of biometric and passport data. Learn moreabout your study permit options.Choosing to join Acadia virtually does not guarantee your ability to obtain a study permit. If youchoose to move forward with your studies without a study permit in place, you are responsible foraffiliated tuition fees. Please review Acadia’s financial policies prior to making your decision.

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Option 3: Defer your studies

If you may or may not have a valid study permit and cannot travel to NovaScotia by January 3rd:

Next Steps:

1. Confirm your deferral by contacting the admissions office at admissions@acadiau.ca.2. Plan to join us in September 2021? (Guaranteed Residence Accommodation).

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Important Links

Off Campus Quarantine Request Form

International post-secondary students during COVID-19

Contact

International StudentsWong International Centre27 Acadia StreetWolfville, Nova Scotia, B4P 2R6international@acadiau.ca902-585-1690

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