INTERNATIONAL PRE- DEPARTURE ORIENTATION MERRIROSE STONE JULY 2013 Co-operative Education & Career Action (CECA)
INTERNATIONAL PRE-DEPARTURE
ORIENTATION
MERRIROSE STONEJULY 2013
Co-operative Education & Career Action
(CECA)
Valerie Wilson – Account [email protected], 519-888-4567 x37366
- job verificationMerrirose Stone – Student Advisor
[email protected], 519-888-4567 x38626- support, mid-term e-Visit, work term concerns
Sandra Shantz – Employment [email protected], 519-888-4567
x33926- visa inquiries, document submission
uWaterloo Contacts
UW POLICE519-888-4911 (24 hr. emergency assistance)
• If you experience a personal emergency (theft, assault, personal injury etc.) or are in a natural disaster that occurs after regular business hours at UW, and you need assistance, Campus Police are available to assist you!
• We can’t help you if we don’t know what your needs are, so please reach out for help.
Campus Police Contact Info
So, who does what?
Student Responsibilities:o Pre-departure researcho Visa documentation o Risk management o Health insurance o Personal securityo Travel & Housingo Emergency notification
Who does what?
Employer Responsibilities:
o Financial compensationo Arrival orientation o Job supervision o Mentoring o Professional development o Evaluation
This is what we’re here for:
University Responsibilities:o Visa & process adviceo Pre-departure briefing/resources o Student connectionso Work term & travel advisory monitoring o Emergency response o Provide support throughout your work term abroad
Before you go….
Submit a copy of your employment authorization (local passport, Visa, Work Permit, ID Card) to Sandra ([email protected])
Scan copies of ALL your important documents and email them to yourself!!
Register with nearest Canadian consulatehttps://www.voyage2.gc.ca/Registration_inscription/Register_Inscrire/Login_ouvrir-une-session-eng.aspx
Confirm & understand health insurance coverage(O.H.I.P. extended stay, vaccinations, check up)
Before you go….
FEDS Health & Dental Plan:- www.ihaveaplan.ca- We are not the insurance experts…so you
should direct all of your inquiries to EuropAssist or the uWaterloo Health & Dental Office (SLC 1121A)
- If you’re NOT on the uWaterloo Health & Dental plan, please be sure that your plan covers you!
- See your doctor/dentist before travel to get a check up, prescriptions etc.
Before you go continued…
Research/prepare for travel (personal safety, emergencies, local laws, ambassador role)
Establish housing – know your address(arrival plans, contact information)
Financial preparations
Travel tips (pack light, comfort, documentation - 3 copies, currency)
What do I need to send to CECA?
o Scan your passport photo page, including the bar code
o First & Last nameo Date of Birtho Place of Birtho Date passport was
issuedo Date passport
expireso Encoded information
for security measures
Visa – Employment AuthorizationsWhat will this look like?
•The Visa is either a stamp or a sticker added to your passport•Send a scanned copy of the Visa to Sandra•Also scan the stamps that you receive upon entry to the country you are working in
Once you arrive:
Contact CECA! You MUST email Sandra to let her know you have arrived! Send your mailing address where you will be living
Register with local authorities if necessary
Set up local bank accountSet up internet/phone access Set personal and professional objectives
SMART
CHOICES?
Risk Management – Cultural/Social Norms
how you perceive yourself vs. how you are perceived by the locals
What are your personal assumptions about social norms?
What about the dress code, language, business etiquette, touching, gestures? **Ask your co-workers, supervisors **
Risk Management – Personal Safety
prevention (minimizing risk)risk management plan:
do you know what to do if there was an emergency? Develop a personal risk plan so you are prepared!
- identification- communication
not just attack/theft (solo travel, night travel), also…
occupational health & safety, legal, political, environmental, health
Judgement Calls for “Risky Situations”
If you wouldn’t do it at home...don’t do it
away from home!Sometimes we leave our common sense behind when we go abroad and develop a “once in a lifetime” mentality and believe
“It will never happen to me!”
Blake wanted to try something extreme.Why not now?
Blake wanted to try something extreme.Why not now?
SMART CHOICES?
Ensure that the health insurance you purchase is appropriate for your personal health and for the activities you will take part in while abroad.
Know what will NOT be covered.2 out of 3 people make “spur of the moment decisions” while abroad and end up doing something that they regret in the end.
Risk Management – Your Health
maintain/supplement normal diet (vitamins)
food preparation / sourcing waterpersonal needs (plan ahead), local
clinics/doctors
Richard was having a great time in Germany, especially after meeting Robin. They’ve been dating for the past 2 months. They’ve slept together only once.
Richard was having a great time in Germany, especially after meeting Robin. They’ve been dating for the past 2 months. They’ve slept together only once.
SMART CHOICES?
Some common Sexually Transmitted Infections: herpes, syphilis, hepatitis B, gonorrhoea, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Consider bringing your own barrier protection and contraceptives as the standards, costs and availability in some countries can be different from that in Canada.
Access to health care may be limited or restricted.
Sexual Decision Making
Make good decisions regarding sexual encounters.
Be wise about risky sexual situations:- don’t leave your drink unattended- if at all possible, stay with a “buddy” when at a bar- say “NO” to ANY unwanted touch or sexual
advancement- know where to get condoms and practice safer sex
Greg was having fun while on his work term in Tokyo Japan when the earthquake and tsunami happened 200 km away.
The story was carried in the news in Canada and around the world.
Greg was having fun while on his work term in Tokyo Japan when the earthquake and tsunami happened 200 km away.
The story was carried in the news in Canada and around the world.
SMART CHOICES?
Family and friends at home want to stay connected to you while you’re abroad. So do we!
If you are a Canadian National, you MUST register with the Canadian Consulate - Family members may not know the exact location of your whereabouts.
We have assisted students in making decisions about relocation, safety issues surrounding returning to work, liaising with the Canadian Government on our student’s behalf and other issues. We can’t help if we don’t know how to get in touch with you!
Risk Management - Harassment
offensive/suggestive language (be prepared)
local normstake cue from the locals (dress,
behavior)behave confidentlycrowded places (inappropriate
behavior, appropriate response)
Michelle thought she knew the way to the embassy.
Michelle thought she knew the way to the embassy.
SMART CHOICES?
Avoid opening your map or guide book in the middle of the street.Study maps beforehand and pick a route, remembering key names of streets.
Consider stopping at a café or store to consult map.Carry phone numbers of local friends and police; know how to use a public phone beforehand.
Culture Shock
“That won’t happen to me!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFbPCj_cajY&feature=related
Wanna Bet?! Everyone gets it to varying degree & at different times!
Culture Shock – What is that?
Feelings of anger, sadness, frustration, withdrawal, avoiding contact with locals, negative feelings about host country, excessive sleep etc.
Coping Strategies:Get involved, learn the language, travel the region, make friends and develop relationships, maintain contact with friends and family back home, do something that reminds you of home, keep a blog
Arun hadn’t expected to feel so alone when he went back to his childhood home.
Arun hadn’t expected to feel so alone when he went back to his childhood home.
SMART CHOICES?
While some travelers are able to return to their country of origin and fit in seamlessly, many will still feel culture shock.
This type of culture shock, because it is often not anticipated, may present very different challenges.
You may feel like, or be treated as, an outsider in your country of birth, and at the same time not be seen as a Canadian either.
Nadine returned home hoping to share her experiences with everyone.
Nadine returned home hoping to share her experiences with everyone.
SMART CHOICES?
Friends and family may not understand your experience or may not be as interested as you had anticipated.
Be sensitive to the fact that friends and family did not accompany you on your journey and have had their own unique experiences while you were away.
Find ways to share your experiences by becoming involved with your home institution and/or with community groups
While you’re there:
Work smart, not too hardStay informed on global & security issuesMaintain a sense of humorMake the most of your opportunity!Be prepared for an emergency (contacts, forms, back ups)Evaluations & reports – DON’T leave your
employer until you’ve received a copyof your Student Performance Evaluation!
CECA Photo Contest
We need photographs and lots of them! Here is where you come in! While on your work term capture:
Scenery outside your apartment or around the city
You at your place of employmentPlaces you have visited and /or toured while on
the work termA nice sunset, or the view of the rocky
mountainsA group shot of all the uWaterloo co-ops
working at your locationThe city centre, local attractions or famous sites
Ontario Global Edge Funding - $4000 Award
Student eligibility: Full-time, undergraduate student enrolled in any Faculty at the
University of Waterloo. Enrolled in a co-op program and have successfully completed the first
work term. A Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. Between the ages of 19 and 29. Of the age of majority for the country in which the international
placement will occur. An Ontario resident while attending the post-secondary institution. Must be returning to uWaterloo for at least one more academic term
following completion of the placement. Demonstrated interest in owning or operating a business in the futureAPPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO SAFA BY FRIDAY AUGUST 9, 2013
http://uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/
Review
CECA requirements: JIF (if applicable)Risk Management Form completedVisa/Employment Authorization scanned
and sent to SandraArrival notice - complete mailing
addressRegister with Canadian Consulate or your countries Embassy