Studying at Lakehead as an International Student
Living alone for the first time can be intimidating, especially for students that have travelled far and wide to pursue their aspirations in another country. However, you need not worry, Lakehead International is here to help you throughout your stay in Canada. The International Student Centre is located right in the heart of the Thunder Bay campus, beneath the Chancellor Paterson Library and in OA 1031 Simcoe Hall Building at Orillia Campus. As an international student myself, I have found myself wandering to the International Student Centre in search of help quite a few times and not once did they disappoint. From English language classes to all your international student services, the International Student Centre has so much to offer to the global student community at Lakehead. Moreover, the International Lounge, located in the International Centre, is a wonderful place to connect with other students and unwind.
Lakehead International Student Services is your one stop for any concerns or questions. Appointments with International Student Services can be made online or in-person, in accordance with what works best for your schedule. Students also have access to the services of Lakehead University's regulated International Student Immigration Advisor, who is here to help you with any enquiries related to immigration. Additionally, International Student Services designs a plethora of exciting events and workshops for international students! An upcoming workshop is “International Student’s Banking in Canada '' on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT. More information about International Student Services can be found on the Lakehead website.
An important activity every international student is advised to practice is budgeting. Planning your expenses and budgeting is an effective way to keep your finances in check, avoid shock and potential student debt. As an international student, budgeting provides you with insights on your spending habits and helps trim unnecessary expenses. The first step of budgeting is to list down distinct categories of expenses and income sources. Do not forget to plan for the major categories of expenses you may have! This includes, but is not limited to: housing, communications, food, transportation, clothing and so forth. Tracking your expenses and cutting down on excess spending is the next step. Finally, allocate your income to different categories of expenses as required, and don’t forget to save! Pro tip: If you have an account with RBC, you can also use tools such as RBC’s myFinanceTracker, NOMI and RBC Wallet to better manage your finances.
Lakehead’s MySuccess portal is another tool that students can use! It is recommended to frequently check back in to see the different on-campus work opportunities available! Additionally, the portal provides academic support to those who need it. Apart from on-campus job opportunities, local retail stores are also on the lookout for students wanting to earn a few extra dollars. Students are encouraged to work to be able to provide for themselves and strengthen their financial independence.
Lastly, a friendly reminder to all international students that no matter what the circumstance may be, Lakehead International is always here for your peace of mind. Enjoy your stay!