Aug. 22, 2019

Helping hands are ready and waiting to assist new international students arriving in Ontario bound for Wilfrid Laurier University.

Laurier is one of 19 postsecondary institutions in Ontario to participate in the Destination Ontario Airport Welcome Program, which offers third-party on-site support for new international students landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport ahead of the fall semester.

The program features welcome booths, located in terminals one and three, that are staffed by Destination Ontario representatives ready to assist students with school-specific next steps, such as arranging transportation to their campus or finding temporary accommodations until they can move into residences. Booths are open and staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sept. 8. New international students can also access the welcome program’s smartphone app, which features a live chat function with program representatives and links to campus resources.

Laurier has offered its own airport reception services for several years. This is the first time the university is participating in the multi-institution program.

“Collaborating with other schools in the program is a great way to expand the services offered to new international students while enhancing the profile of Ontario as an attractive destination for post-secondary education,” says Peter Donahue, associate director of international student support at Laurier.

Laurier will welcome 440 new, degree-seeking international students from 55 countries to the Brantford and Waterloo campuses for the 2019-20 academic year.

Various programs and supports are available for Golden Hawks new to Canada.

International Orientation Week runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Laurier’s Brantford and Waterloo campuses to introduce new international students to academic and campus life at Laurier. The week includes a variety of campus-specific activities and concludes with the ever-popular scavenger hunt.

International students are also invited to participate in the university-wide Orientation Week, organized by Laurier’s Student Union, held Sept. 1 to 7 in Waterloo and Sept. 2 to 7 in Brantford.

Additional supports are also available throughout the school year, including international student advising, transition and academic advising, and a peer language support program. International students can also access specialized career services and resources at Laurier’s campus Career Centres.

For more information about the airport welcome program and international student support, contact Jennifer Will at 519.884.0710 x4085 or jewill@wlu.ca.