{"id":19860,"date":"2015-10-26T08:47:43","date_gmt":"2015-10-26T12:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/?page_id=19860"},"modified":"2026-03-03T10:37:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:37:45","slug":"after-arrival-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/new-students\/after-arrival-information\/","title":{"rendered":"After Arrival Information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n After Arrival Information\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Carleton! Here’s a guide for what you can do after you arrive to get settled in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Carleton University<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carleton University is located just minutes south of downtown Ottawa and is easily accessible from all parts of the city. Need help planning your route? Click here for directions to campus.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attend Orientation Programming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

International Student Orientation day<\/a> is on August 29th, 2025. Registration will open July 15th, 2025. Incoming students are also encouraged to take part in I-Start International Orientation<\/a> This free, online mini-course is packed with everything you need to know about student life at Carleton and in Canada. Designed for all international students\u2014undergraduate, graduate, and study abroad\u2014this is your first step toward an amazing Carleton experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universal Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will receive a welcome email from Cowan (the insurance underwriter) to your Carleton email account with details on how to access your UHIP e-card.\u00a0Check your spam\/junk email folder as it will likely end up there. Print off your UHIP card and carry it with you at all times as you will need to show it to the doctor\/hospital for all visits. More details can be found on the UHIP website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand your Study Permit Obligations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Check out our Online Learning Resources <\/a> to learn about conditions of study permit holder status and obtain guidance on the most common student applications at your own pace. Use our online resources to familiarize yourself with key immigration concepts, get answers to common immigration-related questions, and take charge of your future as an international student. The GO-ISSO recommends you complete the Study Permit Secrets course before or during your first semester as a Carleton University student, to help you understand and comply with your responsibilities as a study permit holder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick up your Campus Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Campus Card serves as your official on-campus identification and credential. It features your photo, student number, name, U-Pass, barcode, and provides tap or swipe functionality for access and payments throughout campus (included in your full-time student fees). You can pick it up from the Campus Card office (407 Nideyinan – formerly University Centre). The OC Transpo travel planner<\/a> will be a helpful resource as you figure out the Ottawa transit system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy Your Textbooks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several different locations, including the campus book store<\/a>, where you can buy your text books. Be sure to check your course outlines for information about which textbooks you need and where you can buy them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open a Canadian Bank Account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some of the major Canadian banks with branch locations throughout Ottawa include BMO (Bank of Montreal), CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), RBC (Royal Bank of Canada), Scotiabank, and TD Bank. Contact the bank of your choice to establish what documentation you will need to bring with you in order to set up your account, and to see if any restrictions may apply. You may find the Canadian Bankers Association’s “Banking for Newcomers to Canada<\/a>“<\/a>\u00a0guide a helpful place to start your research. Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada<\/a> also provides a useful introduction to banking in Canada.\u00a0Some restrictions may apply when opening a Canadian bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy a Canadian Cell Phone or SIM Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Office Of Consumer Affairs (Industry Canada)<\/a> provides a series of resources on shopping for a cell phone and service plan. The three major cell phone providers in Canada are Bell, Rogers, and Telus. Other providers in the Ottawa area include Koodo, Fido, Virgin Mobile, and Wind. Before committing, consider whether you are interested in a long-term contract, a pre-paid\/pay-as-you-go plan, or a month-to-month plan. Be sure to take your time to explore your options and, whatever option you choose, make sure you understand all the details including all fees that will appear on your monthly bill and any penalties for exceeding your minutes\/data or cancelling your service. If you intend to use your phone to make international calls, be sure to consider what plans or apps will be most practical and economical for your purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop for the Basics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Moving to Ottawa for another country means you will have to purchase many of the basic items for your room or apartment once you arrive here in the city. Below are some shopping destinations accessible from campus to help you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping Malls:<\/strong> South Keys Shopping Centre<\/em>\u00a0is located on the O-Train Line 2 (Greenboro and South Keys Station), and includes\u00a0a variety of stores including Loblaws (grocery), Walmart (grocery\/clothing\/household goods), Winners\/Marshalls\/Homesense (clothing\/household goods), Bulk Barn (dry goods), and Staples (office supplies), among others.\u00a0CF Rideau Centre<\/em>\u00a0is a large mall located in Byward Market. Other Ottawa area malls include the Bayshore Shopping Centre and the St. Laurent Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Hand\/Used:<\/strong> An affordable option for buying clothing and household items are second hand or used stores such as Value Village (1824 Bank St. and 1375 Clyde Ave.) and the Salvation Army (1322 Carling Ave. and 2654 Alta Vista).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groceries:<\/strong> Generally, it is recommended that you avoid purchasing grocery items at convenience stores as the items will often be more expensive compared to grocery stores. Many grocery stores around Ottawa will offer student discounts on certain days of the week if you bring your student ID\/Campus Card with you. It is a good idea to bring reusable grocery bags to shop with as most grocery stores in Ottawa charge a small fee for disposable bags. Multicultural Grocery Store List<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ontario Photo ID Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Ontario photo ID card <\/a>is a piece of government-issued photo ID for Ontario residents who do not have a provincial driver’s license. This is not a mandatory piece of identification, but many international students find it useful as it allows them to leave hard-to-replace documents, like passports, at home as they go about their day-to-day activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participate in Events and Workshops<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

International students can benefit from educational workshops and social events developed specifically to assist Global Ravens with navigating life in Ottawa and Canada. The GO-ISSO offers a comprehensive schedule of workshops and events<\/a> throughout the <\/span>year, <\/span>covering <\/span>topics <\/span>relevant<\/span> for international students and help<\/span>ing<\/span> connect students with their peers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit the GO-ISSO in Person<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Visit our office at MacOdrum Library 4th Floor. Throughout the year, the GO-ISSO offers a variety of social programs and student services that will help you adjust to life in Ottawa and at Carleton. We are here to help you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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