So, you've just arrived in Toronto as an international student! Congratulations – this is a huge step in your life. It can be daunting, of course, but also very exciting. The next few weeks will be packed with new experiences and adventures. Here's what you can expect in your first week as a student in Toronto.
Airport Pickup
If this is your first time coming to Canada, most colleges offer an airport pickup service that you can schedule by giving your flight information details and arrival date at least four days before arrival.When landing in Toronto, you will most likely land in the Toronto Pearson International airport. Although TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) connects directly from the airport to all over Toronto, we highly recommend requesting airport pickup or using Uber/Lyft to get to your destination. You will most likely carry heavy luggage especially on your first arrival to Toronto, so make sure to plan accordingly and make sure your transportation method supports your amount of luggage.
Accomodations
Don't be caught without a place to stay before your move-in date! We recommend all students choose the residence during the first year because it helps with the adjustment factor, culture shock and is just convenient. If you are moving in early at your college residence, make sure that you’ve made a formal request and they have accepted early move-in. You can look into hotels near campus but be prepared for an extra expense of commuting back and forth to the college. Most hotels are likely not within walking distance so plan accordingly by checking if any rentals offer daily rates which might cut down on travel time considerably as well provide more convenience when getting around. Lastly, Airbnb could be an option as a temporary stay option but make sure to check reviews and do your due-diligence. Alternatively, you have off-campus housing options that the college can assist you with or you can look for listings. There are many things to consider for off-campus housing but we will leave that for another blog post. Stay tuned and keep coming back!
Inform Your School
Within your first few days of arrival, you should always inform the International Department at your school that you have arrived and are settling in. They may have orientation programs on-campus that you can attend. You will need to provide them with a copy of your VISA documentation and sign up for any placement tests.
Know your Neighbourhood
The first thing you should do in your neighbourhood is buy a Tim Hortons double double. Try it, it’s going to be a part of your culture now! Go for a walk with your double double and soak in the environment. Get familiar with where the nearest grocery stores and department stores are so that you don’t have to scramble and worry when you find out you’re out of toothpaste. For transportation, we recommend taking Uber/Lyft during the first couple trips until you get familiar with Toronto transit and daily routes.
Cellphone
If you have your own phone, you can get a student plan which will help save you money and give you all of the basic features you require. If you do not yet have a phone, you will likely need to sign up for a two-year plan with a provider such as Freedom Mobile, Fido, Rogers, or Bell. They will get a plan that suits your needs.
Don’t forget to bring your chargers! However, remember that Canada may have a different electrical voltage/plug than your home country. Canada uses Type A and B, so be sure to purchase an adapter or Type A/B chargers in Toronto for the right voltage.
Bank Account
Set up a bank account so that you do not have to carry large amounts of cash on you. Toronto is one of the safest cities in Canada and in the world, but that doesn’t put you in any less of a danger. Some people may offer to help set up your bank account, but you will not need their help. They will probably try to scam you and steal your money. Instead, set up your own bank account. You should have no problems doing so as the steps are easy. You will need two pieces of ID with you to open an account. You can take your passport and your VISA as two different IDs. Also, be sure to take your acceptance offer letter because banks often have student specials that you can get.
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