Volunteer Writers! E-Notice is a newsletter for the International Education community.  We are looking for volunteers to share their experiences and stories.  If you are interested, please contact Ms. Chung at teresa.chung@tcdsb.org

International Buddies! Looking for experienced TCDSB International Student Volunteers to assist the new students.  Volunteers must be responsible and mature.  English proficiency: ESL E and above.  Must have studied in a TCDSB high school for at least 1 full school year.  If you are interested, please email Ms. Chung at teresa.chung@tcdsb.org

Toronto History Museums Volunteer 10 historic sites. Currently offering opportunities for high school youth aged 14 to 18.  Variety of in-person and virtual volunteers.

Good Shepherd Ministries – click link for details.

Volunteer with Yee Hong – Yee Hong offers many volunteering activities such as visiting seniors, raising funds at events, helping with residential care or doing office work.  Click the link to contact or email the centers for student volunteer opportunities. 

Volunteer with Mon Sheong – click the link for details, activity types, and application procedure.

Long-Term Care Home Volunteer – various facilities in the City of Toronto.  Accept student volunteers.  Must commit at least 6 months.

Community Recreation Volunteer Opportunities – various opportunities.  At least 14 years of age. 

Toronto Public Library (TPL) Volunteer Programs– various positions from “Leading to Reading”, “Teen Councils”.  Bookmark the link and visit often for new posted positions.

immigration documents

“For the 2024-2025 school year, I applied for the study permit and got the permit refused in February due to not having recent documents for custodianship.” –an anonymous international student

In Ontario, all international students under the age of 18 MUST have a legal custodian.  One way to avoid permit refusal is to have a legal custodian and all related documents updated if you are under 18 years old.

• Border Guardians are not allowing flag poling anymore.   Immigration documents are now required to be in hand and best with supporting documents (such as your Letter of Acceptance) when coming back into Canada. 

Canada Ends Flagpoling: Immigration Policy Shift Explained

• If you exit Canada, your application or acknowledgement of immigration documents (visa and/or study permit) renewal is no longer valid as a proof for you to return to Canada. 

• The current renewal process can take more than 3 months.

• It is always best to submit application at least 3 months before your immigration documents expire. 

• To renew your Study Permit, you will need the Letter of Acceptance LOA.   LOA is issued when your tuition fee is paid in full.

support sessions for students 

The life of an international student can be full of excitement and wonderful experiences.  You can make friends from around the globe.  Studying abroad by oneself can also be lonely and stressful.  You may get lost in the language, the culture, the school routines and your educational plan. 

You are invited to join the Support Session with Ms. Chung, the academic advisor and counselor from the International Education Department on the First and Third Wednesdays of each month after school from 4pm to 5pm via Google meet.

You may join one or both of the following sessions:

English/Chinese session (First Wednesday) à Click here to register and to receive the Google link

English session (Third Wednesday) à Click here to register and to receive the Google link

You only need to register once and always use the same Google link to join the meeting. 

Many students inquired if private school’s credit can be used for OSSD graduation.  To help you answer the question, here is the information for you to consider.

 Both public and private schools must meet certain requirements set out in the Ontario Education Act, however, unlike public schools, private schools are businesses or non-profit organizations that must meet requirements set by the Education Act but are independent of the Ministry of Education.

 The Ministry of Education (Ontario) do not provide financial support, regulation, licensing, accreditation and oversight of operations for private schools

 Not all private schools can grant students the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or credits toward the OSSD.

 Principals and teachers in private schools don’t need to be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers.

 The Government of Ontario is the only authority that can determine the courses of study that a student must complete to obtain the OSSD.

 The Ministry of Education inspects private high schools seeking to grant credits in courses leading to the OSSD.  The Ministry can revoke the authority of a private to offer credits toward the OSSD as part of a regular process of investigating private schools.  

 Resources:

OSSD requirements  https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements

Private Schools: https://www.ontario.ca/page/private-schools#section-0

SCHOLARSHIPS/ AWARDS / BURSARIES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Most Universities in Ontario offer Entrance Scholarships based on academic average.  There is no need for you to apply.   Some open the In-Study Scholarships or Awards application to their International undergraduate.

Some Universities offer special scholarships / Awards to their International Undergraduates, with renewable opportunities. Click on the links below to understand the criteria of the scholarships.  They are for their international undergraduates,  high school students in their final years or have graduated by June; and will be going into the University in September. 

Don’t wait until your final year to do the research.  If you are now in grade 11, you should start your research!

Laurentian University: Laurentian University | International Student Scholarships

York University: https://yorkinternational.yorku.ca/scholarships-awards-and-bursaries/

 University of Winnipeg: University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders

 University of Calgary University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

 OCAD:  international student bursary program. 

University of British Columbia: https://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/international-scholars/

 University of Guelph: International Student Support | Student Financial Services (uoguelph.ca)

 University of Toronto: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto

English Proficiency Requirements – Ontario Universities

1. Proof of English language proficiency from the applicants except for those:

o   Whose first language is English,

o   Who have achieved satisfactory progress in a least 4 years of full-time study in an English-language school system located in a country where the dominant language is English or

o   Whose first language is French and who have achieved satisfactory academic progress in a least 4 years of full-time study in Canada

2. Grade 12 English grade is included in the admission average regardless of the English proficiency requirement.

(Some universities may ask for at least 3 years of full-time study in an English-language school system instead of 4 years.  Check with the universities.)

Examples of some Standardized English-language test scores recognized by the Ontario Universities.  Keep in mind that competitive universities often require higher scores.

• CAEL (70 overall with no band below 60)

• Cambridge English (min. 175 with no component below 170)

• Duolingo English Test (120 overall)

• IELTS (6.5 overall with no band below 6.0)

• PTE (60 overall)

• TOEFL (88 overall, 20 writing, 20 speaking, 20 reading, 20 listening)

Many universities offer English for Academic Purposes or similar program to support their potential applicants.  When the applicants successfully complete the English program at the University, that university will waive the English proficiency exam.   Inquire the universities if any English Academic support program is available.

In general, the deadline to submit the English Proficiency scores is around March 2025.  Always follow the instructions from the university and to meet its deadlines. 

Applying to ontario universities

For graduating students planning to apply for Ontario Universities this Fall:

1. Do your Research

   1. Find a Program  (link)

   2. Choose a university  (link)

2. Learn and Gather Information

   1. From your school Guidance visit/ Guidance office

   2. Application Guide (link)

   3. How-to Videos (link)

   4. Attend OUEvents (link) in-person and/or virtual events

   5. Get your Ontario Education Number (OEN) from your guidance counselor.  Your Guidance will give out OEN if you are eligible for University Application.

3. Apply:  Follow instructions from your Guidance Office.

Application Deadline:  January 15, 2025

Other info:

Regional Fairs :  https://www.ontariouniversitiesevents.ca/regional

Virtual Info Session:  Nov 21, 2024  https://www.ontariouniversitiesevents.ca/virtual

Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarships - University of Toronto, Deadline is October 11 for school nomination, OUAC admission application deadline October 18 and November 8 for student application.

Ontario Colleges

1. Find a Program

2. Follow the instructions from your school Guidance to create an account for application

Ontario Colleges Fair – October 16 and October 17.  Click the link for details.