A warm welcome from our team
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Western this fall! The International & Exchange Student Centre team is planning an amazing experience for you as you join the Western family! As you make your plans to come to campus, please know our International Student Advisors are available to answer your questions.
Please contact us or arrange to meet online if you need assistance.
Welcome Assistants are here to support you!
For students coming to Western from abroad, our Welcome Assistants are here to support you and help you settle in once you arrive in Canada.
- perform daily check-ins for students in quarantine
- Answer questions, address concerns and provide any updates about quarantine and student life at Western
- Provide students with resources to help them settle in
- Support students by providing information on COVID-19 testing and other quarantine requirements as needed
Welcome Assistants can be reached at iescwelcome@uwo.ca.
Travel, Immigration and Quarantine Information
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO LONDON FROM OUTSIDE OF CANADA
All Western students are required to complete all necessary testing and quarantine requirements and must register their mandatory travel and quarantine plan with Western and via the ArriveCAN app prior to arrival in Canada.
If you are an international student who is eligible to enter Canada and is fully vaccinated with a Health Canada-approved vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) you may be exempt from select quarantine requirements, including the three-day mandatory government-approved hotel stay and the Day 8 COVID-19 test, but you must still register your travel and quarantine plan with Western.
For eligibility information, please visit the Government of Canada website. Please note that the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization for students living in residence may not be Health Canada-approved for quarantine exemptions.
Students who do not meet the new eligibility requirements will still need to complete all the steps required to travel to Canada from abroad. Visit the International Arrival website for details and information on:
- quarantine requirements
- immigration and travel
- steps for travelling to Canada
- vaccine information
- and more!
Please note that government travel requirements continue to change. We will provide updates on our website and via email as needed.
Western-arranged quarantine accommodations
Western is committed to supporting students arriving in Canada. We recommend that newly arriving main campus students requiring quarantine participate in Western-arranged quarantine accommodations and meal service .
Immigration FAQ Fridays
Our International Student Advisors offer virtual Immigration FAQ sessions every Friday. Drop in and bring your questions on topics like:
- What are the current travel restrictions for international students?
- How do I extend my study permit?
- How do I apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit?
- And many more!
With a quick registration, you can “walk in” to this session and have your questions answered!
SmartStart Western
New Western students are encouraged to take advantage of SmartStart Western, a series of programs offered throughout the summer to support the transition of new students to Western and provide them with a foundation for their academic journey. Online programs include:
International Student Orientation
Our online International Student Orientation program will provide you with important information about the unwritten rules and expectations of the Canadian classroom, academic values in Canada, the language and culture of Western, key resources for international students, tips for dealing with culture shock, and so much more!
Whether you are beginning your studies in Canada or from abroad, you can participate in all orientation programming being offered by the IESC team and other campus partners. Orientation programming will be made available to you via virtual information sessions, online modules, and opportunities to connect with fellow students remotely.
Plan to join us for a New Student Party!
- Undergraduate students: New Student Party - Sep 1, 2021, 9:00 am or 6:00 pm ET
- Graduate students: New Student Party - Sep 2, 2021, 9:00 am or 6:00 pm ET
Registration details coming soon!
On-Campus Residence
If you have accepted your residence offer but still have questions about move-in, residence life, early move-in and quarantine, or other details, visit our Residence FAQ page or log in to myhousing.uwo.ca.
Off-Campus Housing
If you plan to live off campus and need assistance finding housing, understanding leases or learning about London services and amenities, visit offcampus.uwo.ca or email ocha@housing.uwo.ca.
