Adjust to Your New Home

Before You Arrive

To help you adjust to university and succeed at Saint Mary’s, we encourage you to:

• Have the necessary paperwork, including your acceptance letter and passport, and copies of your documents. Keep the copies separate from the original documents.
• Book your flight to arrive with enough time to settle in before classes.
• Use free airport pickup for new students (with at least 5 days’ notice).
• Don’t worry too much about bringing the right clothes. You can buy more once you arrive.
• Bring enough cash to get started, but to be as safe as possible, don’t carry too much cash. Consider having a family member send you the rest of your money through online banking.

• Learn about Nova Scotia and Halifax before your arrival.

Check the expiry date on your study permit often. You will want to renew your permit at least one or two months before it expires. The International Student Centre can help you with this.

After You Arrive

It’s understandable to feel stress as you adjust to life in Canada, with a new culture, climate, food, and language.

What is Culture Shock?

Culture shock is a feeling of disorientation and anxiety. You may feel homesick, bored, withdrawn, excessively tried, sad, irritable, and, at times, sick. These experiences are difficult — and they’re also common. As time passes and you adjust to your new home, you’ll begin to feel like yourself again.

Tips to Ease the Transition

• Attend new student orientation! You’ll make new friends and adjust faster.
• Learn as much as you can about Canada.
• Get involved in student life, perhaps by joining a student society or sports team.
• Eat well, sleep well, and get lots of exercise.

Talk to someone. Contact the International Student Centre or the Counselling Centre. You can also talk to a friend, or, if you’re living in residence, your Resident Advisor (RA).