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College ge o of the Rocki ockies Create e Your Yo Own Jour ourney

Handbo dbook for Internationa ional Students

Information tion you don’t wantt to miss!

Contact Detail tails: 7043515137 1 supportseasia@ sia@cotr.bc.ca

Contents Sr. No

Topic

Page Number

1.

Contact Numbers

3

2.

Welcome to Canada and Cranbrook

4

3.

Travel Preparations

5

4.

College of the Rockies

6

5.

Canadian Culture

7

6.

Arrival Information

12

7.

Community Information

15

8.

Health Information

19

9.

Homestay

20

10.

Residence

25

11.

College Services

28

12.

Writing Help

29

13.

Some Basic Advice

30

14.

Time Management

32

15.

College of the Rockies Library

33

16.

Plagiarism and Citation

36

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Contact Numbers International Department 250-489-8248

1Cheryl Webber, International Education Coordinator Phone: 250-489-2751, ext 3550 Email: webber@cotr.bc.ca

Marifer Lam, International Student Coordinator Phone: 250489-2751, ext 3517 Email: lam@cotr.bc.ca

Clair Pusztay, International Student Coordinator Phone: 250489-2751 ext 3435 Email: cpusztay@cotr.bc.ca

Saori (Chao) Knezevic, International Student Coordinator Phone: 250-489-2751, ext 3469 Email: SKnezevic@cotr.bc.ca

Jeff Cooper, Manager, International Education Phone: 250-4892751, ext 3557 Email: cooper@cotr.bc.ca

Your feedback is important to us.

International Education and Development staff welcomes feedback from students regarding this guidebook. If there is information missing that you think is important and should be included here, we would like your input.

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Welcome to Canada and Cranbrook Welcome! Cranbrook is a small city in south-eastern British Columbia situated in a beautiful setting bordered by two mountain ranges. The people of Cranbrook are friendly and trusting. They love the outdoors and enjoy a variety of recreational activities. They look forward to your visit. We expect that you will have a wonderful stay and will make warm and lasting friendships. Our hosts and staff are interested in helping you to ensure your stay is happy.

This guidebook has been developed to provide some information that may help you to deal with situations and questions that arise during your stay.

Not all of your questions will be answered by this guidebook. We encourage you to talk to the International Education staff regarding any other concerns.

We extend our best wishes for an enjoyable and rewarding experience in Canada.

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Travel Preparations When packing for your college experience, keep the following in mind: the less you bring, the more you can take back. Airlines have very strict baggage limits and will charge penalty fees if you exceed them. Keep in mind the season when packing.

Preparations If you require prescription medication try to bring enough to last the duration of your stay. It is also a good idea to consult your doctor about the active ingredient in the medication and get a prescription for the Canadian equivalent that can be filled at a pharmacy in Canada if/when necessary. Be sure to bring spare prescription glasses and/or contact lenses as well as a copy of your prescription. If you are particular about toiletries and other personal care items (such as feminine hygiene products), bring enough to last your entire stay.

En Route (Travelling to Canada) International travel is exciting – and exhausting. To counteract the effects of dry conditions on airplanes and jet lag, use hand cream and possibly even a nasal spray, and drink lots of water during your trip. Avoid alcohol consumption. Get up and walk around as often as possible during your flight.

Upon Arrival Set your watch to Mountain Standard Time when you arrive. Try to stay up until your normal bedtime. If you must nap, set your alarm and limit naps to 30 minutes or less. Spend as much time as possible outside in the fresh air.

Drink lots of water and fluids – do not drink alcohol, it prolongs the effects of jet lag.

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College of the Rockies Welcome to the College of the Rockies! We are confident that your stay with us will be a great experience in terms of new friends, great faculty and challenging courses. The staff and faculty at College of the Rockies are committed to help you succeed your dreams.

We know that you have many questions about moving to a new country, a new city and a new place of study. This booklet will provide you with useful information and introduce you to the Cranbrook.

We are happy to help you. Please do not hesitate to ask for any assistance you may require. You may not be used to doing that, but it is a very Canadian thing to do. We want you to succeed, enjoy yourself and graduate with fond memories of life at College of the Rockies.

Arrival Checklist This handbook is designed to help you understand the services available to you as an international student at College of the Rockies. Before you begin exploring the possibilities to a wonderful student life at College of the Rockies, please use this checklist to get through a few things that are important to do within the first few days of arriving in Canada.

Report to the International Office as you arrive either in person, by phone or by e-mail.

Get your student photo ID from the Student Services Office or Student Association, please bring valid photo ID and your student number.

Check your e-mail account for your time table and medical insurance policy, if you do not have it, please contact the International Office.

Make sure to update your e-mail address, new mailing address in Canada and telephone number in Canada.

Open a bank account.

Buy textbooks and other school supplies.

Keep your documents in a safe place, and you are welcome to photocopy/scan your documents in the international office.

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Canadian Culture Certain customs are the same for every culture. These include being polite and showing consideration of others. Canadians are generally easy-going and fun-loving. We don’t take ourselves too seriously and aren’t easily offended. There are, however, some cultural expectations and standards to be aware of. Use common sense and keep the following DOs and DON’Ts in mind: • Do knock before entering a home (and wait to be invited inside); • Do remove your shoes before entering someone’s home; • Do offer to hold the door open for someone else when entering a building; • Do say “excuse me” if you bump someone accidentally or if you require assistance or need to get someone’s attention; • Do raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you in all classrooms; • Do be polite - say “please” and “thank you” when applicable; • Don’t slurp your food or chew with your mouth open; • Don’t ask an adult their age (unless you know them very well); • Don’t interrupt people when they are speaking, particularly teachers.

Canadians value their personal space but some forms of physical contact are common. Handshakes are routine when being introduced to someone for the first time and a pat on the back is a common way of supporting or congratulating someone. Hugging as a final farewell or to console someone is also common.

Canadians typically greet one another using their given/first names.

It is important to be aware of gender roles in Canadian society. Women and men are equal in and out of the home. Housework is generally a shared responsibility.

Canada is a liberal and multicultural society. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated. In Canada, all people including immigrants and visitors have the right to be treated equally without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

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Smoking At home - Attitudes towards smoking vary among families. Check with your host for their rules. Most families do not allow smoking in the home.

In public - Smoking is not allowed in most public places. Signs are generally posted.

At school - Smoking is not allowed indoors. If you need to smoke at school, you must go outside to the designated areas away from the entrances to any building.

Alcohol At home - Attitudes towards drinking alcohol vary among families. Check with your host for their rules. Drunkenness is not permitted.

In public - You must be 19 years old to buy and drink alcohol in BC. Drinking alcohol is not allowed in any public places, only in licensed bars or restaurants.

At school - No alcohol is allowed on the college campus.

Eating and Table Manners • •

• • • • •

Wash your hands before you sit down at the table or begin to eat.

Feel free to politely decline foods or drinks offered to you, but always be willing to try something new. If you dislike it, you can say “thank you, but I am not so fond of that food/ taste.”

Do not begin to eat until everyone at the table has food on their plates and the person who prepared the meal has started to eat.

Eat quietly‐ slurping, chewing loudly or talking with your mouth full is considered very rude.

It is polite to eat most of the food that is on your plate. If you are given too much food, you can ask for less.

Thank your host for the food and tell them if you enjoyed it.

When eating in a restaurant, it is customary to tip your server between 15% and 20% of the total bill before taxes if you have received good service. The tip may be left in cash at the tableor given to the server.

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If you pay with a debit or credit card, there is often a prompt on the card machine asking if you would like to leave a tip and how much.

Common Personal Habits •

•

• • •

‐Do not wear strong fragrances (perfume or cologne) in public spaces such as a bus or classroom. Some people are very allergic to strong smells.

Practice proper dental hygiene. Brush your teeth after each meal and use floss or a toothpick to make sure no food is left in between your teeth.

Spitting in public is considered inappropriate.

Cover your mouth with your sleeve or a tissue before you cough or sneeze in front of others.

Nose blowing and other personal hygiene activities should not be performed in public.

Special Occasions and Gifts • •

•

•

Close friends and family members exchange gifts at Christmas and on birthdays.

If someone gives you a gift, the correct response is to act surprised and excited (all gifts are considered unexpected) and to say thank you.

Gift giving is not expected in Canadian culture, and giving a gift to someone you do not know well (even if it is their birthday) can make them feel uncomfortable.

If you want to give a gift to a new friend make it small and modest.

Avoid giving lavish or expensive gifts.

Staying Healthy Staying healthy is an important way to reduce stress and make sure you enjoy your experience in Canada. Here are some tips for reducing your stress and staying healthy and happy.

•

Eat well and get enough sleep.

9

• • • • • • • •

Try Canadian foods, and if you miss foods from home ask other students where you can buy them.

Exercise regularly. This will help you deal with stress and improve your mood.

Make sure you balance studying with your social life. Both are important.

Find time to enjoy your neighborhood and city. Explore the area and travel to nearby towns.

Take time to relax.

Keep in touch with family and friends.

Make new friends.

Talk to someone if you are feeling homesick or alone. You can talk to your friends, Homestay family, instructors, the International Student Services Coordinator, or a counselor.

Holidays Canadians celebrate several holidays during which most businesses are closed: Date

Holiday

January 01, 2015

New Year’s Day

February 09, 2015

Family Day (BC)

April 03, 2015

Good Friday (varies each year)

April 06, 2015

Easter Monday (varies each year)

May 18, 2015

Victoria Day (varies each year)

July 1, 2015

Canada Day

August 03, 2015

BC Day (First Monday in August)

October 12, 2015

Thanksgiving (varies each year)

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November 11, 2015

Remembrance Day

December 25, 2015

Christmas Day

December 26, 2015

Boxing Day

Money Matters The basic unit is the dollar ($1.00).

Paper money is in units of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Each coin has a market value in cents. Coins are marked in cents and are in units of 1, 5, 10, 25, 1 dollar, and 2 dollars. The common term for a one dollar coin is a “loonie”.

A two dollar coin is sometimes called a “toonie”. American currency and Visa and MasterCard are also accepted at most places, as well as at all the major banks.

There are banks and credit unions in Cranbrook. You can change money, receive wire transfers or cash traveler’s cheques at any one of them. If you have a student visa, you can open a bank account. Banking hours are generally 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday. Check the hours of your bank. They are usually posted on the door. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are accessible 24 hours a day on-site at each bank and at other locations in the community, including the college.

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Arrival Information Settling In - Meeting Your Hosts You will be met at the airport by your host family and/or the International Education staff. The International Education staff will show you around Cranbrook and the college campus. They will ensure that you are settled into your college program. Please ask the International Education staff or Homestay host any questions you may have.

Culture Shock Culture shock is a very real psychological process everyone experiences upon arrival in a new country. There are four stages which affect everyone differently. The key to coping is to understand the stages and that the feelings associated with each stage are normal. Most students will get homesick for their families, friends and their school. Some become frustrated with how different things are in Canada and how tired they become have to use English all day, every day. The good news is – almost all students get past these stages and have a wonderful time in Cranbrook and Canada.

The Honeymoon Stage When you first arrive in Cranbrook everything that is new and different is also wonderful and interesting. This is the only stage most tourists experience as they never have to adapt to the culture. This stage can last from a week to a month or more.

The Distress Stage This is where the reality of being away from home for a longer period of time hits. Cultural differences that you found interesting earlier in your stage can become frustrating. You may feel confused, isolated and/or overwhelmed during this stage. This time can be exhausting, especially if earning English is proving to be a challenge as well.

The Transition Stage This is the most important stage to understand. You may become angry or frustrated with Canadian life when comparing it to your home culture. Don’t 12

worry, this is normal. The key is to recognize symptoms of this stage and not give in to them.

The Integration Stage Cultural challenges and language issues begin to decline as you accept and embrace the differences that previously frustrated you. This is when your study abroad experience becomes everything you hoped it would be; you feel confident and relaxed in your community, your school and your homestay/residence.

While it is important to be aware of the stages listed above, it is equally important to know that not everyone goes through every stage. Some arrive and are immediately homesick; others never experience the frustration of the transition stage and skip quickly to the integration stage. The key is to be aware of what is happening and remember that the International Education staff and your Homestay hosts are available to help you.

Most important thing is to remember why you came to Canada! It is supposed to be different and challenging. If Canada was the same as your home country, there would be no reason to come.

Immigration Students studying for six months or more require a Canada Study Permit.

You should have arranged all of your study permit requirements before you left home. Any changes in your status or questions you may have should be discussed with the International Education staff. Upon arrival at the college, you will be required to show your study permit to International Education staff if you have one. If you want to extend your study permit, you should see the International Education staff at least 2 months before your current permit expires. All forms for extending your study permit are available at the International Education Office. More detailed information is available at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/

Orientation Students will receive a two or three day orientation, depending on class start dates. You will find your orientation dates on your Letter of Acceptance.

Please bring the following documents to orientation: 13

• • •

Passport Study Permit Medical Insurance information

During Orientation you will receive a tour of the College and facilities, an introduction to International staff and information that includes a review of homestay and residence rights and responsibilities, health, safety and registration information. English Language assessments will also take place during orientation.

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Community Information Climate The temperature in Cranbrook varies from -20 degrees Celsius in the winter to 35 degrees Celsius in the summer. Autumn and spring have moderate temperatures and some light rainfall. The coldest months are December, January and February. During that time we have occasional snowstorms with snow remaining on the ground until spring (March). The weather continues to become warmer throughout the spring and into the summer. The warmest months are June, July and August. In July and August Cranbrook has the most sunshine hours of any city in British Columbia. In July and August temperatures consistently reach between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius.

Clothing In Cranbrook, people dress casually. During the day, men and women might be most comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. Evenings are cool.

Summer wear: • • • • • • • • •

a light jacket, preferably waterproof running shoes a warm sweatshirt or sweater sun glasses long pants or jeans sun hat shorts bathing suit t-shirts

Winter wear (all items can be purchased after arrival in Cranbrook): • • • • • •

a warm winter jacket heavy gloves a warm hat warm boots with good treads a warm sweatshirt or sweater long pants or jeans

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Places of Worship There are many Christian churches in Cranbrook. Most Christian churches have services on Sunday. Attending church is strictly voluntary. You do not have to attend church.

Transportation Cranbrook Transit (bus) stops at College of the Rockies. The bus is a good way to travel between your homestay and the College. Schedules are provided at Orientation and are available at the Reception Desk at the College. A semester bus pass is included with your student fees so the bus is free to use for college students during that time. If you need to change buses, you should tell the bus driver. For transportation at night when the bus is not running, you can take a taxi.

For taxi service: 250-426-5511 or 250-426-1111 (Taxis are safe and reliable in Canada) For travel outside of Cranbrook: Greyhound Lines of Canada (bus): 250-426-3331 (bus depot is near McDonald’s).

No reservations are required; this is the best way to travel to Banff.

Air Canada: 250-426-7719 (Cranbrook Airport) Pacific Coastal Airlines: 250-489-5542 (Cranbrook Airport) Budget Car Rental: 250-489-4371 National Car Rental: 250-489-0911 Rent-A-Wreck Car Rental: 250-426-3004 Enterprise Car Rental: 250-489-5311 If you wish to obtain a drivers license while in Cranbrook, review licensing information at http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/Pages/Default.aspx, or contact Service BC (100 Cranbrook Street N). For further assistance, please contact the International Department. After passing the written test, it is

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recommended that you take driving lessons from a driving school. Do not drive your host’s car.

Rocky Mountain Driving School 250-426-4900 Hidden Valley Driving School 250-426-6001

Shopping Most businesses are open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Many stores are open on Saturdays. The large grocery stores are open until 10:00 pm every day. Most businesses are closed on Sundays, except restaurants, grocery stores, larger department stores, and stores in malls.

Almost all stores and restaurants accept credit or debits cards in addition to Canadian cash. Ask your host family for advice on shopping for particular goods and services.

While not mandatory, tipping is common practice at restaurants in Canada.

If the service you receive from your waiter/waitress is good, please add 15% to the total bill as a tip. Tipping is also common for taxi drivers, hair stylists, and some hotel staff (e.g. the bellboy who carries your luggage to your room.) A tip of 10% is usually enough.

Retail stores are located at the Tamarack Mall, downtown on and around Baker Street., and in the big box store area near Wal-Mart. Large grocery stores include Safeway, Superstore and Save On Foods. Large department stores include Wal-Mart and Target. There are numerous small stores scattered throughout the city.

Recreation Cranbrook and the outlying areas support many outdoor and indoor recreational activities. Among them are: Swimming

Cranbrook Rec Plex

Curling

Curling Club (behind the Rec Plex)

Bowling

Juniper Lanes (1400 - 4th Street N.) 17

Tennis

Gyro Park/Kinsmen Park

Golf

Cranbrook Golf Club Mission Hills Golf Course+ St. Eugene Mission Golf Course Way-Lyn Ranch Golf Course+

Water Sports

Jim Smith Lake, Wasa Lake, Moyie Lake

Movies

Columbia Theatre (Tamarack Mall)

Downhill Skiing

Kimberley and Fernie*

Railway Museum Cranbrook +Way-Lyn Ranch and Mission Hills golf courses are good for beginners. *Kimberley is a town located 30 km North of Cranbrook; Fernie is a town located about 100 km East of Cranbrook.

Postal Services Stamps, mailing supplies, and parcels can be purchased and/or sent at either the Main post Office at 101 - 10th Avenue S. (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm), or Shopper’s Drug Mart in Tamarack Mall during mall hours. Please refer to their website (www.canadapost.ca) for costs.

Emergency Services Service

Emergency Number

Police (RCMP) 911 Fire Department 911 Ambulance 911 Alcohol & Drug Counseling Crisis Line 250-426-8407

Non-Emergency Number 250-489-3471 250-426-2325 250-426-8944 250-489-4344

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Health Information Medical Insurance All international students at College of the Rockies are required to have medical insurance valid in Canada for the duration of their stay. You can purchase medical coverage as soon as you arrive at the College during orientation and our International Education staff will assist you. BC Government medical insurance is mandatory if you have a study permit. The BC Government medical services plan will cost $72 per month. There is a two or three month waiting period for government medical insurance. You must purchase Guard.me medical coverage costing $1.95 per day for this waiting time. All forms for medical insurance are available from the International Education staff.

Students without a study permit are not eligible for BC Government medical insurance. You must purchase Guard.me medical coverage from the college costing $1.95 per day.

Dental Insurance It is a good idea to go to the dentist before coming to Canada. You will be responsible for the cost of any dental services you may require. A list of qualified dentists can be found in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under the heading ‘Dentists’. If you need help, International Education staff can make an appointment at a dentist for you.

Medical Aid If you need to see a doctor, and you are not in an emergency situation, you should visit a Medical Clinic. Most clinics in Cranbrook require an appointment. International staff can assist you to make an appointment.

There are pharmacies where both prescription and non-prescription medications are available. If you have allergies, please consult a pharmacist before purchasing a non-prescription medication to ensure it is safe and/or appropriate for you to take.

Emergency Medical assistance is available day and night at: East Kootenay Regional Hospital 13 - 24th Avenue N Tel: 250-426-5281 Call 911 if you require an ambulance.

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Homestay We hope your homestay experience will be one of the best parts of your stay in Canada. If you have questions or problems it is best to discuss them immediately with your host family. Also the International Education staff is available to help with any problems. The Homestay program provides an opportunity for you to live with a Canadian family. It will help you gain new insights to our country, yourself and others.

On behalf of the college, the International Education staff has interviewed each family applied to be a homestay host. We have tried to find hosts interested in providing you with a warm and friendly environment and the help and support you will need for your studies and your stay in Canada.

Please remember you are subject to all the laws of Canada, but you are also entitled to the same protection as any Canadian citizen. If you have any questions or concerns, you should discuss these with the International Education staff.

Your host family will be different from your family and from other host families. You will be able to share in both the pleasures and responsibilities of home life in Canada. To do so, you must respect the family’s rules. In the beginning, ask about the rules and don’t feel embarrassed when asking for help.

If English is not your first language, you will find that trying to speak and understand English all day is tiring; continue making an effort to understand.

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You will become a part of the family faster by trying to learn as much as you can through being a friend and participant. Many things which are initially awkward may be more comfortable later if you first give them a chance.

Your host family is anxious to make your stay a happy one. They may be making an effort to include you in activities inside and outside the home.

There may be times when something troubles or confuses you. Always ask someone to explain things that are not clear to you. Also, let others know when something pleases you.

It will be helpful to pursue developing your own friends as well. Your host cannot be a constant companion. However, your host family can be an important source of help in learning about our community.

During your stay, if difficulties or questions arise that cannot be solved through discussions with your host, contact the International Education staff.

Both your happiness and the happiness of your host family are important.

Food and Drink You will be provided with 3 meals per day. Family customs vary so please check with your host as to their habits. The following information is a guideline only. Find out when mealtimes are and be sure to come to the table on time. If you won’t be home for a meal or expect to be late, be sure you tell your host family. Host families are not responsible to pay for any meals purchased in a restaurant; homestay fees cover only meals eaten in the home.

Breakfast: (usually between 7am and 9am) Breakfast usually consists of cereal and toast or muffins, juice and coffee, and may include hot eggs or bacon. Members of Canadian families often prepare their own breakfast. You may be expected to make your own breakfast.

Lunch: (usually around 12 noon) Lunch is generally a light meal consisting of a salad, soup or sandwiches.

Many students carry their lunch to school (bagged lunch). During school days, your host will provide you with a bagged lunch or food to prepare your own bag lunch, which you can eat at the college. There is also a cafeteria on 21

campus where microwaves are available to heat lunches, or if you wish to purchase your lunch.

Dinner (or Supper): (the evening meal is around 5 pm or 6 pm) This is usually the largest meal of the day and often consists of meat, vegetables and potatoes, rice or pasta. Dessert may be a sweet or fruit.

Dinners are the biggest and most important meal of the day. It is a time to eat, relax and socialize. Please make a point of maximizing the dinner experience; it is a great time to connect with your family and improve your English.

Canadian food is very diverse. In any given week a Canadian family might eat Italian pasta, a Chinese stir-fry, a North American bar-b-que and a British-style pot roast for dinner. Local grocery stores stock ingredients for meals made around the world. Please advise your host parents of any food allergies and let them know what foods you enjoy the most.

Meals are usually served “home-style� which means you help yourself to the various dishes on the table. Please note: the water in Cranbrook is clean and is drinkable straight from the tap.

Physical Environment You will be provided with your own room with a bed, dresser, closet, and desk. You will have access to your own or to a shared bathroom including toilet, sink and bath or shower. The family generally has a shared living space for entertainment such as television or music. There is usually a separate space for the preparation and eating of meals.

Housecleaning Check with your homestay host regarding their expectations. Generally you will be responsible to make your own bed on a daily basis and keep your own room tidy. You should always clean the bathroom after you use it. You may want to help with some daily jobs such as setting the table or doing dishes. This is a good way to become more familiar with Canadian life and practice English.

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Laundry The homestay host will show you how to use the washing machine and dryer. If you want to use the laundry facilities, please check with your host first.

Television/Internet Most homes have a television with DVD player and some homes have a computer with internet or a wireless connection. Free wireless internet for laptop computer is available at the College. The College also offers free computer use if it is not available in homestay.

Bathrooms Schedule your showers to fit in with the schedules of other family members.

Please do not take long showers as using too much hot water can cause problems for other family members who might be showering after you. A typical shower in Canada lasts about 10 minutes. Ask your host family for guidelines about bathroom use. Please provide your own toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, etc.

Telephones All homes have a telephone. Check with your host regarding their rules. In particular, ask how they wish you to pay for long distance calls. Telephone calling cards can be purchased easily and used at your homestay. The International Department also offers a free use telephone for international calls (limit one call per day, maximum five minutes).

Transportation Most students can take the public transit system (bus) to and from the College. For rides outside of school, please discuss your needs with your host ahead of time.

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Visitors If you wish to have a visitor, please ask your host family if this is convenient. Although it is not usual, if you wish to have an overnight guest, you must ask your host family first. It is unacceptable to have friends of the opposite sex stay overnight.

Visits Away From Your Host Family If you plan to visit a friend for a meal or overnight, or go on a short holiday, remember to inform your host family and leave a telephone number where they can reach you. If you are going to be away longer than planned, always phone your host family to let them know.

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Residence Living in the Purcell House student residence is a great way to meet Canadian college students. The residence is designed so that six students share an apartment called a “pod”. Each pod has six private bedrooms, two bathrooms, one kitchen and one common area. Like homestay, International students in the residence will have to share their home with others. It is important to respect the other students who share your pod and to follow the rules of the residence. The Residence Manager will provide a residence rulebook for you when you first arrive. If you have any questions or concerns about the residence, please feel free to talk to the Residence Manager or the student Residence Advisors.

It is important that you make an effort to communicate with the other students that live in your pod. Your stay in the residence will be much more comfortable if you make an effort to be friendly with your “podmates” and to join in social activities at the residence.

Food and Drink If you live in the residence, you may eat in the cafeteria or restaurant.

However, many students choose to prepare meals in the residence.

Remember the kitchens in the residence are shared by six students; therefore, please be considerate of others by cleaning up immediately. Never “borrow” food from other students.

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Housecleaning There are no maids in the residence. Each student must clean up their own room, wash their own clothes and clean up their own dishes. All students must also share in routine cleaning such as vacuuming common areas, taking out the garbage, cleaning the bathrooms and cleaning the kitchen.

Always clean up the kitchen and bathroom immediately after you have used them.

Laundry There are coin-operated washers and dryers located at the Residence. You must supply your own laundry soap and dryer softener.

Bathrooms Schedule your showers to fit in with the schedule of other pod members. A typical shower in Canada lasts 10 minutes. Please provide your own shampoo, soap, towel, toothpaste etc. Do not shower late at night when your podmates are sleeping.

Kitchen Use Talk to your podmates about their schedules so that sharing the kitchen is convenient for everyone. You will be required to provide your own dishes, cookware, appliances and food. Never “borrow� any of these items from your podmates without their permission. Always clean up the kitchen immediately after you finish cooking. Never leave dishes in the sink. Leftover food should be thrown in the garbage or placed in the refrigerator. Please clean the refrigerator regularly and throw out any food items that have gone bad.

Make sure to leave room in the cupboards and refrigerator for your podmates to use.

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Telephones Every bedroom has a private phone line. You may contact the telephone company if you would like your telephone line activated. You will be responsible for purchasing a telephone and paying all telephone charges. If you do not wish to have your own private telephone, you may use the pay telephone in the main lobby of the residence or purchase a cellular phone.

Phone cards can be purchased at the College Bookstore.

Television/Stereos/Internet A television and DVD are available for the use of all residence students in the common lounge. You are welcome to use this TV. However, remember that it is for the use of all residents so please be considerate of others. You are welcome to purchase your own television for your bedroom. Stereos and TVs should not be played so loud that they will disturb podmates. You may also activate a personal internet line with the phone company.

Visitors Visitors are welcome in the residence. However, your visitors must also be considerate of the other students who live in your pod. Please be quiet when your roommates are sleeping or studying. Weeknights (Monday to Thursday) are normally expected to be quiet so that students can study. More noise is acceptable on Friday and Saturday nights within reason.

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College Services

Library Visit the Reference Desk in the Library for help in carrying out your research.

Writing Lab Book an appointment with a writing advisor at the Circulation Desk in Library.

Student Services International Office)

Department

(located

across

the

hall

from

the

Their services include: •Individual Study Skills Counseling •Arranging Peer Tutoring

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Writing Help In-Person Help • • • •

Receive help with writing a thesis statement, organizing your paper, grammar and more!

Appointments are 20 minutes in length Book early because appointments are limited Times are: o Tuesday 1-5pm o Thursday 1-5pm o Friday 9-5

WriteAway Service (Online Service) •

Help • • •

Starting in late Fall 2012

is provide by: The Library Writing Lab Student Services

Simon Fraser University has published many study tips: http://learningcommons.sfu.ca/strategies/

Starting early and doing a little work everyday is important

.

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Some Basic Advice

By Attending Class You • • •

Show respect your instructor and classmates Don’t miss out on tips for exams and assignments Avoid having to ask for information that has already been given to the class which can be embarrassing

Class Participation • •

Asking questions and speaking in class will often earn you marks.

Posting comments within Moodle is often a requirement for online classes, not something optional.

Classroom Behavior •

• • • •

•

College of the Rockies academic culture may be different from the culture of universities or colleges in your country. Also, college is more academically demanding than secondary school.

In Canada, student- instructor relationship tends to be informal, but instructors always expect students to be respectful.

Instructors don’t generally socialize with students outside college functions, and it is not appropriate for instructors to date students.

In Canada, it is quite acceptable to respectfully disagree with your teachers opinions.

If you don’t understand or can’t hear what your instructor is saying, you can ask them to repeat the information or speak louder.

Instructors want you to succeed and you may be surprised how supportive and helpful they are.

If you are not comfortable discussing something in class, please contact your instructor during their office hours. Office hours are printed on your instructor’s door as well as in the course outline.

Individual Behavior • •

Arrive on time for class.

Turn off your cell phone and don’t use the internet in class.

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• • • •

•

Complete homework before each class.

Never use or copy someone else’s work on assignment or test.

Leaving a class early if you have a medical appointment is ok, but tell the teacher before the class starts.

Ask your teachers, other students, the International Student Services Coordinator or the Department Head for help if you have a problem with your homework, school or home life.

Leaving class to go to the bathroom is okay. You do not need to ask for permission, but you should exit the class quietly and return quickly.

Checklist For Before Class • Sleep • Eat something • Have you read the assigned readings?

• Reviewed past class notes?

Study Skills • • • •

Come prepared to class Take notes, As questions Follow the material being taught

Instructors may provide supporting documents on the internet and Module sites to prepare students for class. Instructors may also post their lecture slides so students can prepare ahead of class or review vocabulary and content afterwards. It is not acceptable to sleep in class. If you are tired and find yourself wanting to sleep, you should slip out of class for a drink of water or washroom break.

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Time Management: Assignments For the best results, start early and do a little work each day.

Phase 1: • •

Review the instructions and select a topic / research question Visit the Reference Desk in the Library to receive help with finding resources

Phase 2: •

Review resources and begin writing your paper. Visit the Writing Lab if you are stuck

Phase 3: • • •

Have your draft reviewed by the Writing Advisor Continue work on your final draft Visit the Library for review of your citations

Exam Preparation Review past exam experiences: • • •

What went well?

What mistakes do you need to avoid repeating?

Student Services Department offers help with exam preparation strategies

Write down everything your instructor says about the exam.

Organize your notes and start reviewing them early.

Look for questions in your textbook that you can use for practice.

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College of the Rockies Library Role of Our Library Support the research and learning needs of our students and instructors!

• • • • •

Provides access print and electronic resources Offers help with doing research Provides a space for students to study Hosts the Writing Lab Library’s website features plenty of resources for students!

Library Space • • • •

Computer Labs Group Study Areas Writing Lab Individual Study Carrels

Computer Labs Larger lab is open longer!

Smaller lab is a quieter place to work.

Graphics lab computers connect to a scanner, colour printer and feature graphics software.

Student print account is $30 per term If you have any Questions, please feel free to Visit the IT Help Desk or the Circulation Desk.

Circulation Services Sign-out Resources To renew items, email: circdesk@cotr.bc.ca 33

Sign-out Circulation Reserves AV Equipment Bookings

We Loan Audio-Visual Equipment!

Lap tops Headphones Digital Cameras Video Cameras and more.

Research Help: In-Person and Online 1. Reference Desk Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm 2. Askaway Online Service Seven Days-A-Week

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Library Collection Find Books and Videos in the Library The Library’s website provides access to: • • •

E-Books Streaming Videos Databases (contain online resources for every subject)

*Use your student # and computer sign-in password to access these online resources.

Writing Help In-Person (begins Sept 18) Tuesday 1pm – 5pm Thursday 1pm – 5pm Friday 9am – 5 pm

The Library Offers • Help with your research projects •

Books and Videos that you can borrow for free!

•

Access to many online resources through its website

•

Audio-Visual equipment you can borrow for free!

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Plagiarism and Citation College Expectations • •

• •

You are expected to consult other peoples’ work as part of your research.

When you borrow (either summarize or quote from) another’s person work, you must communicate that the information or ideas are not your own. This is called citing a source.

The appropriate citation style for anthropology is APA. The Library offers citation style guides that you can use.

Plagiarism It is very important that all students understand what is meant by plagiarism and cheating, both are unacceptable and can get you into a lot of trouble very quickly. Plagiarism and cheating will be recorded on your permanent record and can result in a fail grade in the assignment, test and /or course, or even expulsion from the college. Plagiarism is using another person’s work (ideas, graphs, images, etc.) without giving them credit. Plagiarism and cheating are considered disrespectful and wrong. It is your responsibility to be aware of College regulations.

Not providing credit = saying that the information or work is your own and is considered cheating.

To better understand plagiarism, watch the Student Guide to Plagiarism video from the BC Institute of Technology: http://urls.bccampus.ca/27

Plagiarism includes: • Copying ideas, arguments, phrases or sentences from the internet, books, magazines or another student.

• Submitting the work of another person as your own.

• Purchasing a paper from anyone (or from a website) and saying you wrote it.

If you quote another author you must cite them properly by putting quotation marks (“_”) around the sentence and stating the name of the person who wrote it and the title of the book or article it was originally written in.

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Cheating includes: • Giving or taking unauthorized information during any exam, test or assignment.

• Obtaining or providing test question or answers relating to any test or exam before the test or exam is held without authorization.

• Using unauthorized information during any exam or test • Inventing or using falsified information with the intent to deceive • Asking another person to take an exam or test in your place.

Consequences of Plagiarism There are different penalties depending on the situation.

Penalties may include: • Lower mark on the assignment.

• Assignment may have to be redone.

• Mark of zero on the assignment.

• For repeated cases, the student will be suspended from the College.

Direct Quotations • Any time you copy word for word from a source, you are using a direct quotation.

• A direct quotation always requires a page number as part of your citation.

• As your paper has to be more than just quotation followed by quotation, you will need to summarize / paraphrase.

Paraphrasing Paraphrasing is to summarize information from another resource and writing it in your own words.

For Example: Original sentence: The research shows that students do better in school by drinking two cups of coffee per day.

A paraphrase using the APA Citation Style: Recent research finds that students who drink two cups of coffee per day succeed in school (author, date).

In Text Citations In text citations are used whenever information is taken from another source.

In all cases, include the author’s last name and publication date of the source.

Page number(s) are required for quotations.

(Author, date) or (author, date, p. #) 37

The format for in text citations depends on whether you mention the source within your writing.

Direct Quotation …and “……………………….” (Smith, 1990, p. 5). …and Smith (1990) writes “………………………” (p 5).

Paraphrase …and the 1950 study was the most important (Smith, 1990). … and Smith (1990) states that the 1950 study was the most important.

Basic Rules for Reference List • Provides more detailed information about your sources.

• Order the items alphabetically by authors’ last names.

• Write out the last name of authors but use initials for first names. For example: Jim Smith becomes Smith, J. • Capitalize the first word in the title, subtitle and any proper names within the title. For example: Anthropology in Canada: Researchers and their work.

• First line begins at left margin with subsequent lines indented 5- 7 spaces (just like this line)!

• Italics are also now used for titles of books and journals. For example: Anthropology in Canada: Researchers and their work.

These instructions were taken from the APA Citation Style guide by Cornell University Library: http://www.library.cornell.edu/resrch/citmanage/apa

Recommended Citation Guides Writing Your Paper section on the Library’s website Links to citation guides (+ writing guides) Circulation Desk has a print copy of the APA guidelines available for twohour loan.

Research and Citation Questions?

Visit the Library in person or send contact us by email: Reference Desk: library@cotr.bc.ca Ben Harrison: bharrison@cotr.bc.ca

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