International students, let’s end the year with some cheer and festive fun!
You’ve accomplished a lot this year. Now’s the time to celebrate and make some memories. Join us for some end-of-term events and activities to unwind, socialize and have some winter-themed fun.
Note: These events are for international students only.
Holiday Trivia
December 3, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET (MUSC B118)Test your holiday spirit and seasonal trivia skills as you compete with friends (and make some new ones!). Enjoy delicious snacks while you answer questions about holiday traditions, movies, and music.
Friendship Bracelet Making
December 10, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET (MUSC B118)Whether you’re a seasoned bracelet-making pro or a complete beginner, this event is designed for everyone. We’ll provide all the materials you need to craft beautiful, personalized friendship bracelets. It’s a fantastic opportunity to relax, unwind, and connect with friends old and new.
Holiday Bingo
December 12, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET (MUSC B118)Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
December 16, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET (MUSC B118)Colouring and Conversation Drop-In
December 17, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET (MUSC B118)Cookie Decorating and Gingerbread House Making
December 19, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET (MUSC B118)Cookie Decorating Drop-in
December 23, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET (GH 110)Bring your friends and come join us as we celebrate the holiday season and participate in a holiday tradition of decorating cookies!
International Food and Grocery Trip
December 4, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (AFROCAN Supermarket and Swadesh Supermarket)This trip will feature AFROCAN Supermarket and Swadesh Supermarket which will offer food, spices and appliances from West Africa, Caribbean/West Indies and South Asia.
Register to explore:
- Free food tastings
- Free charter bus tour of three international grocers in Hamilton trip
- Tips on how to save money while grocery shopping
- Meet other international students
- Tips to find spices and foods from other countries
Hamilton International Students (H.I.S.) Christmas Dinner
December 6, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.Each month, H.I.S serves a family-style dinner on long harvest tables. Join H.I.S. for a traditional Canadian “turkey dinner,” connect with fellow international students and Canadian volunteers and play board games.
Hamilton International Students Christmas Friendship Families
December 20 to 31Every Christmas season, communities across Hamilton open up their homes and invite international students to join in a traditional Canadian Christmas Celebration. Students are hosted for a meal or celebration sometime between December 20 to 31. Students are paired with at least one other student and are offered complimentary transportation to and from the family’s home. Dozens of students have found a “home away from home” through this program and we take great care in cultivating a great group of host families from across Hamilton. Don’t miss this fantastic chance to experience a traditional Canadian Christmas.
International and Exchange Student Experience
Available until December 22 and begins again, January 4The International and Exchange Student Experience team’s here to support you. Feel free to connect with us if you have questions or concerns about:
- Academic performance or personal concerns
- Adjusting to living in Hamilton
- Immigration
- Understanding your health insurance
- Accessing campus resources
- And more
Book an appointment on OSCARplus (under Student Success Centre > Appointments > International Student Services). Or, visit us on Mondays and Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Student Wellness Centre
Varied availability during the winter breakThe Student Wellness Centre is the place on campus to address your wellness needs. They provide a range of counselling options, medical services and wellness programs so that you can get the most out of your McMaster experience, academically and personally.
- Counselling: Learn how to access options for mental health and wellness counselling.
- Resources (varied availability): Discover a collection of mental health resources and ways to get non-urgent help outside of clinic hours.
- Crisis support (including 24/7 options): Find out how to get crisis and emergency support, whether you’re on or off campus.
- Emergency Numbers:
- Emergency: 911
- McMaster Security Services: 905-522-4135
Visit their website for a full breakdown of all the resources open to you during the winter break.
Mental Health Supports
- Student Assistance Plan: Mental Health assistance available 24/7 for Undergraduate Students.
- 1-888-377-0002
- Student Care: Conversations: Mental Health assistance available 24/7 for Graduate Students.
Good2Talk
Available during the winter breakGood2Talk is a free, confidential helpline providing professional counselling, information and referrals for mental health, addiction and well-being. This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Options are available via phone call, text, online forums and more.
- You can contact a trained, volunteer crisis responder 24/7 by texting GOOD2TALKON to 686868.
- You can contact a professional counsellor 24/7 by calling 1-866-925-5454.
TAO
Free for McMaster students.Feel better faster with access to over 150+ video sessions that provide scientifically researched content to help you build life skills, engage in professional development, and explore common concerns, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team)
Hamilton’s crisis line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The COAST mobile team, consisting of a mental health worker and a police officer, will respond to crisis calls between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. ET daily.
Barrett Centre for Crisis Support
Barrett Centre for Crisis Support provides a safe environment in the community and responds to the needs of individuals, 16 years of age and older, who experience a mental health crisis and do not require a hospital stay. We provide confidential and free services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- 24 Hour Crisis Line: 905-529-7878
- Toll Free: 1-844-777-3571
Emergency Departments and Medical Care
Emergency Departments
- Hamilton General (237 Barton Street East Hamilton, Ontario, L8L LX2)
- Juravinski Hospital (711 Concession Street Hamilton, Ontario, L8V 1C3)
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare (50 Charlton Avenue East Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6)
Medical Care
- Main West Clinic (1685 Main St. W, Unit 135, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 1G5)
- 905-512-2222
- West End Urgent Care (690 Main St. W, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 1A4)
- 905-512-2199 ext. 72000
- MarCare Walk In (1461 Main St. W, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 1C9)
- 905-521-2222
RECOMMENDED READING
Why Studying Abroad in Australia Was the Best Decision of My Life
I learned countless lessons that fostered growth such as becoming independent, meeting people from around the world and embarking on...
Discovering the Extrovert Inside of Me: Denmark Exchange
All of this extroversion lasted until the later years of high school when the combination of the pandemic and a...
Living, Learning and Growing: My French Exchange Adventure
Living alone in a foreign country was initially daunting. I had never been away from home for such an extended...
Finding balance between the old and the new: Exchange at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Luckily for me, I had something as an emotional outlet and passtime, that didn’t require a language: running. Long distance...