We hope you’re excited to start your journey at McMaster — we’re glad you’re here with us. However, we know you might feel anxious or have questions about your transition to McMaster and university life in general.

• How can I do well in my classes?
• How can I meet new friends?
• What campus supports are there to help me succeed?

Whether this is your first time in Canada or you completed high school in Canada as an international student, the Buddy Program is a great opportunity to meet your fellow first-year international students. To help you get settled and overcome any barriers in your first-year transition, you’ll be paired with an upper-year mentor who can give you advice and welcome you to McMaster.

Get connected with a buddy

If you’re an incoming first-year student, email us to get get started with the Buddy Program. If you’re a returning student,  visit OSCARplus and search the events calendar (under Student Success Centre > Events) for a registration date.

A student-led organization, the McMaster Students Union (MSU) operates more than 30 businesses and services to meet undergraduate student needs and interests. If you want to meet new people and get support from your peers, an MSU service or program is a great place to start. Here are some valuable services to help you get involved.

Spark

Get involved with spark if you need support adjusting to life in your first year at McMaster. Services include a weekly mentorship program, social events, workshops and online resources.

Pride Community Centre (PCC)

The Pride Community Centre is a support system for McMaster students who identify with the 2SLGBTQ+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer) community. This organization provides a safe space and challenges oppressive attitudes through peer support, advocacy, education and awareness.

Diversity Services

A celebration of race, ethnicity, culture, faith and indigenous identities, this MSU organization plans on-campus events that showcase the diversity of the McMaster community.

Want to explore more?

If you are a new international graduate student joining us for your master’s, PhD or graduate diploma, we’re happy to match you with an experienced international graduate student to help you adjust to your new life at McMaster.

International grad navigators are current international graduate students who’ve “been there, done that.” They are eager to help new international graduate students navigate their first-term experience by providing support from the perspective of a shared cultural background.

If you’re a graduate student, the IGSA is a great way to get involved and work to improve the McMaster graduate student experience. Build a support network by connecting with other McMaster graduate students to meet shared goals.

Join us for our summer webinar series to learn everything you need to know about getting ready for university life in Canada. All webinars will provide you with the opportunity to get answers to your questions about studying with McMaster.

Happening Fall 2020 — Cooking with Friends: Season One

What’s for lunch? What’s for dinner? Coming up with ideas for meals every day can be tiring, we know. But you’re in luck. Join us at Cooking with Friends, a new event series offered by International Student Services at the Student Success Centre. At this event, you’ll get to learn how to make new dishes, trade recipes and meet other international students at McMaster.

Here’s how it’ll work:

Before each online event, we’ll post the recipe with all the required ingredients and cookware. This way, you can be prepared to cook along with the head chef for that event — this could be Ana, our lead coordinator for international students, or one of your peers. Or, you can just observe the event, take notes and try out the recipe another time. Either way, you’ll get to improve your cooking skills, add to your recipe list and make friends.

Let’s get cooking!

Check OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events for upcoming dates and registration.

Happening Winter 2021: Cultural Night

This year, the McMaster community consists of students from more than 70 countries and six continents around the world. What better way to connect with this global community than to explore your peers’ countries and cultural perspectives? No travelling is necessary!

Join us at Cultural Night, a series of events hosted by International Student Services at the Student Success Centre. At this online event, students will get to prepare videos or present live to showcase where they live through cultural landmarks, events, traditions, food and more.

Check OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events for upcoming dates and registration.

Throughout the year, we host different socials and online events so you can meet your fellow international students, share your experiences, take a break and de-stress. Some of our socials include:

• Cooking with Friends
• Cultural Night
• Hot Drinks and Heart-to-Hearts
• Speed Meeting
• Buddy Program events
• McMaster’s Got Talent: International Students Edition
• And more!

We’re planning new events all the time, so check OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events often to learn about opportunities to get social and connect with your peers.

We offer online workshops on various topics to help you thrive as a McMaster student and make the most of your time in Canada. International student workshop topics include:

• Working in Canada (post-graduation work permit)
• Social insurance number (SIN)
• Work opportunities
• Program decisions
• Study permits, TRVs and eTAs
• Express entry
• Living off campus
• Working in groups
• And more

To view workshops designed specifically for you as an international student, go to OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events and use the “toggle filters” feature.

You have access to all of our workshops as well. Explore workshops offered by Academic Skills, Careers and Employment, Global Opportunities and Mac’s Money Centre to increase your involvement and promote your success at McMaster.