Clubs are a great way to get involved and build a support system of peers. There are over 300 social, cultural, academic, recreational and religious clubs on campus that can meet your needs and interests. As an international student, the following clubs may be suited to your interests and needs.
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Peer Support and Events
When moving to a new country, it’s normal to feel lonely sometimes. However, being part of a global community of McMaster students and alumni means that you have easy access to valuable peer-to-peer support and opportunities to connect. Whether it’s through the International Student Buddy Program, campus clubs and services or international student socials and events, your peers can help you make the most of your time at McMaster as an international student.
This page will help you:
- Connect with peers
- Explore McMaster
- Get involved
Get peer-to-peer support
Whether you’re entering your first year of university or about to graduate, your peers can help you meet your personal, professional and academic goals. Get involved, meet new people and receive valuable guidance and support through these peer-led services and programs.
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?
McMaster International and Exchange (M.I.X.) Club
M.I.X. is a non-profit, student-led organization made up of recently returned and outgoing McMaster exchange students, members of the larger McMaster community and international students. Get connected, share your experiences and learn about internationally-focused events.
Want to explore more?
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.
Get connected at events, socials and workshops
Meeting new people is an important part of your university experience. To help you build your McMaster community, we organize and promote various signature events throughout the year so you can get involved and stay connected to your peers. We also offer workshops so you can learn about various topics to support your journey at McMaster.
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.
- Each webinar is offered multiple times to accommodate different schedules/time zones.
- All times listed are in Eastern Time. Visit this website to get help converting to your home time zone.
- If you are unable to attend a webinar, a recording will be available at a future date.
Session topics include:
- Housing
- Applying for Your Study Permit
- Extending Your Study Permit
- Starting at McMaster (for students who will be studying in Canada for the first time)
- Starting at McMaster (for students who attended high school in Canada)
- Life in Hamilton and Canada
- Academic Transition: High school to a Canadian University
- Student Panel Q&A and Ask Me Anything (AMA)
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 Fall 2020: 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.
Canadian winters are truly something to experience. While the weather may be cold, the beautiful scenery and festivities make up for it. Every year, we host Winter Wonderland, a dinner and dance to celebrate your achievements and the end of the year.
Join us for a great time with:
- Delicious food
- Great performances from your peers
- Prizes
- A DJ and a dance floor
We’ll share more information about this year’s Winter Wonderland closer to the end of the fall term. Check OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events for updates.
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.
How well do you know your buddy? (2020)
Recommended reading
“It’s always good to know someone from your hometown in an unfamiliar country.”
Online resources have been an essential part of international student support at Mac for the past few years – but in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a sense of community online before students come to McMaster is more important than ever.
Journey
Getting to know Mac as a first-year international student
The webinars were thoroughly entertaining and knowledgeable. They helped me meet strangers who are now my closest friends from India because it is always good to have someone from your hometown in an unfamiliar country.
Read the Journey