Graduate Student Life at Simon Fraser University
International graduate students bring valuable perspectives, insights and experiences
to the university. To help you thrive as a graduate student at SFU, we offer a wide
range of services and programs to help you achieve your academic goals. There are
also many ways for you to become engaged with your new community and make new
friends.
On-Campus Housing
Graduate Students with Families
Simon Fraser University has two residences
for graduate students and families. By living in
Residence on the Burnaby campus, you have an
exciting opportunity to grow and develop friendships,
explore ideas, and get involved in the residential
community and the University as a whole.
SFU is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s most
family-friendly workplaces.
It is recommended that you apply for residence
before February 28 to ensure placement for the Fall
term. Information regarding residence fees, applying
for residence, accepting an offer, etc. can be found on
the Residence and Housing website at
http://students.sfu.ca/residences.html
Located beside our family residence on the Burnaby
campus, the SFU Childcare Centre provides high
quality full-time and part-time licensed childcare.
For more information visit, www.sfuchildcare.ca
Our Burnaby campus is also home to a brand new
public elementary school which serves children from
kindergarten through grade seven (ages 5–12). See
http://universityhighlands.sd41.bc.ca/
Academic and Professional Skills
Development
In addition to developing discipline specific
competencies, graduate students need diverse
skills to remain competitive in the workforce, within
academia and beyond. We invite you to explore some
of the services that we offer to help support our
graduate students’ success:
• SFU’s Research Commons is a collection of
services, spaces, and technology in the SFU
Library designed to support the research
endeavours of the University community, with
particular focus on graduate students. They offer
free workshops and individual consultations to
support you at every stage of your research.
www.lib.sfu.ca/research-commons
• If you speak English as a second language,
we also offer programs to help you improve
your spoken and written proficiency.
www.lib.sfu.ca/slc/services/eal
• APEX: Advanced Professional Engagement &
Exploration
SFU graduate students are invited to participate
in APEX, a suite of free non-credit professional
development offerings, including workshops,
seminars, speakers series and experiential
activities. Targeted to meet your needs at different
stages in your graduate career, these offerings
are organized by three streams: Management &
Life Skills, Teaching & Leadership and Research
& Knowledge Translation. www.sfu.ca/deangradstudies/professional-development.html
• Our tutorial system offers graduate students
valuable opportunities to gain teaching
experience. To support your professional growth,
we offer instructional support and guidance
through our Teaching and Learning Centre.
www.sfu.ca/tlc
• If you’re new to North American academia, our
International Teaching Assistant Program will
help you improve your academic communication
and teaching skills. www.sfu.ca/grow/lang/ita/
Campus and Community Life
There is more to grad school than labs and lectures.
At SFU, we encourage our graduate students to
become actively engaged across disciplines and
within the community.
• Graduate Student Society
The Graduate Student Society (GSS) is the student
society and government for all graduate students
at SFU. They offer many services and programs
to promote the academic, social and professional
interests of grad students. Every department
which has a graduate program also has a caucus
— and getting involved with your caucus is a great
way to connect with your colleagues.
http://sfugradsociety.ca/
• Sports and Recreation Activities
SFU Recreation offers free services and programs
to help you stay active and fit. Facilities available
at the Burnaby campus include a fitness centre,
pool, sports drop-in opportunities, intramural
leagues, and squash and racquetball court
booking. www.sfu.ca/students/recreation/
• Student Clubs and Associations
SFU has a wide range of social, cultural, sports,
humanitarian, political and religious clubs. At the
beginning of each term, Clubs Days is offered to
find out what clubs are available and to sign up for
membership. If you can’t find the club you want,
you can also start your own!
Tip: If you want to connect with other students
from home, the SFU Chinese Students and
Scholars Association is one of our largest
Chinese student clubs: http://go.sfss.ca/clubs/list
• International Services for Students
The International Services for Students (ISS)
office provides support and services for all
students seeking information regarding a variety
of international learning opportunities. Specific
services and supports for international students
include International Orientation; assistance
with medical insurance, taxes, visas, work and
study permits; and community engagement
opportunities.
www.sfu.ca/students/international.html
• Interfaith Centre
Staffed by professionals from the Muslim,
Christian and Jewish faiths, the Interfaith
Centre offers SFU students a place for spiritual
development and worship. Centre staff will also be
able to let you know about other religious services
and activities on campus and in the community.
www.sfu.ca/students/interfaith.htm