Co-operative Education &
Career Action
(CECA)
INTERNATIONAL
PRE-DEPARTURE
ORIENTATION
MERRIROSE STONE
APRIL 2013
uWaterloo Contacts
 Lisa ter Woort – Account Manager
terwoort@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567 x37366
- job verification
 Merrirose Stone – Student Advisor
mmstone@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567 x38626
- mid-term e-Visit, work term concerns
 Sandra Shantz – Employment Specialist
sandra.shantz@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567 x33926
- visa inquiries, document submission
Campus Police Contact Info
UW POLICE
•
•
519-888-4911 (24 hr. emergency assistance)
If you experience a personal emergency (theft,
assault, personal injury etc.) or are in a natural
disaster that occurs after regular business hours at
UW, and you need assistance, Campus Police are
available to assist you!
We can’t help you if we don’t know what your needs
are, so please reach out for help.
So, who does what?
Student Responsibilities:
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Pre-departure research
Visa documentation
Risk management
Health insurance
Personal security
Travel & Housing
Emergency notification
Who does what?
Employer Responsibilities:
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Financial compensation
Arrival orientation
Job supervision
Mentoring
Professional development
Evaluation
This is what we’re here for:
University Responsibilities:
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Visa & process advice
Pre-departure briefing/resources
Student connections
Work term & travel advisory monitoring
Emergency response
Provide support throughout your work term abroad
Before you go….
 Submit a copy of your employment authorization (local
passport, Visa, Work Permit, ID Card) to Sandra
(sandra.shantz@uwaterloo.ca)
 Scan copies of ALL your important documents and email
them to yourself!!
 Register with nearest Canadian consulate
https://www.voyage2.gc.ca/Registration_inscription/R
egister_Inscrire/Login_ouvrir-une-session-eng.aspx
 Confirm & understand health insurance coverage
(O.H.I.P. extended stay, vaccinations, check up)
Before you go….
 FEDS Health & Dental Plan:
- www.ihaveaplan.ca
- We are not the insurance experts…so you should
direct all of your inquiries to EuropAssist or the
uWaterloo Health & Dental Office
(SLC 1112)
- If you’re NOT on the uWaterloo Health & Dental
plan, please be sure that your plan covers you!
- See your doctor/dentist before travel to get a check
up, prescriptions etc.
Before you go continued…
 Research/prepare for travel (personal safety,
emergencies, local laws, ambassador role)
 Establish housing – know your address
(arrival plans, contact information)
 Financial preparations
 Travel tips (pack light, comfort,
documentation - 3 copies, currency)
What do I need to send to CECA?
o Scan your passport
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photo page, including
the bar code
First & Last name
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Date passport was
issued
Date passport expires
Encoded information
for security measures
Visa – Employment Authorizations
What will this look like?
•The Visa is either a stamp
or a sticker added to your
passport
•Send a scanned copy of the
Visa to Sandra
•Also scan the stamps that
you receive upon entry to
the country you are
working in
Once you arrive:
 Contact CECA! You MUST email Sandra to let
her know you have arrived! Send your mailing
address where you will be living
 Register with local authorities if necessary
 Set up local bank account
 Set up internet/phone access
 Set personal and professional objectives
SMART
CHOICES?
Risk Management – Cultural/Social Norms
 how you perceive yourself vs. how you are perceived
by the locals
 What
are your personal assumptions about
social norms?
 What about the dress code, language,
business etiquette, touching, gestures?
**Ask your co-workers, supervisors **
Risk Management – Personal Safety
 prevention
(minimizing risk)
 risk management plan:
do you know what to do if there was an
emergency? Develop a personal risk plan so
you are prepared!
-identification
- communication
 not just attack/theft (solo travel, night travel),
also…
 occupational health & safety, legal, political,
environmental, health
Judgement Calls for “Risky Situations”
If you wouldn’t do it at
home...don’t do it away
from home!
 Sometimes we leave our common sense behind
when we go abroad and develop a “once in a
lifetime” mentality and believe “It will never
happen to me!”
Blake wanted to try
something extreme.
Why not now?
Blake wanted to try something
extreme.
Why not now?
SMART CHOICES?
Ensure that the health insurance you purchase is appropriate for your
personal health and for the activities you will take part in while abroad.
Know what will NOT be covered.
2 out of 3 people make “spur of the moment decisions” while abroad
and end up doing something that they regret in the end.
Risk Management – Your Health
 maintain/supplement
normal diet (vitamins)
 food preparation / sourcing water
 personal needs (plan ahead), local
clinics/doctors
Richard was having a great time in
Germany, especially after meeting
Robin. They’ve been dating for the
past 2 months. They’ve slept
together only once.
Richard was having a great time in
Germany, especially after meeting
Robin. They’ve been dating for the
past 2 months. They’ve slept together
only once.
SMART CHOICES?
Some common Sexually Transmitted Infections: herpes, syphilis,
hepatitis B, gonorrhoea, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Consider bringing your own barrier protection and contraceptives as
the standards, costs and availability in some countries can be
different from that in Canada.
Access to health care may be limited or restricted.
Sexual Decision Making
 Make good decisions regarding sexual encounters.
 Be wise about risky sexual situations:
- don’t leave your drink unattended
- if at all possible, stay with a “buddy” when at a bar
- say “NO” to ANY unwanted touch or sexual
advancement
- know where to get condoms and practice safer sex
Greg was having fun while on his work
term in Tokyo Japan when the
earthquake and tsunami happened
200 km away.
The story was carried in the news in
Canada and around the world.
Greg was having fun while on his
work term in Tokyo Japan when the
earthquake and tsunami happened
200 km away.
The story was carried in the news in
Canada and around the world.
SMART CHOICES?
 Family and friends at home want to stay connected to you while
you’re abroad. So do we!
 If you are a Canadian National, you MUST register with the
Canadian Consulate - Family members may not know the exact
location of your whereabouts.
 We have assisted students in making decisions about relocation,
safety issues surrounding returning to work, liaising with the
Canadian Government on our student’s behalf and other issues. We
can’t help if we don’t know how to get in touch with you!
Risk Management - Harassment
 offensive/suggestive
 local
language (be prepared)
norms
 take cue from the locals (dress, behavior)
 behave confidently
 crowded places (inappropriate behavior,
appropriate response)
Michelle thought she knew the
way to the embassy.
Michelle thought she knew the
way to the embassy.
SMART CHOICES?
Avoid opening your map or guide book in the middle of the street.
Study maps beforehand and pick a route, remembering key names of
streets.
Consider stopping at a café or store to consult map.
Carry phone numbers of local friends and police; know how to use a
public phone beforehand.
Culture Shock
“That won’t happen to me!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFbPCj_cajY&feat
ure=related
Wanna Bet?! Everyone gets it to varying degree & at
varying times
Arun hadn’t expected to feel so
alone when he went back to his
childhood home.
Arun hadn’t expected to feel so
alone when he went back to his
childhood home.
SMART CHOICES?
While some travelers are able to return to their country of origin
and fit in seamlessly, many will still feel culture shock.
This type of culture shock, because it is often not anticipated, may
present very different challenges.
You may feel like, or be treated as, an outsider in your country of
birth, and at the same time not be seen as a Canadian either.
Culture Shock – What is that?
 Feelings of anger, sadness, frustration, withdrawal,
avoiding contact with locals, negative feelings about
host country, excessive sleep etc.
 Coping Strategies:
Get involved, learn the language, travel the region,
make friends and develop relationships, maintain
contact with friends and family back home, do
something that reminds you of home, keep a blog
Nadine returned home hoping
to share her experiences with
everyone.
Nadine returned home hoping
to share her experiences with
everyone.
SMART CHOICES?
Friends and family may not understand your experience or may not
be as interested as you had anticipated.
Be sensitive to the fact that friends and family did not accompany
you on your journey and have had their own unique experiences
while you were away.
Find ways to share your experiences by becoming involved with
your home institution and/or with community groups
While you’re there:
 Work smart, not too hard
 Stay informed on global & security issues
 Maintain a sense of humor
 Make the most of your opportunity!
 Be prepared for an emergency
(contacts, forms, back ups)
 Evaluations & reports – DON’T leave your
employer until you’ve received a copy
of your Student Performance Evaluation!
CECA Photo Contest
We need photographs and lots of them! Here is
where you come in! While on your work term
capture:
 Scenery outside your apartment or around the
city
 You at your place of employment
 Places you have visited and /or toured while on
the work term
 A nice sunset, or the view of the rocky mountains
 A group shot of all the uWaterloo co-ops working
at your location
 The city centre, local attractions or famous sites
Review
 CECA requirements:
 JIF (if applicable)
 Risk Management Form completed
 Visa/Employment Authorization scanned and
sent to Sandra
 Arrival notice - complete mailing
address
 Register with Canadian Consulate
or your countries Embassy