September 17, 2010 SAANICH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM ‘ ORIENTATION ‘

1. September 17, 2010 SAANICH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM ‘ORIENTATION ‘

2. Saanich International Student Program Reference Guide Program Rules Program Contacts Bussing Immigration Documents Medical Travel – to follow Homestay Issues

3. Saanich International Student Program • 10640 McDonald Park Road • Sidney, B.C. Canada V8L5S7 • Phone (250) 655-2720 Fax (250) 655-2735 • STUDENT REFERENCE GUIDE • Welcome to the Saanich International Student Program (SISP)! • This reference has been designed to provide you with in-depth information about the SISP program and the expectations it has of all participants. • Please read the entire reference and ask for clarification if needed. • The Saanich International Student Program wants you to have a positive and healthy experience during your stay in Canada at school, at home, and in the community. To this end, it is important that you understand the rules regarding your conduct (behaviour) while in the Program. Some of our rules and expectations will be very different from what you experience in your home country. Social and cultural norms vary greatly from one country to the next and from one family to the next. At times you might become frustrated by our rules and expectations, but please remind yourself that we are responsible for your safety and well-being and hence we need to have boundaries, defining acceptable behaviour, in place for all our students. • These rules and expectations are based on Canadian social and cultural customs – generally accepted rules and expectations for Canadian youth of similar age. • If you do not comply with these rules, you may be asked to leave the Program and return home. • The student must comply with school rules. These rules are described in detail in the school agenda of the school you will attend. We have the expectation that you attend school regularly and work to the best of your abilities to achieve academic success while in the Program. • The law in Canada prohibits you from drinking alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) until you are 19 years old. • The usage and/or possession of illegal drugs are strictly prohibited and will result in dismissal from the Program. • You are not allowed to travel independently during your stay in Canada while in the Program, unless you have completed in advance an “International Student Travel Application” form and your application is approved by the Program. The Travel Application form needs to besigned by your natural parents and must be submitted to the SISP Program before the date of travel (at least 2 weeks in advance for travel outside of BC and at least 48 hours in advance for travel in BC). Please ask Program staff well in advance of a planned travel date about the forms and permissions you will need. You will find a copy of the “International Student Travel Application” form on page 11 of this booklet.

4. You may be dismissed from the Program if you are asked to leave a Homestay placement (because of misbehaviour), or alternatively, if a suitable home for you cannot be found. More info on homestays starts on page 4. • Saanich International Student Program (SISP) contacts: • Your first point of contact for any concerns or questions about school and courses is the International Student Advisor at your school. They are also able to assist you will all kinds of other problems by directing you to the person who can help. • They are at your school to help you! Go talk to them! • The International Student Advisor at your school is: • Parkland Secondary SchoolContact: Mr. Jose Tudela • 10640 McDonald Park Road E-mail: jtudela@sd63.bc.ca • Sidney, BC V8L 5S7 • Phone: 250.655.2700 • Stelly’s Secondary School Contact: Ms. Naomi Fitzgerald • 1627 Stelly’s X Road E-mail: nfitzgerald@sd63.bc.ca • Saanichton, BC V8M 1S8 • Phone: 250.652.4401 • Claremont Secondary School Contact: Ms. Judy Oberg/Mr. RonatoPama/ 4980 Wesley Road Mr. Jason Earnshaw • Victoria, BC V8Y 1Y9 E-mail: joberg@sd63.bc.ca/rpama@sd63.bc.ca Phone: 250.658.5221/jearnshaw@sd63.bc.ca • The Program staff in the SISP office at Parkland School is also available to answer questions and/or address your concerns. • Principal: Mr. Bob Lee Phone: 250.655.2700 • E-mail: blee@sd63.bc.ca • Coordinator: Mr. Phil Ohl Phone: 250.655.2717 • E-mail: pohl@sd63.bc.ca • Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Gail RothwellPhone: 250.655.2720 • E-mail: grothwell@sd63.bc.ca • Receptionist: Ms Brenda Harwood Phone: 250.655.2725 • E-mail: bharwood@sd63.bc.ca • In case of emergency do not hesitate to call Phil Ohl, International Student Program Coordinator on cell number 250.415.2567.

5. Bussing For information regarding eligibility, schedules and routes please see the district website @ www.sd63.bc.ca. Immigration Documents Study permits are required for students staying longer than six months and should be requested in the country of residence prior to your arrival. If you require an extension to an existing study permit or entry visa, please contact the SISP office staff @ 250.655.2720 who will assist you in this process. Please bring in your passport to your school advisor, as the SISP office requires copies of your Immigration documents on file. Medical All students are placed on short-term Medical Insurance with a private insurance provider called “Guard Me” (http://www.guard.me) for the first 3 months of their program. After the three month duration the SISP office will determine whether to extend your short term insurance or place you on BC Medical Insurance. Medical coverage is only valid for the time a student is officially enrolled in the program. If you require further information contact Gail Rothwell @ grothwell@sd63.bc.ca or 250.655.2720. Travel (TO BE DISCUSSED IN UPCOMING SLIDE)Travel should not interfere with academic studies and should be limited to designated school holiday periods or weekends. The following does not apply to any travel or fieldtrips organized by SISPas part of the International Student Program. Travel under the supervision of student’s host family within the Province of BC: You do not require approval by SISP but please ensure that your parents (in your home country) are aware of any travel plans you make with your host family and that they are okay with any arrangements made. All other travel is subject to approval by SISP!Unapproved travel is a serious infraction of the Program Rules and may result in expulsion from the Program. Approval is required forany unsupervised Travel;Supervision by someone other than the student’s own host family (this includes travel with another student’s host family); Travel outside the Province of BC or Canada (with or without the student’s own host family) Should the destination be outside of Canada you will require an official letter from SISP confirming you international student status in Canada. This letter will be important when going through Customs and Immigration at international border crossings. The International Student Travel Application can be downloaded from the SISPwebsite: www.sisp.sd63.bc.ca SISP will review any application for International Student Travel.If approval is granted, SISP will notify your host family via e-mail or phone.Only then are you allowed to travel.

6. PROBLEMS WITH YOUR HOST FAMILY Adjusting to life in a “new” family may take awhile and you can expect that both you and your host family will need some time to get used to each other and to establish a relationship. Open communication with your host family is very important. Talk to them in an open, non-threatening way at a time that is convenient for everybody. Please remember that your host family is different from your own family back home and thus will view things differently than you do. If you feel that your placement with your host family is not working out, try to determine what the real issues are. Then take a step back and try to see their side of the issue and see if the problem is mostly based on misunderstanding and different cultural expectations and values. If so, initiate a conversation with your host parents and let them know how you feel about the situation. At no time should you feel concerned about your safety and/or health in your host family home. If you are concerned about your safety and/or health, please contact the Host Family Coordinator or your school advisor immediately. If the problem persists or you feel uncomfortable to address the issue, contact the International Student Advisor at your school and/or the Host Family Coordinator responsible for your school. They will help you assess your situation and advise you on other actions to be taken. They can also facilitate the communication process with your host family. REMEMBER: we encourage you to talk to about your concerns/issues with your host family, with the International Student Advisor at your school, and the Host Family Coordinator for your school. The “Homestay Placement Report”, on page 13 of this booklet, was designed to allow you to notify us of concerns or issues you might have in your host family. We encourage you to complete the form and bring it to the advisor at your school or send it directly to the Host Family Coordinator. CHANGING HOST FAMILIES The Host Family Coordinator will assess the situation and together with the student and /or the family, determine a reasonable solution for all parties concerned. An acceptable resolution that involves a change in homestay may require some time to arrange. A casual request to change families will not be entertained. Requests supported by evidence of a problem will be seriously considered and handled according to established procedures. HOMESTAY CONTACT INFORMATION Host Family Coordinators: Parkland/North Saanich & Stelly’s/Bayside School Area: Michelle Harris Phone: ………250.385.0583 E-mail: michelle@homestaygroup.ca Claremont/Royal Oak School Area: Hilary Parker Phone: …….…250.658.1624 E-mail: hilary@homestaygroup.ca In case of emergency and you are unable to reach the host family coordinator for your area, do not hesitate to call Phil Ohl, International Student Program Coordinator on cell number 250.415.2567.

7. Homestay Placement Report Student Signature: ________________________________________________

11. When Do I Need To Complete a Travel Application? • You Do, when the following applies: •  any travel not chaperoned by the student’s host family, within BC •  any travel outside of the Province of BC • any travel outside of Canada • You Do Not, when the following applies: •  any travel organized by SISP as part of the program •  any travel within the Province of BC chaperoned by the student’s host family

12. Smith John Nov. 2/93 15 x (Choose One) Nanaimo Jane Doe x Aunt 7:00 a.m. Ferry Nov. 5/09 Nov. 5/09 5:oo p.m. Ferry This information is required if you are planning an overnight trip – Please provide complete address details. Name of Natural Parent Signature of Natural Parent Oct. 21/09