PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION YOUR FIRST DAY AT SELC On your first day of class, please plan to be at the school at 8:15am for Daytime Programs and 2:45pm for Evening Programs. This is to confirm that the SELC Career College orientation will start at 8:30am for Daytime Programs and 3:00pm for Evening Programs. Monday is usually the busiest day of the week so please leave your home at least 30 minutes earlier. How do I get to SELC? SELC is located at 321 Water Street on the 2 nd floor. If you arrive at Waterfront Station, walk left on Water Street for approximately 2 minutes until you reach building number 321. Take the elevator to the second floor. If you have trouble finding the school, please call us at 604-639-9075 for assistance. Waterfront Skytrain Station SELC 2 nd floor, 321 Water St.
What to bring on your first day? 1. Passport 2. Study and Work permits 3. Social Insurance Number (SIN) Letter (if you don t have one, you can apply during the first week) 4. Proof of Medical Insurance (you must have valid Medical Insurance to take the program/be in class) TIMETABLE FOR FIRST DAY 8:15am/2:45pm 9:00am/3:00pm Arrive at SELC and go to Reception. You should bring your passport, study and work permits, SIN letter and a copy of your international medical insurance for the entire program period. Orientation: You will receive an information booklet about SELC, learn more about SELC policies and procedures the sign your contract. 11:00am/4:00pm/5:00pm Class begins *Note 1 *Note 2 You will need to pay all your remaining fees that you have not paid yet at our Student Reception desk. Please check your invoices for remaining fees. WHMIS Test : You will have to write and pass the Workplace Hazordous Materials Information System Test (WHMIS). This will be done the first week of class. Please bring a copy of your SIN CARD on your first or second day of school to our receptionist or your student counselor. Second day: 9:00am/4:00pm/5:00pm Lesson starts (*please come early as class starts sharp at 9am, 4:00pm or 5:00pm) Please note: If a public holiday is on a Monday, you will start your course on the following day. Ask for more information, if you are not sure about your starting date. You are always welcome to call us at 604-639-9075 for assistance.
How much does it cost to live in Vancouver? LIVING IN VANCOUVER After you have paid for your accommodation and tuition fees you will need enough money for lunch and transport each day. You can buy a typical Canadian sandwich for $6-8, and an evening meal for $17 - $30. You will also need spending money for entertainment. In total, you should plan to have access to at least CAD $200 per week. What s the weather like in Vancouver? Spring in Vancouver Spring comes early: The temperatures on average is above O C (32 F). Wet weather is the norm, so pack water-resistant gear and an umbrella. Summer in Vancouver Summer in Vancouver is amazing! Daytime temperatures run around the 20 s Celsius (high 70's Fahrenheit). Autumn in Vancouver The weather is generally pleasant during the autumn months (September to November). Winter in Vancouver We see little snow in the city during the winter, but it does get wet, with large amounts of precipitation in the form of rain and slush. It is important to bring an umbrella, coat and warm clothes. But, keep in mind that it can also be sunny in winter! The local mountains Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour however, get loads of snow and are a major ski destination from December through April. This chart of average maximum and minimum temperatures may help you (degrees celsius). MONTH MIN. MAX. January 0 6 February 1 8 March 4 13 April 5 13 May 8 16 June 11 19 July 13 22 August 13 23 September 10 18 October 6 14 November 3 9 December 1 6
Public Transportation in Vancouver Greater Vancouver is divided into zones. Transportation Prices vary on each zone. Zone 1: Yellow - $2.95 Zone 2: Red $ 4.20 / Zone 3: Green - $ 5.70 There are 3 methods of public transport: Bus, Skytrain and Sea Bus. To plan a trip use following link: www.translink.ca and click on Trip planner A regular one zone ticket will cost you $2.95. If you wish to travel to more than one zone, you will need to upgrade your fare ticket for an extra fee (except for busses you only pay $2.95 for all zones). In all busses you will need the exact coin fee (Zone 1: $2.75, Zone 2: $4.20, Zone 3: $5.70) to travel. Tickets are also available at Skytrain and Sea Bus stations. All the time your travel with public transportation you need to keep proof that you have purchased your ticket. Check the end time indicated on your ticket. Weekdays after 6:30pm, weekends and public holidays tickets cost only $2.95 for all 3 zones! When using the Vancouver public transit system, there are a few options available to save a little bit of money: Monthly Pass: At the beginning of each month, we recommend that you buy a monthly pass using a Compass Card. This pass allows you unlimited travel on any of the transit services for one month. These passes cost $95-$174 depending on your zone. Note that a 1 zone pass will only allow you to travel within Zone 1. If you move to another zone you will be charged extra. Ask the bus driver if you are unsure about how many zones you are travelling. Bus drivers here are very knowledgeable and helpful. They can answer most of the questions that you might have about public transportation.
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HOMESTAY INFORMATION If you have booked a homestay with us, please read this section carefully. Here are some information that might be helpful for you to understand your stay in a homestay: SMILE! Really important. Be friendly and smile when your host family talks to you. BE POLITE! Say please and thank you when asking for something or receiving anything. FOOD Half Board You will receive breakfast and dinner each day. You will have to make your own arrangements about lunch during the week and on weekends. Full Board You will receive breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Your meals will be the same as for the rest of the household. The diet of the family may be very different from your usual diet. Tell your host what type of foods you like and they may be able to include these in the family meals. MEALTIMES You must be home at the usual mealtime for the family. If you know that you will be late or will not be home for meals, you should tell your host family in advance. KEEP YOUR ROOM TIDY You will be treated as a guest/family member of your homestay. In Canada guests/family member keep their own rooms tidy. Please offer to help your host family to clean up after meals and other location. Women in Canada are not servants in a homestay. Your accommodation does not include such personal services. These are available in hotels. We can arrange hotel accommodation for you if this is what you require. BATHROOMS Try to limit your time in the bathroom to 15 minutes so that everybody get the chance to get dress in the morning. TELEPHONE Ask always for permission to use the homestay telephone. Your phone calls cost are not included in your accommodation.
WHEN YOU BRING FRIENDS HOME Please ask always for permission before you bring friends to your host s home and be sure that they do not behave noisily. LAUNDRY Every homestay family has a washing machine. Ask always for permission and the rules to use it. If your host family does not have a washing machine, ask where the nearest laundry store is in your area. SMOKERS Many Canadian families dislike smoking in their homes. Ask your host if you can smoke outside. EXTENDING YOUR STAY Your accommodation has been arranged for the time you asked on your enrolment form. If you want to extend your stay in your homestay you should inform SELC Student Services in the first 14 to 7 days of your stay to check availability. QUESTIONS If you have questions about your homestay, please come to see your SELC counselor during your class breaks. AIRPORT TRANSFERS If you requested airport pick up, please check your pick up confirmation. Please do not leave the airport without contacting the phone number on your confirmation sheet. You must always inform us in advance about any flight changes or delays. If the delay happened the same day contact the number on your pick-up confirmation. Thank you & WELCOME to SELC CAREER COLLEGE SELC Career College 2nd floor, 321 Water St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8 Phone. 604-639-9075 Fax. 1-604-608-4934