Before Your Arrival

• After you’ve been nominated by your home university and have been conditionally accepted, you must make application for Admission and for Residence, if it is your intention to stay on campus during your time with us Apply Here. *Please note that if you apply online you will be charged an application process fee of $100 CDN;  however, your account will be credited for this amount after your arrival.* The residence application processing fee still applies. Supporting documentation (final transcripts and proof of English Language  Proficiency) must be provided to support your application’s acceptance.
• After you’ve been officially accepted, a letter will be forwarded to you from the Admissions Office. *Please note this letter should be with you when you enter Canada.*

At this point you should start making arrangements for your exchange including:

• Arranging immigration documentation (passport, study visa if required, temporary resident visa if required)
  Get a Study Permit – Find out if you are eligible to study in Canada.
• Acquiring CBU course descriptions and confirming with your academic advisor (at your home institution) in which courses you should enrol. To do this, please refer to the Academic Calendar and the Academic Timetable.
• Register for your courses.  This should be done in consultation with CBU’s Exchange Coordinator as new students require academic advising prior to registering for courses – the Exchange Coordinator will assist you with the process.
• Prepare a realistic budget – Tuition and Fees, Residence and Meal plans.
• Book your airline ticket and (if necessary) purchase personal travel insurance.
• Make an appointment with your health care provider to discuss immunizations and any health issues you may have.
• Arrange your finances (foreign cash, traveller’s cheques, debit/credit cards). Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay while studying abroad is often required.
• Arrange for free airport pickup. Pick-up requests must be submitted 48 hours prior to arrival time at the JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport. You can complete the airport pickup request form here.

After Your Arrival

• Attend orientation sessions.
• Meet with an International Student Advisor to arrange your health coverage and have passports and visas recorded.
• Go to the IT Service Desk to get your ID photo and make arrangements to set up your student email account.
• Pay any outstanding balances in the Finance Office.
• Meet with CBU’s Study Abroad Specialist, Shivani Negi
• Familiarize yourself with your host institution and surrounding area.
• Open a bank account.

After You Have Completed Your Courses

• Have CBU forward a final transcript to your home institution at the completion of your studies.

“Six months ago, if you would have asked me where I would be spending my winter semester, Nova Scotia wouldn’t have even crossed my mind,” says the third year student. “However, I have been in Cape Breton for over a month now and I’m loving every second of it.”

MacKenzie Brooks, University of New Hampshire Exchange Student