International Students at Rotman
Profile of current international students
Toronto is the world’s most multicultural city, with over half the city’s population born outside of the country. Toronto’s linguistic, religious, ethnic and racial diversity can be astonishing to newcomers. Sanjeev Sharma, part of the class of 2010, who worked as a developer for Wipro, Oracle and Lehman Brothers in Mumbai before moving to Toronto for his MBA, says, “Coming from such a different environment, I was not sure at first what to expect. As it turned out, I felt comfortable from the moment my flight landed. The university is right downtown, so everything is accessible, and people are happy to help you through any challenges involved in settling into your new home.”
The School attracts a highly diverse group of students from many countries, cultures and backgrounds. Over 30 per cent of the two-year MBA class of 2011 consists of international students from 26 countries, who speak 41 languages. A distinct orientation program has been designed for international students, just one of the programs offered to ensure that all of our MBA students make the most of the resources and services available to them.
Languages spoken in the graduating class of 2011
Arabic, Bahasa Melayu, Belarusian, Bengali, Cantonese, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Dari, English, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Hakka, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Kannada, Konkani, Korean, Malayalam, Mandarin, Marathi, Oriya, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Spanish, Taiwanese, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yoruba
Full-Time MBA Class of 2011 Area of Origin
North America |
70 % |
Asia |
21 % |
Latin America and the Caribbean |
3 % |
Europe |
3 % |
Africa and Middle East |
3 % |
Financing Your MBA
Professional Student Loan Plans (PSLP)
The Rotman School has partnered with BMO (Bank of Montreal) and RBC (The Royal Bank of Canada) to provide MBA students with the interest-subsidized PSLP, specifically tailored to help students meet the educational costs of the MBA degree. International Students (those on a student visa) are eligible to be considered for PSLP options at both institutions, however, the maximum loan amounts may vary, and/or some students may require a Canadian co-signer. The Rotman School pays the interest incurred on a student loan from either BMO or RBC for the duration the student is enrolled in the MBA program.
International students are also eligible for many of the School’s scholarships, fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships. A number of organizations also offer scholarships, fellowships and loans to citizens of various countries to study in Canada. These programs have not been screened by the Rotman School, and students are individually responsible for applying.
Government of Canada International Scholarship Programs
The Government of Canada has a number of scholarships available to international students for study/research in Canada. These are organized by country of origin. Examples are:
- Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship
- Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program, Canada-Chile
- Government of Canada Awards Program
- Organizations of American States Fellowships Programs
www.scholarships.gc.ca/noncanadians-en.html
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
These scholarships aim to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. During their time abroad, Rotary scholars are expected to be ambassadors of goodwill through presentations to Rotary clubs and districts, schools and civic organizations. Upon their return home, they are expected to discuss and share their experiences with Rotarians and others. Applicants must be nationals of a country where Rotary Clubs are located and must have completed at least two years of university level coursework before the scholarship begins. More information can be obtained from local Rotary clubs or the Rotary Foundation.
International Peace Scholarship Fund for Women (IPS)
IPS is a program providing grants-in-aid for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada. An applicant must be qualified for admission to full-time graduate study and working toward a graduate degree in the college or university of her choice in the United States or Canada. A student holding citizenship in the United States or Canada is ineligible. For more information, visit www.peointernational.org.
Financial Options: Yearly Schedule for Full-Time Students
While dates are subject to change according to regulations and availability, the following is a typical schedule of different financial options for the Full-Time MBA Class:
First Year
Entrance scholarships and fellowships awarded with offer of admission
August 15: Scotiabank loans awarded
September: First year of school term officially begins
September 15: Canada Student Loans awarded
March: Majority of interviews for summer employment
May: Summer employment begins
Late August: Teaching assistantships awarded
Second Year
September: Second year officially begins
Late September: Research assistantships are rewarded
Check this site for the most up to date schedule: http://www-2.rotman.utoronto.ca/mba/financial.htm#international
Working in Canada
International students are competitive candidates for employment in Canada—both summer and post-MBA. Some international students choose to return home during the summer break between first and second year, and upon completing the MBA program, while others remain in Canada to seek work. International students may obtain a work permit for up to three years after graduation.
For more information on work opportunities and career services please visit the Corporate Connections Centre website: http://www-2.rotman.utoronto.ca/career/default.aspx.
Immigration Regulations
International students must meet certain immigration regulations before entering Canada. Prospective students should contact the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate as soon as they receive their offer of admission. (Here is a listing of Canadian offices around the world for you to connect with, http://www.international.gc.ca/ciw-cdm/embassies-ambassades.aspx?lang=eng). Among the documentation required to obtain an entry visa and student authorization are evidence of adequate funds and proof of medical clearance.
You will need a study permit to study in Canada and you can find information on how and where to apply at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. If your spouse or common-law partner wishes to work in Canada you can find information about the eligibility requirements, validity and application process at Studying in Canada: Work permits for Students.
For further information regarding immigration regulations, please consult the University of Toronto, Center for International Experience.
Prep: Top 5 Tips for International Students Coming to Toronto
- Network, network, network! Before moving to Canada, contact a Rotman ambassador in your country to learn what to expect from your MBA experience, and use RWorld or our new Facebook group (“Rotman MBA Admissions” ) to make friends with other incoming students.
- Double check your papers to make sure they are in order before you land in Canada. If you’re thinking of applying for Permanent Residency, remember to bring a police clearance certificate from your home country (and the countries you’ve lived in). Carry the original and a copy of all your important documents: your passport, your driver’s license, student visa etc.
- Start looking for a place to stay before you arrive (see Top 5 Tips for Finding a Place to Stay in Toronto, below). Use the Internet to find new housing; but also plan to visit your apartment, house or condo before signing a lease to make sure it is up to your standards and in a convenient location.
- Give yourself time to settle in. Arrive a month before classes (see temporary housing information) – by the middle of August at the latest – to open a bank account, find a cell phone and Internet provider, buy a metro pass for public transit, and accomplish the other 1,001 tasks that you need to start a life in Toronto.
- Go easy on yourself. Moving abroad can be difficult, especially when you are also trying to manage a full course load, deal with money issues and find your way around an unfamiliar city. But with the help of your classmates and your newly-earned time management skills, you’ll land back on your feet and feel at home in no time.
Bonus tip: Don’t bother packing winter clothes – buy them here! Unless you’re coming from a country with cold winters, your clothes may not be warm enough once January arrives.
Housing: Top 5 Tips for Finding a Place to Stay in Toronto
- Contact the University of Toronto’s Student Housing Service at 416-978-8045 or link.library.utoronto.ca/StudentHousing, or drop by in person at 214 College Street, 2nd Floor, on the U of T campus. Student Housing Services provides you with thousands of housing listings, both on campus and off, as well as advice and tips on what to look for.
If you come in August, consider temporary accommodation in one of the campus residences while you get organized: http://www.housing.utoronto.ca/summer/residences.htm. You can also check the rates on hotels around Rotman, the Holiday Inn on Bloor at St. George just north of Rotman is located at 280 Bloor St. West, phone number 416-968-0010 or visit holidayinn.com.
- Use RWorld, the Rotman School student web portal, to learn about on- and off-campus housing, and background info on Toronto’s neighbourhoods and public transportation. Access to RWorld is provided via e-mail to incoming Rotman students shortly after they register. You can also find future roommates through RWorld or our new Facebook group (“Rotman MBA Admissions”).
- Find rentals online at one of the following websites: toronto.craigslist.ca/apa, torontorentals.com, GTArentals.ca, rentcanada.com/toronto or viewit.ca. If buying is an option, visit mls.ca to get a feel for prices, locations and availability of local housing.
- Check local newspapers. Good rentals can be found in the classified pages of NOW and EYE WEEKLY (both weekly free entertainment papers), as well as U of T’s Bulletin, and in the Toronto Star.
- Before signing a lease (or mortgage), make sure you’ve found the right location! Learn about Toronto’s colourful neighbourhoods, including the Annex, where the Rotman School is located here. If you are moving outside the Annex, check a transit map at www.ttc.ca to make sure you can get to class on time on local transportation.
MBA Orientation Programs for International Students
At Rotman, we understand helping international students to adjust to life in Canada is vital to your success. The MBA program is intense and adding yet another layer of physical and cultural adjustment can make it harder. With this in mind, IPSO has develop a comprehensive orientation program that includes a number of different pre-arrival, arrival and post-arrival activities in various formats.
RTalk
International students are encouraged to start planning their MBA journey as soon as they are accepted into the program to avoid financial, administrative or visa delays. With this in mind, IPSO developed a live interactive video forum online called: RTalk. This forum is hosted by upper-year international students who provide advice on how to prepare for the move to Toronto, what to expect both inside and outside the classroom and general tips to achieve professional success in Canada.
While international students would ideally watch the broadcast live, it is recorded and posted on both the Rotman International channel on UStream.tv and the Rotman International Facebook page: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/15665276 .
Rotman Airport Welcome
Both international and domestic students (coming from outside of Toronto) can pre-book a Rotman Airport Welcome for their arrival in Toronto. The Airport Welcome includes an information package you pick up upon arrival at Pearson Airport. The kit provides information and some supplies to ease your transition during your first few days in Toronto.
International Student Orientation Week
International Student Orientation Week helps international students and landed immigrants adjust to their new life at Rotman, in Toronto and Canada. The various sessions facilitate introductions to the Canadian business environment and the expectations of the North American MBA classroom while providing you an early opportunity to get to know students, staff and faculty at the School. This one-week program includes information sessions, faculty speakers, workshops, receptions, company visits and a fun presentation competition, all designed to prepare you for the rigours of the MBA program.
Intro to the IPSO
Intro to the IPSO is a presentation open to all incoming Rotman MBA students interested in adding an international component to their MBA program. The presentation introduces you to the IPSO staff, a detailed look at the programs and services offered, and highlights of upcoming IPSO events for the term.
