Last update: 2015-04-24

GRADUATE STUDENT INTEGRATION PROGRAM

WWW.POLYMTL.CA/ES/EN/INTEGRATION

This integration program is mainly intended for international students who are temporary residents and for students who have carried out past studies abroad.

The program sets up key activities on a timeline consisting of four components: language, logistics, academic and social. These activities help support and guide students throughout their studies, in order to maximize their chances of academic success, personal growth and placement.

The program specifically aims to limit the impact of negative factors such as culture shock, immigration problems, financial problems, difficulty understanding and speaking French, academic difficulties and isolation.

The list of activities mentioned is not exhaustive as other specific activities can be organized by student committees or departments. All activities are highly recommended and some are required.

Here are the four components at a glance:

LANGUAGE Ensure that the student possesses at least minimal language fluency in order to function.

LOGISTICS Explain the procedures to ease adaptation to both Polytechnique and Québec.

ACADEMIC Encourage scholarly success and adaptation to the new environment.

SOCIAL Break isolation and build a social network.

The table listing all activities appears on the next page. Find out about the resources available and make the most of them!

Enjoy becoming a part of Polytechnique Montréal!

Graduate Student Integration Program 2

Last update: 2015-04-24

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

LANGUAGE COMPONENT

Language activities are a key element of the integration program since they help you to develop the language skills essential to your smooth integration into the academic and social setting.

The activities are divided into two components:

1. The new language requirements that are part of the conditions for admission to a graduate program as of the fall 2016 semester.

• Language requirements for admission to the professional master’s, DESS and microprograms. • Language requirements for admission to the research-based master’s and doctorate.

2. Suggestions for optional training in French and English for all graduate students in order to develop your language skills.

Don’t underestimate the importance of French in your integration into the Polytechnique milieu, Québec society and your employability. Also, basic English skills are a major asset that will help you read some course textbooks and access research work in your field. As well, mastering Canada’s two official languages will be a great boost to your career.

The table on the next page summarizes the language requirements for admission as well as the steps to take if you need to fulfil a condition.

Graduate Student Integration Program 4

* The tests “TCF pour l’accès à la nationalité française” and “TCF pour le Québec” are not accepted.

* The tests “TEF adapté au Québec (TEFaQ)” and “TEF pour la naturalisation” are not accepted.

1 EXEMPTIONS TO THE FRENCH TEST(MI, DESS AND MP)1. Carried out high school studies in French;2. Obtained a Diplôme d’études collégiales

(DEC) from a French-language CEGEP;3. Passed the Épreuve uniforme de français

required in order to obtain a DEC;4. Earned a university degree requiring at

least three years of study in a francophone establishment3;

5. Earned a French baccalaureate diploma (issued by an academy in France) or a French BAC technologique.

3 See the list of exempted countries: polymtl.ca/es/en/integration/linguistique/ cours.php

Take the mandatory FRENCH language test (apart from exemptions)1

TFI result: 605 à 990DELF: B2DALF: C1-C2 TCF*: 400 and +TEF*: 541 and +

TFI result: < 605

Language conditionfor admissionsatisfied

Admission refused

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSIONLanguage requirements starting in fall 2016

MI MPDESS

GRADUATE STUDENT INTEGRATION PROGRAM - LANGUAGE COMPONENT

Take the mandatory language test:FRENCH or ENGLISH (apart from exemptions)2

Supply proof of a language test

French: TFI, DELF, DALF, TCF*, TEF*English: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS

Language conditionfor admissionsatisfied

MR DR

2 EXEMPTIONS TO THE FRENCH/ENGLISH TEST (MR AND DR)1. Carried out high school studies in French or

English;2. Obtained a Diplôme d’études collégiales

(DEC) from a French-language or English-language CEGEP;

3. Passed the Épreuve uniforme de français required in order to obtain a DEC;

4. Earned a university degree requiring at least three years of undergraduate study or at least two years of graduate-level study in French or English4;

5. Earned a French baccalaureate diploma (issued by an academy in France) or a French BAC technologique.

4 See the list of exempted countries: polymtl.ca/es/en/integration/linguistique/ recherche.php

MI

MP

DESS

MR

DR

Microprogram (short graduate program)

Specialized graduate diploma

Professional master’s

Research-based master’s

Doctorate

COURSE-BASED PROGRAMS: PROFESSIONAL MASTER’S, DESS AND MICROPROGRAMS

Fluency in French To be eligible for admission, candidates must provide proof that they are fluent in French and, prior to admission, have passed the Test de français international (TFI) or an equivalent test (see below) at Polytechnique’s cutoff level. Candidates may choose the language test they wish to take from the list of accepted tests.

Candidates may be exempted if they meet one of the following conditions: • Carried out high school studies in French; • Obtained a Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) from a French-language CEGEP; • Passed the Épreuve uniforme de français required in order to obtain a DEC; • Earned a French baccalaureate diploma (issued by an academy in France) or a French BAC technologique; • Earned a university degree requiring at least three years of study in a francophone establishment in one of

the following countries:

Belgium (French system) Comoros (Union of the) Luxembourg Benin Congo (Democratic Republic) Madagascar Burkina Faso Congo (People’s Republic) Mali Burundi Djibouti Niger Cameroon (French system) France* Rwanda Canada Ivory Coast Senegal Central African Republic Gabon Switzerland (French system) Chad Guinea Togo

* Candidates who have carried out their studies within the French teaching system in a country whose official language is not French may also be exempted from the TFI or its equivalent. They must present the official results of the expected French tests from France’s Baccalauréat général or Baccalauréat technologique as proof of attendance at a French lycée (high school) abroad. TFI score of 605 points or more: language admission condition satisfied. The candidate must still meet the other admission conditions.

Accepted equivalencies:

DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) B2 DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) C1 and C2 TCF1 (Test de connaissance du français) B2 (400 and up) TEF2 (Test d'évaluation du français) B2 (541 and up) 1 The tests “TCF pour l'accès à la nationalité française” and “TCF pour le Québec” are not accepted. 2 The tests “TEF adapté au Québec (TEFaQ)” and “TEF pour la naturalisation” are not accepted. TFI score below 605: application rejected.

Graduate Student Integration Program 6

Where can language tests be taken? Candidates may take the language test at the location of their choice. Some tests are offered in many countries. The results are valid if the test was taken within the 12 months preceding the application.

TFI: etscanada.ca/

DALF and DELF: ciep.fr/en/delf-prim-delf-delf-junior-version-dalf-diplome-detudes-langue-francaise-diplome-approfondi-langue/approved-examination-centres-outside-france

TCF: ciep.fr/en/tcf-test-connaissance-francais/approved-tcf-test-centres

TEF: francais.cci-paris-idf.fr/trouver-un-des-centres-agrees-tef (in French only)

Course credits and tuition fees Language course credits are part of the number of credits each semester that determine full-time or part-time status. However, they are not taken into account when calculating the cumulative grade point average (GPA), nor do they count as program credits.

Don’t forget to adjust your schedule to include the workload that comes with the language course.

Language courses are not subject to the differential fees for international students enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program, students who are permanent residents, or students who are Canadian citizens who do not meet Québec residency criteria as set out on the Attestation of Québec resident status form on the Registrar’s website. Note that differential fees do, however, apply to international students enrolled in a DESS program. The following links provide more information on tuition fees.

Financial information for calculating tuition: polymtl.ca/registrariat/en/frais/es.php Exemptions from differential fees: polymtl.ca/registrariat/en/exemption/es.php If you take a course at Université de Montréal, you must first fill out an Authorization to Transfer Credits form on the Bureau de la coopération interuniversitaire website (mobilite-cours.crepuq.qc.ca/4DSTATIC/ENAccueil.html). Tuition fees will be billed to you by Polytechnique Montréal. Note that additional fees of $25 per credit from Université de Montréal do not apply to Polytechnique students.

Procedure for enrolling in a language course: polymtl.ca/doc/inscription_cours_langues_ext.pdf (in French only).

Contact person for course credit transfers: Pierrette Franche pierrette.franche@polymtl.ca Registrar’s office, room A-205

Graduate Student Integration Program 7

RESEARCH PROGRAMS: RESEARCH-BASED MASTER’S AND DOCTORATE

Fluency in French or English To be eligible, candidates must provide the results of a recognized language test (French or English). The score is not a condition for admission, but proof of the test is required as part of the application. Candidates may choose the language test they wish to take from the list of accepted tests.

Accepted tests

FRENCH TFI (Test de français international) DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) TCF1 (Test de connaissance du français) TEF2 (Test d'évaluation du français) 1 The tests “TCF pour l'accès à la nationalité française” and “TCF pour le Québec” are not accepted. 2 The tests “TEF adapté au Québec (TEFaQ)” and “TEF pour la naturalisation” are not accepted.

ENGLISH TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Candidates may be exempted if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Carried out high school studies in French or English; • Obtained a Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) from a French-language or English-language CEGEP; • Passed the Épreuve uniforme de français required in order to obtain a DEC; • Earned a French baccalaureate diploma (issued by an academy in France) or a French BAC technologique; • Earned a university degree requiring at least three years of undergraduate study or at least two years of

graduate-level study in French or English in one of the following countries:

FRENCH Belgium (French system) Comoros (Union of the) Luxembourg Benin Congo (Democratic Republic) Madagascar Burkina Faso Congo (People’s Republic) Mali Burundi Djibouti Niger Cameroon (French system) France* Rwanda Canada Ivory Coast Senegal Central African Republic Gabon Switzerland (French system) Chad Guinea Togo

* Candidates who have carried out their studies within the French education system in a country whose official language is not French may also be exempted from the TFI or its equivalent. They must present the official results of the expected French tests of France’s Baccalauréat général or Baccalauréat technologique as proof of attendance at a French lycée (high school) abroad.

Graduate Student Integration Program 8

ENGLISH Anguilla Hong Kong Saint Kitts and Nevis Antigua and Barbuda India Saint Lucia Australia Ireland Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bahamas Jamaica Seychelles Barbados Kenya Sierra Leone Belize Kiribati Singapore Bhutan Lesotho Solomon Islands Botswana Liberia South Africa Canada Malawi Swaziland Cayman Islands Marshall Islands Tanzania Dominica Micronesia Tonga Éritrea Namibia Trinidad and Tobago Ethiopia New Zealand Uganda Fiji Nigeria United Kingdom Gambia Pakistan United States of America Ghana Palau Zambia Grenada Papua-New Guinea Zimbabwe Guyana

Language requirements: polymtl.ca/etudes/cs/en/conditions_admission/linguistique.php

Where can language tests be taken? Candidates may take the language test at the location of their choice. Some tests are offered in many countries. The results are valid if the test was taken within the 12 months preceding the application.

TFI: etscanada.ca

DALF and DELF: ciep.fr/en/delf-prim-delf-delf-junior-version-dalf-diplome-detudes-langue-francaise-diplome-approfondi-langue/approved-examination-centres-outside-france

TCF: ciep.fr/en/tcf-test-connaissance-francais/approved-tcf-test-centres

TEF: francais.cci-paris-idf.fr/trouver-un-des-centres-agrees-tef (in French only)

TOEFL: ets.org/toefl/ibt/register?WT.ac=toeflhome_ibtregister_121127

TOEIC: ets.org/toeic/test_takers/listening_reading/register

IELTS: ielts.org

Graduate Student Integration Program 9

Course credits and tuition fees Language course credits are part of the number of credits each semester that determine full-time or part-time status. However, they are not taken into account when calculating the cumulative grade point average (GPA), nor do they count as program credits.

Don’t forget to adjust your schedule to include the workload that comes with the language course.

Language courses are not subject to the differential fees for international students enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program, students who are permanent residents, or students who are Canadian citizens who do not meet Québec residency criteria as set out on the Attestation of Québec resident status form on the Registrar’s website. Note that differential fees do, however, apply to international students enrolled in a DESS program. The following links provide more information on tuition fees.

Financial information for calculating tuition: polymtl.ca/registrariat/en/frais/es.php Exemptions from differential fees: polymtl.ca/registrariat/en/exemption/es.php If you take a course at Université de Montréal, you must first fill out an Authorization to Transfer Credits form on the Bureau de la coopération interuniversitaire website (mobilite-cours.crepuq.qc.ca/4DSTATIC/ENAccueil.html). Tuition fees will be billed to you by Polytechnique Montréal. Note that additional fees of $25 per credit from Université de Montréal do not apply to Polytechnique students.

Procedure for enrolling in a language course: polymtl.ca/doc/inscription_cours_langues_ext.pdf (in French only).

Contact person for course credit transfers: Pierrette Franche pierrette.franche@polymtl.ca Registrar’s office, room A-205

Graduate Student Integration Program 10

OPTIONAL LANGUAGE TRAINING The following page shows possible paths for optional language training based on language, your needs and the scores you obtained on your language tests.

In an effort to improve the language skills of all students, an optional training path is suggested based on the score you obtained on the language test provided with your admissions application (starting in fall 2016). Training paths are also suggested for students who have not taken a language test.

French is the official language of Québec, and being fluent in it is key to academic success, integration into the Polytechnique environment and Québec society, and student employability. Engineering literature in North America, however, is mostly in English. Basic English skills are a major asset when it comes to reading some course textbooks and accessing research work in your field. As well, mastering Canada’s two official languages will be a great boost to your career.

The paths suggested for French and English are optional, but strongly recommended. They are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Language course credits are part of the number of credits each semester that determine full-time or part-time status. However, they are not taken into account when calculating the cumulative grade point average (GPA), nor do they count as program credits.

Don’t forget to adjust your schedule to include the workload that comes with your language course.

Language courses are not subject to the differential fees for international students enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program, students who are permanent residents, or students who are Canadian citizens who do not meet Québec residency criteria as set out on the Attestation of Québec resident status form on the Registrar’s website. Note that differential fees do, however, apply to international students enrolled in a DESS program.

Language courses are offered at Polytechnique Montréal and at Université de Montréal (UdeM). Visit the Dossier étudiant website (in French only) to register for courses at Polytechnique. If you take a course at Université de Montréal, you must first fill out an Authorization to Transfer Credits form on the Bureau de la coopération interuniversitaire website (mobilite-cours.crepuq.qc.ca/4DSTATIC/ENAccueil.html). Tuition fees will be billed to you by Polytechnique Montréal. Note that additional fees of $25 per credit from Université de Montréal do not apply to Polytechnique students.

Language courses at Université de Montréal: centre-de-langues.umontreal.ca (in French only)

Registration procedure for a language course (UdeM): polymtl.ca/doc/inscription_cours_langues_ext.pdf (in French only)

Contact person for course credit transfers: Pierrette Franche - pierrette.franche@polymtl.ca Registrar’s office, room A-205

All students (in course-based and research-based programs, with or without exemptions) are encouraged to improve their French and English language skills.

Graduate Student Integration Program 11

OPTIONaL LaNGUaGE TRaINING PaTHS

GRaDUaTE STUDENT INTEGRaTION PROGRaM - LaNGUaGE COMPONENT

Evaluation of your language skills using an already-taken language test or as per your needs.

Training suggestions based on the level of fluency in French and English

REGISTERING FOR a LaNGUaGE COURSE aT UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉaL1. Before the semester begins, fill out an

Authorization to Transfer Credits form on mobilite-cours.crepuq.qc.ca.

2. Take the mandatory placement test (at no charge) before courses begin.

Procedure for registering for a language course:polymtl.ca/doc/inscription_cours_langues_ext.pdf (in French only)

Language courses at Université de Montréal:centre-de-langues.umontreal.ca (in French only)

Language courses z Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences � Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Continuing Education � Polytechnique Montréal

It is recommended that you reach and go beyond level B2. For courses at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Continuing Education, level B2 is equivalent to level 6 for French courses and to level 4 for English courses.

FRENCH LEVEL B2 aND +TFI: 785 to 990DELF: B2DALF: C1-C2TCF: 400 to 699TEF: 541 to 900(desirable level)

� Z-610 - Perfectionnement en français écrit �FRS1222T - Communication écrite �FRS1273 - Expression orale

FRENCH LEVEL a1-a2-B1-B2 wEak TFI: < 785DELF: A1-A2-B1TCF: < 400TEF: < 541

STUDENTS wITHOUT TFI

�FRS1110 - Phonétique corrective �FRS1210T/FRS1211T - Communication orale �FRS1222T - Communication écrite

�FRS1210T/FRS1211T - Communication orale

ENGLISH LEVEL B2 aND +TOEFL iBT: 80 to 120TOEFL PBT: 550 to 677TOEIC: 785 to 990IELTS: 5.5 to 9.0(desirable level)

�ANS1350T - Reading and Writing �ANS1404T - Scientific and Technical Writing �ANS1040T - Writing Workshop zANG1904 - Anglais 4 (niveau B2.1) zANG1913 - Lire en anglais 2 (niveau B2 sciences) zANG1922 - Écrire en anglais 2 (niveau B2)

ENGLISH LEVELS a2-B1TOEFL iBT: 30 to 79TOEFL PBT : 337 to 545TOEIC : 225 to 780IELTS : 3.0 to 4.5

�SSH5351 - Anglais pour ingénieurs 1 �SSH5352 - Anglais pour ingénieurs 2 �ANS1100T - English Communication Skills zANG1902 - Anglais 2 (niveau A2) zANG1903 - Anglais 3 (niveau B1.1) zANG1911 - Lire en anglais 1 (niveau B1)

ENGLISH LEVEL a1 aND -TOEFL iBT: < 30TOEFL PBT: < 337TOEIC: < 225IELTS: < 3.0

�ANS1100T - English Communication Skills zANG1901A - Anglais 1 (niveau A1)

STUDENTS wITHOUT TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS �ANS1100T - English Communication Skills

* Note: Generally speaking, language skills are an asset. All students are encouraged to improve their language skills in French and English by taking courses. Starting in fall 2014, optional English classes will be provided to all students. Details to come.

MR DRMI MPDESS *

MI

MP

DESS

MR

DR

Microprogram (short graduate program)

Specialized graduate diploma

Professional master’s

Research-based master’s

Doctorate

LOGISTICS COMPONENT

In addition to tackling the challenges of integrating into a new study environment, international students must handle a series of logistics obligations in order to confirm their status and settle in Montréal. The Service aux étudiants (SEP) offers the following activities to support students in this process.

PREPARING FOR YOUR STAY

The Service aux étudiants provides all the information you need to prepare for your stay, in 10 key steps. Visit the website:

polymtl.ca/inter/etuvisi/en/preparatifs

ACCUEIL PLUS AT MONTRÉAL-TRUDEAU AIRPORT

This service provides a personalized welcome to international students at the Montréal airport. The service speeds up border crossing. As well, greeting officers are on site to welcome, inform and orient new students.

accueilplus.ca

MANDATORY SUBMISSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS

All new international students who are temporary residents (with study permits) must submit the required documents to the Registrar to finalize their enrolment (letter of admission, passport, certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) or proof of exemption, study permit, social security form for countries with this agreement, RAMQ card or attestation if available).

Calendar of submission sessions: polymtl.ca/rentree/en

WORKSHOPS ON HOUSING AND SETTLING IN MONTRÉAL

The SEP team offers various activities to help with finding an apartment and help you think about items to consider when moving to Montréal:

- Several periods of apartment-seeking help with computers and telephones placed at students’ disposal; - Workshop on effective apartment-seeking in Montréal – the advice provided can considerably speed up

your search; - Workshop to help newcomers to Montréal with the following subjects: transport, furniture, telephone,

internet, health, food, banking, budgeting, sports and leisure.

Workshop schedule: polymtl.ca/rentree/en

Graduate Student Integration Program 13

GUIDED TOUR

As a complement to the welcome and information sessions, these dynamic interactive tours take new students out to explore and learn about the campus and the services available to them. The itinerary includes a tour of the library and a visit to the campus’s main buildings.

Back-to-school tours: polymtl.ca/rentree/en Throughout the year: polymtl.ca/futur/etudiant/visitesguidees.php (in French only)

WORKSHOP ON TACKLING WINTER

Some students will be facing a Québec winter for the first time. This workshop gives them tips and tricks for better enjoying the season.

INCOME TAX WORKSHOP

This workshop covers the basics of income tax laws for newcomers to Canada. Everyone living in Canada, even temporarily, must declare their income to the Revenu Québec and Revenue Canada agencies, even if they have no income in Canada.

WORKSHOP ON RENEWING IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS

This workshop answers questions about the certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ), study permits and temporary resident visas in order to help people renew their Canadian residency permits properly.

WORKSHOPS ON WORK PERMITS

The SEP offers workshops on work permits aimed at different categories of people who want to work in Canada: students who are temporary residents (study permit) in the full program and graduating students who wish to stay in Canada following their studies.

WORKSHOP ON APPLYING FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN QUÉBEC

A staff member from the Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion comes to campus to explain everything a student who wants to immigrate to Québec permanently needs to know about these complex procedures.

WORKSHOP ON CONSIDERING POST-STUDY TRANSITIONS AND ENTERING THE QUÉBEC JOB MARKET

As their studies draw to a close, international students may wonder about their future in Canada. The SEP offers a workshop to help them think through the various possibilities facing them after they graduate. As well, the Service des stages et du placement (internship and placement service) advises graduating students on the workings of the Québec job market.

Workshop schedule: calendrier.polymtl.ca/en/?l=170

For more information on all the services provided to international students, visit polymtl.ca/inter/etuvisi/en.

Graduate Student Integration Program 14

ACADEMIC COMPONENT

A series of tools and activities are available to help new students get to know the academic system at Polytechnique.

GUIDE FOR NEW STUDENTS

The Service aux étudiants has selected essential information that all new students should know in order to get off to a good start. This is your survival guide, filled with information about things you need to consider before classes begin, during the first days of your semester, and throughout your time with us.

The guide is handed out at back-to-school time, and is available at the Service aux étudiants (SEP). You can also view it online.

polymtl.ca/rentree/en

WELCOMING NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS

This mandatory activity is a presentation given by the directors. They provide a general overview of Polytechnique, its graduate programs, its research, the services and resources available for students, and the administrative processes to undertake at the start of the semester. After the presentation, students are grouped together by engineering specialty and given more information by their respective departments. The following welcome activities take place in late August and early January.

ORIENTATION FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA (GRADUATE STUDENTS AND DOUBLE DEGREE – MASTER’S INTEGRATION)

This orientation day, organized by the SEP, is mandatory for all new students starting at Polytechnique: temporary residents of Canada (study permit) and permanent residents or Canadian citizens who have never studied in a Québec CEGEP or university. The workshop helps them get to know how Polytechnique works. The topics addressed include:

- First steps at Polytechnique and on-campus resources; - The education system and strategies for success: workload, marks, course choices, pace of progress,

language skills and employability; - Student challenges, cultural adaptation and stress management; - Rules and plagiarism; - Budgeting: tuition fees and money management; - Legal status in Canada: health insurance and immigration; - Student associations; - Learning about Québec.

These orientation activities are held in late August and early January.

Schedule of mandatory workshops: polymtl.ca/rentree/en

Graduate Student Integration Program 15

CONTACT YOUR ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH SUPERVISOR

Strong graduate academic supervision is based on a friendly, professional relationship between the student and their supervisor. This means you need to talk honestly with your supervisor before and during your entire program of study.

To guide you, we invite you to read the Supervision Policy for Graduate Students as well as the list of questions you should talk about with your supervisor.

polymtl.ca/es/en/encadrement/modalites.php

DEPARTMENTAL WELCOME ACTIVITIES

When new graduate students arrive, each department sets up a welcome activity to introduce students to the spaces they’ll be using and to the services provided by the departments. This is also the opportunity for you to meet your research or academic supervisor, professors and department staff. The activities provided vary from one department to the next, and some departments offer them only in the fall semester.

Your home department will be in touch with you to inform you about welcome activities.

WORKSHOP: LEARNING ABOUT THE LIBRARY

In addition to a tour of the library, this basic activity will help you optimize your use of student services and tools.

polymtl.ca/biblio/en

CAP7001 WORKSHOP – ENSURING A SUCCESSFUL DOCTORATE

This is a mandatory workshop for doctoral students. It aims to inform students about the various aspects of the doctorate they need to consider to ensure their success: skills to develop, key milestones in the doctoral process, pitfalls to avoid, expected deliverables, success criteria and the means to meet them, and scientific, personal and professional aspects. All doctoral students must take this workshop during their first semester. It is automatically included in their study plan.

This workshop is part of the complementary doctoral training program, which consists of a series of four workshops aiming to enrich doctoral studies through extra-disciplinary skills.

polymtl.ca/es/en/ateliersdoctorat

HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING

This general education workshop is mandatory for all new graduate students enrolled in a program. It is automatically included in the first semester’s schedule.

polymtl.ca/sst/Formations (in French only)

Graduate Student Integration Program 16

DEPARTMENT CONTACT PEOPLE

In addition to the research or academic supervisor who guides students throughout their studies and directs their research or study project, the departments place valuable resources at your disposal.

For questions about course processes or for any kind of special assistance need, students may address the person in charge of their program or the person assigned to helping new students within their department. This person is the graduate program co-ordinator (CPÉS).

Students can also contact the student affairs officer in their department for questions concerning deadlines, regulations specific to the department, and so forth.

polymtl.ca/bottin/en/services.php

CAREER MANAGEMENT WITH THE INTERNSHIP AND PLACEMENT SERVICE

In addition to providing career management advisory services, the Service des stages et du placement offers career management workshops and organizes numerous recruitment and networking activities. With an appointment, you can get assistance with your job search and personalized advice on questions relative to your career.

WORKSHOP ON JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

This workshop helps students to identify winning strategies for job or internship seeking. International students will find plenty of information on the particularities of job seeking in Québec and Canada.

WORKSHOP ON HIRING INTERVIEWS

This workshop is designed to help graduate students improve their skills and confidence when it comes to job interviews. Prerequisite: have attended the Job Search Strategies workshop. polymtl.ca/sp (in French only)

Graduate Student Integration Program 17

SOCIAL COMPONENT

Many student committees organize social activities to help new students integrate into Polytechnique student life.

ACTIVITIES OF POLYTECHNIQUE’S GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

On orientation day, the Association des étudiants des cycles supérieurs de Polytechnique (AÉCSP) organizes a meal (a méchoui, or roasted meat dinner, or a brunch) to which all new graduate students, professors and department staff are invited. It also offers three themed evening events to help welcome students.

Throughout the year, the AECSP encourages connections by organizing many activities: outings, parties, wine and cheese events, doughnuts and coffee, lectures, and much more.

aecsp.qc.ca/en

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES

The Polycultures and Poly-échanges (COPEC) student committees organize numerous learning activities to help international students integrate into Polytechnique student life and learn about the multiple facets of Québec. They are also opportunities to build connections and meet people who may become your lifelong friends or professional contacts.

Polycultures: step.polymtl.ca/~polycultures (in French only) Poly-échanges (COPEC): copec.aep.polymtl.ca/lecopec.php (in French only)

POLYEXPLORE

This program aims to provide new international students at Polytechnique with a buddy. The program supports the buddies by organizing various activities for new students, such as airport pick-up, help moving-in, campus and city tours, help with getting transit passes and student cards, welcome and integration days, discussion nights and any number of other helpful activities. The program aims to improve international students’ integration within Polytechnique, as well as giving local students the chance to create friendships and get to know new cultures.

groupes.polymtl.ca/polybuddy (in French only)

POLYTECHNIQUE’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The Association des diplômés de Polytechnique offers a range of social, corporate, sporting and conference activities aimed at young graduates, senior engineers, Montréal residents and others.

adp.polymtl.ca (in French only)

Graduate Student Integration Program 18