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Orientation for Incoming Exchange

Incoming Exchange Students, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to Laurier!

You can continue your pre-arrival preparations by:

Airport Welcome Program

Are you wondering about getting from the airport to campus?

Between Aug. 14 and Sept. 10, look for the Laurier welcome booth at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The staff at the booth will be able to help you:

  • connect with your transportation to campus,
  • arrange a hotel if you need somewhere to stay,
  • assist with baggage claims and
  • help with banking services and currency exchange.

Find details on how to pre-book your shuttle from the airport to campus.

Attend Orientation

Laurier Orientation 

Oweek runs Sept 4-8 and is designed by the Students' Union, primarily for first year students. Registration is free and you are welcome to attend events that interest you. You must register in advance.

Complete the Orientation Week Registration Form.

Drop-in Advising for Business and Economics Students

Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 12-2pm. | Location: Laurier International Offices. Students interested in adding a new course, or with questions about their Business or Economics courses are welcome to drop by Laurier International to meet with an Advisor who can help you. 

Welcome Event for Exchange Students! 

Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 3:30 - 8 p.m. | Location: We will start in P110 (Peters Building, close to the Laurier International office) from 3:30-5pm, and then move to The Turret (3rd Floor, Fred Nichols Campus Centre) for dinner and further orientation.

Join us for a guest lecture, mini-workshop on adapting to life at Laurier, dinner, and a chance to connect with other exchange students studying at Laurier!

International Students Welcome Breakfast

Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 8:30 a.m. | Location: The Turret, 3rd Floor, Fred Nichols Campus Centre

Get your free ticket

Join us for a buffet-style breakfast, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Debroah MacLatchy will give welcome remarks at 9 a.m. and the event will finish at 10 a.m.

Campus and Community Tours

Campus Tour: Wednesday, Sept. 6 1 & 1:30pm | Location: Meet us at 2C15 (this is a classroom close to the Laurier International Office). Take a tour of the campus so you know where all the academic buildings and services are on campus. Two tour options, leaving at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The tour will be roughly 75 minutes. The Laurier Ambassador team will lead the campus tours.

Community Tour: Wednesday, Sept. 6 3 & 3:30pm | Location: Meet us at 2C15 (this is a classroom close to the Laurier International Office). Join Laurier volunteers on guided tours throughout Waterloo. There will be a number of options including a tour to downtown Waterloo, to Conestoga mall, or to a couple of local grovery stores. These tours are free of charge, and if you would like to go on the community tour, please bring your student card. You will need it to get on the bus. The tours should last roughly 90 minutes.

Welcome Back BBQ

Thursday, Sept. 14 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. | Location: Laurier Quad (outside the Dining Hall), Waterloo Campus

Tickets are $4 each

Connect with your Laurier friends both new and old over a BBQ dinner hosted by the Laurier International team. LI staff will be on hand to welcome you and address any questions that you might have after your first week of class.

Niagara Falls Trip

Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Location: Bus trip to Niagara Falls, leaving from Waterloo at 10 a.m.

Join your friends for a day trip to Niagara Falls, considered the 8th Wonder of the World. Tickets are $10 each. Buy tickets in advance.

Waterloo Transportation

  • Students that have purchased a ticket can board the bus at 10 a.m. at the St. Michael's Church parking lot (80 University Ave., Waterloo, ON), next to Lazaridis Hall on the Waterloo campus.
  • The return bus will depart Niagara Falls at 9 p.m. at the same location you were dropped off at.

Laurier Orientation 

Oweek runs Sept 4-8 and is designed by the Students' Union, primarily for first year students. Registration is free for exchange students and you are welcome to attend events that interest you. You must register in advance.

Complete the Orientation Week Registration Form.

Welcome Event for Exchange Students!

Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Location: Laurier International, One Market (OM-310)

Collect your Laurier International swag bag and then join us for a mini-workshop on adapting to life at Laurier. A chance to connect with other international and exchange students studying at Laurier. Breakfast snacks will be provided. 

Shopping Trip to Walmart

Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Location: Meet at Laurier International, One Market (OM-310)

Hosted by the Wilfrid Laurier International College (WLIC) team. Use your One Card to take the bus to Walmart, where you can pick up any items you might need for your new home away from home. 

Exchange Student Drop-in 

Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Location: Laurier International, One Market (OM-310)

Questions? Need support? Want to learn more about ways to get engaged in activities on the Brantford Campus? Stop in to visit Anne-marie Joy Henry, Coordinator, Global Engagement Programming. No appointment required. 

Exchange Social at Waterloo Campus

Wednesday, Sept. 13 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Location: Meet at Laurier International, One Market (OM-310)

You're invited to join outgoing exchange students and other incoming exchange students studying on the Waterloo campus for supper in the Turrett. Share your experience of your home school and connect with students excited about their upcoming travel. Please register for the event and also RSVP to: ahenry@wlu.ca if you would like to attend. Transportation will be provided. 

Welcome Back BBQ

Thursday, Sept. 14 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Location: RCW Courtyard, Brantford Campus

Tickets are $4 each

Connect with your Laurier friends both new and old over a BBQ dinner hosted by the Laurier International team. LI staff will be on hand to welcome you and address any questions that you might have after your first week of class. Vegetarian and halal options available.

Niagara Falls Trip

Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Location: To Niagara Falls, leaving from Brantford at 10 a.m.

Join your friends for a day trip to Niagara Falls, considered the 8th Wonder of the World. Tickets are $10 each. Buy tickets in advance

Brantford Transportation

  • Students that have purchased a ticket can board the bus at 9 a.m. at 73 George St. on the Brantford campus.
  • The return bus will depart Niagara Falls at 9 p.m. at the same location you were dropped off.