STUDENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

STUDENT SERVICES

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

University Community Centre 210
519- 661-3031
Mon-Fri: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

You will have to make many decisions and develop new skills to prepare for the new and demanding challenges of the University experience. The Student Development Centre is available to assist you in these areas.

Professionally-trained counsellors and other specialists will work with you on career, personal, learning and social concerns. The Student Development Centre offers workshops, individual counselling and self-help materials. Services are available to all registered students. Some services are available to prospective students in the summer before first year studies begin.

Services are available in the following areas:

Career Services
Effective Writing Program
First Nations Services
International Student Services
Learning Skills Services
Resource Centre
Services for Students with Disabilities
Volunteers in Progress

International Student Office

University Community Centre 210
519- 661-3031

International students who are recent arrivals to Canada and/or Western are encouraged to visit the International Student Office. The following services are offered:

Individual assistance with immigration regulations, financial concerns, cultural adjustments and personal issues
Reception and Orientations Service
International Student Centre (Rm. 200 UCC)
Peer Guide Program for all new students (ISPC)
English Conversation Program
Social/Cultural Events
U.S. Visa Program
Career Services

USA Visitor Visa Application

Interested students should come to SDC's International Student Office to take advantage of this service, which operates year-round.

International Student Reception Service

This service is provided during registration week for newly arrived international students. Call SDC's International Student Office on arrival in London. You will be met at Western, and every effort will be made to provide temporary accommodation if it is required.

Immigration

To obtain a visitor's visa and accompanying "student authorization" granting permission to study in Canada, all non-Canadians must submit the following documents to a Canadian Consulate or Embassy outside Canada:

passport and travel documents (if applicable)
medical clearance
letter of acceptance from a Canadian university
evidence of adequate funds
documentary proof of authority to transfer funds to Canada if required
evidence of return passage or evidence that funds will be available for that purpose on completion of studies
letter from sponsoring organization (if applicable)

A visitor's visa or student authorization will not be issued at the Canadian border or inside Canada.

On arrival in Canada, both the visitor's visa and the "student authorization" must be presented to the border officials to gain entry.

SDC's First Nations Services

Services are offered in the following areas: recruitment and admission referrals, Native community liaison, Visiting Elders Program, Native socials and gatherings, Peer Helper Program, and Native Speakers/Cultural Workshops. The First Nations Learning Resource Centre & Computer Lab is located in Room 204 UCC; 661-4095

SDC's Effective Writing Program

This program is designed to help both undergraduate and graduate students as well as those who have acquired English in addition to their first language. The service offers free individual and group workshops. The Effective Writing Centre (room 217 UCC) offers drop-in assistance. Evening drop-in hours are available at Weldon Library. Alos offered: On-line writing help at: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/writing/owl.html and courses in writing through the Western Centre for Continuing Studies. Effective Writing provides assistance not only to "remedial" students but also to more accomplished students who need to improve their techniques for essay, report, or thesis writing.

Academic Calendar
STUDENT SERVICES