International Student Advising is back at the Bannatyne Campus!
The University of Manitoba’s International Centre (IC) has expanded its services on the Bannatyne Campus! After being put on pause during COVID, in-person International Student Advising has returned to the Bannatyne Campus. This means that students on the Bannatyne Campus now have in-person access to the full suite of IC services on-site, eliminating the need to meet over Zoom or make the trek to the Fort Garry Campus.
Similarly to the Fort Garry Campus, international students can seek general support as well as immigration support from advisors at the Bannatyne Campus through Student Services. International Student Advisors (ISAs) provide support and guidance on the status of international students and help students navigate the legal and intercultural barriers that students may face during their transition at UM.
ISAs can meet with students to discuss study permits, post-graduation work permits, and answer questions regarding immigration. Recently, ISAs have received the Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor designation. Speaking to ISA Rebecca Irvingshe explained that this designation “has allowed us to legally give students immigration advice and guidance (within the scope of our designation) on their individual situations and provide more clear and direct information during our Advising meetings.”
Through the International Centre, ISAs also offer immigration information sessions and provide resources for students online and in-person. By meeting with an ISA, students can get assistance navigating both UM and government services and understanding their status as international students.
In 2024, international students accounted for roughly 21% of the student population and roughly 20% of first-time admissions, according to an institutional analysis by UM. These trends are increasing, and the IC and the ISAs play an important role in supporting this population. Referring to the expansion of advising to the Bannatyne campus, Irving states that “these enhanced services from our ISA team have been important to better help our growing international student population, especially in light of the numerous changes that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have recently made that impacts study permit holders in Canada.”
The ISA service at the Bannatyne Campus also helps mitigate one of the barriers that some international students may face, which is simply knowing that these resources exist and being able to find them. Through social media and referrals by other supports, such as the Student Affairs Connect Desk on the 1st floor of UMSU University Centre, international students are referred to the IC and ISAs. By adding International Student Advising to the Student Services at Bannatyne offices, the in-person presence ensures an equitable level of support.
For international students who may not have seen an advisor recently, Irving stresses that students should seek out an advisor as early as possible: “even if a student isn’t sure if they’re coming to us at the right time, or if we can answer their entire question, we encourage students to reach out as soon as they have a question so that they can plan ahead and we can make a referral to another UM office, if needed.”
Students at either campus wanting to make an appointment with an International Student Advisor can do so through the International Centre. Students at the Bannatyne Campus can also reach out to Student Services at Bannatyne via e-mail at bcstudentservices[at]umanitoba[dot]ca or by phone at 204-272-3190.
The International Centre is located in Room 541 UMSU University Centre and is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be reached via e-mail for inquiries at international[at]umanitoba[dot]ca.