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Events | Updates | Tips | Community
November 2026 | Edition 29 - International Education Week Edition!
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In this issue
- International Centre Events & Programs
- Immigration Updates
- Tips & Reminders
- UM Community Events
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International Student Survey
Attention international students in Canada! Share your experience by filling out a survey and get a chance to win $1,000. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Complete by November 26.
Click here for UM Survey.
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International Centre Events & Programs
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International Education Week (IEW) Kick Off
November 17 | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Fireside Lounge, main floor, UMSU University Centre
Join us for our kick-off to International Education Week!
- Winter Clothing Pop-up Shop, available to all international and exchange students in need. Free clothing donated by the generosity of the UM Community
- We will accept donations of winter jackets, boots and ski pants. Find donation criteria here.
- Tabling from UM Community and Partners
- Music from UMFM
- Coffee & donuts
- Learn about International Centre programs and IEW events running this week
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Language Conversation Groups
Are you interested in learning about other languages? Our Language Exchange volunteers are hosting Language conversation groups on select dates. All language abilities are welcome. Sign up here!
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Nahlah Ayed Prize for Student Leadership and Global Citizenship
Nominations
close November 15
Nominations
are now open for the 2025 Prize! Each year, one
domestic and one international student are recognized for their achievements in
building bridges between local and global communities, their actions to address
emerging global issues, and participation in activities that celebrate diversity,
curiosity, respect, and mutual understanding. Learn more here.
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Winter Clothing Library
November 17 | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Fireside Lounge, main floor, UMSU University Centre
Shop for needed winter clothing that we have available by the generosity of donation.
Or - donate your winter jackets, boots and ski pants. Find donation criteria here.
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Student Mobility & Exchange Events
Check out the various events this week:
- McCall MacBain International Fellowship Info. Booth and Session (Nov 17)
- Outbound Exchange Info Booth
- Exchange Partner Spotlights
- Faculty of Arts Language Centre (Nov 18-20)
- JET Info Booth (Nov 19)
- Awards and Funding Opportunities Info Session (Nov 20)
- International Travel Safety and Risk Management (Nov 20)
- Faculty of Arts Travel Study Course Info Session (Nov 20)
- Meet IC Student Exchange Team (Nov 21)
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Campus Kitchen: Cooking 101 for new students
November 17 | 4:00-6:00 pm | Barbara Burns Cooking Lab
This session is open to All UM students
Come join us for a cooking demonstration run by Nutrition Education & Community Outreach (NECO). No cooking experience necessary, we'll teach you all the basics and have food and utensils provided. Learn how to make a sheet-pan meal! Space is limited to first 20 participants: Register here.
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World Trivia at VW's Social Club
November 17 | 8:00 PM | VW's Social Club, 3rd Floor UMSU University Centre
Open to All UM students
International Centre is partnering with VW's Social Club to offer World Trivia Night. Free entry! Register your team of 4 to receive free nachos! Register here.
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Volunteer Abroad with WUSC Info Session
November 18 | 9:30 - 10:00 AM | Virtual, on Zoom
This session is open to All UM students UM Faculty & staff members
Have you ever considered volunteering internationally? Do you want to learn more about how your skills can contribute to global development? Join this event to learn more about World University Service of Canada (WUSC)'s Volunteer Cooperation Program. Register here.
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Breaking Bread, Building Bonds - UM Interfaith Student Gathering
November 18 | 12:00-1:00 PM | 521 UMSU University Centre, Multifaith Centre
Hosted by Spiritual Care. Join us as we share baking (home-baked bread) and the gift of community. Come and explore the many things we hold in common and learn from each other. All faiths/religions/spiritualities welcome. Register here.
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Volunteer to Get Hired Workshop
November 18 | 2:30 - 3:30 PM | 544 UMSU University Centre
Presented by International Centre & Career Services. Learn about how to find volunteer opportunities that can help you get relatable job experience and local references.
Register here.
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Maintaining Wellbeing Away From Home
November 19 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM | 544 UMSU University Centre
Presented by Healthy U. Learn about different aspects for wellbeing, including cultural differences for taking care of mental health.
Register here.
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Study Permit Extension Application Working Lab
November 19 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM | In person
Attend this in person workshop to work on your Study Permit Extension application and ask questions about the application process to our International Student Advisors (ISA) from the International Centre. Register here.
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Growing in the Art of Dialoguing - Deepening Skills to Engage in Difficult Conversations
November 20 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM | 544 UMSU University Centre
Facilitated by Spiritual Care. Learn fundamental skills in productive dialoguing, how to stay engaged when having difficult conversations, and find common ground. Register now.
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Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Workshop
November 20 | 2:30 - 4:00 PM | In-person
This session will be led by representatives from the Manitoba Government.
This workshop is for current U of M students (Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses) and recently graduated students (February 2025, June 2025, and October 2025). Please register here.
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Communicating Across Cultures
November 21 | 11:30 - 1:00 PM | 544 UMSU University Centre
This interactive workshop, grounded in a Canadian context, will introduce practical strategies for understanding and navigating cultural differences. Participants will actively engage in discussions and activities that allow them to share their own cultural perspectives while learning from others. Lunch is provided! Register here.
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IEW Student Market
November 21 | 11:00 AM-4:00 PM | Fireside Lounge, first floor, UMSU University Centre
Come visit our IEW Student Market from 11-2 pm in UMSU University Centre, first floor Campo. We will be featuring small businesses from UM students to sell their items.
Want to be a seller? Email us at international@umanitoba.ca
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Doing your taxes & fraud protection
November 26 | 10:30 AM | Virtual - Zoom
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will share general information about how to file your tax return, how to apply for benefits and credits, how to recognize a scam and examples of fraudulent communications, how to protect yourself from identify theft, and what to do if you have been a victim.
This workshop is for current U of M students. Registration in advance of the session is required. Please register here.
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End of Year Holiday Party
December 5 | 4-6 PM
Join us for our annual Holiday Party! Holiday snacks, photo booth, and gingerbread house contest! Event details will be posted on our Instagram.
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Part-Time Academic English Courses
Winter courses run January 26 – April 9, 2026. Registration is open!
Are you needing support with academic English writing or speaking skills? Part-Time Academic English Courses (PTAEC) may be what you’re looking for!
Fast Facts:
- Non-credit courses: Completion letters provided for a minimum of 80% attendance.
- Undergraduate and graduate specific courses
- Small class size: 10-15 students = increased interaction
- Safe & supportive learning environment = increased engagement and progress
- Interactive: Courses are live and facilitated by experienced English language experts
- Convenient: Delivered in-person or on Zoom
- Affordable: $150 per 30-hour course = $5 an hour!
- Fun: Meet other students and grow your skills and confidence in English!
*Graduate Students may qualify for $100 subsidy. Check your email from the Faculty of Grad Studies! Subsidy application deadline – December 12, 2025.
Registration is limited and is first-come-first-served. For more information visit: umanitoba.ca/elc/parttime. Questions? Email: ELC@umanitoba.ca
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International Student Advisors (ISAs) are available for in person and virtual appointments. To book an appointment or find our drop-in advising schedule, visit our website.
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Thinking about dropping a course in the Fall 2025 term?
The Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) deadline is on November 18th. If you are considering dropping a course this term, it’s important that you first understand how full-time status is defined for your program. It’s also important for each study permit holder to stay in compliance with their study permit conditions. To learn more about the immigration impacts of part-time studies, please review our understanding your enrollment status page for details. For example, a study permit holder can be a part-time student and still be in compliance with their study permit conditions, but they would no longer be eligible to work on or off-campus if they drop down to part-time status this term and there would be an impact on their post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligibility.
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Need a new temporary resident visa (TRV)/visitor visa?
If you are planning on travelling outside of Canada during the winter holiday break and need to apply for a new visa, then it’s important that you plan early and submit your application as soon as possible! On the International Centre website, there is a detailed page on how to apply for a new TRV/visitor visa from inside of Canada. On IRCC’s website about how to apply for a new TRV/visitor visa from inside of Canada
they recommend applying for a new visa at least 2 months before you leave Canada, and not to leave Canada until you get your visa. It is also recommended that you don’t book a plane ticket until you have received your new visa.
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Working during the winter holiday break
If you are considering working on and/or off-campus during the Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 terms, including the winter holiday break, then it’s important that you review, understand, and follow the strict requirements that IRCC has for international students who would like work legally during their studies in Canada. It’s also important to review our Working in Canada as an International Student page for details such as what is considered as work, who can work, how many hours you can work and when you need to stop working. Also, you should be verifying UM dates, definitions, and policies in our institutional documents. For example, you should review how the UM defines full-time status for the purposes of IRCC to ensure that you understand how the UM defines full-time and part-time status at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and refer to the UM Academic Calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year to confirm the start and end dates of the winter holiday break.
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Application Processing Times
Estimated processing times for permits and visas are reported on the IRCC website. You can find the processing time for a specific application here. Processing time estimates are updated weekly. As of October 29, 2025, the estimated processing times are as follows for online applications:
- Study Permit extension: 168 days
- Work Permit (co-op work permit, post-graduation work permit): 226 days
- Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa): 19 days
You may need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) with your application. The processing times do not include additional time to give your biometrics.
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Important Dates
- Nov. 10, 2025 - Nov. 14, 2025 - Fall Term Break, No classes, University remains open.
- Nov. 11, 2025 - Remembrance Day: University Closed
- Nov. 18, 2025 - Voluntary withdrawal deadline for Fall Term courses
View more dates online.
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Introduction to Hungarian 1
January 6 - April 9, 2026
The course is intended for students with little or no previous knowledge of Hungarian. Students are introduced to basic grammar and vocabulary as well as aspects of Hungarian culture. Emphasis is placed on communication skills. Students will expand their understanding of basic grammar and vocabulary, as well as aspects of Hungarian culture.
Register: Course Code: HUNG 1000 A01 Winter 2026. More information.
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November is Career Month
Career Services has a number of events in November for Career Month.
Attend a Career Month workshop or event and be entered for the $1000 tuition prize draw. Generously sponsored by the UM Alumni Association & TD Insurance
Find all events here.
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Academic Learning Centre Tutor Training
November 12th from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Tutor Training is free and open to all UM students.
Participants benefit by learning about the role of a tutor and the tutoring cycle and by improving critical thinking and communication skills. Tutors who attend training and complete the assigned activities also earn recognition on their Experience Record. Read more here.
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University of Manitoba
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To unsubscribe from the International Student Newsletter, please email Crystal Stewart, International Transitions Coordinator. International students cannot unsubscribe.
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