Make sure you bring the following items with you as you prepare to come to Canada:

• letter of introduction and acceptance from Canadian Embassy
• valid passport
• original copy of your acceptance/admission letter from the University of Ottawa
• proof of available funds (Bank statement)
• photo ID (picture identification)
• original transcripts or school certificates
• credit cards (if applicable)
• marriage certificate, if your spouse is accompanying you
• your children's school records, if your children is accompanying you
• medical and immunization records
• driver's license or international driver's license
• driving insurance records (a letter stating the number of years you've been insured, and your insurance record)
• electrical equipment you may need (note that voltage in Canada is 110, 60Hz, so you may require a transformer)
• a good bilingual dictionary

Initial Money Needs

We do not recommend that you carry more than $500 CDN in cash with you while travelling to Canada

Bring sufficient funds in traveller's cheques in U.S. or Canadian dollars to cover living expenses during your first month. For a single student, the first month's expenses (excluding tuition fees) could be as high as $2,500 CDN to pay for such things as transportation, temporary accommodation, food, rental deposits, textbooks and other school supplies.

One of the first thing to do upon your arrival in Ottawa is to open a bank account.

Buying Clothing in Canada

For your information, the following is a list of price ranges for new clothing in Canada:

Climate, and packing clothes

Ottawa's climate is characterized by four distinct seasons, with frequent temperature changes

Spring arrives in April, with warm weather and plenty of rain.

• Pack an umbrella, raincoat and waterproof boots if you have them.
• Temperatures drop below freezing on many nights.

Summer starts in June.

• Temperatures range from 15-33 C (59-95 F) with occasional rainfall.
• Bring a good pair of comfortable walking shoes and clothes for warm weather

Fall arrives by September.

• Temperatures can drop below freezing on some nights and rise to 20 C (68 F) during the day.
• Plenty of rain is usually in the forecast.

Winter begins around the middle of November with the first snowfall, and lasts until the end of March or beginning of April.

• Temperatures range from –25 to 5 C (-33 to 41 F), averaging from -10 to –5 C (14 to 23 F).
• Bring a very warm jacket, gloves, scarf and hat for the winter months, and other warm sportswear.

It is very important that you wear the appropriate clothing, especially in winter. It is recommended that you buy outdoor winter clothing such as coats and boots in Canada, as it is manufactured according to Canadian weather standards. You will receive advice on clothing in your Orientation Sessions.