Health coverage in Canada
Students studying for more than 14 days must enrol in the mandatory University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). The cost of UHIP will be included in your program fees.
A full list of what UHIP does and does not cover can be found on their website at UHIP.ca.
IMPORTANT: UHIP only covers health care costs while you are studying in your Renison International Program.
Your UHIP is only valid while you are studying at Renison or the University of Waterloo. As well, UHIP is only valid within Canada; you should obtain travel insurance if you plan on travelling to the United States or another country at any point during your studies (even if it is a short trip). You should also make sure you have travel insurance if you decide to remain in Canada for any length of time before or after you study at Renison, as your UHIP insurance is only valid while you are studying in your program.
On or before your first day of studies, you will either be sent an email with a PDF copy of your Proof of Insurance for UHIP, or you will be given a paper copy of your Proof of Insurance during Orientation. We recommend you keep a copy of this Proof of Insurance in your wallet or purse to have at all times. If you have to go to a walk-in clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office while you are in Canada, you need to show your Proof of Insurance document to prove you have health insurance.
To find a health care provider who accepts UHIP, go to the UHIP website and click on find a clinic or doctor. Scroll down to Preferred Provider Network and click on the link to find a preferred health care provider that is conveniently located for you.
The UHIP rate in your tuition fees is based on coverage for a single person. Please note that any dependents (husband, wife, or children) living with you in Canada are required to have UHIP coverage as well.
The monthly rates for married couples or family coverage are different and can be found on the UHIP website.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you have any dependents that will be living with you in Canada.
Health services on campus
Learn about the student medical clinic available on campus.
UWaterloo's Health Services building houses the Student Medical Clinic for the University of Waterloo, and is a short, two-minute walk away from Renison. You can go the the Health Services building if you need to see a doctor.
The Student Medical Clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Although it is recommended that you book appointments in advance when possible, same-day appointments are sometimes available.
If possible, try to go to the Clinic earlier in the day for a better chance of getting a same-day appointment.
To make an appointment, visit the University of Waterloo's Campus Wellness Contact Us webpage for more information.
Student Medical Clinic hours
Booked appointments
Monday, Thursday and Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Phones will not be answered between 12:00 - 1 p.m. each day.
Family Health Clinic hours
Booked appointments
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
University of Waterloo Health Services building
Off-campus Health Clinics & Hospitals
If Health Services is closed, there are other clinics and hospitals you can visit.
Off-campus Medical Clinics
You may be required to pay “up front” at these medical clinics, and apply for a partial reimbursement from the UHIP insurance company later. Please contact the clinic before your visit to find out their current rates for medical services.
Waterloo Walk-in Clinic (University Shops Plaza)
519-725-1514
13-170 University Avenue West, Waterloo
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Westmount Place Plaza Clinic
519-954-0111
50 Westmount Road North, Waterloo
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday to Sunday, Closed
KW Urgent Care Clinic
(only facility with X-ray, lab facilities and pharmacy on site)
519-745-2273
751 Victoria Street South, Kitchener
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Hospitals
The Kitchener-Waterloo area has two major hospitals: Grand River Hospital (the closest hospital to the UWaterloo campus), and St. Mary's Hospital.
Both hospitals have an Emergency Room where you can receive treatment for urgent medical conditions 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. They also offer specialized medical services, such as diagnostic testing and surgeries.
Grand River Hospital
835 King Street West, Kitchener
Emergency Room Tel: 519-749-4242
Main Tel: 519-742-3611
St. Mary's Hospital
911 Queen's Boulevard, Kitchener
Emergency Room Tel: 519-749-6410
Main Tel: 519-744-3311
Mental health supports and resources
Your overall mental health is important to everyone at Renison. This means ensuring you have a balance in all aspects of your life; socially, physically, spiritually, economically, and mentally. Sometimes you need to talk to someone who can help you resolve problems that affect your day-to-day life.
We welcome you to visit our Wellness at Renison webpage for a comprehensive listing of wellness supports available in your campus community.
Safety in Canada
We want you to have a fun but safe learning environment. We welcome you to read all of the important information below. Our helpful video helps to share the most important points you need to know to stay safe.
If you cannot view this video on YouTube, view the video through our alternative link.
In case of a fire
What do you do if there is a fire in a building? Get out.
You will notice that fire exits to Renison are clearly marked. Renison uses two different types of "exit" signs, depending on what part of the building you are in.
In older parts of the building, a white sign with the red word "EXIT" will indicate a fire exit.
In newer parts of the building, a green sign with a "running man" in a white door will indicate a fire exit.
There may be times when you hear the fire alarm. When you hear the fire alarm ringing, you must leave the building through the nearest exit.
When you hear an alarm, do not remain in the building. Once outside, please follow the instructions of the fire wardens. You will be able to identify the fire wardens because they will be wearing red hats.
In every public building in Canada, you will find pull fire alarms. Do not touch the fire alarms unless there is a fire emergency. When the alarm is pulled, a siren will ring. The fire department will be immediately called to deal with the fire.
Emergency Procedures
What do you do if you need emergency assistance? Call 911.
The emergency telephone number "9-1-1" is for police, fire, or medical emergencies when immediate help is needed, such as when someone’s health, safety or property is threatened or a crime is in progress.
If you are experiencing a health emergency and need immediate assistance, ALWAYS DIAL 911 from any telephone!
You should also dial 911 for police and fire emergencies.
Waterloo Regional Police Services constables.
Smoking
There are important laws to follow when it comes to smoking in Canada.
Smoking is not permitted in any building and in areas within thirty meters (100 feet) of all buildings. The use of e-cigarettes and marijuana are also NOT ALLOWED in these places or areas.
The University of Waterloo is a smoke-free campus so smoking is not permitted in most outdoor areas across campus. At Renison, there is a designated smoking area located on Renison grounds for the safe and immediate disposal of burning products.This designated smoking area is located between Renison and United College, beside Renison's parking lot.
Severe weather
What do you do if there is severe weather? We will tell you.
The University of Waterloo and Renison University College will “close” due to severe weather when normal campus operations would pose a significant danger to students, staff and faculty, or would prevent large numbers of these people from coming to campus or returning safely to their homes (for example, a bad snow storm).
A notice of Campus Closing will be posted on UWaterloo’s homepage, normally by 6:00am remaining in effect until 6:00am or later the next day. Renison’s homepage will also post a campus closing notification.
Radio stations that can be expected to carry announcements include CKGL [570 AM], CKKW [1090 AM] CHYM [96.7 FM] and KOOL-FM [105.3 FM].
Emergency alerts for severe weather and other threats to public safety may be issued by the government and sent to compatible mobile phones, as well as broadcast on television and radio stations. The federal government also publishes weather warnings on the Kitchener-Waterloo weather website.
Harassment and Discrimination
What do you do if you experience harassment? We can help.
We strive to foster a respectful living and learning environment for all. To that end it is important to be aware of our policies on Harassment and Discrimination.
Everyone living, learning, and working at Renison University College is expected to contribute to creating a respectful environment free from harassment and discrimination.
You may contact Melissa Knox, Renison’s external anti-harassment and anti-discrimination officer, by email (mnknox@uwaterloo.ca) or by phone or text (226-753-5669). Melissa is an employment and human rights lawyer and part-time Assistant Crown Attorney for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Melissa is experienced in case management, discipline and complaints processes, and works with organizations across Canada to foster safe, respectful, and inclusive work and learning environments through policy development, educational workshops, conflict mediation and dispute resolution, and organizational culture audits.
Harassment is unwanted attention in the form of disrespectful comments, unwanted text messages or images, degrading jokes, rude gestures, unwanted touching, or other behaviours meant to intimidate.
According to the Ontario Human Rights Code, discrimination means unequal or different treatment causing harm, whether intentional or not, because of race, disability, citizenship, ethnic origin, colour, age, creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, or other personal characteristic.
View the full harassment and discrimination policy (PDF) online. You may also view language translations online.
Download the Regroup Mobile App
This helpful app will inform you about any emergencies on campus.
Regroup Mobile is the official emergency notification app for the University of Waterloo campus community (including Renison University College). Regroup Mobile is an advanced emergency notification system designed to deliver fast, accurate, and consistent messages across multiple communication channels including text/SMS, voice calls, emails, mobile app push notifications, social media and desktop alerts.
Cultural and Conduct Expectations
Renison University College is a multicultural Canadian institution, home to students, staff and faculty from all corners of the world. It can sometimes be difficult for newcomers to adjust to a different culture and customs.
A person new to Canada may find differences from their own culture for things like food, behaviours, laws, religious beliefs, and holidays. Many differences are obvious, but there are also subtle differences that take time to learn. Some of the less obvious differences may be in knowledge, values, and social norms.
Once in Canada, you may find that some these customs and behaviours are different from your own culture. The better you understand the differences and similarities between your culture and Canadian culture, the easier it will be for you to feel comfortable in living in Waterloo.
If you cannot view this video on YouTube, view the video through our alternative link.
Scent-sensitive Environment
Renison is a "scent-sensitive environment". We encourage everyone to be aware of their use of scented fragrances, including perfumes, colognes, lotions, etc. to be respectful of individuals with scent sensitivities. Deodorant and antiperspirant are encouraged.
Be aware of your use of scents, including perfumes and colognes.
Bathroom Etiquette
Behaviours in a washroom are different in each country.
In English-speaking Canada, “washroom” or “bathroom” are words used to describe a shared toilet facility. “Men’s room” or “ladies’ room” are also common terms to reference washrooms for just one gender.
Below are some useful Canadian tips to remember:
- Hand washing is one of the most important means of preventing the spread of infection. Review the graphic (located on the right) for helpful tips for washing your hands.
- Please sit on the toilet rather than stand on it. This is for your safety and to ensure cleanliness of the facility for others. Most Canadian washrooms do not have disposable seat covers. If you prefer, you can use the toilet paper to cover the toilet seat for sanitary purposes.
- Please flush used toilet paper down the toilet rather than placing in the bin.
- Please throw plastic cups in the bin rather than flushing them down the toilet.
- Don't flush sanitary products down the toilet. Place in the waste bin.
- After use, please flush the toilet with your hand rather than your foot.
- Sinks are for washing your hands only. Please do not plug sinks with items such as hand towels or toilet paper.
Classroom Etiquette
Learn about popular behaviours inside a Canadian classroom.
- Class etiquette welcomes socializing with friends and classmates before the start of lectures and during breaks. However, it is considered rude to speak while the class is taking place.
- Cell phones are encouraged to be turned off during class in order to provide full attention to the instructor.
- Punctuality is very important. You should do your best to be on time or early for classes.
Social Etiquette
What are common behaviours during interactions in Canada?
- If you feel comfortable, you may shake hands and introduce yourself when meeting Canadians for the first time. It is common to shake hands firmly when meeting or departing.
- Eye contact is important to maintain and show respect.
- Canadians generally don't touch very much when conversing. Maintaining a certain amount of personal space (generally two to three feet) is important.
- Comments about a person's appearance, race, sex, national or cultural origin, or religion are considered inappropriate in a professional setting (such as school or work), or with people you do not know well.
Canadian life and culture
If you cannot view this video on YouTube, view the video through our alternative link.
You may be excited to try new foods while you are in Canada. Most Canadian food is similar to food in other western countries, and may contain a lot of meat, cheese, starches (bread, potatoes, and rice), salt, or sugar. While you will likely be excited to try new food while you're here, remember that it may taste very different than food from your own country.
Missing food from home? Don't worry! The City of Waterloo has many different cultural restaurants within walking distance of the University of Waterloo. Want to cook your favourite meal? You're in luck, as there are also many international grocery stores nearby where you can purchase ingredients from all over the world!
Getting to Campus
There are several options available for travelling around the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Public transportation is frequent and reliable, taxi services and ride-sharing companies (such as Uber and Lyft) are plentiful, and walking or cycling to your destination is possible in many areas of the city. As well, purchasing a car may be a practical option for students who will be living in the area long-term. Having said that, the cheapest and most convenient option for many students will be public transportation.
Grand River Transit
Grand River Transit (GRT) is the local public transit system (city buses and light-rail) for Waterloo Region, which includes the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge. Fare costs vary depending on the payment method used; visit the GRT website for more information on current fares. Single-ride fares can be paid via coins, mobile apps such as GRT Pay and Transit, and through GRT's EasyGO fare card (see below for further details). Once a fare is validated (paid), you can travel on all GRT buses and light-rail for 120 minutes. Visit the GRT website for more information on fare payment and passes.
EasyGO electronic fare cards (tap cards) are available for purchase from fare machines at major GRT stations. You can add money to these tap cards to pay your GRT fares. These cards are a good option if you will be using public transportation frequently. To pay your fare, tap your card on the card reader when you board the bus or arrive at a light-rail platform. You can register your EasyGO fare card with GRT to set-up automatic credit card top-up payments or purchase monthly passes.
- Are you a full-time BASE, iBASE, or iEFAS student studying in the Fall, Winter, or Spring terms?
Your student fees include a GRT pass that is attached to your WatCard. Just like an EasyGO card, your WatCard allows you to ride GRT buses and light-rail while you are studying with us. When you board a GRT bus or arrive at a light-rail platform, tap your WatCard on the card reader to pay your fare.
The Google Maps, Transit, and Apple Maps apps provide real-time public transportation schedules that let you know the best GRT route to take, when the next bus or train leaves, and if the bus or train is running on time.
Do you own a vehicle and would like to park it at Renison?
Explore Waterloo Region
You will be coming to the City of Waterloo, which is located in the Region of Waterloo in the Province of Ontario. The Region of Waterloo includes the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, as well as surrounding rural townships. Waterloo Region is often referred to as "Kitchener-Waterloo" or "K.W." in casual conversation.
Learn more about our beautiful region by visiting these helpful tourism websites!
- The City of Waterloo
- The City of Kitchener
- The City of Cambridge
- Uptown Waterloo
- City of Waterloo Events Calendar
- Explore Waterloo Region
- Events in Waterloo Region
- St. Jacobs Farmers Market (Village of St. Jacobs)
- Conestoga Mall (Indoor shopping centre on the north side of Waterloo)
- The Boardwalk (Outdoor shopping centre on the west side of Waterloo and Kitchener)
- Fairview Park Mall (Indoor shopping centre on the south side of Kitchener)
Travelling during your studies can be a great way to see new places and experience new things! When you go out-of-town, it is a good idea to let others know your travel plans in case anything unexpected happens. That’s why we recommend you complete our Out-of-Town Travel Notification Form if you plan on travelling outside the Kitchener-Waterloo area for two or more days.
Notifying Renison of your travel plans helps us know where you are and how to contact you in the event of an emergency. If you have questions about completing the Travel Notification Form, please contact us and we will be happy to help!
Holidays and celebrations in Canada
Throughout the year, there are many popular holidays and celebrations that occur. Many businesses and institutions will be closed on the below listed dates in observance of these holidays. If you are unsure whether a business will be open on a particular holiday, it is best to contact them by phone ahead of time to check.
The staff and instructors at Renison will remind you about any days you will not have class before they occur.
Support doesn't end here!
Once you arrive in Canada and make your way to Renison University College, you most likely will be excited about the adventure you are about to experience. You are ready to try new things and explore what life in Waterloo has to offer.
Over the course of your stay you may experience some unpleasant moments, when perhaps your perceived ideas of life in Canada are not what you are actually experiencing, resulting in culture shock.
Culture shock is a feeling of confusion or discomfort by someone who is suddenly experiencing an unfamiliar culture or way of life.
Some factors contributing to culture shock include food, language, customs, fashion, weather, and even landscape.
As you are learning to navigate your new home, you have a lot of support from your new community at Renison University College. Renison staff are here to help if you have any challenges adjusting to Canadian culture and need someone to speak to. A terrific way to receive support for adjusting to a new culture is to register for a one-on-one meet-up with a member of the Renison Student Experience and Housing team. We are happy to help!