Things to Bring
Presented below is a comprehensive list of things you should bring to Canada. Please note that almost all the items mentioned below are readily available in Victoria - i.e. this is not a list of "must haves". However, the list is prepared with a view of minimizing your initial expenditure upon arriving in Canada, and to provide a checklist to help students who might be leaving home for the first time. But keep in mind the baggage weight restrictions of your airline.Documents:
- Passport (with stamped VISA)
- Study Permit
- Letter of Acceptance from UVic
- Letter of Financial Aid (if present)
- Graduation diploma/degree (if available)
- Transcripts/Mark-sheets of previously attended schools
- Any other bona-fide certificates / documents
Clothes:
- Jeans
- Light T-shirts (Summer-wear)
- Thick T-shirts (or Sweatshirts)
- Shorts
- Sports shoes (Sneakers)
- Formal shirts & trousers / Dresses (for Interviews, Presentations etc.)
- Formal Blazer or Suit (for Interviews, Presentations etc.)
- Formal Leather Shoes (carry shoe-polish too)
- Neck-ties
- Belts
- Light jacket for the Fall (Winter Jackets are best bought in Canada)
- Sweaters
- Woolen Cap (Touque/Tuque)
- Traditional Outfits (Kurta-Pyjamas/Sarees - for ethnic functions)
- Socks(Preferably Wollen socks)
- Slippers/Sandals
- Wallets (Preferably with pockets for lots and lots of plastic cards)
Toilet Kit:
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Razors
- Packets of shaving blades (expensive here!)
- Shaving cream
- After-shave lotion
- Shampoo
- Soaps
- Deodorant/perfume
- Bottle hair-oil
- Comb
- Nail cutter
- Macke up
Miscellaneous items
- Umbrella(it rains often here)
- Bag / backpack
- Scientific Calculator (required for engineering students)
- Stationery set (pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, staplers, cello-tape, etc.)
- Can opener
- Towels
- Sewing Kit (needles, thread, buttons, safety-pins, scissors, etc.)
- Screwdriver
- Watch
- Alarm clock
- Pillow covers (Pillows and Blankets can be bought here as they are too bulky to pack.)
- Small Torch
- International Calling Card (OPTIONAL: Better calling cards are available here, but may be useful for making a few initial calls, especially if you will be calling from a public place)
Medical Kit
Note:Please carry prescriptions from your doctor for any chronic illness or medical condition. If you use spectacles/lenses, carry an extra pair (a new pair of glasses is very costly in Canada). It is also advisable to have an eye and dental check-up prior to coming to Canada.- Crocin (Fever)
- Brufen, Combiflam (Body Pain)
- Saradon (Headache)
- Coldarin (Cold)
- Band-aids and Bandages
- Burnol, Soframycin (Ointments for burns, cuts, etc.)
- Lomotil, Pudin Hara, Imodium(Medicine for diarrhoea, stomach ache)
- Iodex(Pain relieving sprays/ointments)
- Moisturising cream
Utensils:
Note:If you know who you room-mates will be, it might be a good idea to share/distribute the utensils to be carried. Do carry a few recipe books if you are not familiar with cooking.- Non-stick Frying pan
- Cooker - 5 litre (also carry extra gaskets, whistles, safety valves, etc.)
- Rolling pin set (OPTIONAL)
- Kitchen knives (different sizes are useful)
- Peeler
- Cooking spoons
- Cutting board (wooden/plastic)
- Dinner plates (preferably microwaveable)
- Plastic bowls
- Eating spoons (teaspoons)
- Coffee mug
- Small PET bottles for salt, spices, etc.
Food Items:
WARNING: Canadian Immigration strictly prohibits carrying food, meat, vegetables, fruits, seeds, etc. into Canada. Your baggage might be subject to a security check and inspection by sniffer-dogs at the airport. If you do not declare that you are carrying any of these items in your customs declaration form, and if you are caught carrying any of the above items, they will be confiscated, and you WILL be blacklisted and will be detained the next time you travel.However, our experience at the airports is that you are normally allowed to bring in sealed packets of spices (MDH etc.).
This page was last modified on: October 10, 2008. 03:26 pm