Whenever I need anything, there’s always someone you can go to and people all around you are very friendly”
– Jason (International student from Singapore talks about UTSC)

The University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) was established in January of 1966 and is located on the eastern edge of the city of Toronto in a picturesque park-like setting. The campus, which was meant to be a commuter campus, quickly expanded with the influx of students who wanted the prestige of studying at the University of Toronto. As the demand grew, so did the campus and the facilities it offered to its students. This was the stepping stone for the development of the International Student Centre (ISC) which developed in 2002 and later became a divsion of the Department of Student Life at UTSC. The centre now provides services to over 1200 international students.

The ISC’s statement of purpose is as follows: The ISC is an international education support service focused on student learning and development. Through its services and programs, the Centre promotes an internationally informed and cross-culturally sensitive university community that enhances the student experience through educational, co-curricular programs and activities, and through promotion of U of T study abroad opportunities. It provides invaluable support to international students studying at the campus and to students interested in studying abroad to enhance their educational experience. All members of the university are warmly welcomed to explore the services the ISC has to offer!

The ISC is the hub for all information related to international studies and cultural events. Many of the on-campus cultural events are organized by its staff and volunteers such as the Lunar New Year, Diwali and Eid celebrations and the Cultural Food festival. The hope is to spread awareness about the diversity of the Scarborough Campus. Staff members are always available at the office to answer any questions related to immigration, work permits, study permits, studying abroad and adapting to Canadian society overall. The process of adjusting to a new country can be daunting, but the staff at ISC will help make the transition as smooth as possible. They can help students deal with psychological stress, help develop a support network, improve their English, and connect them to other campus groups and clubs. The International Student Centre at Scarborough Campus also works closely with the International student centres located at the other two University of Toronto campuses to ensure all students have an enriching experience in Canada.

Programs and services available at the ISC are available to all students on Campus (international and domestic).