FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How will the English for Art & Design (EAD) program affect my First-Year program at OCAD University?
You'll be better prepared. The Visual Culture classes are designed to build your vocabulary and give you plenty of opportunity for oral practice. You'll learn about all the support services for students and receive a thorough orientation to OCAD University and to the surrounding neighbourhoods of Toronto. All of this will give you a five-week head start on the first day of classes in September.
2. Can I use OSAP to fund the English for Art & Design Program?
OSAP stands for Ontario Student Assistance Program.
No. OSAP cannot help fund non-credit programs however students in financial need are encouraged to appy for the EAD Bursary.
3. Do I need a Study Permit?
If you're an International Student, you will require a valid study permit (student visa) to study at OCAD University in September. We highly recommend that you apply for your study permit before before you leave your home country. You should do this immediately because it can take a long time for your visa office to reply. You must receive a letter of approval (letter of introduction) from your visa office before you leave the country. You must show this at the airport when you arrive in Canada to receive your student visa.
Please visit Studying in Canada for more information on applying for a student visa.
If you're already studying in Canada on a study permit, you should apply to renew it immediately. You'll need a study permit to participate in the EAD program.
Please visit Extending Your Stay for more information on renewing your permit.
If you have questions about the visa requirements, please contact Donald Kelly at 416-977-6000, Ext. 428 in the Admissions & Recruitment office.
If you run into any problems, please contact Leiko Shimizu at 416-977-6000, Ext. 249.
4. Where can I stay?
OCAD University does not operate its own housing services. However OCAD University students do have access to some housing services operated by the University of Toronto. The closest dormitory to OCAD University (10 minute walk) is Chestnut Residence.
Chestnut Residence
89 Chestnut Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1R1
416-978-8863
For information on OCAD University Housing Services, please click here Housing Information.
5. What is included in my fees and what are the benefits of the program?
The Summer EAD program will have very small classes: 15-18 students. Many ESL students at OCAD University tell us that the most difficult things about first year are:
- understanding lectures
- having the confidence to participate in class discussion and critique
- knowing where to find things
- knowing where to go for help
The EAD program addresses each of these as follows:
The morning Discussion Class in Visual Culture is taught by a Visual Culture faculty member plus an ESL Specialist (the Program Coordinator). This class will develop your vocabulary and your English listening and speaking skills. (2 faculty members: 15 to 18 students).
The program is coordinated by a Program Coordinator (also ESL Specialist) who will be there full-time throughout the program (and even on-call on weekends in case of emergency). This person will participate in the Visual Culture Discussion Class and organize the Conversation and Reading Classes, the Friday gallery visits, optional social events, and mentoring program.
In total, the group of 15 to 18 students will have the following people dedicated to the EAD program:
- Program Coordinator (available full-time)
- Visual Culture Instructor
- Student Mentors during Gallery Visits
As well as help from staff from the Writing & Learning Centre, the Faculty of Liberal Studies Office, Student Advisors, and the First-Year Chairs in the Faculty of Art the Faculty of Design.
We want you to succeed!
Last Modified:1/24/2012 12:57:33 PM
