Moving to Toronto

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Toronto has been named the most multicultural city in the world, with endless possibilities of discovery, entertainment, and cuisine.

You can use this site to help you adjust as you consider your move to Toronto.

Access valuable information, from housing and transportation, helping you to seamlessly transition into the college life and embrace all that this vibrant city and Wycliffe College have to offer.

Toronto is full of festivals, concerts, sporting games, farmers markets, and other events. Check out https://www.blogto.com/events/ for more information.

Below are some local attractions great for personal or family visits:

  • Art Gallery of Ontario - Only a 20-minute walk away. Admission is free on Wednesday nights. 
  • Royal Ontario Museum - There are dinosaurs five minutes away from Wycliffe. U of T students get free entry on Tuesdays.
  • High Park - This large and beautiful park is an easy subway ride from Wycliffe. It has great walking and running trails, a beautiful playground, a little free zoo, a café, tennis courts, a swimming pool, summer camps for kids, and more.
  • Local tip: Individuals and families can sign out a “MAP Pass” through the Toronto Public Library, offering free admission to places like Black Creek Pioneer Village, the Ontario Science Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Toronto Zoo, and more. Learn more here: Museum + Arts Pass

Students and young adults are able to get inexpensive tickets to the symphony, opera, or other shows:

Students also receive discounts to local attractions and entertainment: UTSU Student Perks & Discount

 

Out-of-city Sightseeing

Many popular tourist destinations are within a few hours’ drive of Toronto, such as:

Setting up a bank account

Many banks have accounts for students that have no monthly fees. Choose one that is most well suited for your needs. You can have a look through this short list of major banks.

  • For further assistance, the  Centre for International Experience has a thorough resource on Banking & Budgeting

Required documentation: view the Government of Canada website on Banking to confirm the necessary documentation for setting up an account.

  • You may find it necessary or helpful to show a letter confirming your enrolled status. As soon as you have registered for at least one class, you can contact the Wycliffe registrar who will provide this letter. You may also wish to print your invoice from ACORN.

 

Credit cards

Foreign credit cards may require you to pay a fee to use them in Canada.

Check with your bank to see if they will waive your foreign transaction fees.

You should be able to get a credit card when you open a Canadian student bank account.

  • Tip: BMO cash back MasterCard (their basic cash back card) does not have fees.
  • TIp: Do not hand over bank cards to service providers to reduce chances of being scammed (i.e. do not give your physical card to be swiped, instead tap or swipe your own card after inspecting the machine). 

Toronto has a wide range of churches, and our students, staff, and faculty come from all sorts of denominational backgrounds.

Many churches are within walking distance of Wycliffe College. Below are some churches that are connected to - or known by - our community. 


Anglican: 

 

Anabaptist: 

 

CM&A

 

Evangelical Covenant Church: 

 

Non-denominational: 

 

Pentecostal: 

 

Presbyterian: 

 

Reformed Baptist:

 

Associated Gospel churches of Canada:

Toronto’s climate ranges from near-tropical in the summer (up to 35° C), to very cold in the winter (sometimes as low as –20° C). You will need different kinds of clothing to stay comfortable all year round.

Top tips:

  • Winter (Dec.-Feb.): a warm winter coat, boots, and gloves
  • Summer (June-Aug.): lightweight clothing (such as cotton) is good
  • Spring (March-May) and fall (Sept.-Nov.): sweaters and a lightweight waterproof coat
  • Canadian students tend to dress casually for most occasions
  • Dressing for the weather is socially acceptable!

(SOURCE: U of T Pre-Arrival Checklist) 

Grocery Stores

  • Less expensive grocery stores: No Frills, Food Basics
  • More expensive grocery stores: Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws

Where finances are tight, consider the U of T Food bank or one of the local food banks: Learn more here

Tip: Download a free app called “Flipp” that shows you each store’s flyers with their weekly deals.

 

Stores and Shopping Malls

There are great ways to shop for you and your family needs around town without breaking your budget: Thrift and Second Hand Shopping Guide

Major retail stores can be found all over the city, with malls within walking or transit ride away: 

Manulife Centre: Retail shops, entertainment, food court, grocery, and local gym. 

Eaton Centre: Retail shops, food court, and live shows.

Dufferin Mall: Retail shops, food court, and grocery - generally cheaper option for shopping. 

DIAL '9 1 1' FOR ALL EMERGENCY NEEDS (police, fire, ambulance)

 

Health coverage & insurance

Domestic & International students have extended health insurance under the University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU) undergraduate healthcare and dental program, which provides partial to full coverage of pharmaceutical drugs, dental care, vision care, psychotherapy, massage, and more. 

Studentcare, the insurance group, also has a very straightforward phone app that you can use to make your insurance claims.   

Look up for referral to a healthcare provider on the Student Network for further discounts. 

Part-time students and family members do not get the insurance automatically, but are able to opt-in to the health insurance if they wish. 

 

International students are required to enroll in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). UHIP is compulsory for all eligible dependents, including a partner, spouse and/or children. UHIP provides coverage for the same services for which OHIP provides coverage, however, depending on the health service, you are not guaranteed to be covered for the entire cost.

Visit the University Health Insurance Program page to learn: 

  • What is covered by UHIP 
  • How to get your UHIP card online 
  • How to enroll dependent family members 
  • How to request an exemption 

As an international student, you will be automatically enrolled in UHIP.  However, it is mandatory and your responsibility to enroll any dependent family members who have moved with you to Canada within 30 days of their arrival. 

International students who are studying at a distance may opt out of UHIP.   

 

Mental health

If you are in distress or in need of mental health support, the University of Toronto has a 24/7 permanent crisis line.

  • U of T My Student Support Program (My SSP) | 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578.  Culturally competent mental health and counselling services in 146 languages for all U of T students.
  • Good2Talk Student Helpline | 1-866-925-5454.  Professional counselling, information and referrals helpline for mental health, addictions and students' well-being.

Learn more about available help for specific kinds of distress (mental, academic, financial, housing, sexual assault, etc.): Support when you feel distressed>>

 

Counselling

 

Individuals and families in financial need can seek assistance from University of Toronto, which offers a food bank as well as other services: 

Phone Plans

U of T’s bookstore offers phone plans at a discount: Mobility | U of T Bookstore

Prepaid plans through Freedom Mobile or Public Mobile are inexpensive and reliable in the city boundaries. They may offer cheap add-on plans that allow you to call and text internationally.

 

Internet Plans 

Toronto has many options when it comes to internet plans. Here are some inexpensive alternatives to consider: 

Public transit

All transit systems in Toronto uses the same transit payment system called PRESTO. Alternatively, you can use all major credit card payment methods. 

Wycliffe College is ideally situated about a 5-minute walk from a number of different subway stations and bus stops. 

You can find fare options and routes on the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) website. 

Wycliffe College students qualify for a Post-Secondary Monthly TTC pass (~$130/month). You must go to Bathurst Station (about a 20-minute walk from Wycliffe College) to get an ID made, which must be presented to TTC agents upon request. Click here to find more information.

Students also receive GO Transit discounts: Going to School | GO Transit

 

Vehicles & Parking

Paid parking at the University of Toronto is available across the campus through Green P and other private companies.

Designated parking spots at Wycliffe College is limited and available on a first-come-frist-serve basis. You must get a parking pass at the front desk once you arrive and park behind the building, beside the tennis court. 

If you are a U.S. student, you do not need to import your car, so long as your insurance does not require you to do so.

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