Newcomers
Welcome to Regina
Please note that all of the following information is based on various personal experiences and collected facts, and may not be relevant or valid for every individual. Therefore, URIS is not responsible for any inconveniences that may arise by accessing and adhering to the provided information.
General information about Regina
Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan, Canada. The city is the second largest in the province (after Saskatoon), and is a cultural and commercial metropolis for both southern Saskatchewan and adjacent areas in the neighboring American states of North Dakota and Montana.
A view of downtown Regina
Weather average for Regina:
| Weather averages for Regina International Airport | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Record high °C (°F) | 10.4 (51) | 15.6 (60) | 24.4 (76) | 32.8 (91) | 37.2 (99) | 40.6 (105) | 43.3 (110) | 40.6 (105) | 37.2 (99) | 32 (90) | 23.6 (74) | 15 (59) | |
| Average high °C (°F) | -10.7 (13) | -6.7 (20) | 0.3 (33) | 10.9 (52) | 18.8 (66) | 23.2 (74) | 25.7 (78) | 25.3 (78) | 18.7 (66) | 11.5 (53) | -0.2 (32) | -7.9 (18) | |
| Average low °C (°F) | -21.6 (-7) | -17.1 (1) | -10.3 (13) | -2 (28) | 4.6 (40) | 9.6 (49) | 11.8 (53) | 10.7 (51) | 4.6 (40) | -2 (28) | -10.7 (13) | -18.5 (-1) | |
| Record low °C (°F) | -50 (-58) | -47.8 (-54) | -40.6 (-41) | -28.9 (-20) | -13.3 (8) | -5.6 (22) | -2.2 (28) | -5 (23) | -16.1 (3) | -26.1 (-15) | -37.2 (-35) | -48.3 (-55) | |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 14.9 (0.59) | 11.6 (0.46) | 19 (0.75) | 23.5 (0.93) | 52.8 (2.08) | 75.1 (2.96) | 64.4 (2.54) | 43.2 (1.7) | 32.6 (1.28) | 21.8 (0.86) | 12.9 (0.51) | 16.4 (0.65) | |
| Sunshine hours | 101.1 | 129 | 154.3 | 225.3 | 271 | 289.2 | 331.7 | 288.6 | 194 | 166.1 | 103.4 | 84.7 | |
| Source: Environment Canada May 24, 2009 | |||||||||||||
Living costs for students
Average estimation of monthly cost in $CDN for a single student is:
Tuition and fees: around $340 (for grad students)
Accommodation: $550-600 (if you live on campus), $300-450 (if you share with someone), $600-800 (one bed room apartment), $500-650 (bachelor suit). You may have an extra cost of $50-100 for utilities (Power, Internet, TV, Phone) if you chose to live off campus.
Food: $150-250 (if you prepare it yourself), $250-400 (if you chose to dine at a university establishment).
Misc. costs: $100.
The average living cost for a single person, who shares accomodations with someone is $900-1000. For couples it is estimated to be around $1700.
Traveling to Regina
There is no immigration office in the City of Regina airport; therefore, you will need to make a connection flight to one of the larger cities such as Toronto, Calgary or Edmonton.
What do I need to bring with me to Regina?
In Canada, you can find almost everything that you need; nevertheless, these are some personal suggestions that you may want to take into consideration.
1- Don't bring any electrical device because Canada’s electrical system is 110 v.
2- Dictionaries, softwares, and e-books you think will be useful for you.
3- Translation and original versions of your documents (i.e., Driver’s license, Birth certificate, Educational documents). If you have children, bring their translated (not necessarily official) immunization cards. If any of them want to take a Persian exam here, bring the certificate of their last level of study. If have not submitted your educational documents (proof of graduation and transcript) to the university yet, make sure that they are in an envelope, sealed and stamped by the institution that has issued them.
4- Some blankets, pillows, sheets and pillow sheets. Here pillow and sheet are more expensive than Iran.
5- Some cloths (especially warm ones), so you are not rushed to purchase any thing in particular for a few months. Later you can find everything here during sales and other shopping events.
6- Shoes. Here shoes are more expensive than Iran.
7- Some kitchen utensil for your own use during your first few months.
8- Some essential medicines that you might need. Most essential medications need prescriptions in Canada, and visiting a doctor may have initial delays.
9- Bring some small items that you would be comfortable giving as gifts to non-Iranians. Iranian culture is unique and interesting to most individuals and being able to share your experiences and background will enhance your experience here. Items such as Iranian handicrafts, postal cards from spectacular views of Iran, Iranian cultural ceremonies, or beautiful Iranian scenes and things (e.g, Peste, Zaferan, Gaz, Sohan or along these lines) are recommended.
10- You may want to bring, dried vegetables, Kashk (dry), Albaloo (dry), Robe Anar, Zereshk, Zaferan as they are rare and expensive in Canada.
What to do after arrival?
1. Meeting your supervisor.
2. Registering in University. FGSR for grad students and Registration office for undergrads.
3. Opening bank account.
4. Paying you tuition fee and filling the direct deposit form (if you receive fund from university).
5. Applying for Health card and Social Insurance Number.
Accommodation in Regina
On Campus:
The University of Regina offers some fully-furnished residences.
The College West Resident is the oldest but cheapest building. College West offers three to six bedroom, one and two storey apartments with shared kitchen, living room and washrooms.
La’ Residence is usually for French students but, once those students have been accommodated, rooms are assigned to other students. La Résidence has private bedrooms, each with a full bathroom.
The newest and biggest building are North & South Residences. They have different types of rooms and apartments.
For more information see: http://www.uregina.ca/residences/
Off Campus:
Living off campus is usually cheaper than on campus. Due to Regina’s cold weather, Finding a place near the university and shopping centers is important. Most of students live around university (Kramer av. and Hilsdale st.) or near Golden Mile center. To give an estimation, a single bedroom apartments around university costs $600-900, and a two bedroom cost $700-1000.
You can search University Housing Registry find a suitable place to rent or to share with other students. Board walk has some good quality building all over the city but its prices are usually higher than other companies. You can also search for apartments and houses in Kijiji website, which are usually posted by private owners.
Opening a bank account
RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO and Scotiabank are the famous bank in Canada. Most of students prefer RBC, TD or CIBC. RBC is more famous in Canada and also has ATM in university. CIBC also has ATM in university but TD does not have. But you can use your TD card in RBC and CIBC machines. The big advantage of TD is that you can apply for TD Student Visa card. The others do not usually give any credit card to new students.
If you receive, any fund from university, you need to get a Direct Deposit form from your bank and give it to University Financial Service.
Shopping in Regina
Important Shopping centers:
Cornwall Center: The main shopping center located in downtown.
Goldenmile Center: Near university.
Southland Mall Center.
Victoria Square Mall
Grocery Shopping:
SuperStore: The biggest grocery shopping store
Extra Food: has a branch in Goldenmile Center, near University.
SafeWay
Sobeys
Other important stores:
Wal-Mart: Has a large variety of stuff with a cheap price.
Best Buy: electrical stuff.
Canadian Tire: Car stuff, equipments, Home hardware.
Sears: Cloths, Furniture, Electrical stuff
Winners: Cloths.
Bay: Cloths.
From where in Regina I can buy Halal meat?
You can find frozen Halal lamb and chicken in Superstore and Extra food. Pita Craving also has fresh Halal meat and also Halal meals. Afghan Cuisine serves Persian Foods with Halal food.
Health card & Social insurance number
Saskatchewan Health Coverage
International students attending at the University of Regina, are entitled to Provincial Health Coverage (click to view fully-covered-services). To register for a Saskatchewan Services Health Card, first time international students need to download and print the following forms:
§ Health Services Card Application
If the student is enrolled in a University of Regina, undergraduate academic program, the student certification form must be signed at the Registrar's Office. If enrolled in a graduate academic program, the form must be signed by Graduate Studies. In addition, the University of Regina, Students Union offers URSU Health/ Dental Plan.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
To work off or on campus you need the Social Insurance Number (SIN). Application must be submitted to Service Canada (1783 Hamilton Street). You need passport, study permit and an employment letter to apply for SIN. I case you have TA or RA from university you can get the employment letter from University Human Resource.