Welcome to MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
International Student Guidebook
Hello International Friend!
We are Power to Change, a club whose desire is to serve you practically, socially, and spiritually!
This Guidebook was designed with you in mind. Use it to help you adjust to Canada and learn the tips and tricks of being a student here at McMaster.
Keep in mind that this guidebook is not exhaustive!
You will get to find many of your own "tips and tricks" to living in Hamilton as a McMaster student yourself!
We are Power to Change, a club whose desire is to serve you practically, socially, and spiritually!
This Guidebook was designed with you in mind. Use it to help you adjust to Canada and learn the tips and tricks of being a student here at McMaster.
Keep in mind that this guidebook is not exhaustive!
You will get to find many of your own "tips and tricks" to living in Hamilton as a McMaster student yourself!
Table of Contents
Power to Change - Who Are We?
The Best Food in Town
How to Have Fun in Hamilton
Canadian Holidays
Surviving a Canadian Winter
McMaster Secrets
Clubs and Sports
Good Terms to Know
Contact Us
The Best Food in Town
How to Have Fun in Hamilton
Canadian Holidays
Surviving a Canadian Winter
McMaster Secrets
Clubs and Sports
Good Terms to Know
Contact Us
Power to Change
Who Are We?
Power to Change is a club on many campuses across Canada, aiming to help you, the international student, with all your practical, social, and spiritual needs.
Want to make some new friends from Canada and all over the world?
Want a welcoming place to ask your questions about adjusting to life as a student in Canada?
Do you have spiritual questions that you are looking for answers to?
Do you just want to practice your English?
Want to make some new friends from Canada and all over the world?
Want a welcoming place to ask your questions about adjusting to life as a student in Canada?
Do you have spiritual questions that you are looking for answers to?
Do you just want to practice your English?
Our goal is to help you with all these needs. We offer many services for the purpose
of making your time in Canada a positive one:
-FREE Bi-Weekly Dinners
-Serving Daily Needs (help with housing, shopping etc.)
-Canadian Host Families
-Bible Studies and Chances to Learn About Jesus
-Fun Outings to the Surrounding Area
-And More!
The Best Food in Town
Hamilton has a wide selection of foods from all over the world, and most of them are within 10 minutes on the bus!
*Remember, the bus is free if you show them your student card*
*Remember, the bus is free if you show them your student card*
Ben Tanh: The best Vietnamese Pho you can find in Hamilton!
Location: 113 James Street North, Downtown Hamilton Nations Fresh Foods: Very low prices on foods from many different countries! Location: 2 King Street West, Downtown Hamilton (Jackson Square) Metro: Standard Canadian grocery store but with 10% Tuesday discounts for students! (open 24 hours) Location: 845 King Steet West, Westdale and 119 Osler Drive, University Plaza Crystal Dynasty: Great Cantonese dim sum for a good price Location: 94 Cannon Street West, Downtown Hamilton August 8: The best Japanese sushi around, also with dim sum! Location: 1 Wilson Street, Downtown Hamilton |
How to Have Fun in
Hamilton
Wondering what to do in and around McMaster? Check out this list for some fun places to go!
1. Waterfalls
Hamilton is the waterfall capital of the world! There are 126 waterfalls to visit so don’t forget to enjoy them! Visit http://cityofwaterfalls.ca/ for more information. 2. Waterfront The Waterfront is a beautiful place to relax, watch fireworks, and even go skating in the winter! (http://www.hamiltonwaterfront.com/) 3. Street Festivals Be around other Hamilton residents and enjoy the city with performances and lots of food! Visit http://tourismhamilton.com/ for more information 4. Lyons New Media Centre Stay on campus in Mills Library and play some video games! (http://library.mcmaster.ca/lyons) |
Canadian Holidays
Do you have questions about Canadian holidays? Here are some descriptions to help you become familiar with what holidays are important to Canadians
Easter:
This day remembers the death and resurrection of Jesus. Children like to eat chocolate and hunt for eggs on this day. Many families also attend church to remember the true meaning of this day. (April) Canada Day: This day is a celebration of Canada becoming a country in 1867. The streets become filled with Canadians wearing the colours red and white and many go to watch fireworks in the night sky. (July 1st) Thanksgiving: Families eat turkey together and remember what they are thankful for. (2nd Monday of Octoboer) Christmas: Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. Cities are decorated with colourful lights, pine trees are brought into houses for decoration and families gather together to exchange gifts and enjoy a meal. (December 25th) |
Canada Day Fireworks!
The Birth of Jesus Christ
|
Surviving a Canadian Winter
Canada is known for is its cold, snowy weather. When winter arrives you will need to be prepared! Here are some tips to help you survive!
Helpful Clothing:
-Winter Coat -Sweaters -Mittens -Toque -Long Johns -Boots |
To find winter clothes, many people like to go to Limeridge mall (25 or 43 bus from McNab Terminal)
Tricks on Campus:
Do you have a class in KTH, TSH or CTH? Just use the underground pathways under the student centre (down the stairs near Union Market, past 1280). Live in North Quad near Centro? Follow the stairs inside Centro all the way down to find passages that will take you to your residence without the cold! |
McMaster Secrets
McMaster has some great places to go and things to do that people don’t always take advantage of. Make sure you listen to these tips!
The basement of the student centre has some great treasures! Go all the way down the stairs near Union Market and turn left to find a store with jamaican patties and bubble tea! If you go straight instead of left you will find the Student Wellness Centre which has a bowl of free fruit outside each morning! |
BSB has its very own planetarium on the bottom floor. Maybe this is not a secret but not all students know about it and even fewer actually visit! Have fun observing the stars! (http://www.physics.mcmaster.ca/planetarium/index.html) |
McMaster has a large assortment of clubs and sports to join!
Not sure what clubs are offered?
Visit https://www.msumcmaster.ca/clubs-directory to find a club that suits your needs!
Do you want to play intramural (Mcmaster students vs. Mcmaster students) sports?
Check out http://marauders.ca/index.aspx?path=intramurals&
Open Gym
You can even come to the Athletic Centre (DBAC) at any time to play free drop-in sports such as basketball, badminton or volleyball in one of McMaster’s 4 gyms. There is also a track on the 3rd floor and the pool next door is free as well!
*We recommend you call first to check the gym's availability : 905-525-9140 x24612*
Want to Lift Weights or Use Exercise Machines?
If you want to use the gym weights or exercise machines, then you can get a pulse membership for the school year. Visit the DBAC information desk for more information on how to do that.
Not sure what clubs are offered?
Visit https://www.msumcmaster.ca/clubs-directory to find a club that suits your needs!
Do you want to play intramural (Mcmaster students vs. Mcmaster students) sports?
Check out http://marauders.ca/index.aspx?path=intramurals&
Open Gym
You can even come to the Athletic Centre (DBAC) at any time to play free drop-in sports such as basketball, badminton or volleyball in one of McMaster’s 4 gyms. There is also a track on the 3rd floor and the pool next door is free as well!
*We recommend you call first to check the gym's availability : 905-525-9140 x24612*
Want to Lift Weights or Use Exercise Machines?
If you want to use the gym weights or exercise machines, then you can get a pulse membership for the school year. Visit the DBAC information desk for more information on how to do that.
Good Terms to Know
As a new student to McMaster, you will probably hear many phrases MAC (McMaster) students use that you may not understand. Here are some common ones:
MUSC (pronounced Musk)
MUSC stands for McMaster University Student Center and is located next to Mills Library near the center of the university
Titles
This is the campus' official book store. You can buy all your texts here as well as other things you may need (MAC clothing, electronics, board games, and other miscellaneous items) *however, the prices here are likely higher than other places*
DBAC (pronounced Dee-Back)
David Braley Athletic Centre, it is located beside the football stadium and is where you can play sports and work out.
Compass
The information desk inside the Student Centre (MUSC) , near the elevators on the first floor.
Timmies
Common Canadian short form for Tim Hortons Restaurant
Clubspace
Open area on the 2nd floor of MUSC to relax or do homework
MUSC stands for McMaster University Student Center and is located next to Mills Library near the center of the university
Titles
This is the campus' official book store. You can buy all your texts here as well as other things you may need (MAC clothing, electronics, board games, and other miscellaneous items) *however, the prices here are likely higher than other places*
DBAC (pronounced Dee-Back)
David Braley Athletic Centre, it is located beside the football stadium and is where you can play sports and work out.
Compass
The information desk inside the Student Centre (MUSC) , near the elevators on the first floor.
Timmies
Common Canadian short form for Tim Hortons Restaurant
Clubspace
Open area on the 2nd floor of MUSC to relax or do homework
Contact Us
We hope this guidebook helped you learn some of the ins and outs of being a McMaster University Student!