2017 - Version 1.0 Giving a student the opportunity to study in another country is the best investment you can make in their future GPI Partner Training Manual
Contents Welcome........................... 3 International student support............... 4 Admissions & Applications................ 5 GPI Online Application Guide............... 6 Creating a New Application................ 8 Intense English Program (IEP) & Assessment...... 13 GPI Refund Policy.................... 14 Homestay......................... 14 Custodianship/Guardianship.............. 14 2
Welcome to Global Partners Institute Thank you for choosing to work with the Global Partners Institute (GPI) to recruit students for over 170 schools across Canada. We are committed to working with dedicated partners like yourself to increase our international student population and strengthen our programs. We hope this guide will help you share information about our program and submit applications for students. If further assistance is required, please contact us at: admissions@gpicanada.com. Our mission, in partnership with our students, partner organizations, staff, dedicated host families and local communities, is to share worldwide intercultural education. Our mission is to expand international education by providing: High standard language instruction Cultural skills and understanding International friendships GPI boasts a staff of extraordinarily dedicated individuals, all of whom share an unwavering dedication to the ideals that our Institute seeks to promote. Under the leadership of our Board of Directors, GPI looks forward to diversifying and expanding our activities as a non-profit organization, and to expanding our network of relationships with passionate, likeminded educators and organizations in Canada and around the world. In addition to our corporate headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia, GPI has regional offices in every province where we place our students. This ensures that each student has a local contact person for any emergencies. 3
GPI For International Students We are a non-profit educational organization based in Vancouver, Canada. Established in 1992, we were brought together by a shared passion for international education and global friendship. We provide opportunities for both Canadian and international students to enjoy the exciting rewards of cross-border student exchange. GPI supports international students through a number of means: A superior English as a Second Language Program taught by outstanding teachers. Our program is exceptionally strong as it was developed to assist our diverse community and is regularly being updated and improved to address the unique needs of our international students. Experienced Regional Managers who support students as they apply for colleges and/or universities in North America. Program Coordinators and Hosts who regularly visit the schools to help international students. These Program Coordinators and Hosts are trained to understand the specialized issues international students face and can speak to students in their native language if needed. An orientation program to welcome students to GPI and familiarize them with Canada, their school, and their peers. Peer-mentoring and extracurricular programs that provide opportunities for students to socialize with Canadian students and make new friends from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Innovative classrooms with a focus on the latest technology. We believe students are more engaged and successful when they are given the opportunity to use the technology from their daily lives in the classroom. An array of sports programs and extracurricular activities that meet the needs of every student and allow international students to socialize with domestic students and develop cross-cultural understanding. Partnerships with post secondary institutions to introduce students to the options available after high school and ensure motivated international students are prepared for post-secondary studies and success. Students who study with GPI will be integrated with Canadian students and will take most classes with them. This will allow international students to practice their spoken and written English on a daily basis. They will also spend a portion of their day with other international students and a teacher trained to help international students learn academic-level English. Students who complete our graduation program will receive a High School Leaving Certificate which is recognized internationally and will allow them to apply to postsecondary institutions in Canada as well as the United States. Students who wish to come for our elementary program will be placed into the school that is closest to where they will be living. For more information on which school a student would attend, or what the requirements of the elementary program are, contact us at admissions@gpicanada.com 4
Admissions & Applications Seats in GPI International Program are limited. Please note that seats for students intending to graduate in Canada (ie, staying for 2+ years) are strongly encouraged to apply in September. All elementary spaces are restricted to September entry, unless they are special term programs. Before You Begin GPI Canada will only accept complete applications using our secure online application system. Mailed, emailed, or faxed will be accepted until September 2018. Before you begin the online application process, please make sure you have collected all the necessary information and documents. You will need the applicant s complete information and at least one parent s complete information. This includes names, birthdates, addresses, etc. Required and recommended documents (see below) must be submitted as PDF or JPEG files only and less than 5MB each. If any document is larger than 5MB, it has been scanned at too high a resolution and must be rescanned at a lower resolution before beginning the application process. Required Documents In order to submit an application, the two documents listed below are required. If you do not upload these documents into the online application system, you cannot complete the application process. If you do not submit a complete application within ten (10) days, the partial application will be automatically deleted. Transcripts or report cards. You must have a record of grades for the last two years, translated into English, they must be in PDF or JPEG files only, and less than 5MB in size. You will only able to upload one document, so please ensure all pages of the records of grades are scanned as a single document. GPI Legal agreement. The parent(s) the application must sign our agreement. Before starting the application process, please download the Legal Agreement, have it signed in ink, and scanned as a PDF or JPEG file only. Recommended Documents We recommend that you collect the following documents prior to applying. These documents assist us in making an admission decision should we require additional information. They must be submitted as single documents in PDF or JPEG files only and less than 5MB each. 1. Passport photo page. Please scan the passport photo page of the applicant s passport, if they have a passport already. This allows us to double-check the applicant s information to ensure that all correspondence is correct. 2. Letter of Recommendation. Please have a teacher, school counselor, or Headmaster/Principal write a letter of recommendation for the applicant. This letter should be on school letterhead and identify the student and their strong points. If this letter is longer than one page, make sure you scan all pages as a single document. 3. Student s letter of intent. This letter is written by the student explaining their desire to come to Canada and study with GPI Canada. It should outline their past studies, their interests and hobbies, and their future goals. If this letter is longer than one page, make sure you scan all pages as a single document. 4. Immunization records. Please scan as a single document all immunization records relevant to the student s medical history. If this letter is longer than one page, ensure you scan all pages as a single document. 5. Custodian document. If the applicant will not be part of our homestay program, or if they decline our free custodianship service, they must assign a custodian. This custodian must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, over 25 years old, and live full time in Canada. 6. Photo albums. Some students compile a photo album for our homestay placement process. Please scan a maximum of three (3) photos. 7. Other documents. If you have another document pertinent to admission, such as a student interview form, please submit it as a single document. 5
GPI Online Application Guide Before you apply, please make sure you have all the required information and documents for the application process. You have 10 days to submit an application once you create a new application. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Required Documents Most recent two years of transcripts translated in English in one file (PDF or JPG less than 5MB) Required Information Student s legal name, date of birth, gender, and nationality. One of the parents legal name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and current address. Program details: Start date, length of program, requested grade, and years of English studied. Medical Information: Allergies, Health concerns, Learning and Behaviour issues. Step 1 Navigate to the login page for the secure online application. Step 2 Click the Reset Password link highlighted below: 6
Step 3 Enter your email address. This must be your official agent email address we have on file. Click the Reset Password button. You will see a confirmation message that an email has been sent. Step 4 Check your inbox for an email with subject starting with Password Reset Instructions. If you do not receive this email within five minutes, please check your junk/spam folder. Click the link to complete the password request. The link will direct you to the online application portal and you will see a message on the screen Reset Password Complete. Click the link to return to Sign In. Step 5 You will receive another email with the subject TRUE North Password with your temporary password Step 6 Login using your email address and temporary password copied previously in Step 5. Step 7 Change your password by entering your temporary password from step 5, and a new password of your choosing. Click: Change Password Click: Continue 7
Creating a New Application Step 1 Click: Create New Application Step 2 Enter the student s legal name and birth date exactly as shown on their passport. Click: Create Application Step 3 Enter the student s gender and country of nationality shown on the passport. Click: Save & Go Next 8
Step 4 Enter Parent One information. This will be used to create legal custodianship documents. Thus, please make sure to enter the correct information. Click: Save & Go Next Step 5 - Optional Enter Parent Two Information. This will be used to create legal custodianship documents. Click: Save & Go Next 9
Step 6 Enter program details. Click: Save & Go Next Step 7 Enter Medical Information. Click: Save & Go Next If you click Yes, you will be asked to provide details 10
Step 8 Enter homestay information. If you choose Yes: you will be asked to provide student s personality, hobbies, preferences, and etc. to match the best suitable homestay. Please provide as many details as possible. If you choose No: you must provide where the student will be living: full name, address, phone, and email. Once finished, click: Save & Go Next Step 9 Enter custodianship information. Minor children come to Canada to study without a parent or legal guardian are required to appoint a Canadian custodian by law. GPI will arrange custodianship depends on your area, and will provide completed custodianship forms to be notarized. Once finished, click: Save & Go Next 11
Step 10 Upload the required documents. Please note that you can upload only one file per line item. Uploads can be either a JPG or PDF file no larger than 5MB. For multipage uploads, please scan and save all documents into one PDF no larger than 5MB. Once finished, click: Save & Go Next Please make sure to attach two most recent transcripts in one file Step 11 Please click and read GPI Student Rules and Consent Form, then click Yes. Once finished, click: Save & Submit Completed Application 12
Intense English Program (IEP) & Assessment Upon arrival in Canada, all International Students must make an appointment with GPI for an orientation interview/assessment which includes an assessment of Math and English language skills. This assessment is not a test, rather, it is an opportunity to understand the student s skill level and ensure that we have a support system and programming to help them succeed. The orientation interview process includes: Discussion of the child s educational history, interests and goals Assessment of English language proficiency and knowledge of mathematics Introduction to the Ontario elementary or secondary school system Settlement needs assessment and/or referral Suggested placement for secondary school students based on school transcripts, assessment results and age Assistance for secondary school students in choosing program/courses and post-secondary pathways Orientation interview report sent to school Length of orientation interview appointment: Elementary Students: 1-2 hours Secondary Students: 3-5 hours Class can range from 2 weeks to 2 months Required Documents: Letter of acceptance and receipt of payment of fees Your original valid study permit Passport Immunization/vaccination record Most recent school report card/transcript Custodianship information Required Immunizations: The following immunizations are required by all students attending schools in Canada. Measles Mumps Rubella Diphtheria Pertussis (whooping cough) Tetanus Polio Meningococcal disease Varicella (chicken pox) for students born on or after January 1, 2010 Students should arrive at least two weeks prior to the start of classes in order to ensure a smooth start of term. Students must be accompanied by the guardian or homestay parent at the time of the assessment. 13
GPI Refund Policy A full refund will be paid to students who show proof that the Canadian High Commission (Canada Immigration) has refused their application for a student visa. A 50% refund will be paid to students who withdraw prior to the start of their education program. No refund will be paid to students who withdraw after their education program starts, nor will a refund be paid to students who are removed from the program at any time due to a violation of school or program rules. Students who are forced to withdraw from the program due to unforeseen circumstances, such as death in the immediate family or an illness, or other circumstances deemed valid by GPI, shall receive a pro-rated refund of tuition fees upon submitting proof supporting their reasons to leave. Policy regarding students who plan to become permanent residents»» The International Student Program is designed for foreign students who wish to spend one or more years studying in Canadian schools. It is not a program for permanent residents or Canadian Citizens. Staffing for the International Student Program is based on numbers of students registered as of September of the current school year. Therefore, those students who become permanent residents during their term of study will not expect reimbursement of fees beyond the stated policy. Note: application fee will be withheld regardless of circumstances, in all withdrawals and/or cancellations. Homestay All students attending schools through GPI must live in a Homestay accommodation unless they are living with a parent or relative who meets the necessary requirements for being a guardian. We require students live in Homestay accommodations as it will allow students to experience living with a Canadian family and allow the student to develop conversational English skills. We adhere to practices that ensure our host families are carefully selected into the program and provide the student with the most comfortable environment possible. All homestay families must successfully pass a criminal record check with the local police department and complete a reference check. Homestay families are expected to provide a welcoming and friendly environment for students to live in. Parents will engage the student and provide support and guidance as they would to their own child and include the student in family and community events. Students will receive a private, furnished bedroom and are provided three meals per day as well as snacks. Elementary (kindergarten to grade 8) students are not eligible for the homestay program and must come with a parent or live with a close relative. Custodianship/Guardianship Children studying in Canada will require a Guardian and Custodian if they are not arriving with a parent. The custodian can be a relative, family friend can be arranged through GPI. More information about the requirements and documentation can be found at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca. 14