IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- Wednesday, Jan. 19 – Last day to register, apply for a refund, change from credit to audit
- Wednesday, Jan. 26 – Bell Let’s Talk Day
- Monday, Jan. 31 – Last day to opt-out of NISU health and dental Benefits for the winter term
- Tuesday, Feb. 1 – Thrive Month launch
- Tuesday, Feb. 1 – Active Bystander Intervention Training
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Upcoming Winter 2022 Orientation Virtual Sessions are:
- Virtual Peer Drop-in Session. On Jan. 19, 6:30-7:30 pm, learn tips and tricks from fellow NIC students. Our student Campus Life Assistants will lead this session, which will be a great opportunity to meet other NIC students! To register, email studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
- Welcome to the ECCE Diploma International Cohort Program. On Jan. 24, 10 am - 4 pm, Port Alberni and Campbell River ECCE Cohort orientation and welcome. To register: please watch your NIC student email for an invitation to join.
- Virtual Peer Drop-in Session. On Jan. 26, 6:30-7:30 pm, learn tips and tricks from fellow NIC students. Our student Campus Life Assistants will lead this session, which will be a great opportunity to meet other NIC students! To register, email studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
- Trades Orientation Info Session. On Jan. 26, 6:30-7:30 pm, Join NIC staff and Apprenticeship Advisor from the Industry Training Authority to learn tips and important information specific to trades students. To register, email studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
For a full list of sessions, visit the Winter 2022 Orientation page.
- Bell Let’s Talk Day. On Jan . 26, 11 am - 1 pm, come and support conversations around mental health. Student Life representatives will be encouraging students to discuss mental health and help reduce the stigma around mental health. No registration is required. More information to be shared in the next newsletter and social media channels. Stay tuned! Any questions, email studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
- Active Bystander Intervention Training. On Feb. 1, 1-3 pm, this workshop over Zoom is open to all students, this free workshop demonstrates the knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively recognize and intervene in an incident of sexual violence. To Register: Email studentlife@nic.bc.ca to register and get the link.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Student Leadership Team. NIC’s Student Leadership Team supports and develops skills in emerging leaders in a fun, dynamic and engaging way. The student leaders explore many aspects of leadership, acknowledging that everything we do has impacts locally and globally. Student leaders take part in leadership workshops and retreats, network with the community, help with college events and gain volunteer hours. Learn more about the NIC Student Leadership Team by emailing studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
- *NEW* Study Abroad Scholarships & Virtual Exchange Opportunities for NIC Students. NIC has successfully secured funding for study abroad scholarships totalling more than $500,000CAD. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities! Most eligible students can access around $5,000 CAD, but, in certain circumstances, students can access up to $10,000 CAD. These funds will prioritize encouraging students that traditionally have not engaged in outbound mobility to travel and learn abroad: Indigenous students, low-income students, or students with disabilities.
NIC Study Abroad Opportunities for 2022:
- Exchange Opportunities. Possibilities include Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, France, Romania, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam. Check the Outgoing exchange webpage for more details.
- Virtual Exchange Opportunities. As part of virtual opportunities, students will be connecting with instructors and students located in Costa Rica, Japan, and Belgium. Students will be able to work in culturally diverse teams, improve their intercultural communication skills, experience culturally diverse work environments.
- Field School Jordan: Town of Nebo Archaeological Project, Costa Rica, Japan (follow-up to above virtual exchanges), and Hawaii - Indigenous Language Revitalization are other planned Field Schools for (2021/22 and 2022/23).
Interested in learning how you can participate? Contact NIC’s Office of Global Engagement at istudyabroad@nic.bc.ca to find out how!
- LAST CHANCE to win $150 for taking 5 mins to complete a survey and share some feedback on our career and employment services. Please help us to help you better! All responses will remain anonymous and any student who completed the survey will then be eligible to enter the draw to win a $150 prize for the store of your choice – Walmart, Superstore or Winners. The survey will close today, on Jan. 17, 2022 at 5 pm. Take the survey.
NIC’s CareerCentral platform is the hub for our career services, resources and events: https://careercentral.nic.bc.ca/home.htm. Book one-on-one appointments with a career coach and if you have any questions, please contact studentemployment@nic.bc.ca.
NIC SUPPORTS & SERVICES
- Library & Learning Commons. Come visit the LLC this semester for a quiet place to work, to access academic supports, or to just sit back and take a break. At the LLC you can:
Find your perfect spot: a window seat, a study room, or a table with friends
Borrow a laptop: One or seven-day loans
Print & scan: Copies are $0.10 and scanning is free
Drop by and say hi: Check out our open hours
- LLC Spotlight: Campbell River. Drop by the Campbell River LLC this semester and walk into the newly designed space, open 8 am – 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Group rooms are open into the evening hours, accessible from the student commons. Looking to take a break? We’re now lending magazines, puzzles and meditation kits.
- Academic Supports at LLC. Reach your goals this semester with help from our outstanding academic supports—available both in-person and online!
Research Support. Learn to build effective search strategies, choose and evaluate resources, cite and avoid plagiarism.
Writing Support. work one-on-one with NIC faculty to develop your writing skills and receive feedback on your writing assignments.
Math Support. Spend time working on all levels of math problems with support from NIC math faculty.
Peer Tutoring. Discover new approaches to studying and writing learning from highly trained NIC peer tutors.
Student Technical Services. Helping students understand and utilize technologies to support their studies.
- Workshops. Register in a variety of workshops to improve your research, writing, math, and tech skills.
- Learn Anywhere. NIC’s Learn Anywhere website is geared to provide a collection of information that will help you to be a successful digital learner by covering topics such as: What is digital learning? and How can I use NIC-supported technologies during my studies? Students can also access a list of key skills and knowledge all students should have for successful learning in today’s world, knowing your rights and responsibilities and Technology Readiness Checklists.
- Emergency Assistance Funds - Sometime emergencies happen that are outside of a student’s control or the best advance planning. NIC may be able to assist with financial support in the form of a bursary to help with emergencies. This funding does not need to be paid back and may be available to assist with books, transportation, childcare, supplies, groceries, and other essentials. Contact a financial aid advisor to find out more. Book online here.
- NIC Bookstores. NIC bookstores will be open for extended hours in January. Comox Valley and Campbell River bookstores will be open from Jan. 4 -21 from 9 am to 4 pm. The Port Alberni bookstore will be open from Jan. 4-14 from 9 am to 4 pm. After these dates, the stores will be going back to our regular posted hours of operation.
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
- Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The Ministry of Children and Family Development formed YAC in September 2015 to hear the insights of current or former youth in care between the ages of 17 and 29. The beginning of our 2022-2023 YAC term is approaching and are looking for new members to join the council. Council members provide consultation and advice on a range of policies, practice shifts, and initiatives for both internal and external partners and stakeholders. With the pandemic, the YAC has shifted to be a completely virtual team, and we conduct all our meetings and consultations online.
If you are interested to join the council or know someone who would be, please visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/youth-and-family-services/youth-advisory-council for more information. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 7, 2022. Please e-mail mcf.yac@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.
- COVID-19 Vaccination. The BC Government is encouraging all who are eligible to register for their COVID vaccine as soon as possible, this includes both domestic and international students. Visit the government website for information on eligibility and the registration process.
- COVID-19 Restrictions. You can view the latest public health orders here. Masks in public indoor settings are now mandatory – this includes NIC campus buildings.
WEEKLY WELLNESS
- Thriving in Action Weekly Workbook. Each week of the academic year comes with its own unique challenges. The Thriving in Action Weekly Workbook was designed to provide you with at least one exercise that has proven to be effective in increasing life satisfaction, happiness, and resilience. Download the Student Weekly Workbook here.
“The first step of getting what you want is to have the courage to get rid of what you don’t.”
– Zig Ziglar (Hilary Hinton)
If there is information you'd like to see included in upcoming communications, or would like to share, please let us know at studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
Enjoy your week and stay well!
Student Life Team
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