Student Safety

The information in this section is retrieved from the Vancouver Police Department Website,


PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS
Vancouver is a safe city to live in. Violent crime is not common and not very likely to occur to a resident or student. However, thefts, pick-pocketing, and small crimes do happen, as in any other big city.

The most common type of crime is theft. DO NOT:
     - leave your purse,                                                       
     - backpack, or
    - other property unattended in public places  
POLICE / 911               

     - Call 911- Police, Fire, and Ambulance if you are in trouble or see a crime in progress. You do not need  coins if calling 911 from a pay phone.
    - Try to relax and speak clearly. Help will arrive sooner if 911 knows where you are and what is happening. You may tell the operator your language. Interpreters will be available.
   -  If you are a victim of a crime, no matter how small you should report it to the police.
   - Community Police offices are located throughout the city and are able to help students with Non-emergency Police related issues.
   - Police in Canada are very helpful and can help you to find other services which help students.
PERSONAL SAFETY ON THE STREET

WALKING

·       Be Alert. Try not to be distracted. Walk with confidence and your head up.
·       Plan your route. Know where you are going and how to get there. Ask advice for the best routes to events, restaurants, or shopping.
·       Be aware of who is and what is around you. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right or you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you are probably right. Avoid the situation. Do not try to override your fear with common sense. It is better to feel foolish and be safe than to be vulnerable.
·       Change direction if you feel you are being followed. Go to the nearest store, restaurant, or pay phone.
·       At night, walk on well-lit, busy streets. Walk with at least one other person. Walk in the middle of the sidewalk. Avoid isolated areas such as parks, vacant lots, or poorly lit areas where there are no other people around. Carry a whistle or other personal safety device. Scream or yell loudly if attacked.
·       Tell your roommate or host family where you are going and when you will be back.
·       Do not carry large amounts of money (cash). Do not show money in public. Use bank/debit cards. Never share your PIN number or let others see it.
·       If you carry a wallet or a money clip, keep it in an inside jacket pocket rather than your pants pocket or backpack where it is more vulnerable to pickpockets.
·       Keep your passport in a safe place at home. Carry a photocopy of your passport and other ID.
·       Don’t go out alone or accept rides with strangers. DO NOT HITCHHIKE.
·       Don’t carry weapons. They are illegal and can be used against you.
·       Don’t argue or fight if robbed. Yell loudly. (Fight back to protect yourself if you are attacked. Try to stop or distract the attacker so that you can escape) Report to 911 Police immediately.


STREET PEOPLE
Street people who ask you for money are called “Panhandlers.” Many of them suffer from drug and alcohol addictions. If you give them money you will be encouraging their addictions. There are many social agencies in the community to help them by giving free meals, shelter, and counselling. If you want to help the poor people please contribute to a good charity.

JOGGING

·       Always wear brightly coloured, reflective clothing. If possible try to jog with a partner particularly in ravines or secluded areas.
·       Don’t use headphones when jogging. The player itself can be a target for theft. Listening to the music, you will be less aware of your surroundings and less aware of someone approaching from the side or behind and less able to react to protect yourself.

BICYCLING

·       Traffic rules for bikes are the same as for cars. Observe signs and traffic signals.
·       Don’t ride on the sidewalk or in crosswalks.
·       Always wear brightly coloured, reflective clothing and a helmet.
·       Front and rear light are required at night.
·       Lock your bike at all times. Lock frame and wheel to the bike rack. U-Lock is recommended.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONS                                                                                              

·       If possible, travel with at least one other person, preferably with a group.
·       Prepare your fare or tokens before you leave home (This is so you don’t have to open and expose your wallet or purse).
·       Know your route and bus schedule before you leave. Choose busy, well lit bus stops after dark.
·       At night, sit at the front of the bus near the driver.
·       After 9 pm you can ask the bus driver to stop at the street closest to your destination (between bus stops). Then you must exit from the front door (This is not available on express buses).
·       When on the Skytrain, sit in a car with lots of people. Move to another seat if someone bothers you.
·       All the Skytrain platforms have a yellow safety area monitored by cameras. If waiting on a platform or in the station, stand close to the pay phone, security camera or intercom.
·       Use the emergency phones on the platform of emergency button on the train if you are harassed.
·       If you must walk home late at night from a bus stop, try to arrange for someone to meet you. If you are taking an early morning bus ask someone to drive you to a stop.
RELATIONSHIPS

    - If you want to stop a friendship, be very clear that you don’t want to see the person anymore. If they continue to bother you, tell a teacher or friend about the situation.
    - If someone is bothering you, tell him or her to stop. For example, “GO AWAY” or “STOP BOTHERING ME!” Do not worry about hurting their feelings or being nice. If you are not clear, they might not stop. If they continue to bother you then tell somebody nearby.
    - Assault is illegal in Canada. A husband cannot hit his wife, a boyfriend cannot hit a girlfriend, and a roommate cannot hit you.

INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Sexual Assault or rape is when someone forces or pressures you to have sex or touch you in a sexual way when you do not want to be touched. When we think about sexual assault, many of us think about a stranger attacking in a dark alley. But most sexual assaults occur with someone we know (A date, a friend, a housemate etc.). You may feel embarrassed or ashamed, but rape is never your fault. Get medical treatment immediately and report it to Police or a rape counsellor.

·       Remember ---NO means NO
·       Learn how to stop an unwanted sexual advance or any behaviour that makes you uncomfortable. You have the right to say NO, no matter what has happened. Be direct and assertive. Let your date know your limits clearly and firmly.
·       If you do not know your date well, stay in public places with other people nearby. Tell your host family or friend where you are going. Be prepared to find your own way home. Carry money for taxi or transit, or call someone for a ride.

OUT AT NIGHT

·       Taxis are a good way to get home at night. Know the Taxi Company and number of the taxi in case you have any problems.
·       The legal drinking age in BC is 19yrs.
·       Drinking in public places such as parks, beaches, cars, or on the street is illegal.
·       Don’t let someone you do not know well “give you a lift home.”
·       Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended. Date Rape drugs are sometimes put into drinks when women are not paying attention.
·       Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana and nightclub drugs such as Ecstasy, love drugs and GHB are illegal. Do not use or possess drugs at any time. Foreign students caught possessing marijuana would probably be deported (People have recently died from Rave party drugs).
SCAMS / FRAUD

- Never give or loan money to a person who approaches you on the street. People will take advantage of your trust. Some examples are:
          - “I need money for a hotel/bus” or
           - “I lost my wallet; I need money for gas for my car – I’ll pay you back tomorrow”
           - Never give cash for a cheque - “I don’t have a bank account in the city, can you cash my
              $1000 cheque in your ATM?”
- When you buy something make sure that you get a receipt and are charged the right amount.
     · Make sure that your card is returned promptly.
     · Never give your credit card information or copies of your card unless you are ready to buy something.
     · Use only tutors authorized from your school. Use caution when contacting tutors through advertisement and at the library. Watch for persons who claim to be tutors or conversation partners but are not qualified.

The Canadian Educational System


CHARACTERISTICS OF CANADIAN EDUCATION

You may find some differences between the educational value/system in your home country and that in Canada. It is essential for you to understand the appropriate and accepted roles for students in the Canadian educational system. Here are some of the general characteristics of the Canadian educational system:

1 - Students are encouraged to ask questions for clarification, to challenge information, or to extend thinking. The philosophy of education in Canada includes the idea that students should be involved in an interactive learning process; that is, they should not sit passively and accept or memorize what the teacher says.

2 - Teacher-student relationships tend to be relatively informal compared to those in many other countries.

3 - Group work is an important part of the school learning; it values cooperation, tolerance, and compromise.

4 - Discussion is often used as a means of teaching. Students are expected to be able to discuss in order to develop their ideas and opinions and to present them for reactions. One of the main objectives of a discussion is to arrive at a mutually satisfactory understanding or a solution to a problem.

5 - Students learn not just information, but how to arrive at conclusions, to solve problems, and to analyze. As part of this process, students are often asked how they got an answer, rather than just what the answer is.

6 - Plagiarism (submit the work of another person as your own/copy the work of another person and present it as your own) is a serious offence.
TIPS FOR STUDYING IN CANADA

1 - Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand. Teachers expect to be questioned. Make sure you understand assignments that are given. If you’re quiet, that will be taken as a sign of understanding. Teachers are usually available before and after school for questions and extra help.

2 - Be on time for class. If you can’t attend or be on time, notify the school in advance and explain the reason. If you miss classes, see the teacher the next day to find out what was missed.

3 - You will probably find the classes more informal in Canada. You will also have to organize your own time since you won’t be given a schedule to cover non-class time. Plan your time carefully, balancing school work, English practice, recreation, and relaxation.

4 - Hand in all assignments on the day they are due. If you are not able to finish your assignment on time, talk to your teacher before it is due. If you miss any assignment/quiz/exam, see the teacher and ask if there is any way to make up.  

5 - Organize your notes. Keep all handouts from your teachers.

6 - Participation in extra curricular activities, recreation activities, community events, and social activities are all part of a well rounded Canadian Education. Canadians consider learning a life long process that can occur both inside and outside of the school classroom.

Canadian Customs and Etiquette


GREETING & MEETING PEOPLE

1 - A common greeting practice for Canadians is ‘hand shaking.’ People shake hands when meeting an adult for the first time. They don’t bow.

2 - If people already know each other, they will generally just say “Hi” or “Hello” the next time they meet.

3 - A person leaving others in routine situations will say “Bye” or See you later.” Sometimes, they will say something like, “Talk to you soon” or “I’ll talk to you later.”

4 - An adult may invite you to use their first name after you meet them, which is common. Otherwise, use Mr. Ms. or Mrs. as appropriate and the person’s last name.
 
5 - Generally people stand two to three feet apart from each other when conversing. They use many physical gestures.

6 - Canadians maintain eye contact when conversing.

ETIQUETTE IN PUBLIC PLACES

1 - People are generally uncomfortable with touching in public places. If you bump into somebody, say “Sorry” or “Excuse me.”

2 - Hold swinging or heavy doors for people who are following you in and out of rooms.

3 - You may have to adjust your voice level to ensure it’s not too loud. Take your cue from the tones of other people.

4 - Keep to the right when walking or going up escalators.

5 - If you’re the first person on an elevator it’s common to hold the door for others, either physically or by pressing the appropriate button on the control panel.

6 - In most places you wait in line for your turn to be served or take a number if one’s available. If there is no line or numbering system, the principle of “first come, first served” applies. The person behind the counter will probably ask: “Who’s next?”
VISITING A CANADIAN HOME

Accepting or declining an invitation:
‘Yes’ means Yes (therefore you must attend). It is alright to say ‘No’ if you cannot attend,  your host will not get mad. If you say ‘No,’ usually the host will not ask again. If you are unsure of your schedule, ask your host if you can confirm at a later date (just don't forget to confirm your intention).

Asking the appropriate questions:
“What should I wear?"  Keep in mind that it is better to over dress than to under dress. This will prevent any embarrassment and show respect to your host.
“Do you need any help?"  Offering to help is always a nice gesture and a good way to make new friends.
“What Can I bring?"   It is customary to bring a gift of flowers or chocolate for your host (even if they say: “It not necessary”). Bringing dessert is also appreciated, but ask first.
            
Table etiquette:
Food is generally passed around the table. Don’t reach over somebody to grab food, or the salt, pepper or mustard. Ask the others to pass it to you.
In some cultures people show appreciation for food by making a lot of noises. In Canada,  however, making loud noises while eating is considered rude (So is burping or farting).
Use serving spoon to dish out food.