Welcome To Calgary!

Tips to taking the stress out of your move to Canada.

When it comes to moving to a new city, there are a lot of new sights to take in and new things to learn. Calgary is a fun place to live and our big city energy coupled with friendly hospitality is one of the things that make our city so unique. Our dining and shopping options are endless, and we're home to several major sports teams. Add to that summers full of festivals and our dynamic arts and culture scene, there is always something to do.

While it might be intimidating at first to move to a new place, there are a lot of resources available to help you through your move.

If you’re flying directly into Calgary from an international destination, you’ll need to go through customs. After you go through customs, you’ll then speak to a border agent and collect your luggage. While at the airport, there are plenty of “white hat volunteers” who are more than happy to help you with any questions you may have about getting around. They’re usually stationed throughout the airport and are easy to spot by their white cowboy hats and red vests.

The University of Calgary campus is located approximately 18 km west from the Calgary International Airport. You’ll have several options for ground transportation from the airport to the university, including a taxi or public transit. For more information, visit our Welcome Centre website to find out more.

The Welcome Centre at the university should be one of your first stops for information when you arrive on campus. They have a series of online videos that you can watch in advance to prepare you for life in Calgary.

We suggest that you try to arrive a few weeks before the start of the semester to give yourself the chance to familiarize yourself with the campus and city. We also recommend you stop by International Student Services for help with all of your questions about being a student and to access programs and student support services that have been designed especially for you.