St. Thomas University: A World-Class Education. An Affordable Choice.
Posted on | February 15, 2010 | Comment Here
Of all the factors that that come into play as you consider your choice of a college or university, cost will undoubtedly be near the top of that list. At St. Thomas University, we believe that your ability to receive a world-class liberal arts education should not hinge on dollars and cents, but on your unique strengths and talents.
For more information, contact our Admissions office at (877) 788-4443, email admissions @stu.ca or visit our Scholarship Information page.
A Message from the Parents of a U.S. Student
Posted on | March 10, 2010 | Comment Here
Our daughter, Michelle, is in her second year of study at STU and has enjoyed her courses, the school atmosphere and the Fredericton community. We are very satisfied with the University’s educational program and the way that the school community has welcomed Michelle. In addition to the strong academic program, she is exposed to a different culture, currency and political system that provide experiences she would not see in a New England school.
Michelle Twomey Class of 2012 Limington, Maine
The overall college application and acceptance process can be stressful enough without the extra unknowns of what is required to actually prepare your son or daughter to attend a school in Canada. Having been through the process ourselves, we would like to offer our experiences about topics that you may have questions or concerns that don’t come with applying to schools in the U.S.
Finally, don’t hesitate to contact St. Thomas University, we have found that they are always willing to help with any questions you might have, from passports to heath insurance. We hope the information below is helpful in answering some of the questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Dennis and Kim Twomey
Student Visa: A student visa is required for US citizens attending school in Canada. The Canadian customs and immigration web site provides information about the forms and fees on obtaining a student Visa. We found the forms to be a bit daunting with questions about financial support requirements. However, when we visited the customs office at the border between Maine and New Brunswick to get the visa, we found that the financial requirements were not necessary for US students when we applied. Knowing this ahead of time would have simplified our application preparation process. We recommend contacting the customs office nearest you to find out exactly what information you need to bring to get your son or daughter’s student visa.
Canadian currency: We found that for us, it was not necessary to open a Canadian checking account, although that is an option to assure the student has access to Canadian currency. With online banking and debit checking cards, this concern was easily resolved without that. Our daughter simply goes to a local ATM machine to withdraw money. The ATM machine automatically dispenses her withdrawal in Canadian currency; behind the scenes, the bank performs the conversion from US funds. Check with your bank to understand what they charge on conversion and transaction fees. You should also consider having access to the student’s account to be able to deposit funds or transfer between savings and checking if needed. But, if your son or daughter is planning on having a job, or living off campus it might be easier to open a Canadian bank account.
Cell phone: We did not find any calling plans from our US wireless provider that would enable reasonable calling, text or data plans between the US and Canada. International roaming rates, even with an international plan, can break the bank with a student’s typical appetite for phone calls and text messaging. There are several Canadian wireless providers (Rogers Wireless, Bell Alliant, Virgin Mobile, and others) that offer pay as you go plans that will offer your student with much more reasonable calling and text plans within New Brunswick.
Calls to the US: Regarding the routine (hopefully) phone calls from Canada to home or to friends, we found a VoIP provider Skype that offers a very reasonable service. We selected the plan that allows Michelle to call from her computer (requires a headset) to either other computers (free) or to land line or cell phone numbers (very inexpensive). This service also allows for chatting and for video calls, both of which have come in handy.
Transporting dorm supplies to and from school: While going through customs with a car load of your student’s belongings can be an issue, we have not had any problems in bringing supplies to school or back home again. We organize the supplies and place them in unsealed boxes or totes (just in case inspection is necessary). We’d recommend that you check the Canadian Border Services Agency and the U.S. Homeland Security web sites to know what can and cannot be transported across the border.
For more information, visit the Travel and Customs page of this site or contact the Admissions Office.
Men’s basketball captain Matt Robertson recognized for his contributions on the basketball court and in the community.
Posted on | March 9, 2010 | Comment Here
Men’s basketball captain Matt Robertson has been recognized for his contributions on the basketball court and in the community.
Robertson, a fourth-year journalism student from Moncton, NB, is this year’s recipient of the Atlantic Colleges Athletics Association Rod Shoveller Memorial Award. The award honours the Halifax educator, athletic administrator, basketball coach and official. It is presented to a male or female basketball player who has showed an excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and sportsmanship.
Robertson says it’s a huge honour just to be nominated for the Shoveller Award, let alone win it. “I do the things that I do around campus and the community because I love people and I love helping out,” says Robertson. “I guess I can thank my parents because without the upbringing I was blessed enough to have, I might not have done many of these things.”
St. Thomas University athletic director Mike Eagles says Robertson was a natural candidate for the award because he is an exemplary student who has given his team, university and community his heart and soul. “Matt knows everyone, and anyone who knows Matt respects him and looks up to him. His leadership on and off the court gives student athletes something to aspire to,” Eagles added.
Robertson grew up in Moncton, graduating from Bernice McNaughton High School in 2006. He then came to St. Thomas where he began playing for the men’s basketball team. During his four years on the team, he’s been named team rookie of the year, received the team’s unsung hero award and team MVP. He was also a Canadian Colleges Athletics Association All-Canadian in 2006-07, and an ACAA second team all conference all star in 2009.
Robertson is also very active on campus, having been involved in organizing several Welcome Week events, a member of the board of directors for the school paper, The Aquinian, and host of a weekly radio show on CHSR FM called “Sportswire.” Last year, he earned the John Frederick Walls Memorial Award for a male athlete of good character who has actively participated in university athletics, maintained a good academic standing and represented the athletic ideal.
Ryan Sullivan, Director of Residence Life and Conference Services, says he recruited Robertson for the role of Residence Advisor after seeing his skill and enthusiasm. “The role of residence advisor is one of the most demanding student positions on campus,” says Sullivan. “Matt often helps students as a peer counsellor with any problems they may have.”
We share a border and so much more…
Posted on | February 23, 2010 | Comment Here
Sports fans on both sides of the border are feeling the thrill of Olympic fever. The Olympics offer a time for the world to come together to cheer on their young heroes and witness unforgettable moments of athleticism, sportsmanship, and grace. It is also a time in which we share our national pride with the world…and realize how much we truly do have in common, especially with our neighbors to the south. Hear Tom Brokaw’s explanation of the unique relationship between Canada and the U.S on our Facebook page by clicking here.
Meet Our Students
Posted on | February 12, 2010 | Comment Here
Wondering what life at St. Thomas is really like? Check out the Meet Our Students tab to gain perspective on college life at STU.
STU Tommie Playing on Olympic Ice
Posted on | February 12, 2010 | Comment Here
Lukie Nussbaum is a fourth year criminology major & all-star defender with the St. Thomas women’s hockey team.
For the first time in the university’s history, a STU Tommie is playing at the Olympics.
St. Thomas will be cheering on our own Tommies star, Lukie Nussbaum. She is representing her home country of Switzerland in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Nussbaum came to Canada after learning about St. Thomas from a teammate in high school. She says she was drawn to the university’s hockey programme.
“St. Thomas has an amazing programme, and the coaches are really concerned about the player’s progress,” she says.
Nussbaum secured her spot on Switzerland’s Olympic women’s hockey team after playing with the national junior team in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships a couple years ago. She says she’s gained a lot playing with the Tommies since coming here.
“St. Thomas definitely brought me where I am right now,” she says. “It definitely helped me get my game to another level. I do appreciate that, and I’m not taking that for granted. I really love being at STU.”
Women’s hockey coach Peter Murphy says Nussbaum has developed into a great all-star defender during her time at STU. “She has the ability to take control of a game anytime she is on the ice and is a threat off the point,” says Murphy. “She is a tremendous example for aspiring hockey players and the hockey team will be watching her results closely in Vancouver.” Follow Nussbaum’s progress during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics:
- February 13 – Switzerland vs. Sweden
- February 15 –Switzerland vs. Canada
- February 17 – Switzerland vs. Slovakia
- February 20 – Women’s Classifications
- February 22 – Women’s Playoff Semifinals
- February 24 – Women’s Bronze & Gold Medal Games
STU Students Slammed by Poetry
Posted on | January 25, 2010 | Comment Here
It’s a regular morning in Sir James Dunn Hall cafeteria. Students are rushing to Tim Horton’s to get their coffee before class, scouring textbooks, and typing the last paragraph of their term paper. The usual chatter of the cafeteria is suddenly interrupted by the sound of a loud guitar strum. Everyone shifts their attention to English Professor Andrew Titus, who is standing on a chair screaming—it’s a poetry slam. Check out more on Campus Life
Fredericton: A City Fit for Students
Posted on | January 21, 2010 | Comment Here
Fredericton is best described as a “college community.” With 50,000 people living in the city, it boasts a student population of 10,000. It’s a safe, friendly urban centre surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape the province of New Brunswick has to offer.
St. Thomas University shares a hilltop with the University of New Brunswick. Walk for 15 minutes and you hit the scenic waterfront of the Saint John River, lined with trees and Victorian-style mansions. On that waterfront is also the city’s downtown. It’s a cultural hub of cafes, bars, restaurants,shops and markets. The perfect spot to enjoy downtime with classmates in between studies.
Moneysense Magazine rated Fredericton the third best place to live in Canada. It was also selected as a finalist for the Global Intelligent Community of the Year competition for feats such as its city-wide free wireless internet network.
Aside from its natural beauty, Fredericton is a bustling centre of excitement and activity. It features a lengthy network of walking and cycling trails, performance theatres, shopping centres, bars and clubs, and a weekly farmers market. Fredericton is also home to the annual Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, which brings in hundreds of artists and musicians from
around the world every autumn.
“Living in Fredericton has also been an awesome experience,” said first-year student, Jarrid Devaux from Miramichi, NB. “There is always something to do; plays, interesting lectures, clubs, etc. St. Thomas isn’t just a place I go to school and live. It’s my home.”
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick (Downtown Fredericton)
Faculty Perspective: Understanding Crime Through Popular Film
Posted on | January 15, 2010 | Comment Here
Dr. Dawne Clarke’s course “Crime and Popular Film” generates a lot of buzz among St. Thomas students. The class uses film to further understand crime, police officers, and the law.
“My approach to criminology is to examine crime from different perspectives including sociology, psychology, legal studies, communications, media and film,” says Clarke.
“I believe that films like Psycho, Dirty Harry, Bonnie and Clyde are teaching tools for our digital age.”
Clarke, a St. Thomas alumna, says she especially relates to first-year students.
“I try to teach where students are, not where you think they should be or where you want to start. This way, there’s a better chance of engaging students and building from there.”
Criminology classes at St. Thomas study the causes and consequences of criminal behavior. STU is the first university in Atlantic Canada to offer a major in Criminology. It can lead to careers in policing, corrections, social work and law.
For more information on Criminology and Criminal Justice, please contact admissions@stu.ca.
Communications Students to Speak with Ship Patrolling Dangerous Waters Overseas
Posted on | January 15, 2010 | Comment Here
St. Thomas University Communications students will get the chance to hear from the front lines of the pirate conflict in the Red Sea. Lieutenant Brian Owens of the HMCS Fredericton is speaking to the Communications 4003 class via satellite on January 19 at 7:00 pm in Holy Cross House, Room 5.
Owens is currently the communications officer on the multi-role patrol frigate, on mission in the Red Sea. Communications Professor Julian Walker says students will hear and ask questions about the role of communications in dangerous areas overseas. “The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are among the most dangerous waterways in the world right now. Along with other ships, the Canadian Frigate HMS Fredericton is doing pirate patrol there.”
In late December, pirates fired on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, which stands between Somalia and Yemen. The HMCS Fredericton is one of many Canadian ships patrolling in the area. “Our students will be able to understand what it is like for members of the armed forces, as well as journalists and communications officers to do their jobs in a high-risk and very strategic zone,” says Walker. For more information on the Journalism and Communications Programme, please contact admissions@stu.ca.
Director of Recruitment
Admissions and Recruitment Officer
