Globalink Research Intern Handbook 2022 Updated January 2022 - Mitacs
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Globalink Research Intern
Handbook 2022
Updated
January 2022
Globalink Research Intern Handbook 2022
Welcome!
Congratulations on your acceptance to the 2022 Mitacs Globalink Research Internship program!
You are about to begin a rewarding experience in Canada as you live in a new environment, meet new people, and
conduct research in another country.
This orientation handbook has been prepared to help you prepare for your internship and make the most of this
experience. It will guide you through some of the decisions you will need to make prior to, during, and after your
arrival in Canada. You will find information on a wide variety of topics such as what to bring, what to expect, where to
go, required documents, medical insurance, accommodation, and much more!
Please read this document carefully before sending us questions and print a copy to keep with you during your
internship.
Please review the information provided in this guide and the Globalink Information Website. If you have any
questions, please contact the Globalink Research Internship team at helpdesk@mitacs.ca.
Message from the Director
Congratulations on being accepted as a Mitacs Globalink research intern.
On behalf of the Mitacs team, I wish you much success as you work towards
fulfilling your academic and professional goals and learn more about
yourself from your upcoming international experience.
Over the next few months, you will be communicating with Globalink
Ambassadors (former Globalink research interns) and your Mentor (students
at your host Canadian institution). They want to ensure that you take
advantage of as many opportunities as possible while you are in Canada
and will share their experiences and advice with you so that you are well-
prepared. If you have any problems during your stay or need emergency attention, please contact your Mentor – they
are your first point of contact.
We are very excited for your arrival, and we know you share the same feelings of excitement and maybe even a little
apprehension. Our country is vast and offers many different and unique cultures, landscapes, and experiences. While
I can assure you that our students in Newfoundland on the East Coast will have very different experiences from our
students staying on Vancouver Island off the West Coast (and everywhere in between!), I can also assure you that
you will have a rich and unique experience regardless of where you are. One of the greatest rewards of having you
here is sharing these experiences with you; so, take lots of pictures and share them with us through social media!
I also want to take this opportunity to share with you that many stakeholders have come together to make this
opportunity possible, and we all want to make sure you leave with a great impression of Canada. More importantly,
we want you to experience first-hand the world-class research that takes place here. While you are in Canada, you
will meet academic leaders and professors, other students, industry professionals, and members of the Mitacs team.
We are all looking forward to meeting you and wish you an incredible stay here in Canada!
Sincerely,
Petra Kukacka, MES
Director, Program Operations
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Contents
Welcome! ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Message from the Director ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Research Internship Timeline ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Preparing to come to Canada ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Immigration process ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Booking your flight .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Accommodation ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Contact Globalink Ambassadors ............................................................................................................................ 5
Contact your Mentor ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Arriving in Canada ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Mentor responsibilities ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Receiving Funds from Mitacs ................................................................................................................................. 7
Student Fees ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Medical Insurance .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Mitacs Training & Events ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Midterm Survey ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Leaving Canada ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
Airport Departure ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Exit Survey ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Certificate of Completion ....................................................................................................................................... 10
Globalink Graduate Fellowships ........................................................................................................................... 10
Ambassadors .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
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Research Internship Timeline
February 2022:
§ Review and accept the Code of Conduct, Liability Waiver, and Immigration Policy and Procedure Consent
§ Input your personal information into your student profile in the Globalink Student Platform. Make sure all
information is accurate.
§ Generate your Award Letter once you have completed your Personal Details section by the end of February.
Mitacs will notify you when it is ready.
March 2022:
§ Discuss your research internship start date with your professor and whether your professor can send you
preliminary readings or documents to prepare. Your professor might request a Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams
call. Research internships require researchers to work on a research project for 40 hours/week for 12 weeks. The
deadline to input your confirmed start date into the Globalink Student Platform is March 20, 2022.
§ Complete all information regarding immigration based on the travel documents you will use to travel to Canada.
Please see the “Immigration” section on the Globalink Information Website for information on entering Canada.
Your passport should be valid for up to six months after the date you intend to leave Canada.
April 2022:
§ Book your flight to Canada. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, cancelable tickets are preferable. If possible, fly
directly into your host city. For example, if your host city is Waterloo, you may need to fly into Toronto and take a
bus/shuttle to Waterloo.
§ You will be assigned a Mentor. Contact your Mentor and exchange contact information, photos, and your flight
itinerary. Each Globalink research intern is assigned a Mentor to assist them. Your Mentor may contact you before
you contact them. See more information on the Mentor role and support provided in this document. Interns at the
University of Alberta are not assigned Globalink Mentors. Instead, the university’s international office will contact
you and provide similar services.
May 2022:
§ Mitacs will notify you when the “Banking” section and instructions become available. You will be required to submit
banking details to receive the funds described in your Award Letter from Mitacs.
Preparing to come to Canada
Immigration process
Please view the “Globalink Immigration Processing Resource” on the Globalink Information Website. It summarizes
the information on Canada’s immigration website that relates to the immigration process.
Please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website to find your closest visa office and
additional information about immigration.
Mitacs cannot advise you on immigration. Only lawyers, licensed Immigration Consultants, or notaries of
Quebec can provide immigration advice to non-Canadian citizens who are seeking to enter Canada.
Mitacs is not able to contact the IRCC on your behalf.
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Globalink Research Intern Handbook 2022
Booking your flight
When booking your flights, remember the following guidelines:
§ You will need to book your flight to arrive at the (major) airport closest to your host academic institution. If you are
unsure about which Canadian airport to fly into, check with a Globalink Ambassador, your mentor or travel agent.
§ Mitacs will purchase medical insurance for 2 days before your internship start date and 2 days after your internship
end date. Be aware of when your Mitacs-provided insurance begins and ends — you are responsible for
purchasing insurance for yourself for any additional time in Canada. You may wish to purchase travel or
cancellation insurance for your trip; this is different from medical insurance.
§ You are required to arrive at your host institution one or two days prior to the start of your internship so that you
have time to adjust to your new environment.
§ If Mitacs is providing you with a bursary for your flight, please keep in mind that the funds are only distributed upon
arrival. Please view details in your Award Letter.
§ Record your flight information in the Globalink Student Platform.
Accommodation
§ You will be responsible for arranging your accommodation. Helpful information and resources on accommodation
is available on the Globalink Information Website.
§ Plan to remaining at your accommodation upon arrival for at least 3 days and up to 14 days in case you are
selected for random COVID testing and have to isolate until you receive your results. You are required to have a
quarantine plan in place upon arrival in Canada, even if you do not need to quarantine. Please follow the local
health guidelines and inform your professor. Mentors can provide further assistance during your isolation period.
§ Research your accommodation of choice and ensure you are aware of all policies and procedures.
§ If you arrange accommodation in a university residence, please be aware that many residences close in early to
mid-August to prepare for the fall semester. This may require you to locate different accommodation if your
internship continues during this period.
§ Please be careful of housing scams; do your research and view our resources for tips.
Please be aware of any fees, payments, or deposits you will be required to pay upon your arrival. Mitacs
does not issue funds prior to interns’ arrival in Canada and we do not arrange housing.
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Contact Globalink fellows
Ambassadors
Before coming to Canada, we suggest you contact a Globalink Ambassador (former Globalink research interns) who
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their upcoming internship in Canada and what kinds of things to expect. These Ambassadors are volunteering their
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details on the Globalink Information Website. If there is no Ambassador at your host institution, you can contact one
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Contact your Mentor
Your Mentor’s contact information will be uploaded to the Globalink
Student Platform in mid-April and Mitacs will notify you by email when
this is available. Your Mentor will receive your contact information, so
they may reach out to you before you contact them.
Each Globalink Mentor:
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• Provides materials and information orienting you to your host institution and host city
• Provides a campus tour
• Supports your arrival by assisting you with opening a Canadian bank account
• Organizes fun social events
• Checks in with you throughout the internship
• Acts as your emergency contact in Canada
University of Alberta interns are not assigned Mentor and are provided with support through the university
directly.
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We encourage you to research and learn about your host city ahead of time, including the local transportation
system. Think of questions surrounding your city or geographical area and reach out to a Globalink Ambassador (see
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next section). Find the international student website for your host institution — these websites often include
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Mentor responsibilities
Your first communication with your Mentor over email is an opportunity to exchange contact information, provide
details of your flight, and learn about each other and your host city and institution.
Your Mentor will communicate with you to assess your transportation plan to your accommodation. If you are flying to
a nearby city or destination, discuss with your Mentor appropriate transportation to the host city and to your
accommodation. Your Mentor has knowledge about your host city and institution and can assist you, but you are
responsible for arranging your own transportation from the airport. We recommend that, when you arrive, you
have access to Canadian currency. We do not recommend keeping large sums of money in your accommodations or
on your person.
If you are required to be tested upon arrival
At the time of preparing this handbook, the Canadian Government was implementing randomized arrival testing. This
information can change at any time. You must stay informed about the most current requirements to travel to
Canada. Please follow federal and local health guidelines. If you are required to isolate upon arrival, please contact
Mitacs in case you need to delay your internship start date, your professor and your mentor. Mentors can provide
further support during your isolation period, if needed.
Introducing you to your campus
Since you will be arriving one to two days prior to the start of your internship, your Mentor will give you a tour of your
campus. Your professor will let you know where and when to meet on the first day, and your Mentor can help direct
you there.
Your Mentor will coordinate social events for you and your other Globalink colleagues. These events are a great way
of experiencing the culture of your institution, host city, and Canada!
Acting as a main point of contact
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Your Mentor will be your emergency contact. You will have their email and mobile phone number. If there is a serious
emergency, your Mentor can contact the Globalink team 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your Mentor will also
be available to answer any questions you may have and help support you with any issues that need to be dealt with.
Please note that Mentor are not required to perform any tasks that are not outlined in their contract. They
are not responsible for providing any extra transportation or other expenses unless they choose to do so
at their own discretion.
Mentor answer questions relating to life in your host city. For questions relating to your internship or the
support provided by Mitacs (such as funds), please contact the Globalink Research Internship team
directly at helpdesk@mitacs.ca.
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and reimbursements during your internship. We do not issue funds prior to interns’ arrival in Canada and we do not
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To receive your funds, you must open a bank account upon arrival in Canada. Your Mentor will help you find a branch
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More information on how to open a bank account can be found on the Globalink Information Website. You must
provide the account information and a copy of a direct deposit form with your banking details to Mitacs in the
Globalink Student Platform “Banking” section.
You will receive an email detailing when you will receive funds, based on the internship start date you provided in
March. Please note that it can take up to two weeks for funds to be deposited into your account. When arriving in
Canada, you should have access to enough money to last until you receive your first Mitacs funds.
Mitacs cannot provide funds earlier than the dates communicated to you; please be aware of any initial costs/deposits
you will be required to pay before receiving your funds from Mitacs.
More information is available on the Globalink Information Website.
Student Fees
Please see the Mitacs Globalink Student Fee Policy on the Globalink Information Website. All interns are provided a
$300 stipend to be used towards any student fees charged by the host institution. This is a set amount provided to all
interns regardless of cost and Mitacs does not reimburse student fee costs above $300. For any questions relating to
student fees, please contact your host institution.
Taxation
After arriving in Canada, please apply for and do your best to provide a Canadian personal taxation number (ITN,
TTN, or SIN) to Mitacs before you leave. This should be inputted and saved in the Globalink Student Platform’s
“Taxation” section. See the Globalink Information website for more information on taxation numbers.
Medical Insurance
Please review the Mitacs Globalink Health Insurance Policy on the Globalink Information Website. The Globalink
team will purchase medical insurance for you on your behalf. This is mandatory for all interns and will cover
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emergency medical needs during your time in Canada. It does not include travel insurance, which you can obtain
separately.
Details of this insurance will be provided in April.
If your host institution has a mandatory health insurance plan, please “opt-out” using your Mitacs-provided health
insurance.
If your “opt-out” request is rejected, please notify Mitacs by email.
Emergency Contact Information
In order for us to assist you, it is critical that you provide Mitacs with your emergency contact information. Please
update your emergency contact details (a family member or friend in your home country) on the Globalink
Student Platform.
Your Mentor is your emergency contact in Canada — keep their phone number with you at all times. If you require
emergency assistance in Canada, call 9-1-1.
Mitacs Training & Events
Throughout your internship, you will be invited to participate in online professional development courses and
webinars offered by Mitacs. We strongly encourage you to attend as many of these events and courses as possible.
EDGE: Events Hub
The “My Courses” Events Hub will be your destination for viewing all the upcoming virtual programming available to
you this summer. Commonly referred to as ‘EDGE’, this online portal will give you access to courses, workshops,
events, and much more! Instructions on accessing EDGE, how to use EDGE, and how to register for upcoming
events will be emailed to you before the start of your internship. Below, we have outlined some of the types of events
you will have access to starting in May:
1) Mitacs-led Events
This year, Mitacs will be hosting our own array of virtual events specially tailored to the needs of GRI participants.
These 1-2 hour sessions may include:
• Demonstrations of Canadian innovation or research projects
• Question & Answer panels with resident experts and research leads
• Open discussions on careers in the field of research
• Presentations on exciting future directions for research, development, and innovation that some of our
partners are pursuing
• Networking events
All Mitacs-led events will be free for GRI participants, so register for as many of these as you like! You can view
upcoming events and register when the EDGE Events Hub is launched in May.
2) Mitacs-Curated Events
Mitacs has been building a list of engaging, innovative, and fun virtual events for you to attend throughout the
summer. These events will cover a breadth of topics, from business to engineering, or offer you the chance to interact
with Canadian industry partners. These events will be promoted in EDGE, and registration instructions will be emailed
to you prior to your internship. Please note: these events are not be facilitated by Mitacs.
Curated events fall into two categories:
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Free Events
You can register for as many of these events as you’d like! If any of these events occur during your internship hours,
please remember to check with your professor that your attendance will not interfere with your work.
Ticketed Events
As a GRI participant, you have an events allowance of up to $200. You may spend this $200 how you would like. For
example: you could attend one event with a total cost of $200, or you could attend four events at $50 each ($200
overall total). The choice is yours!
Note: Mitacs will register and pay for tickets on your behalf. You DO NOT need to purchase tickets yourself. Please
allow up to 15 business days for processing. It is your responsibility to ensure you are registering for events with us
before ticket purchase deadlines. More instructions will be sent you before the start of your internship.
3) Professional Development Courses
You will also have access to a catalogue of online professional development courses and webinars offered by Mitacs.
These courses are designed exclusively for Mitacs and are a valuable resource for improving on and developing new
skills.
Midterm Survey
You will receive a midterm survey during your internship. This is the first of two surveys. Completion of both surveys
is a mandatory component of the program and is required for successful completion of your internship.
Leaving Canada
Airport Departure
Your Mentor will not travel with you to the airport for your departure. You can ask them for advice and tips on the best
way to travel to the airport.
Exit Survey
Your feedback is important to us! You will be sent the second and final survey to fill out after the program cycle
concludes. Completion of this survey is a mandatory component of the program.
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Certificate of Completion
Interns who complete their internship will receive a Certificate of Completion from Mitacs signifying this
accomplishment.
To receive the certificate, you must complete the deliverables of your project as stated on the Research Project Plan
in the Globalink Student Platform, and you must have completed both the midterm and final exit surveys sent you by
Mitacs. These are mandatory components of the program and are required for successful completion.
Globalink Graduate Fellowships
Since its launch in 2009, Mitacs Globalink has attracted top undergraduate students from around the world to Canada
for a summer research internship. As a result of the program’s success pairing them with Canadian faculty members,
Mitacs is helping these talented students pursue additional educational and research opportunities in Canada through
the Globalink Graduate Fellowship.
This is a $15,000 award is available to Globalink Research Internship alumni who wish to pursue a graduate program
in Canada. Please visit the website for more information.
Ambassadors
You too can become a Globalink Ambassador and guide students as they prepare for their internships! Indicate your
interest when you complete your exit survey.
On behalf of the Globalink Research Internship team, we look forward
to welcoming you to Canada this summer!
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