International Commons

The International Commons is a welcoming space on the main floor of the Mearns Centre for Learning - McPherson Library where UVic students can study and connect.

Conversation Cafés

Conversation Cafés provide opportunities to practice your skills in a variety of languages.

The following sessions are hosted by academic units and are open to all UVic students, faculty and staff on a drop-in basis, regardless of language proficiency:

Mandarin Conversation Café

Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm during 2019 second term

Cornett Building B112

For more information, contact Dr. Xiaojuan Qian at xiaojuan@uvic.ca

Spanish Conversation Café

Wednesdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm during 2019 second term

McPherson Library 151b

For more information, contact Rosa Stewart at rls@uvic.ca

Japanese Conversation Café

Tuesdays from 2:30pm to 4:00pm during 2019 second term

McPherson Library A025

For more information, contact Mika Kimura at mkimura@uvic.ca

The following sessions are hosted by the Centre for Academic Communication (CAC) and are open to all UVic students with English as an additional language who want to improve their ability to communicate in English within an academic context:

English Conversation Café

Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm during 2019 second term

University Centre 104 (Welcome Centre)

Please contact Gillian Saunders at eal1@uvic.ca to register

Academic Support

The International Commons is one of many resources that are designed to support your academic success.

Academic Advising

Academic advising services provide guidance with respect to satisfying the components that are required to complete your program of study. Undergraduate students should contact the appropriate academic adviser. Graduate students should contact the appropriate graduate adviser or graduate secretary.

Centre for Academic Communication

The Centre for Academic Communication (CAC) can help you improve your skills in reading, writing, speaking, and pronunciation. They can also help you understand academic expectations in the UVic context.

Centre for Accessible Learning

The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) supports students who need academic accommodations to address barriers to their education. They also offer a Learning Strategist Program.

Learning Commons

The Learning Commons is an active, collaborative, and inclusive learning environment where you can access a dynamic mixture of workshops, work space, research help, instruction, and tutoring.

More information

To learn more about the International Commons, please visit or contact the International Student Centre.