Family & Friends

Preparing for Campus

Helpful Resources


New student checklist

To help them prepare, we’ve compiled a new student checklist of all the important things they need to do before they arrive, including information about tuition and finances, residence and housing, course registration, and more. International students must also complete all immigration documentation.

Checking in (residence students)

Find instructions for our Halifax and Truro campus residences.

Temporary accommodations

Moving your student to Halifax or Truro? Visit Places to Stay on the official Nova Scotia Tourism website. You can also visit Discover Halifax for tips on how to fully experience Halifax—things to do, festivals, where to eat, family fun, and more. 

Family members of international students moving to Canada

Family members of international students can choose to move to Canada to be with their student during their students. Information about Temporary Resident Visas, Visitor Permits, Work Permits, and more can be found on our International Centre website. 

Getting around campus

To familiarize yourself with all of the buildings on your campus, visit the Campus Maps page. 

Register for New to Dal orientation sessions

You are invited to attend prospective student events throughout the year and our family & friends orientation in the late summer. Students are also strongly encouraged to register for other orientation sessions available to them as a way to meet other new students, learn more about the campus and all that Dalhousie has to offer (registration for New to Dal orientation is available in June).

Family & Friends orientation events

Fall 2024 Schedule


These New to Dal Family & Friends events for family & friends are designed to provide student supporters with information as to how they can best support their student’s transition to university. Finding the right balance between helping your student and letting them figure things out on their own is challenging for many parents and other supporters. Drop in to learn about some of the resources that the university has to support them.

Family & Friends Event Schedule:

Date Time Event     Details
Thursday, August 29 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Friends & Family Coffee Break

Location: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Lobby

Sending off your child or friend to university?Drop in for some coffee and refreshments afterward to learn about some of the resources that the university has to support them.
Friday, August 30 8:00 to 10:45 a.m. Able@Dal Family & Friends Session

Location: Killam Library (Room 2600)

This presentation is for Family and Friends of Dalhousie students registered with the Accessibility Centre. Hosted by Access Advisors, Faculty, and staff, this live and recorded session will introduce you to common first-year transitions and helpful campus resources. We encourage you to attend in order to get information about the best ways to help and support first year at Dalhousie students. Recording will be uploaded after event.
Friday, August 30 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Friends & Family Coffee Break

Location: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Lobby

Sending off your child or friend to university?Drop in for some coffee and refreshments afterward to learn about some of the resources that the university has to support them.
Friday, August 30 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.  First in Family Welcome

Location: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building (Room 1020)

Are you among the first in your family to attend university? Is your child or friend the first person to attend university? Come to our First in the Family Welcome, hosted by Dalhousie Student Success. Meet other First-Generation students and their families, make connections, and learn about resources available to you.