Getting Here
Address
2275 Bayview Avenue
Toronto Ontario M4N 3M6
We do not arrange pick-up or drop-off services to or from the airport, train station, or bus terminal. Please note that participants are responsible for the cost of travel from their point of arrival to the Glendon campus.
Please note that participants are responsible for the cost of travel from their point of arrival to the Glendon campus and vice versa, this includes any emergency transportation required during the duration of the program. All participants are responsible for their travel costs and must pay all outstanding amounts by the end of the program, a failure to complete payment will result in deductions of a participant’s security deposit.
The campus is a short bus ride away from Lawrence Station, located on the TTC’s yellow, Yonge-University subway line.
On arrival at the Lawrence subway station, go up to street level from Ranleigh Avenue (northbound) and walk south towards the Lawerence Avenue exit to the bus stop outside the Toronto Public Library (Locke branch), which is temporarily closed. The 124 bus from Sunnybrook Hospital (eastbound) and the 162 bus from Lawrence-Donway (eastbound) will take you within walking distance of Glendon’s main entrance. The stop sign is “306 Lawrence Avenue East-York University-Toronto French School”. You’ll see the main entrance to the campus just over the bridge.
We recommend purchasing a TTC Presto card for greater convenience while using the public transportation system. Presto cards can be bought and loaded at vending machines located in subway stations. Visit their site for more information regarding prices.
For more information about the TTC, visit their website.
Please make sure you specify the Glendon Campus address (2275 Bayview Avenue) when choosing the location as there are multiple York University campuses.
When it comes to Uber Eats, it's important to make it clear in the notes that delivery is made to the Glendon campus, as they can get lost easily. Please specify the residence you are located at and drop your location on the residence itself, or for better accuracy indicate the first seen building on campus which is all glass and white located in the roundabout.
If you are planning to bring a vehicle, please visit the parking services website to find more information about rates and to purchase a permit.
On the designated move-in and move-out days all cars are to be parked in a designated parking lot, fire routes and roads through the campus are prohibited for parking as they emergency fire route. Paid Parking is enforced.
Arrival and Departure
Please contact us by email at explore@glendon.yorku.ca to confirm availability and rates for early arrivals.
Regrettably, extended accommodations are not available for any of our programs. Students are required to leave their residence room on move-out day.
Move-in dates: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Please note:
- Designated arrival times are between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
- Meals are not provided during move-in day.
Check-in procedures upon arrival at the Glendon campus:
- Find the table in the Centre of Excellence (COE) that corresponds with your program (FSL or ESL) and the first letter of your last name;
- You will be asked by the monitor to show your photo identification card;
- You will receive the following documents:
-
- Campus map
- Wi-Fi username and password
- QR Code for Glendon Explore Linktree
- Day 1 Schedule
- Monthly program calendar
- Lanyard
- YU Guest Card (for laundry and printing)
- TTC map
- Important Contacts and Services
- You will receive your residence key and key card in an envelope with your name; which MUST be returned at the end of the program on move-out day.
Move-out dates: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Please note:
- Only breakfast will be provided on move-out day.
- Any damages, lost property, or unnecessary service costs caused by a participant to the residence through neglect, accident or intent will be charged to the participant(s) involved using the security deposit. Please refer to your program agreement and Housing agreement as well as the following policy on Registration Fee and Security Deposit Payments
Check-out procedure:
- Pack up all your personal belongings from the room
- Leave the room before 11:00 AM
- Return your residence key, key card, and YU Guest Cards to the monitor in the Explore Office, located in A112.
Accommodation and Facilities
Hilliard and Wood Residences offer traditional dormitory-style rooms available as single and double accommodations. Every effort will be made to place you in a single room as most of the rooms in the Glendon residences are single occupancy. Each room is furnished with one single bed, desk, dresser, garbage bin and chair. Washroom facilities and common rooms are shared by members of each floor. Once per week, participants will have the opportunity to have their loose bed sheets and pillowcase changed by leaving them outside their rooms on a respective day for each house and floor. Linens will be provided (such as a pillow with a pillowcase, one fitted sheet, 2 loose sheets, a brown cotton (heavier) blanket, and a green loose top cover upon arrival) however, for maximum comfort, students are welcome to bring their own pillows and linens if desired. Communal laundry facilities are also available in each residence. Please note that residences are not air conditioned, so bringing a fan is recommended.
For more information about Glendon’s residences, feel free to visit their website.
Note: If you would like to share a room with another participant, we ask that BOTH parties email us to indicate their preference. If you would like to indicate a single room preference, please email us.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided to you for each day of the program at the Glendon cafeteria. The menu is varied and includes vegetarian, vegan, and halal options (buffet style).
Mealtimes:
- Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- Lunch:12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
- Dinner: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Participants requiring dietary accommodations due to reasons other than severe food allergies or health conditions that are medically documented must personally cover the costs of meal supplements. Most dietary and religious food restrictions are accommodated. If you choose to eat off campus, you are not eligible for any type of reimbursement. Please communicate all dietary restrictions and allergies within the Optional Medical/Accommodation Information Form in the Registration Package.
Note: Regrettably, participants are not permitted to have access to a kitchen under any circumstance. If you require access to a kitchen, kindly consider seeking admission at another institution.
The Leslie Frost Library houses a remarkable collection of more than 300,000 documents in French, English, and Spanish, including a vast assortment of electronic resources. Individual desks and computer workstations provide quiet study spaces.
The Glendon Athletic Club (GAC) is a 55,000-square-foot full-use fitness facility located within the Glendon Campus. Facilities, such as the pool, exercise rooms, gymnasium, weight room, etc. are available to use.
Steps for purchasing an Explore-GAC membership:
- Create an account on the member portal.
- Click on “Memberships (New).”
- Select “Explore Student Membership.”
- Click “checkout.”
Membership Price
$60 + tax
Laundry machines are available in both residence buildings. Participants will need a YU Guest Card to pay for the machines. Participants will be given a YU Guest Card on their first day. If they lose this card more than once, they will need to purchase another one for $5.00.Please return the card at the end of the program, so we can properly recycle them.
Participants are responsible for bringing their own laundry supplies (detergent, etc.). The washing machines can accept liquid or powder detergents (laundry pods are not permitted).
Price to use the washer: $1.75
Price to use the dryer: $1.50
The Glendon Explore Program is managed by the Glendon Continuing Education office (T: 416-487-6708). They will take messages and let participants use their telephone line only in case of emergency. The office will be open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every day.
Free Wi-Fi access is available 24 hours per day. Explore participants are also permitted to access computers on campus. A personal username and password will be provided to you upon arrival and is the same username and password used to login into the Wi-Fi.
The Monitor On-Duty phone will be on 24/7 for the duration of the program serving as a hotline for participants to call in the case of an emergency. The number will be shared once arrived on campus.
Mail will be available for pick up at the Explore office daily.
All personal correspondence must be addressed as follows:
*Participant’s First and Last Names*
Explore Program, Glendon Campus, York University
York Hall A112
2275 Bayview Avenue
Toronto ON M4N 3M6
Program Overview
Prior to arrival, all Explore participants will receive an email with directions to follow for an online placement test. The results of their placement test will help our team determine their language level, so that they can be placed in a class of appropriate level. We ensure that every participant is placed in a class that reflects their level of ability in English or French. Final changes will occur during the first week of the program, after that students are expected to stay in their established class.
Morning classes and afternoon workshops and seminars run from Monday to Friday. These are a mandatory and integral part of the program. Morning classes focus on developing your skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Afternoon workshops and seminars focus on speaking and listening to improve conversational skills as well as time to apply the skills learned during class time.
For the duration of the program, there will be mandatory events/activities such as a scavenger hunt around Toronto, origami night, the speed friending event, among others. These activities aim to enhance language learning, familiarize participants with the city and create connections between participants.
Participants will benefit from participating in scheduled social activities that begin when classroom learning ends. They take place in the afternoon, evening and on weekends, and are all included in the program at no additional fee. Activities include movie nights, dance lessons, sports, talent shows, etc.
Participants are encouraged to participate in the numerous trips we take to fun and exciting destinations and attractions across the city and beyond! Trips vary by program, but some examples include:
- Niagara Falls
- Canoe Trip in Toronto Islands
- Blue Jays Game (Baseball)
- Toronto Zoo
- Toronto Football Club Game
- CN Tower
- Canada’s Wonderland
- Ripley’s Aquarium
Packing List
- Highly recommended: Cell phone with calling capability (while the Explore office and monitors will have access to a telephone, we recommend that students come equipped with a personal cell phone on which they are able to make/receive calls)
- Phone charger
- Debit card or credit card
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito/insect repellent (for the outdoors)
- Pain/fever reducers (Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
- Allergy medications (Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, etc.)
- Stomach remedies (Pepto Bismol, Imodium, Tums, etc.)
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
- Shower products (shampoo, body wash, etc.)
- Tissues/wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Feminine hygiene products
Please note: Explore staff are not permitted to administer medications of any sorts.
- Athletic clothes
- Bathing suit
- Hat
- Jacket
- Semi-formal wear for specific events (banquet, etc.)
- Please remember to bring clothes for different weather conditions – layering pieces are recommended. Activities will be conducted both indoors and outdoors.
- Participants are highly encouraged to come prepared to participate in the following theme days: Sports/jersey Day, PJ Day, Retro Day, Twin Day
- Shower flip-flops
- Sandals
- Sneakers
- Dress shoes (for events)
- Fan (please note that there is no air conditioning in residence)
- Towels
- Refillable water bottle
- Umbrella
- Coat hangers
- Entertainment items: books, board games, etc.
- Pillows (although Glendon Housing will provide pillows for the duration of your stay, it is recommended that you bring your own for maximum comfort. Bed sheets and a comforter will be provided.)
- Laundry detergent
- Notebook and paper
- Pens and pencils
- Highly recommended laptop or tablet (with charger)
Frequently Asked Questions
For the safety, security, and comfort of all participants, bringing guests (defined as individuals not enrolled in the Explore program) into the Glendon residences is strictly prohibited, with the exception of designated move-in and move-out days. During these times, guests are allowed only in common areas, not within individual residence spaces.
Students have reported spending anywhere from $250 to $500 on the optional social and cultural activities we offer, as well as other personal expenses.
For your convenience, there is an automatic bank machine (CIBC) located by the main entrance of the cafeteria.
We unfortunately do not sell travel insurance. If a participant gets sick during their time with us, there are monitors on duty 24 hours per day to assist as required. If a participant require a hospital visit, Sunnybrook Hospital and North York General Hospital are located within proximity to campus.
All Canadian participants are asked to bring their health cards. If a participant is travelling to Ontario from outside of the province, we highly recommend that they contact their provincial healthcare provider to find out if their health insurance covers them while in Ontario.
International students are encouraged to purchase their own travel health insurance.
All weekend activities are optional.
There will be 1-2 mandatory activities during the week, which will be indicated on the program and weekly schedules.
For directions to our campus, please visit our website.
To see what our residence rooms look like, please visit the Glendon Housing website.
Each room includes a twin bed with a mattress, a desk and chair, a closet/wardrobe, a dresser, as well as waste and recycling bins. Linens will be provided; however, we recommend you bring your own pillow for maximum comfort. As the residences are not air-conditioned, we recommend that you bring a fan. Access to the residence is restricted and you will be provided with an access card.
Laundry rooms are located inside the residence buildings. You will be provided with a card to which funds can be loaded to pay for machine use. Please note that you are responsible for bringing your own liquid or powder laundry detergent (laundry pods are not permitted).
All participants must reside on our campus for the duration of the Program unless exceptional arrangements have been made with the program coordinator or director before the start of the program. If you choose to live or to eat off campus, you would not be eligible to receive any cash or refund for commuting expenses.
Yes, you can bring your car. Paid parking is available on campus.
For more information on prices, and availability, or to buy a permit online, please visit York’s Parking Services’ website.
Yes, all participants can purchase a membership to the Glendon Athletic Club (GAC).
Steps for purchasing an Explore-GAC membership:
- Create an account on the member portal.
- Click on “Memberships (New).”
- Select “Explore Student Membership.”
- Click “checkout.”
Membership Price
$60 + tax
Yes. While participants will have busy mornings and afternoons during the week, they will have some downtime during the evenings and on weekends.
Yes, Glendon has a security office that is available 24/7. Security performs rounds of campus buildings and closely monitors our campus for any safety, behavioural, and/or maintenance issues.
Mail will be required to be picked up by participants at the Explore Office, York Hall A112.
All personal correspondence must be addressed as follows:
*Participant’s First and Last Names*
Explore Program, Glendon Campus, York University
York Hall A112
2275 Bayview Avenue
Toronto ON M4N 3M6
Only urgent phone messages can be left during office hours at: (416)-487-6708 and we will make sure that students receive them. Our office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Please check out the above Packing List for some ideas on what to bring with you.
Participants who successfully complete the Explore programs will receive a certificate of completion. The Explore certificates will indicate the participant's language proficiency level and mark. Although this is a non-credit program, many institutions will elect to grant credit to those who have completed the program at Glendon.
Receiving university/college credits for attending the Explore program is at the discretion of your home institution. We ask that you check in with your institution’s academic services to get further information.
I need an official transcript. How can I get one? How much is it? Does it include a program outline?
To request a transcript, kindly complete the request form and payment here.
Please note that you may request either or both an unofficial and/or official transcript. Unofficial transcripts are sent to your home address, while official transcripts are sealed and mailed to your educational institution (University/College/Cégep).
The courses we offer under Continuing Education, including the Explore program, are not York credit courses. Therefore, the final decision regarding credit transfers depends on your institution.
The processing fees of a transcript is as follows:
$15 for one transcript (unofficial or official) and an additional $2 for any requested additional copies.
Transcripts are printed once a week and may take up to seven (7) days from initial order to be mailed.
Yes, participants will have access to free Wi-Fi on campus. They are welcome to bring a personal laptop or tablet. There are also communal computers available in certain common spaces on campus, as well as in campus computer labs.
Yes, we recommend participants bring their instruments. We also invite them to share their artistic skills in our talent show and jam sessions!