Get ready for UBC life

UBC is a welcoming community that values diversity and is dedicated to equity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. Whether you’re from Coquitlam or Cartagena, Tokyo or Toronto, dozens of welcome events help you explore campus and make friends.

Choose a campus:

Vancouver
Okanagan

Okanagan campus

On this page:

Welcome events
Orientations
Campus tours
Campus community

Welcome events

Get excited for what’s sure to be an amazing year by attending one of our upcoming welcome events. This is the perfect time to learn more about UBC and meet some future peers.

Spring

UBC Welcomes You

All students

UBC Welcomes You is a one-hour online event to congratulate those who received a first-round offer of admission to UBC’s Okanagan campus. You’ll celebrate with current students from both campuses, have the chance to win prizes, and hear from some of UBC’s top students including our Loran Scholars.

Spring

Indigenous Welcome

Indigenous students

If you are a First Nations, Métis, or an Inuit high school student in Canada, the Indigenous Welcome is your chance to visit campus and connect with the Indigenous community before classes start. You’ll get advice on transitioning to university, and connect with current students in your faculty who can share helpful tips.

Spring

Destination UBC

Canadian students

Destination UBC is a full-day informational event on our Okanagan campus where you’ll get your questions answered, connect with the UBC community, and start preparing for life as a UBC student before you arrive in the fall.

Orientations

During your first week on campus, there will be plenty to do and see. Our orientation events are a great chance to connect with classmates and get the lay of the land.

Late August to early September

Jump Start

All students

Jump Start is open to all first-year students coming to UBC from high school. Whether you are an international or domestic student, whether you plan to live on or off campus, Jump Start is for you. Registration opens in the spring and fills up fast!

Early September

Indigenous student orientation

Indigenous students

Connect with other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students as you get to know your campus and get ready for an exciting school year ahead.

Early September

Create

All students

Start your first day of university on the right foot. Join your Orientation Leader as they lead you and a group of your classmates to meet your Dean, tour your campus, and discover more than 100 resources, clubs, and groups.

Early September

Week of Welcome

All students

Get to know your campus through a week-long series of events, workshops, and activities designed to welcome back returning students and introduce new students to UBC’s programs and services.

Campus tours

A great way to get a feel for UBC before you arrive is to take a campus tour, which are led by current UBC students. They’ll take you to some of their favourite spots to study, work up a sweat, and relax between classes, and show you the best parts of the campus before your first day.

Learn more

Campus community

Foster a sense of a home away from home. Participate in clubs, join an athletic team, or seek out one of our many on-campus support centres.

Clubs and societies

Are you a budding speed walker or avid tea drinker? Do you love anime or want to try photography? UBC Okanagan has more than 150 clubs and course unions for you to get involved with. Take a look at some of the clubs on offer before arriving on campus.

Sports and recreation

You don’t have to be a star athlete to stay active at UBC Okanagan. Join an intramural team or a recreational league, or take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities and year-round programming at locations like the Hangar Fitness and Wellness Centre, UBC Okanagan Gym, or Nonis Sports Field.

Indigenous community

If you’re a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student, you can visit the Indigenous Center to meet other Indigenous students, or speak with staff to connect with campus services like tutoring, financial advising, or wellness programming.

International community

If you’re an international student, or just interested in exploring other cultures, there are places on campus where you can gather to exchange ideas. Visit the International Programs and Services office to have any questions about living in Canada answered, or check out the Global Collegium to socialize with other students from overseas.

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