- Applying to UBC
- Admission requirements
- English language competencyIndigenous admissionsHow to applyAfter you’ve applied
UBC Okanagan International Peers
All international students who are new to UBC Okanagan students are automatically connected with an International Peer. Your International Peer is an upper-year student who is your UBC Okanagan campus expert, and is here to answer all your questions about UBC. They’ll be your first stop for advice, discovering how to access campus resources, and helping you enhance your study skills ready for your classes.
What to expect from your International Peer
Your International Peer is a current student in your new faculty, and they’re your first point of contact to share faculty- and program-specific information about your upcoming UBC experience. They’re here to share their experiences as an international student living in Canada and Kelowna to help you learn more about studying at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
Your International Peer is on hand to help with:
- Faculty- and program-specific information and highlights
- The international student experience in Canada and Kelowna
- How to prepare for studying at UBC’s Okanagan campus
- Tips, tricks, and helpful hints they’ve learned as a student
- Sharing upcoming events and opportunities for involvement at UBC Okanagan
- Support for when you face a challenge, or want to learn about opportunities for growth
- Learning about student clubs and associations, and campus life
- Student housing and life in residence
- Your Jump Start and Create orientation programs
The 2026 International Peers
Read about our amazing team of International Peers and get inspired by their stories.
Krisalyn A.
Faculty of Health and Social Development – Nursing
Pronouns: She/her
Email: krisalyn.ariesandy@ubc.ca
Zoom appointments available upon request.
Krisalyn is a fourth-year Nursing student from Jakarta, Indonesia. She chose UBC Okanagan and Canada because of its welcoming, friendly, diverse, and supportive community. Receiving the Outstanding International Student Award finalized her decision to attend UBC.
So far, she’s been loving her time at UBC Okanagan while exploring other activities around Kelowna, and getting involved with student events. She is excited about finishing her studies and obtaining her Nursing degree soon.
Outside of her academics, Krisalyn can be found in the Hangar at the UBC Okanagan Athletic facility, and in the summer time enjoying the many local lakes and beaches.
Rosine I.
Faculty of Applied Science, School of Engineering
Pronouns: She/her
Email: rosine.izerumukiza@ubc.ca
Zoom appointments available upon request.
Rosine is a fourth-year Civil Engineering student from Rwanda, East Africa. She chose UBC Okanagan for its close-knit community, career development opportunities, and supportive campus resources. Rosine is a recipient of the International Impact Award, part of UBC’s International Scholars Program (ISP).
Rosine enjoys volunteering on and off campus through UBCO’s Get Involved program and has held different roles at UBCO including Senior Orientation Leader for Jumpstart, Student Connector with the Student Experience Office, and Transition Mentor with the ISP. She’s currently working as a co-op student at Vancouver International Airport, Airside Engineering Projects.
Beyond academics, she enjoys lakeside strolling, playing volleyball, and catching up with friends and family. Rosine’s favourite time of year in Kelowna is the fall when the leaves change colour.
Garvin L.
Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
Pronouns: He/him
Email: garvin.leblanc@ubc.ca
Zoom appointments available upon request.
Garvin is a fourth-year Visual Arts student from the Commonwealth of Dominica. He chose UBCO for its smaller campus size, close proximity to nature, and the opportunity to study art in a foreign country.
Garvin is very involved in campus life and has volunteered with the Get Involved program, Alumni UBC, and the Student Okanagan Film Festival. Garvin is also a member of the African Caribbean Student Club and the UBCO Peer Support Network. Garvin is currently working on his Capstone project in the Visual Arts program.
Outside of school, Garvin enjoys hiking different trails around Kelowna. He also plays squash in a local league off campus and enjoys playing football, volleyball, and going on photo walks.
Watch Garvin, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Day in the Life
Akiffarhan L.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Pronouns: Any
Email: akiffarhan.lutpi@ubc.ca
Zoom appointments available upon request.
Akif is a first-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) student aiming to major in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). He chose UBCO not only because it hosts one of the top PPE undergraduate programs in Canada but also for its close-knit community, which allows him to better connect with people and make the best use of the various resources it offers. As someone who prefers a slow-paced environment, they believe a mid-sized campus like UBCO provides many opportunities that will enhance their skills and personal growth.
Outside of academics, Akif is a secretary of the Southeast Asian Club (SEAC) and the Malaysian Students Association (MySA). They work with people of diverse backgrounds to organize cultural events that are free and inclusive to everyone on campus. Through these clubs, he gained so many invaluable experiences and managed to get to know other students whom he might not have met otherwise.
Akif is passionate about politics and pop culture. He loves to go thrifting and exploring the hidden gems in Kelowna in his free time. They also enjoy music, poetry and watching movies. With an eagerness to learn and help others in ways that he can, he is looking forward to what the next few years at UBCO have in store for him.
Watch Akif, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Day in the Life
Lentle M.
Faculty of Science
Pronouns: She/her
Email: lentle.moloi@ubc.ca
Zoom appointments available upon request.
Lentle is a fourth-year Data Science student who is currently working as a Data Analyst intern at Geotab through UBCO’s co-op program. She came to Canada independently from Botswana to pursue her studies. She was drawn to UBC Okanagan because of its welcoming, close-knit community and the exciting opportunity to be part of its newly introduced Data Science program.
She loves how UBCO allows her to build meaningful one-on-one connections with her professors and appreciates the incredible opportunities available on campus. She was honoured to receive the Outstanding International Student Award, and has been actively involved as an Orientation Leader with Jumpstart and a volunteer for the annual Career Fair.
Through these experiences, Lentle has enjoyed helping others feel at home at UBC Okanagan, just as students had helped her in her transition to campus.
Spencer L.
Health and Exercise Sciences
Pronouns: He/him
Email: spencer.liu@ubc.ca
Zoom appointments available upon request.
Spencer is a second-year Health and Exercise Science (HES) student from Taiwan. He was originally drawn to UBC Okanagan for its unique HES program that aligns with his aspirations. Spencer is passionate about exploring the intersections of health, fitness, and human performance. With an interest in understanding the science behind movement and well-being, he hopes to engage in hands-on learning, research opportunities, and community initiatives that enhance his academic journey. Spencer looks forward to applying his knowledge to help others improve their health and performance while growing as a student and future professional in the field.
Coming from a hot country like Taiwan, one thing about Kelowna that Spencer loves is being able to experience snow. He is an accomplished piano player and loves to spend time playing on campus in the theatre or the University Centre events space. His favourite space on campus is the Arts Atrium for its abundance of plants and tranquil study environment. Spencer also has a passion for baseball, and is eager to find more opportunities to play when the weather warms up.
Former International Peer Tomi Sobowale had several interactions with Spencer that helped prepare him for the transition to life at UBC Okanagan, and he aspires to do the same for others.
Watch: Spencer, Health and Exercise Sciences Day in the Life
Tanya S.
Faculty of Management
Pronouns: She/her
Email: tanya.shah@ubc.ca
Zoom appointments available upon request.
Tanya is a fifth-year student from Tokyo, Japan, pursuing a Bachelor of Management with a minor in Psychology at UBC Okanagan. Coming from a large, fast-paced city like Tokyo, Tanya was drawn to UBC Okanagan for its close-knit campus community, the beautiful nature surroundings, and the opportunity to experience a very different pace of life.
Tanya has completed her co-op terms working as a Marketing and Career Development Assistant at UBC Okanagan, where she supported event planning, content promotion, and student engagement initiatives, and as a HR Coordinator at Troika Developments, where she assisted with recruitment processes, onboarding, and internal coordination.
In addition to her co-op experience, Tanya has held several campus leadership roles. Currently, she is serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for COMM 202: Career Fundamentals, where she supports students through workshops, feedback, and career-related guidance. She also served as an Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Business Students, leading the planning and execution of a national business conference, and as Vice President of Events for the Management Student Association (MSA), where she coordinated professional and social events to strengthen student engagement within the Faculty of Management.
Tanya is excited to serve as an International Peer and support incoming international students as they transition to life at UBC Okanagan. Drawing from her own experiences as an international student, she is passionate about helping others feel supported, connected, and confident throughout their university journey.
Additional resources
Browse additional resources for International students to help you learn more about registering for courses, finding resources, and planning your future.
You’ve registered for your courses, now what? Download the handbook.
Download the UBC Co-op Program 101 Handbook
Top Concerns of International Students
You can also watch our YouTube series on the top concerns of international students:
Maintaining Grades & Accessing Supplementary Academic Supports
Get to know our programs
Insights into UBC’s Faculty of Creative & Critical Studies
First year classes in the Faculty of Science