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- Admission requirements
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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 will be a current student in your new faculty, and they’re your first port of call to share faculty- and program-specific information that will help with your upcoming UBC experience. They’re here to share their experiences as an international student living in Canada and Kelowna to help you decide whether you’d like to study at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
Your International Peer is on hand to help with:
- 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
- Faculty- and program-specific information and highlights
- Your Jump Start and Create orientation programs
- The international student experience in Canada and Kelowna
The 2023 International Peers
Read about our amazing team of International Peers and get inspired by their stories.
The 2024 International Peers will be selected in January 2024.
Kalidas Vinod
Faculty of Applied Science
Pronouns: He/him
Kalidas is a first-year student from India in the Faculty of Applied Science and plans to specialize in Mechanical Engineering next year. He chose UBC Okanagan for its international and diverse community and its vibrant campus. He is a recipient of the International Major Entrance Scholarship and Outstanding International Student Award. He is a member of the Society of Scholars at UBCO and active participant in intramural campus sports.
Watch a day in the life of Kalidas
Ziv Wei
Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
Pronouns: He/him
Ziv is a third-year student from China, majoring in Fine Art and minoring in Art History. He chose UBC’s Okanagan campus for its exceptional academic resources, supportive community, and relaxing environment that inspires his creative work. He is also a caring member of the community, volunteering at the Alternator Center for Contemporary Art and donating artworks annually to support fundraising event for students. His artistic talents have been recognized in galleries across Canada and China through multiple exhibitions.
Watch a day in the life of Ziv
Maeve Hlaing
Faculty of Science
Pronouns: She/her
Maeve is a third-year student from Myanmar (Burma), majoring in Psychology and minoring in Statistics. She chose UBC Okanagan for its close-knit community, diversity, and scenic views. Furthermore, during her admission, she received the Outstanding International Student Award, sealing her decision to accept UBC’s offer. She is currently in the Co-op Program working as an HR Assistant with one of Kelowna’s tech companies.
Watch a day in the life of co-op student Maeve
Raneem Zaitoun
Faculty of Management
Pronouns: She/her
Raneem is a fourth-year student from the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and Canada (Ottawa), majoring in Business Management and minoring in Economics. She spent two years at UBC Vancouver pursuing an Arts degree before moving to UBCO to pursue a Bachelor of Management degree. Raneem chose UBC Okanagan for the close-knit community, hiking trails, and academic value her degree brings. At university, she has worked as a digital director under the Management Student Association, and secretary general of UBC MUN. She has taken part in UBC’s Go Global exchange program where she spent a semester abroad in Glasgow, Scotland. Outside of university, she is engaged in entrepreneurship, various fields of business, NGOs and research.
Watch a day in the life of Raneem
Ayanfe Idowu
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Ayanfe is a third-year student, majoring in Economics. She spent eighteen years of her life in Lagos, Nigeria before moving to the beautiful city of Kelowna for university. As a two-time recipient of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences International Student Award and The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship for International Students, Ayanfe prioritizes her academic success. She is eager to help you as you begin your own academic journey at UBCO! She currently serves as the upper-year Student Member on the Faculty of Arts Council, and she is excited to share amazing opportunities offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Watch a day in the life of Ayanfe
Krisalyn Ariesandy
Faculty of Nursing
Pronouns: She/her
Krisalyn is a first-year Nursing student from Jakarta, Indonesia. She chose to study at UBCO and in Canada because of its welcoming, friendly, diverse and supportive campus. UBCO allows her to experience many new things and meet new people. Additionally, she received the Outstanding International Student Award, which finalized her decision. Currently, she loves exploring campus, exploring Kelowna, and getting involved with student events. She is excited for what the next few years have in store for her while getting her Nursing at UBCO.
Watch a day in the life of Krisalyn
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?
- 1.4 MB PDF
- Download the handbook.
- UBC Co-op Program 101
- 2.5 MB PDF
- Download the handbook.
Top Concerns of International Students
You can also watch our YouTube series on the top concerns of international students.
Making friends & Finding Community
Finding Work & Career Supports