UBC VIRS Pre-Arrival Orientation - Getting Ready for Life at UBC

UBC VIRS Pre-Arrival
    Orientation
Getting Ready for Life at UBC

Welcome to UBC!
  Hello and welcome!

Outline
• This Orientation is for Visiting International Research Students
  who have been admitted to UBC
• Presentation will cover Student Life at UBC

• Time frame: roughly 30 minutes
• Websites underlined in blue are not clickable. Instead, they
  are provided on the VIRS Pre-Arrival Orientation webpage.

Overview of Student Life at UBC
•   Life in Vancouver
•   What to Bring
•   Arriving in Vancouver
•   Map of UBC
•   The UBC Library
•   Email Set up, Computer & Internet Access
•   Off Campus Housing
•   Logistics
•   Staying Healthy
•   Getting Around Vancouver
•   Safety on Campus
•   International Student Guide
•   I. House Resources
•   Other Resources
•   Additional Resources

Life in Vancouver
•   Also known as Hollywood North,
    the City of Glass and Raincouver
•   Fourth most densely populated city
     in North America
•   One of the most ethnically diverse
    cities in Canada
      – 52% of residents have a first
          language other than English
      – 30% of Vancouverites are of
          Chinese heritage
•   Consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world (currently ranked
    3rd!)
•   Striving to be the greenest city in the world by 2020

Life in Vancouver
Climate:
     • Mild but very wet
Cost of Living:
     • UBC Go Global webpage
Tax:
     • Provincial Sales Tax (PST at 7%) – collected on most goods and services
           • Notable exemptions: basic groceries, restaurants, gas
     • Goods and Services Tax (GST at 5%) – collected on all goods and services
     • Total sales tax on most goods and services = 12% (PST + GST)
Tipping:
     • At restaurants and bars, it is customary to tip 10-20% on the total bill before tax
           • One way is to simply multiply the GST (5%) by three
     • Ideally you should tip for any given service (taxis, hotel services, hairdressers)

What to Bring
*You can visit our website for more information
 Documents:
       • Passport
       • Temporary Resident Visa
       • Letter of Acceptance from UBC
       • Letter of Introduction issued by the Canadian Visa Office
       • If studying for more than 6 months, submit this letter to the Canadian
         Immigration Officer when you arrive at the border to obtain your
         actual study permit
       • Be prepared to show these to Canadian Immigration officials at the
         airport (don’t pack them in your check luggage!)
       • Make photocopies for yourself and family/friends back home

What to Bring
Other essentials:
   •   Raincoat, rainboots
   •   Travel power adapters
   •   Medication
   •   Unlocked phone
   •   Leave space in your suitcase for everything you’ll bring back!

Arriving in Vancouver
Getting to UBC from the airport
   • Taxi: $40
   • Public Transit: $10
   • Translink website
Short-term accommodation:
   • Hostelling International –
     Vancouver Central
   • SameSun Backpackers Lodge
   • The Cambie Hostel

The UBC Library

The UBC Library
• There are several branches spread across campus which make
  up the UBC Library:
   • Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Koerner Library, Law Library, Asian
     Library, etc.
   • Primary study spot for many students
• UBC Library provides a large online collection of books,
  articles and journals
   • Offers research help both online and in person
   • Remember your student card is your library card!

Email Set up, Computer & Internet Access
• To set up a Student and Alumni Email Address, please visit
  https://id.ubc.ca/
• High-speed UBC Wireless Network is accessible almost
  everywhere on campus
• There are computer workstations in almost every branch of
  the UBC Library
   • UBC Library also has a laptop lending program
   • Printing can be done at any library branch with a purchased printing
     card

Off Campus Housing
Private companies
    • First Choice International Homestay
    • APT Living
Individual Vacancies/Postings
    • Craigslist, Kijiji, AMS Rentsline
    • Best to look for sublets/roommates to avoid signing a
       lease

Off Campus Housing
Resources:
• UBC Housing
• The Ubyssey Guide
   to Vancouver’s
   neighbourhoods
Recommended areas:
• Kitsilano
• Mount Pleasant
• Main
• Kerrisdale
• West End

Logistics
Banking
   • Where to go: CIBC, BMO, Scotiabank in the University
     Village
   • Each have student bank accounts with no monthly fees
   • CIBC and Scotiabank offer unlimited Visa debit card
     transactions
   • ATMs located throughout the SUB and residence
     commonsblocks
   • UBC Banking

Logistics
Phones
   • Expect to pay between $40-60
   • Major carriers: Rogers, Telus, Bell
   • Mid-sized carriers: Virgin Mobile, Fido, Koodo
   • Smaller carriers: WIND, Mobilicity, Chatr
       • Unlimited plans but known to be unreliable, spotty reception – although it
          is getting better
       • Some phones are not compatible with their network
   • Where to go: The SUB during the first week of classes, the Rogers store in the
     village
   • Tips: Bring an unlocked phone, utilize prepaid services of mid-sized carriers
     (Virgin Mobile, Koodo)

Staying Healthy
Doctors
   • UBC Student Health is located in the UBC Hospital
   • Walk-in clinic in the University Village
Other services
    • Wellness Centre
    • UBC Counselling Services
    • AMS Speakeasy

Staying Healthy
Get active!
   • Small gyms in each residence
The Bird Coop
   • Large gym in the Student
      Recreation Centre
UBC Aquatic Centre
   • Have access at a staff discounted
      membership rate

Getting Around Vancouver
Biking
   • Large network of bike lanes throughout city
   • Check out the Bike Kitchen for refurbished bikes
   • Purchase a helmet and a high-quality bike lock, or use a
     bike cage/rent a bike locker on campus

Public Transit
   • Bus, Skytrain and Seabus schedules on the Translink
     website
   • Buses don’t accept bank notes, only coins!

Getting Around Vancouver
Public Transit
• Text 5-digit bus stop number
  to “33333” to look up the
  next bus
• Translink mobile site
• Transit app for smartphones

I House Resources
International Student Advisors:
   • Visas/Immigration
   • Employment
   • Health Insurance
   • Drop-in advising hours:
     1:00-4:00 pm, Monday to Friday
   • Email: isa@students.ubc.ca

International Student Guide

Resources
Resources:
    • Student Services
    • UBC Events
    • UBC FYI
    • The Ubyssey
    • I AM UBC
    • Know My Campus
International Community Update
    • Sign up for the newsletter here!
UBC App
    • Download it for your smartphone here!