Arriving in a new country without friends and family or other support networks can be a big challenge. UBC offers a variety of support services to ease the transition to Vancouver which will help you to settle in and find new friends.

Below are some excellent resources that provide information about services which are available for all students:

• New to UBC
• New to Graduate Studies
• Student Services
• Housing & Food Services
• UBC Travel Smart

Academic English Support (AES)

AES provides free, professional language support to UBC students who speak English as a second/additional language. Please check the AES program website for more information.

International House

International Student Advisors at International House can help with information and guidance regarding the most common questions from international students who are new to UBC. Their services include help regarding immigration and employment, medical insurance, and personal and cultural transition to the UBC learning environment.

• Pre-arrival information: Whether you are coming to Canada for the first time or you have lived here before, this checklist will help you prepare for a successful start at UBC.
• UBC International Student Handbook: Contains information about immigration, visas, study permits, finding a place to live, where to bank, how to get involved with UBC, and much more.

 Arriving in Vancouver and Settling In

• Graduate orientation
• Getting involved in campus life
• Getting around UBC and Vancouver
• Vancouver International Airport

Professional Development / Academic Support

• GPS: Graduate Pathways to Success: offers non-credit workshops, seminars, and other activities that cover a wide range of personal and professional development topics to support you throughout your time in graduate school.
• English language support
• Career Services
• Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT)
  

 Advising and Counselling Services

• Student Financial Assistance and Awards
• Equity Office: resource for handling complaints regarding discrimination and harassment
• Counselling Services: provides a wide range of counselling, consultation and referral services.
• Student Health Service
• UBC Chaplains

 Family Support

• Child Care Services
• Information for families: contains information on child care, enrolling children in school, ways for your partner to get involved, and parents' rights and responsibilities.
• Single Parents on Campus (SPOC) "Supports for Parents Guide"

 Conflict Resolution

• Office of the Ombudsperson for Students: works with UBC community members to ensure students are treated fairly and can learn, work and live in a fair, equitable and respectful environment.
• Graduate Student Society
• Alma Mater Society (AMS) Ombuds Office

 Fitness and Recreation

• UBC Recreation (sports, classes and recreational outings)
• UBC Bird Coop (fitness centre)
• UBC Aquatic Centre

 Other Resources

• Campus security: provides walk home services etc.
• Currency exchange rates