Guest post by Marie Erikson, fifth-year Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy Honours student
Living in Vancouver is expensive, but money shouldn’t stop you from enjoying fun, interesting activities.
Here are 22 free things to do that cost absolutely nothing to UBC students. Explore these ideas by general activities, sports and recreation, and arts and music.
General
1. Go to a GSS or AMS event
The GSS (Graduate Student Society) is a student-run organization offering resources and advocacy for graduate students at UBC Vancouver. The AMS (Alma Mater Society) is the organization for all UBC Vancouver students, including grad students.
Both the GSS and the AMS offer free events for students, such as painting or games nights. Many GSS events are also kid-friendly. Check out their calendars to find upcoming free events.
2. Watch a movie on-demand
UBC Library has thousands of movies available to watch on your device. All you need is internet access and your CWL (campus-wide login). The collection has something for everyone, from popular blockbusters to indie films.
3. Take a walk in the UBC Botanical Garden
Unlike the general public, UBC students have free access to Canada’s oldest university botanic garden. It’s a great place to go for a long walk, relax with soothing sounds of water or see some interesting plants. In the warmer months, tours are also available on weekends.
Credit: UBC Botanical Garden
4. Enjoy some peace and quiet at the Nitobe Memorial Garden
One of the most beautiful places on campus is also one of the best places to reflect and connect with nature. The Nitobe Memorial Garden is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan, and even the Japanese emperor agreed.
The garden is particularly popular during cherry-blossom season, but it’s a great place to de-stress all year. I love it when I need a quiet environment that’s not work-focused like a library.
Credit: UBC News
5. Practice a foreign language with a conversation group
Some departments offer a space for any students to practice speaking a foreign language. Not all languages are currently covered, but students learning Persian, German, French, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese have this option.
I found the French conversation group to be a really effective way to practice. Because everyone else is learning, there’s no pressure to speak perfectly. It's also a great way to casually connect with other students. You can also find other graduate student language speakers wanting to practice on MyCommunity.
6. Go to a residence or neighbourhood event
If you live in student housing, your residence offers free events at least weekly such as crafts, snacks or sports. These can be a great way to take a break without having to leave home.
Community organizations like the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) or University Neighbourhoods Association also offer free events. They offer events that appeal to everyone, though some are tailored for kids. Adult events at VPL include movies, performances and skill workshops.
7. Find an open club event
Some clubs at UBC offer free events to anyone in the community.
UBC Jazz Club, for example, has weekly jam sessions in the Nest for anyone to listen or play. I've found it’s great for dropping in to listen, study or even try performing in a supportive environment.
8. See dinosaurs and minerals at Pacific Museum of Earth
Swap your thesaurus for a lambeosaurus. This earth science museum is in the centre of campus, perfect for a fun and educational break.
I thought the Pacific Museum of Earth was surprisingly fun, even though I’m not in the sciences. You’re never too old to enjoy huge crystal formations or touching a dinosaur bone.
Credit: Pacific Museum of Earth
9. Find plants and animals at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Famous for its blue whale skeleton, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum also has interactive exhibits on ecology, evolution and plant life like the 4D Sturgeon Knowledge Web. You can take a self-led tour of the museum’s fungi, plants, mammals, fish, birds, insects and more.
Credit: UBC Vancouver Welcome Centre
10. Explore migration history at the Chung Lind Gallery
With photographs, posters and artifacts, this gallery has glimpses of early Chinese migration to British Columbia and the Klondike Gold Rush. The collections explore transportation, media and the harmful attitudes toward immigrants at the time.
The Chung Lind Gallery is on the second floor of IKB, so it’s a convenient way to learn about local history.
Credit: UBC Vancouver Welcome Centre
11. Learn something new at a public lecture
Hear me out: you probably go to lectures already, but have you ever been to one on a topic unrelated to your research? It can keep learning fun with no expectations!
Green College offers public lectures designed for any background, and most are given by UBC grad students and postdocs. Recent topics include a beaver crisis, black holes and social media reactions to a Timothée Chalamet speech.
12. Go to a local festival, concert or event
Free things to do vary by season, but plenty of sites have lists of upcoming free events. Try:
Sports and recreation
13. Try a sport at drop-in gym hours
UBC Recreation’s drop-in gym sports are great opportunities to play basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, futsal and cricket. They’re open to all levels, and some sports are offered daily. They also hold women only nights several times a term.
14. Swim or take a dip in the hot tub
Whether you want to swim laps or enjoy the lazy river, the Aquatic Centre’s drop-in times are free for UBC students. It's great way to exercise or just relax. Though their opening hours vary, there are also a hot tub, sauna and steam room available for swimmers.
15. Borrow sports equipment on MacInnes field
For a game at your own pace, sign out equipment and play on the field next to the bus loop. Ultimate discs, Spikeball sets, Kan Jam flying disc game, jump ropes and fitness equipment, soccer balls and rugby balls are available for free whenever the Student Recreation Centre is open.
16. Take an indoor walk or run on the indoor track
Avoid the cold and the rain while still getting some exercise at the Rec North Indoor Track, open all day and evening. I like going when I need a little extra motivation to run on a gloomy Vancouver day. It’s also nice to have some camaraderie with other students while everyone moves at their own pace.
Credit: UBC Recreation
17. Join a themed lunchtime walk
If you want some company and motivation for a break, join a themed wellbeing walk. With themes like hot chocolate, dogs or UBC buildings used in movies, you can support your health and meet new people.
UBC Recreation, the Grad Studies Blog and the Belkin Gallery also have places to walk if you want to explore campus on your own.
18. Watch a Thunderbirds Game
Have a free night out and show some UBC spirit at one of the many home varsity games. Both women's and men's teams play sports including soccer, hockey, rugby, volleyball and basketball.
Arts and music
19. Explore different cultures at the Museum of Anthropology
See art, belongings, textiles and more at the Museum of Anthropology, which shares cultural history from BC and around the world. It’s an excellent place to learn about art from local Indigenous communities, and it’s one of the main attractions at UBC for people outside academia. You can even take a tour to hear personal perspectives from Cultural Interpreters.
20. Listen to live music from the School of Music
Hear students and faculty play at School of Music concerts. Though some require advance registration, many are free to students or the public. The many offerings include jazz, medieval music, Korean drumming, and the UBC Laptop Orchestra.
A couple years ago, I went to one of the Contemporary Players’ performances in the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery. It was fascinating to see how music performance and composition students responded to the gallery’s current exhibition.
Credit: UBC School of Music
21. Explore one of the campus art galleries
With the Belkin Gallery, the AHVA Gallery and the Hatch Gallery, there is often an on-campus art exhibition to explore. Though the Belkin is open most of the year, be sure to check when the others are open and exhibiting.
22. Check out a gallery off campus
Most art galleries are completely free to visit. For example, I’ve enjoyed visiting the Grunt Gallery and Contemporary Art Gallery, which are near transit from UBC.
Though not an art gallery, the Burnaby Village Museum is also free. The heritage site features buildings and exhibits from 1920s Canada that tell the story of early immigrants’ and settlers' lives. During the holiday season, the museum’s 10 acres of trails are decorated with Christmas lights.
Honourable mentions
Many campus clubs have low-cost memberships, often 5 to 10 dollars, that gets you access to their events for the whole year. Clubs focused on a hobby or leisure activity are also a great way to make friends outside your program, though a lot of the attendees will be undergrads.
If you own ice skates, UBC has free drop-in skating for students, or you can rent skates or a helmet for $4.50. Last year, I bought a cheap pair of gently used skates, and regular skating has been a great way to learn a new skill, hang out with friends and stay active.
Feeling indecisive? I’d start with a drop-in sport or the Pacific Museum of Earth, since they require little advance planning. But no matter what you choose, you have plenty of free resources for a great time.
What did we miss? Let us know at graduate.communications@ubc.ca.