Guest post by Alyssa McDonald, UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies staff member, currently pursuing a master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
Grad school is exciting, but it can also feel lonely, especially if you’re new to campus or Vancouver. The good news: meeting new people and finding a community can be easier than you think.
Here are six simple ways to connect with others and make UBC feel more like home.
1.Introduce yourself online
Start small: post a quick introduction in the graduate student community forum. Share who you are, what you study, where you’re from, and a few of your interests to spark conversation. You may find fellow parents of toddlers, neuroscience experts or Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts to be friends with.
2. Attend a GSS event
Check out the Graduate Student Society (GSS) events calendar for socials, workshops, cultural events and outdoor activities year-round like their recent Bewitching Brushes & Brews: Paint & Sip Night and Halloween Games Night. They’re designed for building connection, so even attending one or two can help you meet new people fast.
3. Join program-specific events
Your department likely hosts informal gatherings like coffee chats, panel discussions or research talks. These smaller events are great for meeting classmates or peers in your cohort, faculty and staff in a low-pressure setting. For example, Land and Food Systems posts grad-specific events in their newsletter, Newslettuce and on Instagram.
4. Join a club or association
UBC has hundreds of clubs, interest groups and graduate student associations. Whether you’re into hiking, sustainability, language learning or board games, you’ll find people who share your passions and build connections naturally.
5. Join or start a peer writing group
Writing groups can offer accountability, feedback and friendship. Whether hosted by the GSS, the Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication (CWSC) or yourself, they can help you stay motivated, swap advice and make writing — often the most isolating part of grad school — a shared experience. The Graduate Life Centre offers a quiet space for writing with incredible nature views, looking out towards the Museum of Anthropology.
6. Look beyond campus
Connection doesn’t have to be limited to university groups and events. You can also try local volunteering opportunities, public lectures or community events. Websites like Eventbrite, Luma and Meetup gather all kinds of events, and joining affinity groups or professional associations will help you find tailored activities with people who share your specific interests. From getting mentorship through networking groups to hiking with BIPOC peers, these experiences connect you with people beyond academia and enrich your grad school life.
Final Thought
Meeting the right people is a critical first step in finding community. You’re not alone; many grad students are also looking for connections.
Friendships take time and regular contact, but every small step — a hello, a shared meal, an event — helps you build a supportive network. Extend and accept small invitations to develop trust and familiarity over time, and see the same people regularly and often to become friends.
Simple moments count, even quick coffees, lunches after class or study sessions. Koerner’s Pub has a great happy hour (including $2 chicken strips), and there are lots of great spots to study and connect on campus. By showing up and reaching out, you’ll find your people and make grad school far more rewarding.