GradStart is our orientation welcome event and you’re invited! It’s a day of inspiration, resources, and strategies for getting started and thriving in graduate school. International Student Advising will also offer a session for international students. The Graduate Student Society (GSS) will host a variety of events to help you meet other new students and explore UBC and Vancouver in the first weeks of September and throughout the year. Depending on your program start date, you may wish to plan your arrival to Vancouver so that you can attend these events. Registration is not required.
Download a mobile-friendly PDF version of our GradStart Orientation Program Guide for event details and schedules, maps, a list of participants in the Campus Resources and Student Activity Fair, upcoming workshops and events, and other great resources to point you in the right direction.
Schedule of events:
International Student Welcome | 9am – 12pm
***this event is for international students only***
Where: WOOD 2 in the Woodward IRC (Instructional Resources Centre) Building
2194 Health Sciences Mall
An interactive session with International Student Advisors to learn about key topics such as study permits, work authorization, and health insurance. All new international students should plan to attend this important session. In preparation, please join our online iPrep course and find great resources in the International Student Guide.
Lunch and Campus Resources & Student Activity Clubs Fair | 11:30am – 1:30pm
Grab your lunch and meet us on the grass meridian for the Campus Resources and Student Activity Fair.
Where: Grass meridian on Main Mall, starting at Flag Pole Plaza
Meet other new grad students while browsing approximately 50 campus resource units and student activity and interest groups.
Lunch Options:
- Pre-order a BBQ burger or hot dog, drink and chips for just $6.50 (includes tax & processing fees). There are two ways to pre-order: via Eventbrite (credit card only) or, in person (cash only) at the GSS Front Desk, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm. On the day of, pick up your lunch on the Graduate Student Society (GSS) courtyard (between 11:30am – 1:30pm).
Deadline to pre-order: August 27. Pre-order via Eventbrite.
- Bring your own lunch from home or one of our campus eateries.
G+PS Welcome | 1:45pm – 5:15pm
Where: The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (doors open at 1:15pm)
Join us for an afternoon of inspiration, important resources, and getting to know fellow graduate students, the UBC campus and the city of Vancouver. A panel of faculty and graduate students will also present tips and strategies for thriving in grad school, with time for Q&A.
***Accessibility Needs***
Do you have an ongoing medical condition or disability that would either impact your access to these events or affect your full participation in any of these events? Please contact us prior to GradStart and provide information on how we can be of help. We will follow up as soon as possible. graduate.orientation@ubc.ca