What are Winter Welcome Weeks?
Winter Welcome Weeks are a series of events for all graduate students at UBC Okanagan, particularly those starting in January 2026. Running throughout January, the events provide you with the opportunity to start the winter term off strong.
Attend social events that interest you and connect with your peers!
Events & Registration
These events are open to all graduate students. If a registration link is not included, advance registration is not required. More events will be posted throughout the month.
If you have questions about the Welcome Weeks, please email gradadmin.ubco@ubc.ca.
January 5, 6, & 7 | 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. | Meet on the main floor of The Commons
Join your Student Ambassadors in kicking off Winter O Welcome with a Campus Tour.
Bring your walking shoes and meet other new students! Recommended for new-to-UBC undergraduate, graduate and Go Global students; however, all students are welcome.
Each tour will be between 45 and 60 minutes.
January 5-8 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Commons – Sawchuk Theatre
Welcome to Campus Compass—your friendly guide to navigating UBC Okanagan.
Whether you’re finding your way to class, looking for a bite to eat or wanting to learn more about the services available to support you, our team is here and happy to help you get where you need to go. Stop by our Campus Compass tent for:
- Campus maps and directions to key campus locations
- Food and dining information
- Connections to student services and supports
- Friendly faces ready to answer your questions
January 6 | 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. | UNC 200
New-to-UBC undergraduate, graduate, Go Global, visiting research students, and their families, are invited to join us for the Winter O Welcome: New Student Dinner.
Participants will enjoy a buffet-style dinner as well as opportunities to build connections with other students, chat with faculty and staff, gain information about campus resources, services, and learn about the student experience.
January 7 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | UNC 200
Do you want to learn about the resources available to you on campus? Join us for the Winter O Welcome: Resource Fair! This is an opportunity for you to check out the various services that are offered at UBCO.
This event provides students with an opportunity to get to know the various resources available to them on campus.
This event is intended for new-to-UBC undergraduate and graduate students, as well as new Go Global students, but is open to all students who wish to attend.
January 8 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | UNC 334
January 15 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | UNC 334
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9-digit number issued by Service Canada, a Canadian government department. You need a SIN before starting work in Canada, to file taxes, as well as access government programs and benefits, if eligible. You will also need to provide your SIN to UBC for tax purposes.
The Global Engagement Office team will be hosting representatives from Service Canada on Thursday, January 8, and Thursday, January 15, to help you apply for your social insurance number on-site. First-come, first-served.
Note: You must bring physical copies of your passport and study permit to the session
January 9 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | FIP 204
Join us for a night of trivia and the chance to win prizes!
Hosted by Tremendous Trivia, this event will include questions projected on the big screens and two music rounds, all hosted by a fabulous quizmaster.
Bring your friends or join a group when you arrive. This trivia game is designed to provide fun for all ages and abilities. No registration is required.
January 16 | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. | ASC 460
Join the Global Engagement Office’s international student advisors as they share important information about settling and thriving in Canada. This session will include immigration updates, health insurance information, resources, tips on how to get involved and find community and their insights and advice on how to make the out of your international graduate student experience at UBCO.
Join us anytime during this session. New-to-UBCO and returning graduate students and their families are welcome.
January 17 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. | SilverStar Mountain Resort
Join us for a fun day of tubing at SilverStar Mountain Resort, make some new friends and enjoy a fun winter activity!
Spend a day in the great outdoors – no experience needed! Winter O Welcome is excited to be offering Tubing Tickets and transportation to SilverStar Mountain Resort for a day of tubing. This activity is available for new-to-UBCO students!
Make sure you dress warm for a day in the snow. Please bring a winter jacket, snow pants, warm boots, gloves and toque. If you have goggles, bring those too so you can see where you are going!
- We will depart from Parking Lot F at 11 am and return by 6 pm.
- Tickets are $20.00 plus tax which includes transportation to and from UBCO (Parking Lot F) to SilverStar Mountain Resort.
- Bus leaves F Lot at 11 am and arrives at SilverStar around 12:30 pm.
- Tubing is scheduled for 1 to 3 pm. Your pass is valid for 2 hours and will start once you start your first scan at the tube park.
Bus leaves SilverStar Parking Lot at 4:30 pm. Please make sure you arrive on time as the bus WILL NOT wait and you will be responsible for transportation back to campus via taxi or shuttle.
Spaces are limited, pre-registration is required. This event is intended for new-to-UBCO undergraduate, graduate, and Go Global students.
January 20 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | UNC 336
Join us for a fun and cozy craft night. New-to-UBCO and returning students welcome. Graduate and undergraduate students welcome. Supplies and snacks will be provided.
January 23 | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. | ASC 460
Join us for Graduate Board Game Night!
We’re kicking things off at 4 pm with lots of drop-in board games, hot drinks, and snacks in the Graduate and Postdoctoral Collegium (ASC 460).
We’ll also have a Codenames tournament starting at 4:30 pm, so make sure you arrive by 4:20 pm if you’re new to the game and want a quick walkthrough before we begin.
You can play casually all night, or jump into the competition for a chance to win awesome prizes. Come hang out, unwind, and meet other grad students!
January 23 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | UNC 335
Join the Pride Programmers for a fun and cozy evening crafting with Queer community members and allies. New-to-UBCO and returning students welcome. Graduate and undergraduate students welcome. Supplies and snacks will be provided.
January 25 | 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Kelowna Curling Club
Join us for a Learn to Curl session in partnership with the the SUO Curling Club and Kelowna Curling Club.
New to curling? This is your chance to learn one of Canada’s favourite winter sports in a fun, low-pressure environment. Curling is a team sport played on ice where players slide large granite stones toward a target, while teammates sweep the ice to guide the stone’s speed and direction. It’s strategic, social, and easier to try than you might think—no experience required.
The session will take place indoors at the Kelowna Curling Club, in a bright facility with moderate noise and cool rink temperatures. You’ll be learning and playing in a group setting guided by instructors. Please wear warm, layered clothing, stretchy pants, gloves and clean indoor rubber-soled shoes (no heels or boots on the ice). All curling equipment will be provided.
January 28 | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. | ASC 460
Join us for a fun and cozy craft night. New-to-UBCO and returning graduate students welcome.
All craft supplies and snacks will be provided.
Drop in anytime to this event, held in the Graduate and Postdoctoral Collegium (ASC460). Participants can expect light conversation throughout the event, and self-directed crafting stations.
January 30 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | UNC 335
Join us for a fun and interactive board game night. New-to-UBCO and returning students welcome. Graduate and undergraduate students welcome. Games and snacks will be provided.