Jump Start
August 26–30, 2019
Jump Start is open to all first-year students coming to UBC from high school. Whether you are an international or domestic student, whether you plan to live on- or off-campus, Jump Start is for you.
You are eligible to register for Jump Start once you have accepted your admission offer to UBC’s Okanagan campus. Check your admissions status here.
Registration for Jump Start is now closed. If you have any questions, please contact jumpstart.ok@ubc.ca.
Sample schedule
Filled with activities and important information, Jump Start will provide you with a foundation for success in your first year at UBC.
2019 Jump Start brochure (PDF)
Looking for Jump Start at UBC’s Vancouver campus?
Meet new people
Jump Start will help you connect with campus life, learn about opportunities, and connect with other students. It’s a great way to make friends on campus through fun social events, academic workshops, and activities with current students.
Learning at UBC
Our academic success workshops are designed to welcome you to your program. You will learn about support resources for a successful transition to university, understand expectations and policies specific to UBC, and connect with faculty members, staff, and other students who are available to help you throughout your time at UBC.
Explore your new home, university, and city
Don’t know how to find your way around campus? Having difficulty figuring out where your classes will be? New to Kelowna? Never fear, upper-year Jump Start leaders are here! Participate in a campus tour and explore the Okanagan during the week of Jump Start to get familiar with your new campus and city.
Get organized
We get it—there are a lot of things to take care of before starting university. Set up your room, buy textbooks, or get banking and phone accounts organized. Explore work and volunteer opportunities and find activities that interest you. By taking care of the essentials early, you’ll have more time to focus on what matters later.
Fees & payment
What is the registration/payment process?
Jump Start registration is open until July 31, 2019 11:59 p.m. (PST). Space for Jump Start is limited. If you’re interested in attending, we encourage you to register early.
| International Student | Canadian/permanent resident | |
| Registration fee | $125 + GST= $131.25 (non-refundable) | $125 + GST= $131.25 (non-refundable) |
| Jump Start program fee | Fees included in international student tuition | $555.00 + GST= $582.75 (non-refundable after July 31) |
| On-campus housing fee | Included if student has accepted 2019W residence offer | Not included. $35/night if student has accepted 2019W residence offer |
| Total | $131.25 | $714.00 |
Our preferred method of payment is via credit card. If you require information on other methods of payment, please contact us at jumpstart.ok@ubc.ca.
The amount of spending money you will require vary, based on the lifestyle and needs of each individual student. We encourage you to develop a budget for the year, and will support you in monitoring your spending.
Arrival & move in
Can I stay on campus during Jump Start?
International Students (Study Permit or Student Visa)
On-campus housing during Jump Start is only available if you:
- Applied to UBC as an international student
- Applied and accepted your housing offer for the 2019 Winter Session (September to April)
If you applied for on-campus housing before May 1, 2019, you can expect your Residence offers near the beginning of June.
If you have not accepted your offer to live on-campus during the 2019W Session, on-campus housing will not be available for you during the week of Jump Start.
Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada
On-campus housing during Jump Start is available for a fee of $35/night if you:
- Applied to UBC as a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
- Applied and accepted your Residence Offer for the 2019 Winter Session (September to April)
- Accepted your Early Arrival Residence offer
- Paid the acceptance instalment to live in on-campus housing for the 2019W Session (Sept-Apr)
If you applied for on-campus housing before May 1, 2019, you can expect your Residence Offers near the beginning of June.
Early Arrival Residence Offers will go out in August.
If you have not accepted your offer to live on-campus during the 2019W Session, on-campus housing will not be available for you during the week of Jump Start.
If you applied for on-campus housing before May 1, 2019, you can expect your Residence Offers near the beginning of June.
Early Arrival Residence Offers will go out in August.
If you have not accepted your offer to live on-campus during the 2019W Session, on-campus housing will not be available for you during the week of Jump Start.
Off-campus accommodations
Popular off-campus hotel options include: Four Points Kelowna, Ramada Hotel, Hotel Zed, Best Western plus Kelowna, Coast Capri Hotel, Delta Grand Hotel.
This year, the Sandman Hotel & Suites in Kelowna has offered students and their families a discounted accommodation rate from August 24 to September 5. Rates and availability are limited on a first come, first served basis. For more information, view flyer (PDF).
If you have accepted on-campus housing for the 2019 Winter Session, you will be able to check in to your room on August 24 and 25. If you plan to arrive outside of these times, please contact jumpstart.ok@ubc.ca and we will arrange check-in upon your arrival. If you arrive earlier than August 24, you will need to arrange alternate off-campus accommodation. Please see above options listed above.
An airport shuttle will be available for all Jump Start students arriving on August 24 and 25. However, the shuttle has limited spots for student’s family and friends. The Jump Start team will be in touch with students over the summer to confirm updated arrival details.
UBCO is a 7-minute drive from the Kelowna International Airport. It will cost approximately $10.00 CAD to take a taxi to campus.
We strongly encourage students to arrange their plans so that they can attend Jump Start in full. Please contact us immediately if you anticipate arriving later than August 25.
No. Registration for Jump Start does not guarantee that you will also have a spot in residence throughout the school year. You must apply for on-campus housing for the 2019 Winter Session (September to April) separately. Learn more about appyling for on-campus housing. Note: ONLY students who have accepted their housing offers for the school year will be able to stay on campus during Jump Start.
In early August, you will receive official notification from Student Housing and Hospitality Services informing you of the residence area, floor, and room you will live in during the school year (September to April). Student Housing and Hospitality Services makes every effort possible to assign you to the same room for Jump Start, but there are no guarantees.
In the event that you are placed in a different room for the Jump Start program, we will help support you in your move to your longer term residence partway through the program.
Health & medical
UBC provides individual support and programs designed to remove barriers for students with a disability or ongoing medical condition. Learn more.
This includes academic accommodations, exam accommodations, academic concessions, priority access to housing, and transportation and access. If you have any concerns about attending Jump Start, please contact jumpstart.ok@ubc.ca.
For a detailed overview of your health care coverage please visit Student Health Insurance.
For immigration-related concerns, please contact International Programs & Services and connect with one of our International Student Advisors at ips.ubco@ubc.ca.
Information for parents/guardians
Parents are welcome to stay in Kelowna while your student is at Jump Start. We will be hosting a Parent Conference session on August 26, and you will have time that evening to say goodbye to your child.
If your student is living on-campus, you will not be able to stay in residence with them. However, there are many hotels around Kelowna.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, minors under 17 years old are required to have custodianship. However, whether students aged 17 or 18 will require custodianship is at the discretion of the immigration office. Learn more.
Parent Conference is a fun, informative, and constructive introduction to our campus resources and a great way to explore support strategies for your student’s success.
