Comprehensive reference for international students at UBC.
Volunteering
During your time at UBC, you will hear terms such as leadership and involvement, global citizenship, sustainability, and community service learning. These words are used to describe the many opportunities students have to participate in and serve their communities.
UBC’s Leadership and Involvement Program helps you make the most of your UBC experience. Conferences, speakers, events, and other opportunities help you develop your leadership potential and engage with the UBC community.
Why should I volunteer?
- In Canada, volunteer experience is highly valued.
- Many people volunteer at social service, arts and culture, recreation, education, research, and religious organizations as well as registered charities.
- When you volunteer, you gain work-related skills, give back to the community, share your culture, and meet others who share your interests.
- You can list your volunteer experience as work experience on your resumé.
There are many rewards to volunteering, including learning new skills, gaining practical experience, and contributing to the community. At the same time, volunteering gives you the opportunity to make new friends and work side by side with others who share your interests.
UBC’s Leadership and Involvement Program helps you make the most of your UBC experience. Conferences, speakers, events, and other opportunities help you develop your leadership potential and engage with the UBC community.
Opportunities on campus
There are many volunteer opportunities where you can make a difference on campus. See below for more information.
The A-Team is a new peer leadership program within the Faculty of Arts. As a part of the Centre for Arts Student Services (CASS), the A-Team is made up of a group of undergraduate students looking to engage and connect all students to resources within the Faculty of Arts.
The Crane Production Unit has over 100 volunteers who record textbooks on tape for students and faculty who cannot use print materials.
Equity Ambassadors attend weekly meetings and volunteer five hours a week to help increase awareness about human rights issues including discrimination, inclusivity, and harassment.
UBC Engineering’s student-run E-Team offers workshops for engineering students.
Global Student Speakers’ Bureau (GSSB)
The GSSB is a program dedicated to developing a roster of student speakers who are eager to share their international experience with audiences from UBC and the larger Vancouver community. It provides a supportive environment in which to improve your public-speaking skills, enhance meaningful dialogue, and connect with enthusiastic people from across the globe.
International Student Development
Opportunities include event production with International Week and GALA, peer support and academic coaching through the International Peer Program, and language support through teaching ESL.
Members of the Orientations Team collaborate to ensure a positive and informative orientation experience for all incoming students and their parents.
Members volunteer to give workshops to students in the Faculty of Science and provide academic coaching.
Speakeasy is a team of dedicated and friendly students who provide information, peer support, and crisis intervention services. Student volunteers are trained to help other students deal with such issues as relationship breakups, loneliness, substance abuse, sexuality, and exam stress.
UBC Sustainability Pledge Ambassadors
Volunteer with a variety of environment, sustainability, and social equity–themed groups.
Wellness Peer Educators volunteer through the Wellness Centre. They promote student awareness and help to counsel peers in the areas of self- esteem, eating disorders, sexual health, relation- ships, stress management, and substance abuse.
Opportunities off campus
International students are permitted to volunteer off campus without holding a work permit as long as the volunteer activity cannot be considered work.
Places to look for off-campus volunteer opportunities:
- Go Global International Service Learning (ISL) Programs seek to engage students in meaningful international service projects that enhance and challenge academic learning. All programs include a pre-departure program at UBC, an international component, and post-experience activities.
- The UBC Learning Exchange Trek Volunteer program offers UBC students the opportunity to assist non-profit organizations, schools, and community centres in inner-city neighbourhoods of Vancouver.
- AMS Connect links students with volunteer opportunities and internships on campus, within Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, and around the world.
- Volunteer Vancouver matches volunteers with non-profit organizations. Search the database for opportunities.
