Want more specific resources or information? Email us at medg.gsa@ubc.ca.
Student-Run Academic and Social Organizations
UBC Organizations
Health and Wellness
Finance
International Students
STUDENT-RUN ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL GROUPS
BCCHR Trainee Omics Group (TOG)
The Trainee Omics Groups (TOG) is based at the BCCHR, where this data analysis support group aims to guide trainees through their research analysis methodology. They hold monthly Open Help Sessions, as well as numerous beginner and intermediate Workshops and Tutorials.
Email: traineeomicsgroup@gmail.com
Slack Link
Bioinformatics Support Group (BSG)
The BSG is a UBC-wide trainee group holding weekly work in progress (WIP) meetings, where you can share your data analysis and ask for feedback. The Slack is quite active, with students sharing and discussing their problems/roadblocks with the rest of the members.
Slack Link
GrasPods
Email / Mailing List: graspodsexec@bccrc.ca
UBC ORGANIZATIONS:
The UBC Library has a number of grad research-focused resources, as well as several extremely helpful introductory and intermediate workshops on research practices, introductions to programming languages, and data management
UBC Library Resources
UBC Library Workshops and Events
UBC Graduate Studies
UBC Graduate + Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS)
UBC’s Graduate Student Society (GSS) is a UBC-wide organization focused on supporting and improving graduate life.
“The Graduate Student Society of UBC Vancouver represents and advocates on behalf of all UBC Graduate Students to the University, the Government, and the public. We provide academic, professional, social, and recreational services to our members.“
UBC’s Centre for Accessibility
Keep Learning UBC: To help navigate learning during COVID-19
UBC Academic Advising
AMS Tutoring
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
UBC’s AMS/GSS Extended Health and Dental Plan: All graduate students at UBC are automatically enrolled in this health insurance plan. You can get upto $1,000 of therapy covered per year, as well.
Health Insurance for domestic students
Health Insurance for international students – International students are covered by iMED insurance for the first three months of your arrival in Canada. You MUST register for the BC Medical Services Plan – International Student Fee as soon as you land in Canada (your MSP coverage will start 2 months from when you register).
GSS Peer Support
AMS Peer Support
UBC’s Wellness Centre: Connect with trained students to navigate campus services and learn more about health topics and wellness resources
UBC Counselling
UBC Student Assistant Program (SAP): A “free, 24/7 wellness resource for students. Services include personal counselling, life coaching, group programs and more based on your needs.”
FINANCE
UBC’s Enrollment Service Advisor: For any questions regarding your finances
UBC Tax Assistance Clinic (TACS): File your taxes for free through this UBC volunteer-run organization.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For any additional international student resources/questions, feel free to contact Nikita Telkar, our MGGSA Executive Member.
All of your Canadian documents (study permit, temporary resident visa [TRV], health insurance, social insurance number [SIN]) are linked to your passport expiry date.
UBC’s International Student Advising
Passport Renewal
Study Permit extension
TRV application
Social Insurance Number: Apply for your SIN as soon as you land in Canada to be able to receive your stipend payments via UBC payroll.
Health Insurance – International students are covered by iMED insurance for the first three months of your arrival in Canada. You MUST register for the BC Medical Services Plan – International Student Health Fee as soon as you land in Canada (your MSP coverage will start 2 months from when you register). The International Student Health Fee is $75/month.
UBC Tax Assistance Clinic (TACS): You have to file your taxes at the start of every year for the previous year regardless of whether you have a work-permit. All required documents will be made available automatically through your SSC account around mid-February. These include your T4A (stipend and scholarship tax slips) and T2202 (tuition and enrollment certificate) – if you are employed elsewhere (part-time job, TAship), ask your your T4 (employment slip).
Housing: Check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to get an idea of the average rent (varies according to location and number of people in your household)
Utilities (heat and electric) vary by consumption month-to-month year-round.
Water is free to use in the city of Vancouver (does not include the neighbouring cities of Burnaby, Richmond, or Surrey).
WiFi plans start at $60/month
Phone plans start at $50/month
Medical Genetics Graduate Student Association 