FAQ
General Questions
Q: How do I contact the Summer Scholars Program?
A: Please feel free to contact the Summer Scholars Program Coordinator, Amanda Victoor by email (amanda.victoor@ubc.ca) or by phone (+1 250 807 9824).
Q: Besides their daily activities, will participants ever go off-campus?
A: Yes. Participants go off campus for a variety of activities, both during the weekdays and on the weekend. Please refer to the Summer Scholars website for a list of potential activities. A confirmed itinerary, including field trips, will be provided in early June.
Q: Should participants bring spending money?
A: It is recommended that each participant bring some spending money to use to purchase souvenirs, calling cards, or snacks.
Q: What about airport pick-up/drop-off services?
A: Airport pick-up and drop-off is included in the cost of tuition. You should plan your travel to arrive at the Kelowna International Airport on Sunday, July 14th and departure on Saturday, July 27th. Participants will be greeted at the airport by Summer Scholars Program Leaders and brought to the UBC campus. When the program is finished participants will be transported back to the airport by staff in time for the student’s flight.
Q: Are there phones available for use?
A: Yes! There will be phones available for you to use on campus. You must have a calling card, phone card, or be able to call collect. Please discuss with your parents or guardians how you should call home. UBC staff will be available to help you purchase a calling card in Canada if necessary. You should ensure you have spending money to purchase these cards as they are not included in the tuition.
Q: What about cell phones?
A: It is encouraged that cell phones are used with discretion. Please note cell phones may not be used during any Summer Scholars class or activity time (this includes phone conversations, text messaging, and mobile browsing). Cell phones may be used during certain times, for participants to call home.
Q: Are there internet-ready computers that my child can use?
A: All dorm rooms are supplied with high-speed internet, however it is not wireless. Wireless internet is available throughout the UBC campus. If your child is bringing his/her laptop a cable will be provided for you to connect with in your dorm. Participants will also have access to the UBC library which has computers available for use. During class, computer labs will be used so participants will not be required to bring their own laptop.
Q: Are there banks nearby for my child to withdraw money?
A: Yes! There is a Valley First bank branch on campus with an ATM for withdrawal. Please note there may be charges for transactions if you are not using services offered by your financial institution.
Q: As a parent, can I accompany my child to the Summer Scholars Program?
A: We do not allow parents to participate in our program with their child as this is an academic program and would disrupt the flow of the program. If a parent wishes to stay at UBC for the duration of the program, we may be able to help them find accommodation, however they will not be in the same residence as their child, and they will not be permitted to attend any of the program.
Travel to Canada
Q: If I am travelling from outside of Canada, will I need to obtain a travel visa in order to take part in the Summer Scholars Program?
A: Depending on what country you are from you may or may not need a visa to come to Canada. If a visa is required, participants need only to obtain a tourist Temporary Resident Visa, and not a study visa. For all travel visa inquiries, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp
Q: I am under 18 years of age and travelling alone to Canada, do I need a custodian?
A: Yes! If your parent or guardian is not travelling with you to Canada and you are not a Canadian Ciitizen or Permanent Resident you may be required to have a “custodian”. For more details see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-minors.asp
Q: Do I need to purchase additional travel insurance for my child?
A: Summer Scholars Program tuition includes a mandatory health insurance plan but does not cover non medical travel insurance such as lost or damaged luggage or travel documents. With your letter of acceptance to the Summer Scholars Program you will be provided details about the mandatory medical coverage included in your tuition payment. Please be aware that participants visiting Canada and choosing to remain in the country for extended periods of time either before or after the Summer Scholars Program will not be covered for those dates by this program insurance.
Safety
Q: I have friends/relatives/family members residing in the Kelowna area during the Summer Scholars Program, can I have visitors?
A: Due to safety, security, and camp scheduling reasons, the Summer Scholars Program has a NO VISITORS policy during the program. We suggest you arrange a time for visits to take place either before or after our program dates.
Q: Is there security on-campus?
A: Yes! UBC Campus Security is on site 24 hours a day and residence has a 24 hour front desk for questions or concerns.
Q: Is there first aid offered on-campus should my child need medical attention?
A: Yes! Our Summer Scholars Program Leaders are all trained in Emergency First Aid and CPR. For more serious injuries or illness a medical professional will be consulted. The Kelowna General Hospital can respond or take care of any serious medical emergencies.
Q: If my parents need to contact me during the program, how can they reach me?
A: Please contact the Summer Scholars Program Coordinator Amanda Victoor via phone or email. Amanda will take a message and make sure you receive it as soon as possible.
Accommodations
Q: Where do I sleep while I’m attending the Summer Scholars Program?
A: All participants will be residing in a dorm style residence, located on UBC’s Okanagan Campus.
Q: What about roommates?
A: All dorm rooms are single occupancy; however each room shares a bathroom with one other occupant. All shared bathrooms will be same-gendered.
Q: What is provided in the dorm rooms?
A: All dorm rooms will have a single bed, chest of drawers and a desk. Bedding and towels will be provided. Housekeeping changes towels every 3 days and on the 7th night will change all the linens. Note there are no hairdryers or toiletries so you should bring those with you.
Q: Can I keep and eat food in my dorm room?
A: Small snacks and drinks may be purchased at the participant’s expense. Please keep in mind dorm rooms do not come equipped with kitchens, cooking appliances, or utensils. There is a common kitchen on each floor which participants can use for preparing snacks.
Q: Is there any place to keep valuables?
A: Dorm rooms do not come equipped with lockers or security vaults; however each room can be locked with an individual key. Valuables will be brought at participant’s own risk. The Summer Scholars Program is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or broken valuables.
Q: Where is the cafeteria located?
A: There are a number of places to eat on campus but the main cafeteria is located in the University Administration Building and the University Center Building near residence.
Academic
Q: Who is instructing the program? A: Daily lectures will be provided by UBC faculty members with the support of a Teaching Assistant. The Summer Scholars Teaching Assistant is UBC PhD level graduate student whose research focuses on Environmental Science and Sustainability. Tutorials will be held each day to discuss concepts and work on final projects. These tutorials will be led by the Teaching Assistant just as it would in any undergraduate course. Field trips will be led by either faculty members or Teaching Assistants depending on the topic and trip.
Q: What is the instructor to participant ratio?
A: You will have a minimum 1:15 student to instructor ratio depending on lecture, tutorial or field trip.
Q: How many times a week are classes?
A: Classes are held 5 days a week, 9am-3pm.
Recreational Program
Q: Will I get the chance to explore the UBC Campus and Kelowna?
A: Absolutely. You will have the chance to explore both the UBC’s Okanagan Campus and the city that surrounds it. Please refer to the recreational page of the Summer Scholar’s website and look for more details to be provided in early June.
Q: Should I be worried about making friends if I’m coming alone?
A: Definitely not! It is normal to be anxious when you do not know anybody; however, most students will be in the same situation as you, and you will have the opportunity to make friends from all around the world! Plus you will have Summer Scholars leaders with your group to help you get to know your peers and have fun.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: A comprehensive list of items to bring will be provided for you in an information package in early June.
