What last year’s students thought
Brent Sage
I think of Jump Start 2008 as an absolutely integral part of my first year at UBC. I came out of the program knowing exactly what to expect in the coming semester. My favorite part of Jump Start was being able to meet some of the most important people at UBC! I met (and had lunch with) my dean, advisor and faculty chair- connections, which proved to be very important during my first year. During Jump Start there is a whole campus of people who are there just for you and to help you get adjusted to UBC! I became acquainted with the campus, professors and administrators at UBC and gained invaluable insight into how I could get the most out of my time at university! I would say Jump Start is a must for new international students.
Naryan Bell
Jump Start was like college but without any of the responsibility or pressure. I learned everything I needed to know about Vancouver, college, and what it means to live on your own. More than anything, however, it gave me great friendships. It was so nice to start the first day of college with a bunch of friends. I saw a lot of people walking alone, but none of them were JS kids.
Yumeko Kameda
Jump Start put me in the study mode after the lazy summer, and when the year started I was able to focus on my studies because I didn’t have to worry about other things (e.g. making friends, insurance, cell phone, culture shock!)
I really loved Jump Start. Thank you so much 
Sam Gregory
My best memory of jumpstart from the academic program was Andre Malan’s lecture on technology. It really opened up my eyes to what our computers could be used for in a productive way. The use of igoogle for me has been a great tool in getting myself organised and focused on the tasks in hand.
From the social side, the meeting of plenty of new people from around the world and generally hanging out with them at nights times and after class. It even lead to us starting an intra-mural soccer team called Jumpstart International FC!
Jump Start does exactly what it says on the tin and would be one of my biggest pieces of advice to any potential new international student. I doubted coming to Jump Start before I took the program, but having had time to reflect on the course, it was a great decision as I became familiar with the vast campus and its buildings before class had even started. I also met plenty of new interesting people who were in the same position as me and it will hopefully lead to university wide relationships.
Yuri Cabrera
My favorite memory was the social program because the friendships are still here now. The most important thing I gained was the necessary knowledge to navigate classrooms and the campus itself. I would recommend future Jump Starters to not be shy and introduce themselves to the first person they meet in Jump Start. Everyone is in the same boat and everyone is happy to just be spoken to. There’s no such thing as a lonely person in Jump Start.
Sophia Skalbania
“My favorite part of Jump Start was being able to make friends with people from all over the world, in such a short period of time, while getting to know UBC’s campus,”
Kevin Butto
“Four words about Jump Start to every International Student coming to study at UBC for their first year: DO NOT MISS IT!”
Best memory:
a) Academic Program: We received feedback of our work from outstanding facilitators and faculty. This was valuable and helpful to improve our weaknesses and prepare for school.
b) Social Program: Got to meet great people from all over the world (some with whom I still hang out.) and the great city of Vancouver. I did not feel homesick at all! (even though I missed my country and family).
Through Jump Start, I gained social and academic preparation to succeed at UBC and Vancouver.
Esteban Dominguez.
” I can not describe how much Jump Start has helped me during my first semester”
Tierra Madani
I would most definitely recommend Jump Start to new International students. I can’t imagine how difficult it would’ve been without going through the program; I would’ve been really lost on campus. Also, having the chance to familiarize myself with the campus helped me settle in and become more comfortable at school.
The best part of my UBC Jump Start Experience would definitely be living with
all of the jump starters! Most of the people I lived with on my floor are my best friends today! It was the best way to get to know everyone.
Jump Start helps you get back into that “school” state of mind. It’s especially
helpful after a long summer of graduation parties and excitement for college. Getting back into the mode of getting up early and attending lectures really helped me personally in being more self-directed before the school year started.
Muna Zaidalkilani
Jump Start is my favorite part in Jump Start, its perfection to satisfy everything a new international student seeks, such as banking assistance, knowing your way around Vancouver and UBC, Learning to effectively manage your time and money, and most importantly creating the sense of belonging that every individual needs in order to excel in any environment. Jump Start made all that happen while we were all having the fun of our lives!
Jump Start taught me to appreciate individual differences, understand that harmony lies in diversity and view the world from several perspectives. Jump Start also inspired me to be involved at UBC. Jumpstart built me a group of friends that I call my family until now. I advise you to participate in Jump Start because you will definitely regret it if you do not. Trust me!
Milena Salazar
Jump Start was everything I expected it to be. The thing I value the most about the experience is that it gave me the opportunity to start off on the right foot. It was a transition period where I got to appreciate and explore the campus and city before the academic pressures started. During those two weeks, everything was new and exciting, and knowing people who where in the same situation as me was at the same time comforting. I enjoyed every day of the program, but the best thing was definitely meeting all the people who are still my friends!
Good luck on all the final preparations!
Ida
Yes I would recommend UBC Jump Start to new UBC students. Whether you are excited about UBC, afraid of starting a new life at UBC, or too nervous to even think about what to do, come to Jump Start and you will find the answer just as the program moves on. It just all happens.
Almost all events add some meaning to the JS experience, but I liked our floor party most. Once our floor decided to have a Mexican night, and went to safeway, bought all the ingredients needed, and cooked and ate together. It was lots of fun!
You can never have a better chance to meet so many people as passionate as the JSers. We all come from different countries, with different backgrounds, but with the same courage mixed with some uncertainty towards the new life ahead. It is with these people that you share and enjoy. I learned to re-establish myself in a new place, in front of a new life. Of course, with help
