With more than 16,000 students, 90 programs, and 3,000 courses, the Faculty of Arts is the largest and most diverse faculty at UBC, full of unique involvement opportunities and a wide range of clubs, student groups and close-knit communities.
We spoke to three international students and recent alumni about why they chose Arts at UBC, their favourite thing about their experience so far, and their advice for international students considering studying at UBC.
Hui Wong, BMS’23, Media Studies and English Literature
Hui is from Singapore. During his undergrad at UBC he was the Student Outreach Co-Director with UBC Rise, a Bachelor of Media Studies peer mentor, and was a student caucus facilitator for the Student Leadership Conference. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Communications Studies at McGill.
Why did you choose Arts at UBC?
In large part because of Vancouver; the city is so rich in its media and cultural dimensions, and as someone who was going into the Bachelor of Media Studies, Vancouver really appealed to me. I felt that going to a large public university with lots of people would help me find others who shared my interests.
What’s your favourite thing about your UBC Arts experience so far?
I have gotten to meet brilliant faculty members who’ve shaped how I think about pretty much everything. The variety of ideas that you come into contact with in such a large faculty with its diversity of courses cannot be understated.
What advice do you have for international students considering studying at UBC Arts?
Be ready for your perceived goals to change and give yourself a chance to try something outside of your comfort zone (a course, a club, student activism, etc.). Doing so will not only open you up to things you might not have thought you’d have enjoyed before, but, equally importantly, will also help you find friends who will be invaluable to life as an undergraduate.
Gankal Sally Ka, 2nd-year International Relations student with a minor in Political Science
Gankal Sally is from Senegal. She works as a Work Learn Social Impact Program Assistant with the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL), striving to raise awareness of the importance of anti-racism in the climate crisis.
Why did you choose Arts at UBC?
When applying to UBC, I was still unsure about my major. However, I was most drawn to the versatility of the degrees in the Faculty of Arts, specifically, the International Relations program and how I was able to take courses from a variety of disciplines while still meeting my degree requirements. I also felt connected to Arts students from following the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) on social media and now becoming an active part of that vibrant community.
What’s your favourite thing about your UBC Arts experience so far?
The Arts Co-op program is by far my favourite aspect. I was fortunate enough to get admitted and have already made meaningful connections as a result. I also believe that Co-op will play a crucial role in helping me land a job after graduation, so I urge students to look into the program and what it has to offer.
What advice do you have for international students considering studying at UBC Arts?
My first piece of advice is that you do not need to have everything figured out during your degree. Find aspects that you have a passion for and try to develop skills in those areas. You are more likely to succeed doing what you love than just fulfilling requirements for the sake of it. Furthermore, whilst academic achievements matter, do not limit yourself with co-curricular activities. Clubs and initiatives are a great way to make connections, find new interests, and most importantly, add to your UBC experience.
Gabriella Williams, 3rd-year Visual Art student
Gabriella is from Trinidad. She is the Events Coordinator for the Visual Arts Student Association, which seeks to provide students with the opportunity to connect over art-making, promote their work, and learn about the wider Vancouver art community.
Why did you choose Arts at UBC?
Visual art has been my passion since I was young, so I always knew I wanted to go into arts. I chose UBC Arts because there is so much flexibility with course selection. My major is visual art, but I have been able to enjoy many courses outside of that field, such as philosophy, biology and psychology. Even though there are degree requirements, there are many options within those requirements. I think it is especially beneficial to students who are uncertain about what they would like to study, as they have the freedom to try a variety of subject areas.
What’s your favourite thing about your UBC Arts experience so far?
My favourite thing about my UBC Arts experience is the people I have met and friendships I have made during my time here. In my experience, both students and professors in Arts are very conscientious, respectful, and kind. Because UBC is so diverse, striking up conversations with your classmates is not only good for making friends, but also a great way to hear new perspectives that are vastly different from your own experiences.
What advice do you have for international/domestic students considering studying at UBC Arts?
One of the most difficult things as an international student is dealing with unfamiliarity in a new country and not having someone you can turn to to ask questions. From basic things like how to use public transit, to more specific challenges such as finding good healthcare providers, you have to learn it all. For this issue, UBC’s Reddit page r/UBC is so useful (and r/Vancouver as well). It is an anonymous public online forum where you can get answers to all your questions that Google just can’t sufficiently handle. You might worry about being bothersome when asking your friends many questions, but on Reddit you can ask as many questions as you’d like without that being a concern.
Your UBC Arts journey starts here. Customize your experience with first-year programs designed to ease you into university life and 90+ undergraduate program options.
