Explore - English and French - Summer Bursary Programs
Dear Student:
We are pleased to inform you that your recent application to attend the EXPLORE (Summer Language Bursary) Program from May 25 to June 25, 2010 at The University of British Columbia has been accepted. We have received and processed your $150 non-refundable enrolment fee and your $150 deposit.
Registration
Registration for the program will be on Tuesday, May 25 on the Main Floor, Place Vanier Residence, 1935 Lower Mall, UBC (see the attached campus map). You should plan to arrive at the residence between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm in order to be assigned a room and keys.
Please note that the residence is quite a distance from both bus loops. Taking a taxi from the airport to the residence may well be worth the cost.
The easiest way to reach UBC from the airport is by taxi, costing about $30. If you do not have too much luggage with you, an alternative is to take the Canada Line and the 99 (B-line) UBC express or any Westbound UBC bus. The last stop of buses bound for UBC is the UBC Loop on the UBC Campus, a fifteen-minute walk from the residence. Please see the attached UBC map.
If you decide to take the Canada Line, visit the following page for details. Print any relevant map for directions: http://www.frenchcentre.ubc.ca/explore/all/UBCarrival.html
Orientation and testing for placement in the English Program will take place at 8:30 am on Wednesday, May 26 in Hennings 200 (see campus map attached - the Hennings building is below the Student Union Building).
Orientation and testing for placement in the French Program will take place one hour later at 9:30 am on Wednesday, May 26 in Hennings 202 (see campus map attached - the Hennings building is below the Student Union Building).
Classes will start at 2:00 pm on Wednesday afternoon. Students in the English Program will meet again in the same Lecture Hall they met in in the morning. Students in the French Program will meet in their Lecture Hall.
A Welcome Reception / Welcome Cruise on English Bay for both programs will take place on Wednesday evening, May 20, from 4:30 to 11:30 pm. Details TBA.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be in Place Vanier Residence. Students are housed in single rooms on a floor with approximately 24 others. Each floor has a lounge with a colour TV. Residents share washroom facilities with other residents on their floor (men's and women's washrooms are on alternate floors). In most residence buildings, laundry facilities are located in the basement. Each room is provided with a single bed, desk, desk lamp, two book shelves, a chair, blankets, bed linen, and a pillow. Residents are requested to bring their own towels and other items to make their stay more comfortable. Parking services can be obtained for a separate fee after arrival. Ask the Front Desk.
Note that accommodation will not be provided by the French Centre before 2:00 pm on the first day of the program (Tuesday, May 25), or after 11:00 am on the last day of the program (Friday, June 25). Accommodation for students who wish to arrive earlier than May 25, or who wish to stay later than June 25, must be arranged separately.
If you intend to arrive before May 25, please fill out the enclosed "Request for Accommodation at Place Vanier Residence before May 25, 2010" form and mail or fax it back to our office no later than May 14, 2010. Reservations for accommodation prior to the start of the program will be accepted by phone or fax if they are guaranteed by credit card. Accommodation after 11:00 am, Friday, June 25 can be arranged while you are at UBC.
Please note that visitors are not allowed to stay overnight in the residences used for the Explore Program nor are they allowed to stay in these residences while you are in class. Inexpensive accommodation for visitors is available in another section of the residence, in the Pacific Spirit Hostel
http://www.ubcconferences.com/accommodations/pacific-spirit/
Your mailing address will be: Your Name
EXPLORE PROGRAM
Place Vanier Residence
1935 Lower Mall, UBC
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1X1
Phone
The residence has a limited number of public phones. Calling cards are an inexpensive option for making long distance calls and a cellular phone is handy for receiving calls. Please note that cell phone reception at the residence is not always dependable and will vary depending on the provider, the weather or the room location. You should protect your cell phone with a password and mark a contact phone number on it in case the phone is lost or stolen. If your family has access to email, let them know that it is the best way to reach you.
Place Vanier Front Desk: 604-822-2642 (for emergencies only - cannot transfer calls or relay messages.)
Internet Access
You will have free unlimited Internet access in some computer labs on campus. You will have access to wireless communication in the Commons Block at Place Vanier but not in your room. A temporary UBC ID (CWL) and password will be available on the first day of the program and will be attached to your meal card. High Speed wired Internet is available in your room but you must provide your own computer, networking card and Ethernet patch cable. There is a $10 (plus taxes) activation fee for the service.
Email Accounts
Even if you already have an email address, it is recommended that you set up a free temporary email account with Gmail or another company. You can forward your regular email to the new Gmail account for the duration of the program.
Email can be used to exchange written information, to improve grammar and writing skills and to receive help from other students. Email can also provide you with a working space to save drafts of your homework before you send it to your teachers.
Linen
Students are responsible for bringing their own towels and soap. Sheets and pillowcases are provided. Bring a beach towel or blanket for added comfort. There are card-operated washers and dryers in the residence.
Meals
UBC will issue you, on the first day, a $100 "gift" card you will be able to use to purchase meals in UBC Food Services food outlets. You will then receive three $100 cheques on the second, third and fourth Thursday of the program. You can cash your cheques at the HSBC Canada Bank across from the Safeway where you will buy your food. An easier way is for you to use the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) in the SUB (Student Union Building). Bring your credit/bank cards with you.
Each residence floor has a small kitchen with a microwave and a refrigerator. Dishes and utensils are not provided. For safety reasons, participants are not allowed to cook in their rooms or in the floor lounges.
There are many reasonably priced food outlets offering a great variety of cuisines on and around the campus. A list of venues will be given to you on the first day of the program.
Medical Insurance, Student Cards and Identity Theft
The program does not provide medical insurance, so please be sure to carry your provincial medical insurance card with you. Residents of Quebec should consult our Q&A page for more information regarding medical coverage. You should also bring your university or college/CEGEP Student Identity Card and/or Library Card as they will admit you to many social events around Vancouver at student rates.
Bring only the cards you need (driver’s license, one debit or credit card, one phone card plus the cards mentioned above). Please note you need to show two government issued cards, one with your picture, to prove you are old enough to enter an establishment where alcohol is served.
Make sure you photocopy all the cards you bring with you and leave copies with a person you can reach during the program. With over 180 students, we always have at least a couple of students who lose their purse or have it stolen. Being careful and prepared will save you time and money.
Keys and cards
When you check in, you will be issued a card to your house and a key to your room. You should always lock your house to keep strangers out. If you expect guests, you should meet them at the door. There is no buzzer. You should also lock your room every time you leave it, even if you only leave for a few minutes to go to the washroom.
You should never lend your card and/or key and if you lose them there will be a $5 charge for a replacement card and a $92 + taxes charge for the key. The residence will have to replace the lock to your room. When you check out, you must return your card and key. If you do not, you will be charged even if you were to return them later as the lock to your room will have been changed.
Recreational Opportunities
If you are interested in the many opportunities for sports and camping around Vancouver, you should bring tennis racquets, swim suits, sleeping bags, walking shoes, rollerblades and the like. Do not forget rain gear!
On behalf of the staff of the 2010 EXPLORE (Summer Language Bursary) Program, I would like to extend a warm welcome and best wishes for an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
Francis Andrew
PS. Telephone queries regarding the Explore Program at UBC may be directed to the French Centre office at 604-822-0801 (8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Vancouver time) or by email at french.centre@ubc.ca.
