UVic Global Community
The UVic Global Community (GC) initiative provides opportunities and creates space for international and domestic students, staff and faculty to share perspectives, celebrate diversity, foster intercultural connections and cultivate an inclusive and globally-minded campus.
Our programs:
- connect international, Indigenous and domestic students
- support all students’ well-being, social inclusivity and academic success
- respect the beliefs, values, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities of all people
- empower students to get involved and take on leadership roles
- unify and enrich our global citizenry
Social drop-ins
Come and hang out with us at the bi-weekly GC Social Drop In! Connect with others, play games, drink some tea, and enjoy some baking and treats.
Come alone or bring your friends—everyone is welcome.
Global Community Social Drop-ins will continue in the Spring 2025 term (January - April), Check out the GC Events list for more details.
No registration is required.
Conversation Partners Program
This program provides students, who have English as an additional language, with opportunities to practice, build confidence and improve their conversational English skills.
One or two students are matched with a conversation partner and meet for a minimum of 1 hour every week throughout the term.
Activities include:
- academic: studying together, attending workshops, training, conferences, and symposiums
- informal meetups: coffee, meals, walks
- community activities: museum tours, and festivals
- intercultural engagement: participating in cultural festivals, intercultural training, holiday events (e.g. Thanksgiving, Holi Festival, Lunar New Year) and International Education Week
- fitness and sport: hiking, working out together
Get matched with a conversation partner
Volunteer as a conversation partner
Note: conversation partners are not teachers or tutors; they provide English-as-an-additional-language students with opportunities to practice their conversational English in an informal setting.
Mentorship Program
This program gives students a chance to explore intercultural connections, make new friends and receive support as they navigate their social and academic transition to UVic. Mentors make arrangements with the student(s) to meet every week throughout the term.
Activities in this program are similar to activities offered in the conversations program.
Get matched with a mentor
Volunteer as a mentorEvents
We coordinate events that are open to all international and domestic students, staff and faculty.
These events aim to share perspectives, celebrate diversity, foster intercultural connections and cultivate an inclusive and globally minded campus.
May 15th
Join us at the Quad for an afternoon of fun! Play exciting games and enjoy some snacks. Connect with other students from the Global Community and engage with campus partners to get your summer off to a great start!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Register here to get the event details!
June 12th
Global Community BC Legislature Tour & Lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf
About this event:
We will begin this event with a guided 20-minute tour around the BC Legislature, where we will learn more about British Columbia and explore the most iconic building in downtown Victoria! From there, we will walk to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch and ice cream.
Getting there:
To travel with us to the BC Parliament Building, please meet us at 10:00am outside of the SUB Cinecenta entrance. We will take the public bus downtown, and back to UVic after our visit to Fisherman’s Wharf 1:30pm.
If you would prefer to meet us downtown instead, please meet outside the BC Parliament building no later than 10:45am.
July 22nd
Join the Global Community for a fun afternoon of mini-golf! No prior golf or mini golf experience is required.
Please bring $10.00 to cover your admission (which includes the equipment you will need). Blenkinsop Adventure Mini Golf also has ice-cream, popsicles, pop and water available for purchase. You can pay by cash, debit or credit card or if you prefer, bring your own snacks and water
Please note: Travelling to Blenkinsop Adventure Mini Golf involves about 15-20 minutes of walking each way, plus walking along the course. Please wear comfortable shoes. If you would prefer to meet us there, please contact gcmentor@uvic.ca for details.
See more Global Community events
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer as a conversation partner
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer in our Conversation Partners Program and supporting students to build confidence in their conversational English skills?
Volunteers:
- are undergraduate and graduate students, staff or faculty
- are matched with up to 3 students to form a group
- organize weekly meet ups for approximately 1 hour throughout the term
- are proficient in conversational English and feel confident speaking one-on-one or in a group
- must have completed 1 term at UVic before volunteering
Apply by March 23 to volunteer this fall!
Volunteer as a mentor
Are you interested in volunteering in our Mentorship Program and supporting students as they navigate their transition to UVic and living in Victoria?
Volunteers:
- are undergraduate and graduate students, staff or faculty
- are matched with up to 3 students to form a group
- organize weekly meet ups for approximately 1 hour throughout the term
- must have completed 1 term at UVic before volunteering
Apply by March 23 to volunteer this fall!
International student welcome
Each term, the International Centre for Students welcomes new international students to UVic during International Student Welcome Week. There are many short-term volunteer opportunities to help us welcome new international students and start the year in a good way!
Check back later for updated information on volunteering for our next international student welcome event.
Global Community general interest list
Throughout the year, we have many different ways to get involved in campus and community volunteer opportunities.
Email us at gcmentor@uvic.ca if you would like to be put on the list to hear about upcoming events.
GC Student Advisory Council
The GC Student Advisory Council is comprised of students from the international community who are committed to supporting the success of international students at UVic through peer connections, community engagement and inclusion.
The Council meets regularly to share ideas, experiences and opinions that contribute to the GC initiative, and the advancement of UVic's strategic directions for fostering a globally mindful campus and to enhance the international student experience.
Learn more about the Student Advisory Council volunteer role.
Stay connected
Follow us on Instagram @uvicinternational or join the UVic Global Community Facebook group for information about student life, on- and off-campus events, education abroad programs, funding opportunities and more!
For questions and to learn more about the UVic GC, contact:
- Cecilia Rose, GC adviser (on leave)
- Theresa Lundy, GC adviser
- Jeannine Boutin Flegel, GC adviser
- Jayanti Bachani, GC adviser