University of British Columbia campus
University of British Columbia · Vancouver, British Columbia

You don't have to
do this alone.

ISMP at University of British Columbia is a group of volunteer mentors who meet college students here on campus. Come to one event or get matched with a mentor and start from there.

On campus

What's happening at University of British Columbia.

Come and meet the mentors here. Everyone is welcome.

ISMP Info Session & Welcome Dinner
Upcoming

September 8, 2026

ISMP Info Session & Welcome Dinner

6:00 PM
The Nest 4th Floor | Graduate Student Lounge

An evening for International students who are new to University of British Columbia that includes sharing tips about living in Canada and a free dinner and learning about International Student Mentorship Program (ISMP) offerings.

Sign up
English Cafe | English Conversation Practice
Happens regularly

Every Friday

September 11, 2026–December 4, 2026

English Cafe | English Conversation Practice

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
TBD

English Cafe is designed for International Students who would like to practice speaking English and learn tips for conversation with native speakers.

Sign up
Your mentors here

Some of the mentors you'll meet here.

They run the workshops, host the dinners, and stay in touch long after your first semester.

Greg Davis
Greg DavisSenior Data Program Manager · Acuity MDMS Chemical Engineering
Jamie Kai
Jamie KaiProgram Manager · BoulevardBS Integrative Biology
Kevin Lai
Kevin LaiData Scientist · UC San DiegoPhD Education
Bryan Kai
Bryan KaiSenior Software Engineer · Discuss.ioBS Mechanical Engineering
Eugene Peng
Eugene PengAssociate General Counsel · AddeparJD Law
Esther Nguyen
Esther NguyenSenior Project Manager · PINTBA Communication
Ping Hay Lam
Ping Hay LamSenior Engineering Consultant · Michael Schwemberger Company MS, BEng Chemical Engineering
Lin Lam
Lin LamPrincipal Clinical Data ManagerBS Pharmacology
Kevin Kong
Kevin KongSoftware Engineer · Freshfire.appBS Computer Science
Alan Liu
Alan LiuData Engineer · Premium Food BrandsMS Data Science, BS Computer Science
Megan Chan
Megan ChanFamily Physician · University Village Medical ClinicUniversity of Minnesota · MD Medicine
Jeffrey Chan
Jeffrey ChanSenior Software Engineer · Juniper SquareUC Berkeley · Computer Science
What to expect

What a mentor actually does.

  • Real help
  • Open to everyone
  • Your pace
01

Get help with the real things.

How to email a professor, a roommate problem, a housing question, and what looking for a job in the U.S. is really like. These are the parts of life here that nobody explains. Our mentors are unpaid volunteers who know how hard it is to move to a new country, and they are happy to help.

02

Open to everyone.

ISMP is built on Christian values, and all of our mentors are Christians. Their faith is what motivates them to volunteer and invest in the lives of international students. What you do together is practical and personal: studying, working, and building a life here. There is no requirement to be Christian to participate. Every international student is welcome.

03

You set the pace.

You meet your mentor once to start. After that, you decide how often you meet and what you talk about. Some students meet every week. Others only want to talk once, before something important like a big presentation. You can stop at any time.

Students at an ISMP welcome event
A large group of ISMP students and mentors at a board game night in Philadelphia
A mentor and a student holding their drinks at a cafe
Students at an ISMP welcome event
01

Get help with the real things.

How to email a professor, a roommate problem, a housing question, and what looking for a job in the U.S. is really like. These are the parts of life here that nobody explains. Our mentors are unpaid volunteers who know how hard it is to move to a new country, and they are happy to help.

A large group of ISMP students and mentors at a board game night in Philadelphia
02

Open to everyone.

ISMP is built on Christian values, and all of our mentors are Christians. Their faith is what motivates them to volunteer and invest in the lives of international students. What you do together is practical and personal: studying, working, and building a life here. There is no requirement to be Christian to participate. Every international student is welcome.

A mentor and a student holding their drinks at a cafe
03

You set the pace.

You meet your mentor once to start. After that, you decide how often you meet and what you talk about. Some students meet every week. Others only want to talk once, before something important like a big presentation. You can stop at any time.

Eason Cai
“Joining ISMP was one of my best decisions because it gave me a true home away from home.”
Eason Cai · Physics and Computer Science · UC Berkeley
Photos

A year at ISMP.

ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
Celebrating together at UBC.
Celebrating together at UBC.
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
ISMP community photo
Celebrating together at UBC.
Celebrating together at UBC.

There are mentors at University of British Columbia right now.

Tell us your year and what you want help with. It takes a few minutes.

Apply to get a mentor
Reach us here