Why do you feel sorry for this old site? It has no feelings. Besides, the new site is much better.

So, try it out!

http://gss.ubc.ca/

A UBC Christmas Dinner for International Students
Thursday, December 15, 2011 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: International House, 1783 West Mall

Ever wonder what Christmas in Canada looks like? Join in for a very special
Christmas Dinner for UBC international students and family members.
There will be turkey, candy canes,
Santa Claus, caroling, and of course, a Christmas tree!
Come in your favorite red and green attire for an evening of Festivities!
Ticket costs: $5 for adults and $2 for children aged 6 and under.
Tickets are available at International House, Room 300 – 1783 West Mall.
There is a limited number of tickets available so
purchase them early to avoid disappointment!

This event is organized by the UBC Chaplains in collaboration with
Student Housing & Hospitality Services and
International Student Development.

If you have any questions about this event, please email International Student Development atinternational.house@ubc.ca or call 604.822.5021.

This information is so relevant for many grad students that the GSS wanted to give it special mention. These changes will make it easier for international graduate students to obtain their permanent residency in Canada.

Some basic details are here:
http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/blog/tips/PhDsImmigrating.html

The official news release from CIC is here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2011/2011-11-02.asp

Winter Art Class & Art Night

In addition to our art class, we have an art night on Nov 30th. All are welcome, but if are already signed up for the class it is free!

Art Night

Wednesday, Nov 30th from 6-10 PM

Thea’s Lounge, GSS Building, 6371 Crescent Road
A night where artists from ANY skill level get together and draw. There are live models, wine for sale (good price per glass), and support from trained artists. Stay as long as you like — we have a vibrant community of artists and it is a very supportive atmosphere. Bring 2 pieces of ID if you intend to have some wine!
$8 - pre-registered
$10 - at the door
If you are registered for the art classes this month, this night is FREE.

Art Classes

Wednesdays 5-6 PM (Nov 23rd until Dec 14th)
Fees: Grads $30, $50 Others
Art supplies provided.

Come draw with us in a relaxed format! This is a great way to stay creative and learn something new. Class run by professional artist. Students can choose drawing or painting instruction, depending on their level and preference. Spots are filling quickly, so come on over and register!

Advanced Conversation and Writing Improvement Classes
Classes will meet every Thursday from 3:30pm- 5pm at the GSS. - See below.

Looking for an ESL that’s informative, fun, and that fits yours life? Want to improve your spoken conversation and writing skills? The GSS is hosting an Advanced Conversation and Writing class for I-House. Other classes will be held at different locations. (Please see below.) Registration is through I-House, not the GSS.

Classes are open to UBC students, visiting students, spouses and UBC community members!

Healthy Conversation: An ESL Winter Survival Guide (Intermediate)
Mondays, 2:30-4:00pm

Chit-Chat for Beginners (Beginner)
Tuesdays, 2:00-3:30pm

Canadian Conversation (Advanced)
Wednesdays, 2:00-3:30pm

Speaking Canadian: Part 2 (Intermediate)
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm

Advanced Conversation and Writing (Advanced)
Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm

Classes begin the week of January 16th, 2012.
Only $60 per class!
Registration begins November 21st, 2011. E-mail volunteer@exchange.ubc.ca for more details.

***

Art Class:
Wednesdays 5-6 PM
Starting Nov 23rd until Dec 14th
Fees: Grads $30, $50 Others
Art supplies provided.

Come draw with us in a relaxed format! This is a great way to stay
creative and learn something new. Class run by professional artist.
Students can choose drawing or painting instruction, depending on their
level and preference. Spots are filling quickly, so come on over and
register!

***

Make-Up Class
One session, Two different days: Monday Nov 28th and Monday Dec 5th
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Grad student price: $40
Non-grad price: $60

Ever wanted to learn how to do your own makeup the professional way? Want
to know what really suits you? This class will show you the basics on how
to do your own makeup! Bring your own makeup and we’ll go through it, show
you what to keep, what to buy more of and what is probably out of date and
needs to go. And then you’ll learn how to use what you have to create a
flawless complexion, great blush, or that elusive smoky eye.

Register at the GSS office.
Contact Arvin for details: sports@gss.ubc.ca

***

Coffee & Cookie Time
Every Thursday @ 2 - 6 PM
GSS Office, #225 - 6371 Crescent Rd
Cost: Free

Remember that EVERY Thursday you can drink free coffee and join other grad
students in conversation. This is what university is all about! Join the
casual atmosphere and break up your busy day of research with some tasty,
life-sustaining coffee. It’s from 2 PM to 6 PM every Thursday at the GSS
Office, so come stop by the Koerner building.

Make it a department thing and get out of the lab/library for a bit.

***

Yoga Classes
Every Mondays @ 5 to 6:30 pm
Classes run until Dec 16th and are Drop-in
Fee: $7 for grad student
Non-grad student fee: $12

Peace of mind and improved focus — two things we could always stand to
practice. Brought to you by our skilled yoga instructor!21383022825728
21383023634483

1) Thanks to the popularity of the class, we are able to run our make-up course! The dates have been decided, so scroll down to view the details and sign up, especially if you e-mailed us to show your interest already.

2) A very special open discussion is being held by the Global Lounge about the Occupy Wall Street movement that is sweeping across the globe. It is a controversial topic, so it is sure to incite some exciting debate. See below for details.

3) The last spots are being filled for our Bowling night. If you are not able to come to campus to register, you can request to set up an online invoice with me, so just e-mail me if your work keeps you off campus. We would not want anyone to miss out!

Also, we will be announcing the results of our blog competition. Thanks to everyone who entered!

List of Current Events/Classes:

Bowling night
Occupy What? - Discussion of the Occupy Wall Street Movement
Make-up class
Thursday Coffee Break
Yoga Classes
Karate Classes
Creative Photography Workshop

***

Bowling Night - You Must Pre-Register! Head over to the GSS office today and get ready to have a super chill, fun evening!

Date and Time: Friday, November 25th @ 7 - 9:30 PM
Address:Commodore Lanes @ 838 Granville Street, Vancouver BC, V6Z 1K3
(game starts at 7:30, giving half an hour for the students to get ready)
Maximum of 30 people, registration closes on Wednesday.
Price: $15 per person (2 hours/~2 games)
Bowling is the ultimate sport for amateurs and pros alike! Have fun, relax,
and enjoy some competing with friends all in a comfortable atmosphere.
If you are not able to come to campus to register, you can request to set up an invoice from me,
so just e-mail me if your work keeps you off campus. We would not want anyone to miss out!
Pizza will be provided, so now you have no reason not to join us! We hope
to see you there.

***

Join us at the Global Lounge for a discussion on the social movement that has swept the world…

Date: November 15, 4:30pm-6:00pm

Location: Global Lounge

The Occupy Wall Street movement that began in mid September was widely criticized for having no goals and formal demands. By October 15 the movement had spread to over 950 cities in 82 different countries. Is this about corporate greed and economic inequality? Are you with the 99% or 1%? Come share your opinion and hear what the UBC community has to say. Everybody welcome!

For more information, check out our blog or contact us at : global.lounge@ubc.ca

***

Make-Up Class
Monday Nov 28th OR Monday Dec 5th - 5:30-7:30 PM
Grad student price: $40
Non-grad price: $60

Ever wanted to learn how to do your own makeup the professional way? Want to know what really suits you? This class will show you the basics on how to do your own makeup! Bring your own makeup and we’ll go through it, show you what to keep, what to buy more of and what is probably out of date and needs to go. And then you’ll learn how to use what you have to create a flawless complexion, great blush, or that elusive smoky eye.

Fill out this doodle link to show which date is best for you:
http://www.doodle.com/z7yw7qdqd6avuduz.

***

Coffee & Cookie Time

Every Thursday @ 2 - 6 PM
GSS Office, #225 - 6371 Crescent Rd
Cost: Free

Remember that EVERY Thursday you can drink free coffee and join other grad students in conversation. This is what university is all about! Join the casual atmosphere and break up your busy day of research with some tasty, life-sustaining coffee. It’s from 2 PM to 6 PM every Thursday at the GSS Office, so come stop by the Koerner building.

Make it a department thing and get out of the lab/library for a bit.

***
Yoga Classes
Every Mondays @ 5 to 6:30 pm
Classes run until Dec 16th and are Drop-in
Fee: $7 for grad student
Non-grad student fee: $12

Peace of mind and improved focus — two things we could always stand to practice. Brought to you by our skilled yoga instructor!

***

Karate Classes
Wednesdays @ 6 to 8 pm
4 session (from Nov 16th to Dec 7th)

Fee: $50 for grad student;
Non-Grad Fee: $60 for grad students

Self-defense at discount rates. Get active, boost confidence, all while relaxing and having fun with martial arts.

***

Creative Photography Workshop — BRAND NEW
When: Saturday Nov. 19 & Sunday Nov. 20 @ 10:30 AM to 2:30pm
Where: Thea’s Lounge, GSS Building, #225 - 6371 Crescent Rd
Cost: $30 for two sessions
Maximum: 30 participants

If you want to have lots of fun and team work while you are learning how to record your valuable moments of life, this course would be your amazing start. This course offers basic lessons on photography and enables you to shoot good pictures with your own camera. The main focus of this course is to teach you how to use photography to see the beauty of the world differently. We will learn to sharpen our creative sight and practice creative thinking while having fun with friends.

What do you need for registration? Just a digital camera and your positive creative attitude.
Please send your name, email address and model of your digital camera for registration.
Instructor: Reza Safaee (safaee_gr@yahoo.com)

The Interdisciplinary Roundtable on Diversity (IRD) Presents:

The Dean’s Speakers Series on Equity, Diversity, & Intercultural Understanding
Hosted by the Faculty of Education

November 9th, 2011 @ 5pm-7pm

GSS Ballroom, 6371 Crescent Rd., UBC Campus
Food and refreshments provided with an opportunity for dialogue & discussion

The Interdisciplinary Roundtable on Diversity (IRD) brings students,
staff, and faculty together in order to identify shared concerns around
issues of equity, diversity, and intercultural understanding. The Dean’s
Lecture Series will culminate in the inaugural equity, diversity, and
intercultural understanding colloquium that will take place in March 2012.
For more information visit:
http://diversity.ubc.ca/interdisciplinary-roundtable-on-diversity/.

***

Blog Writing Competition
We are looking for a few good bloggers to step up and show us their best. This competition is designed for those interested in talking about the politics of graduate education at the local, provincial, and even federal levels. We do not have a set agenda, except we expect the writer to be earnest and honest about graduate student issues.

Entrants must submit a single paragraph (200 word max) ‘first blog’ entry, explaining one issue that interests them and why they should be chosen.

The winner will receive a $100 dollar gift card for UCB Central Bookstore and the right/responsibility to use the blog space being set up on our re-vamped website.

Contest entries must be received by November 15th by 5 PM and can be sent in e-mail format to communications@gss.ubc.ca

The winner will be announced the following week on November 22nd. We can’t wait to see your ideas!

***

Creative Photography Workshop

When: Saturday Nov. 19 & Sunday Nov. 20 @ 10:30 AM to 2:30pm
Where: Thea’s Lounge, GSS Building
Cost: $30 for two sessions
Maximum: 30 participants

“I don’t know why but I never could take good pictures at important events of my life!”

“This nice camera was my birthday gift but I have never used it because I don’t know how it works!”

“I wish at least I knew how to take good pictures with my own digital camera!”

“We were at same place but my friend’s photos look totally different. Seems that he learned how to find an astonishing composition for his shots!”

How many times you have heard or maybe said these sentences. If you want to have lots of fun and team work while you are learning how to record your valuable moments of life, this course would be your amazing start.

This course offers basic lessons on photography and enables you to shoot good pictures with your own camera. The main focus of this course is to teach you how to use photography to see the beauty of the world differently. We will learn to sharpen our creative sight and practice creative thinking while having fun with friends.

What do you need for registration? Just a digital camera and your positive creative attitude.

Please send your name, email address and model of your digital camera for registration.

Instructor: Reza Safaee (safaee_gr@yahoo.com)

***

Bowling Night

Date and Time: Friday, November 25th @ 7 - 9:30 PM

Address:Commodore Lanes @ 838 Granville Street, Vancouver BC, V6Z 1K3

(game starts at 7:30, giving half an hour for the students to get ready)

Maximum of 30 people.

Price: $15 per person (2 hours/~2 games)

Bowling is the ultimate sport for amateurs and pros alike! Have fun, relax, and enjoy some competing with friends all in a comfortable atmosphere. Pizza will be provided, so now you have no reason not to join us! We hope to see you there.

***

Movie Night

Date: Nov. 10. at 6:00 pm
Place: GSS Ballroom - 6371 Crescent Rd

Movie Options:

Genre: Action- Thriller:

1- Unknown by Jaume Collet-Serra: 2011 - 7.0 IMDB Rating

2- Hanna by Joe Wright: 2011 - 7.0 IMDB Rating

Genre: Horror

1- Child’s Play by Tom Holland 1988 - 6.3 IMDB Rating

2- Paranormal Activity by Oren Peli 2007 - 6.5 IMDB Rating

Please vote for your movie at http://www.doodle.com/hedqic7gknu8×2ut

Light refreshments will be provided.

***

GSS Yoga

All levels are welcome.

Mondays @ 5:00 to 6:30pm

Starting Monday, November 7th

Time: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Place: The GSS Ballroom (#225 - 6371 Crescent Rd)
Price (Cash Only):
A drop-in - $7 (grad students) - $12 (all others)

Please register at GSS front desk before each class.
INQUIRIES: About registration: vpservice@gss.ubc.ca

***

Make-Up Class

2-hr sessions;
$40/Session
5:30-7:30 PM

TBA if enough interest is shown. E-mail sports@gss.ubc.ca if this class interests you!

Ever wanted to learn how to do your own makeup the professional way? Want to know what really suits you? This class will show you the basics on how to do your own makeup! Bring your own makeup and we’ll go through it, show you what to keep, what to buy more of and what is probably out of date and needs to go. And then you’ll learn how to use what you have to create a flawless complexion, great blush, or that elusive smoky eye.

An Announcement on Behalf of our Friends @ IPA:

Whether you are international graduate student with questions about your immigration documents, employment or health insurance, or just want to talk about the challenges you are facing in adjusting to new university life, as International Peer Advisors (IPA), we are here to listen and help! We are Work Learn or Work Study students trained by professional advisors, and in order to provide the best service possible, we stay current on issues that may affect you, including immigration regulations.

We work in the foyer of International House, in residences, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre as well as online. Please visit our webpage here for advising hours/locations, and do not hesitate to talk to us if you have any questions!

International Peer Advisor (IPA) Program
Email: peer.advisor@ubc.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ubcipa
Twitter: @ubcipa

International Student Town Hall - We need YOU there!

The GSS is participating in a very important discussion regarding international graduate students, and we would like you to be there to share your thoughts. Student and employment concerns will just be some of the topics discussed at this town hall.

Both Dr. Louise Cowin, VP Students, and Janet Teasdale, Student Development and Services, will be attending to answer questions and engage in discussion. Also, the Graduate Student Society and CUPE Local 2278 will be present to discuss the challenges faced by international students both as graduate students and employees of UBC. We welcome dialogue and further input from you with regards to explore these questions, challenges, and solutions.

Thursday, October 27th @ 6:30 PM
Graduate Student Centre Penthouse, 6371 Crescent Road

And of course, free pizza will be served.

We need attendance to send a strong message about how important this issue is, so please bring both yourself and lots of your friends!

Here is a link to the event’s poster if you want to put it up in your department:
http://gss.ubc.ca/wpmu/files/2011/10/town-hall-consultation.pdf