Summer Intensive Translation and Interpretation (SITI) Program 2017 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Pre-Departure

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1 Summer Intensive Translation and Interpretation (SITI) Program 2017 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Pre-Departure Program Questions What programs are offered this year? The Summer Intensive Translation and Interpretation (SITI) Residential Program started its pilot project in 2014 as a boutique-styled professional training for the aspiring translators and interpreters. We grew to 22 students in 2015 and then again to 47 students in This year, we are expecting to welcome over 120 students from more than 20 universities from mainland China. We are offering two streams this year: the four-week SITI Academic Program and the three-week SITI Experiential Program. The SITI Academic Program has maintained mostly the same structure and pattern where we combine the theoretic instructions and intensive hands-on practices to enhance student s preparedness level of entering the field of translation and interpretation. INSPIRATIONS You could know your own language Only if you compared it with other languages. Engles The true method of knowledge is experiment. William Blake The brand new SITI Experiential Program is tailored to language enthusiasts who have not decided if they will pursue translation and interpretation as a career but would like to test the water. Delving into a new topic in the morning and experiencing an up-close-and-personal field trip related to the topic in the afternoon, we hope, will heighten the learning experience for all our students. Guided tours will be in part interpreted both ways by students. Our goal is to continue improving the SITI program and ensure that every student s learning experience is both memorable and valuable. What is the daily use of language in the program? English is strongly encouraged and classes are taught in both English/Mandarin. 1

2 When is the program orientation? We will host a program orientation on the arrival date (Sunday) from 5pm to 7pm on campus. It is important to arrive in time for the orientation for the program, which will provide valuable information for successful studies and transition to Canadian culture. In addition, you will need some time to become familiar with the university and the city before classes begin. If you arrive late due to flight delay or other reasons, although we are here to support you, we expect you to take full responsibilities in catching up with any missed information or classes. Where are the classrooms located? Students in SITI program will mainly attend classes on the UBC Point Grey campus in Vancouver. For SITI- Academic Program, students will have their second week of classes at UBC Robson Square that is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Classroom location will be included in the program schedule that will be distributed on the first day of the program. UBC has a big campus and you will be given a campus tour on the first day of class. In addition, you can find all building information on UBC maps. UBC AT A GLANCE 2016/17 62,923 total students 54,236 Vancouver students 8,687 Okanagan students 14,434 international students from 162 countries 12,800 degrees granted in 2016 $12.5 billion in economic impact 199 companies spun off from UBC research 1,342 research projects with industry partners 1,112 research contracts and agreements with government and nonprofits What does my program schedule look like? You can check out our sample schedules online for both SITI-Academic Program and SITI-Experiential Program, which will give you an idea what to expect in each program. In addition to the two program streams, we also divide students in the same stream into different groups to maximize your learning. Therefore, the details of your schedule will vary depends on your program choice and the class division. You will receive a program 2

3 schedule that is just for you in the binder we have prepared at the start of the program. Please do not mix it up with other students schedule, as it can be different. Do I need to attend all classes and activities in the program? All scheduled classes are mandatory to attend. However, you will see we have included additional optional cultural activities and weekend excursions. Those are led by our cultural activity coordinators, and provided to give you the best cultural experience in Vancouver. Those activities are optional and will be at your own expenses (if any) if you choose to attend. Detailed information about each activity will be provided during the program. Vancouver is a diverse and vibrant city. No matter what interests you, Vancouver has something for you hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, sightseeing, museums and galleries, sports and leisure, world cuisines, cultural events, festivals and more. We encourage you to explore the city on your own during the program. The Tourism Vancouver website includes maps and guides to dining, traveling and exploring in and around the city, as well as a monthly calendar of special events. Will I get a certificate at the end of the program? Upon completion of the program, you will receive the UBC Certificate of Completion, provided that the minimum grade of 75% is met. Who are our instructors? Our instructors are not only university-educated with teaching experience in translation and interpretation, but also experienced translators and interpreters in professional settings and are able to offer insights into the reality of working as a professional in this field. All our instructors are highly dedicated and they care about individual student s learning experience and are always willing to adapt their teaching style to meet student s needs. 3

4 You are encouraged to discuss openly with your instructors should you have any questions or concerns about the teaching materials and/or about your process. Communication Questions Are there phones available for me to use? Yes! Telephones available on campus for students to use. Students must have a calling card, phone card, or be able to call collect. Pay phones are available and situated throughout UBC campus. Students can also buy a temporary SIM card for their cell phone if they have one. Do I need to bring electronic devices (e.g. laptop, tablet)? Are there internet-ready computers that I can use? Do I have access to Wi-Fi if I bring my own device? Laptop or tablets are strongly recommended as you will be using them for search, assignments and/or projects during the program. If you do not have a laptop or tablet, you can access internet-ready computers at UBC libraries on campus. Wi-Fi is also accessible throughout the entire campus, through ubcvisitor login. How will UBC staff and instructors communicate with me during the program? WeChat groups are set up to support communication before and during the programs. However, it is not meant to replace s and s remain the key communication methods. Please check your s on a daily basis for important notes for staff and instructors. Please note that all pre-reading material will be sent through s. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES Deposit and program fees are non-refundable unless your study permit/visa is denied. You must provide an original copy of the response from the Canadian Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission to UBC Extended Learning in order to support your claim. In this case, you will receive a full refund minus the nonrefundable $200 CAD administrative fee. Under special circumstances approved by UBC Extended Learning, we will allow a qualified substitute or postpone your admission to the next possible intake. UBC Extended Learning reserves the right to cancel the program due to insufficient enrolment or other reasons. If this occurs, we will issue a full refund. 4

5 Who should I contact in case of questions before and during the program? If you have any questions and concerns about the program, you can speak to any of us: Lily Gu, Program Leader, , lily.gu@ubc.ca DID YOU KNOW? Liann Sun, Cultural activities and Administration Support Coordinator Zed Chia, Cultural activities and Administration Support Coordinator In addition, Liann and Zed will be staying in the residence and will be your first point of contact in case an issue arises at the residence. Travel and Arrival Questions What documents do I need on arrival at Vancouver International Airport? Students should bring the following documents with them: - Valid passport or travel documents for travelling to Canada - Entry visa (if required for your country of origin) - Confirmation of registration and receipts from the Summer Intensive Translation and Interpretation (SITI) program - Medical records for use of prescribed medication (if applicable) Vancouver is now on the industry map such that Bloomberg Businessweek has called it the new tech hub, a place offering world-class talent and few immigration headaches as well as great views in a convenient time zone. The third-largest film production centre in North America, Vancouver has long held the moniker, Hollywood North because of the blockbuster movies and TV shows that have come here to film. Is there airport pick-up/drop-off service? Yes. Please complete the online travel itinerary form at least one month before the program start date be sure to include full name, flight number, and scheduled arrival/departure time and date. Please note that we only provide airport services on the program start dates and program end dates. The program starts on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday, so normally you should arrive in Vancouver on Sunday and depart on Saturday. If you would like to arrive earlier or depart later than the scheduled program dates, please 5

6 indicate this on the travel itinerary form. Please also indicate whether you would like us to book accommodation for those extra nights for you. There is a charge of $40 CAD per night for each additional night of accommodation (you can either make the payment with your tuition balance or pay upon arrival). When you arrive at Vancouver International Airport, you should look for UBC staff who will be holding a Summer Institute of Translation and Interpretation (SITI) at UBC sign. If I am not provided airport service, how do I get to UBC residence? For those of you who are not arriving on the program start date, you should look for taxi stand signage located at the airport. You should provide the address of destination (UBC Place Vanier, 1935 Lower Mall, Vancouver) to taxi driver. The taxi to the UBC residence Place Vanier will cost approximately $35; if you are satisfied with the taxi service, please include a 15% ($5) tip. The total cost will be approximately $40 CAD. In addition to taxis, you can also get to campus on public transit. The public transit system is called TransLink in Vancouver. You can take the Skytrain from the airport, on the Canada Line, then take a public transit bus or taxi to the UBC campus. UBC Residences are approximately a minute walk from the final bus stop on campus (known as the Bus Loop). The student residences front desks are open between 06:00 to 24:00 (midnight) for students to check-in. If I am not provided airport service, how do I get to the airport? For those of you who are not leaving on the end of the program date, you can call any of the numbers below and pre-book a taxi to take you to the airport. MacLure s Cabs: Black Top & Checker Cabs: Vancouver Taxi: When you pre-book a taxi, please provide the following information: -time of pick-up -address of pick-up (UBC Place Vanier, 1935 Lower Mall, Vancouver) -destination (YVR Airport Departures) -whether or not a van taxi is needed (if you are traveling with 3 or more people with luggage) 6

7 The taxi to the airport will cost approximately $35; if you are satisfied with the taxi service, please include a 15% ($5) tip. The total cost will be approximately $40 CAD. What if I am being dropped off or picked up by family or friends during arrival or departure? Please make your own arrangement but do let SITI staff know. The drop off and pick up location is UBC Place Vanier, 1935 Lower Mall, Vancouver. Check in is 3pm and check out is 11am at Place Vanier Residence. How does public transportation work in Vancouver? TransLink is Metro Vancouver s transportation authority, responsible for regional transit by bus and Skytrain ( Public transit costs approximately $3 per trip. You can access Translink s public transportation service by using a Compass Card. Compass is a reloadable card that automatically deducts the fare of your travels. The cards are reloadable at Compass Vending Machines at Skytrain stations. We will be offering Compass Cards ($6) loaded with ($34) during program orientation. The pre-loaded cards are provided for purchase for $40. They are not mandatory but you will likely need to use public transportation for your travels during the program. Safety Questions Is there security on campus? Yes, security is provided by UBC Campus Security which is on campus and available 24 hours a day and can be reached at If there is an emergency that cannot be dealt with by UBC Campus Security, please call 911 immediately. I have friends/relatives/family members residing/visiting Vancouver. Can I spend time with them during the program? Yes. You can spend time with them, however it MUST NOT be during any class time or mandatory scheduled activities. Please let UBC staff know if you will be away for 7

8 substantial amount of time (i.e. more than a day) or not able to be at the residence by bed time. What kind of insurance do I have during the program? Medical insurance (imed) will be provided for all international students staying in residence. You will receive your imed card during program orientation and we encourage you carry it with you for the duration of the program. You can check out online for detailed insurance coverage. Is first aid offered on campus should I need medical attention? Yes. For minor injuries, you can purchase medical supplies at Shoppers Drug Mart (located next to bus loop). For serious injuries/illnesses/medical emergencies, you can visit UBC Hospital at 2211 Wesbrook Mall, V6T 2B5. How much money should I bring? Credit cards are widely accepted by most of the merchandizers in Vancouver. If you don t have a credit card, we recommend that each student bring $1,000 CAD or more for the program to cover meals, optional trips/activities, and local transportations. Best estimation would be based on your own needs! ATMs are also located on campus and most major Canadian banks are represented on campus with at least one branch office. Is there any place to keep valuables? Dormitory rooms don't have safety-box nor come equipped with lockers or security vaults other than an individual key, so we don t recommend students have large amount of cash. Valuables are brought at the student's own risk. UBC is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or broken valuables. 8

9 Accommodation & Food Questions What is the room like when I am attending the SITI program? All residential students stay in UBC Place Vanier, UBC Campus. Furnished twin or single dormitory bedrooms with shared hallway washrooms and floor lounges. Floors are gender specific with approximately 28 guests per floor. Most dormitory rooms are single occupancy, however each floor has a few double rooms. Double rooms or single rooms may be specifically requested but will not be confirmed until check-in date. What is provided on residence? - Bedding (e.g. pillows, quilt, bed sheets) are provided by UBC residence. Housing keeping service is offered once a week. - Electrical outlets are provided, however electrical appliances should be 110 volt for Canada; students might need to bring an adapter as well. - Hot water kettles are provided in the common rooms on your floor. If they are not present, you may borrow one from the front desk. Is there WiFi/internet connection in my room at residence? Internet is provided in your room, however you need to bring your own Ethernet cable (it is also purchasable from the front desk of Place Vanier for $10). There is no WiFi in your room, but there is free WiFi in the commonblock of Place Vanier and all around UBC campus. Internet access ports for laptop computers are also available at many locations throughout the campus. Students with laptop computers can sign up for free internet access. I lost my room key/accidently locked myself out of my room, what do I do? - You can go to the front desk of Place Vanier to get a spare key. If you lose your key or if you do not return your spare key, you will be charged $92. Please be careful, do not leave your key in your lock and close your door when you are inside your room (you will be locked inside your room). 9

10 I am planning to arrive earlier/leave later, can I stay extra nights on residence? Yes. Please fill out the travel itinerary and note down the extra night(s) you want to book. The cost will be $40 CAD/night, your request needs to be received one month before the program start date and we will try our best to accommodate your request. If your request is received after the deadline, we can still check for you but there is a good chance that we are not able to accommodate your request. Where can I eat? They are many restaurants, cafeteria, and places you can buy food on campus. We will provide a map about where to eat on campus in your binder. We also encourage you to try diverse food options available when you are off-campus. Can I eat at the Place Vanier cafeteria while attending the SITI program? Yes, but it is not required. The cafeteria is on the 2nd floor of the Place Vanier commons block. Breakfast is from 7:00-9:00AM, lunch is from 11:30-1:30PM, and dinner is from 5:00-7:00PM. The meals are around these prices: breakfast-$8, lunch- $11, dinner-$14. They only accept credit card or debit card! If you want to eat at the cafeteria: 1. go upstairs and meet the person at the entrance 2. tell the worker that you would like to pay for your meal 3. pay and choose whatever you like to eat Does UBC permit students to keep and eat food in their dormitory room? Small snacks and drinks may be purchased at the student s expense. Please keep in mind dormitory rooms do not come equipped with kitchens, cooking appliances or utensils. Each floor in the residence has a shared lounge area that is equipped with fridge and microwave for you to use. How do I wash my clothes during the program? You will need to purchase a laundry card from the front desk of Place Vanier and load money onto it before you can use it. The card is $5 but you will get this money back when you return your card. It is either a $5 minimum if you are using cash or a $10 10

11 minimum if you are using debit or credit when you are loading your card. There are washing machines and dryers in the basement floor of the building where you are living. It will cost approximately $2 to do one load of laundry. Any money on the loaded card that you do not use by the end of your stay will not be refunded. We have bought laundry detergent for you to use, please find it in the common room of your building. What do I need to bring for this trip? You might consider bringing the following items with you to Canada. (If you prefer to pack lightly you will find everything you need here, but you should be aware that by international standards Vancouver is a rather expensive city.) Toiletries: - shampoo, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant - razor, cosmetics or personal hygiene items - comb - sunscreen Clothing: - hat - beach towel - pajamas - several shirts/tops and shorts - jeans and/or sweatpants - bathing suit - underwear and socks - running shoes, sandals, and slippers - several sweatshirts and/or sweaters - light, all-purpose rain jacket Personal Items: - electrical appliances should be 110 volt for Canada; students might need to bring an adapter as well - extra pair of glasses and/or your lens prescription - pocket-sized dictionary/phrase book (optional) - any medication needed along with documentation - labelled water bottle - spending money - umbrella - day bag/backpack 11

12 - Notebook - Pens/pencils In addition, we would recommend that you bring your student card from home university in order to receive some student discounts when visiting tourist attractions (if applicable). What is the weather like? Vancouver has a temperate climate without many extremes. The average temperature during the summer months is 22 C (13 C overnight). Still have more questions? Contact us at siti.exl@ubc.ca. 12