丁香园AV

We are so glad you are joining us at 丁香园AV!

As someone who is new to 丁香园AV, here are some things you should definitely do upon arrival:

• Get your 丁香园AV
• Get your 丁香园AV ID card
• Get your Pacific Blue Cross card
• Complete  and stand a chance to win a $50 gift card!
• Drop in to our biweekly Game Nights (Thursday 6pm on Zoom), monthly Pub Socials (free snacks!), and quarterly events with UBC PDA!
  Sign up for our newsletter or check out Facebook group for more info.
• Activate your 丁香园AV Recreation membership.
  Note: As of Oct 2021, the Recreation Centre has some computing issues and problems transferring all listings.
  Postdocs are requested to activate the Burnaby membership directly at the Recreation Center Office (Level 1000).
• Connect with Clare Zheng, Postdoctoral Affairs Coordinator for additional resources (postdoc@sfu.ca)
  
• Look out for our (bi)annual Postdoc Welcome Picnic during #PostdocAppreciationWeek in (January and) September
• Postdoctoral contributions have been recognized with our recent shift to Staff status at the university (previously: Student). Most administrative staff do not have postdoc-facing work written into their contract. 丁香园AV is slowly changing that. Please share with us your experiences (or anything we missed!) and be kind to administrative staff.

Note this is a suggested list and by no means exhaustive. Is there something we missed? Get in touch with us (sfu_pda@sfu.ca) and let us know! In addition to the resources provided here, Student Services has created a 鈥淟ife in Vancouver Guide鈥� canvas course open to 丁香园AV students and staff.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

• 丁香园AV is taking steps towards creating a more inclusive and equitable community. Take the time to familiarize yourself with 丁香园AV's EDI initiatives. 
• As members of the 丁香园AV Community you will be encouraged to begin a meeting with a land acknowledgment. Learn about for a Land Acknowledgment. 
• 厂贵鲍鈥檚 provides some insights into rich Indigenous culture of the Northwest Coast.
• Learn about .

Find Housing

Housing in BC can be expensive. Most better-priced options may (or may not) require you to view the place in person. References are typically required.

Suggested websites include:

Short-term (prior to arrival):

Health and Medical

Apply for the  
Find a doctor (GP) in advance. See Health and Wellness.

Take in the sights! 

• 25 Free things to do from 
• See what other people are up to with

Employment

• Apply for a
• Apply for your (if possible, apply in person, you will get your SIN immediately)
• Once you have your social insurance number, open a bank account. Many banks have special plans and waive fees for newcomers to Canada so make sure to shop around. 
• Application for Permanent Resident is possible upon completing one year of full-time employment and continued job offer. Various other requirements may be required, e.g., language exams and medical exams.

Mobile Phones + Laundry Products

• New SIM cards are available at or other stores. Support local!
• Many Canadians use unscented laundry detergent, and may add (at most) a scented sheet (e.g., Bounce) in the dryer. Use of scented products (e.g., perfume) is discouraged in some places, including workplaces with .