International Graduate Study Preparation program (IGSPP)

Curriculum

During the program, the participant’s time is spent in both the classroom and community with approximately 24 hours of structured activities for the participants each week. The remaining time is spent in Directed Independent Study to allow each participant to complete his or her assignments, readings and research. Finally, there is time for Self-directed Community Exploration, where participants can pursue their own interests (athletics, travel) while practicing their communication skills outside the classroom.

The curriculum for the International Graduate Study Preparation Program has several components:

• Program Orientation
• Academic Planning
• Academic Skills
• Culture and Communication
• Academic Argumentation
• Academic Mentorship
• Online Course Work
• Field Studies
• Project Work
• Socio-Cultural Activities
• English Language Training (if required)

1) Program Orientation: Students begin the program with a concentrated overview of the curriculum’s objectives, outcomes and expectations. Students are introduced to the University of British Columbia campus and the city of Vancouver. Students are provided information on how to adjust to living and studying in a new cultural context. This orients them to Canadian-style family life and includes instructions on how to use the public transit system in order to navigate around the region. Students are also assessed on their communication abilities, cultural competence and their academic and career plans. This course is designed to get to know each student individually and to clearly outline the skills required to gain admission to graduate school.

2) The Academic Planning component of the program is designed for participants to set their academic goals, plan their academic path and conduct investigations, assigned by their instructors and in areas of their own interest. Examples of research may include background knowledge about the graduate schools to which they are interested in applying, the research interests of potential academic supervisors, opportunities for grant money to support their plan of graduate study, etc. While building general academic research skills, this program component is also an opportunity to practice the responsibilities and ethical considerations widely used in North America.

Student Testimonial: "This is a great course and the instructor is very helpful and kind."
IGSPP Student, March 2010

3) The Academic Skills component of the program includes training to develop verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. This training helps students deal with complex issues and the prejudices and biases that surround them. These and other critical thinking skills are supported by participation in sample university seminars, debates and student-led seminars in order to help participants develop their familiarity with the North American academic style. Participants also examine topics such as academic ethics and responsibilities. Interactive workshops and seminars are designed for exchanging knowledge and include activities such as: discussion; lecture; presentation; case study; introduction of theory; debate; problem based learning; and general data gathering and reporting.

Student Testimonial: "After finishing the debrief, I realized the biggest problems is time management. It is easy to talk but difficult to do it."
IGSPP Student, Dec. 2009

4) The Culture & Communication workshops help participants become oriented to life in Vancouver and the expectations and cultural differences of classroom work in North American universities. Participants build their communication skills, knowledge of local culture and confidence in communicating effectively in English in professional, academic and community settings.

Student Testimonial: "This is a super course. It helps us to know the culture differences between Canada and my country. We also know that if we want to study in Canada well, we have to have a good relationship with people. That’s why the culture is important"
IGSPP Student, March 2010

5) Academic Argumentation is a component of IGSPP that helps students work on developing greater clarity, forcefulness and appropriateness in the ways in which they express themselves in academic assignments, primarily, though not exclusively, in written form. Persuasive writing is a major focus of the course: articulating a thesis, organizing points in support of that thesis, developing those points, and addressing the audience appropriately. Research proposal development is also emphasized. The mechanics of writing (e.g. grammar, sentence structure, sentence variety, accurate proofreading and effective revision) is also covered as needed.

Student Testimonial: "Research skills are helpful. Those skills make me become a really good learner."
IGSPP Student, Dec. 2009

"This is a super great course, which helps us a lot in our writing. We have to write many things in our life and good writing helps us to be successful."
IGSPP Student, March 2010

6) The Academic Mentorship module provides the student with a more personalized experience planning their academic future. Each student is assigned to a qualified academic mentor who is either studying, or has completed studies, in a field similar to that which the student wishes to pursue. The sessions reflect the typical relationship between a professor and a student in order to develop the student’s organizational skills and give the student clear guidance how to achieve their academic goals.

Student Testimonial: "My mentor helped me to amend my personal statement and resume. He recommended me lots of schools with my program."
IGSPP Student, Dec. 2009

"My mentor has told me a lot of things that are important in North American academic field, but I’ve never thought about before. It is of great help for me to build a frame in my mind."
IGSPP Student, March 2010

7) As Online Course Work is an educational format that is growing in use in graduate level discourse, IGSPP students need to become familiar with its conventions and strengths. With the help of online facilitators, some IGSPP assignments are completed in this online format.

Student Testimonial: "It is a great experience to do things online. Some of those feedback are encouraging and some really gave me a better understanding of myself. I have to say that it is my favourite part to read other's feedbacks. I am improve a lot not only about writing but also thing needed. "
IGSPP Student, Dec. 2009

8) The Field Studies segment is designed for participants to explore beyond the classroom and reach into the wider community to develop their skills, broaden their knowledge of the multicultural elements of Canada and gain understanding of the social philosophies, institutions, businesses and commercial enterprises that sustain communities and their economies. This might include opportunities for community service learning (e.g. volunteer work for the Red Cross Society).

9) Assigned Project Work is also a part of the curriculum. Working individually and in teams, participants are asked to pursue knowledge in areas of academic interest and report their findings to their peers and instructors. Each project team receives mentorship from academics, faculty and colleagues and training in presentation skills to help them prepare their projects.

Student Testimonial: "Everything we have done was amazing. Especially for decision making part. We need respect everyone's opinion in the team and I think that's the key of leadership."
IGSPP Student, Dec. 2009

10) There is a range of Socio-Cultural Activities that participants can enjoy while in British Columbia. It is a chance to take part in the cultural life of Canada including music, art, dance, athletics, and general leisure. Participation in these activities is often mandatory, however, some are optional.

11) Students who do not meet the English language requirements for IGSPP (please see Entry Requirements) may be offered Conditional Admission with the opportunity to improve their English fluency at the UBC English Language Institute at additional cost.