## [VSP](/international-learning)
# The Vancouver Summer Program
**The Vancouver Summer Program (VSP) is a four-week academic program that offers the opportunity to participate in a program package, consisting of two academic courses, while learning about Canadian practices and culture. Participants will attend highly interactive classes and engage in a variety of social activities while living in residence on UBC's stunning campus, located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish people.**
The UBC School of Nursing was [ranked one of the top nursing schools in Canada Maclean’s Magazine](https://education.macleans.ca/feature/canadas-best-nursing-programs-university-rankings-2024/) and [\#1 Canadian nursing school in the Shanghai rankings](https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2024/RS0404) (25th globally). Our excellence in health education and research methods is a significant part of our success. No prerequisites are required; however, participants must be proficient in English, have a strong academic background, and be at least 18 years of age at the beginning of the session. All disciplines may apply. Course credit may be granted by the home university. We look forward to sharing with you our commitment to health education, research, and practice at the UBC School of Nursing!
In 2026, we are offering 3 packages for Vancouver Summer Program. Applications will open in late November and the application deadline will be **April 17, 2026**.
[Vancouver Summer Program 2023 - Wrap-up Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C2k0pA4awI)
- Package A: Aging Well - Community, Care, and Connection in Later Life
- Package B: Roots of Resilience - Mental Health and Well-Being at UBC
- Package C: Global Leadership - Health Equity and Climate Resilience
##### Package A: Aging Well - Community, Care, and Connection in Later Life
1. Aging in Action: Exploring Health, Care & Community
2. Caring Communities: Supporting Seniors Where They Live
##### Package B: Roots of Resilience - Mental Health and Well-Being at UBC
1. Mental Health Journeys: From Birth to Later Life
2. Stress Less: Science, Strategies & Self-Care
##### Package C: Global Leadership - Health Equity and Climate Resilience
1. Leading Global Health: Equity, Policy & Sustainable Futures
2. Climate Change: Impacts and Building Resilience
## VSP Program Benefits
- Study at one of the world's top ranked universities
- Unique courses specifically designed for the Vancouver Summer Program
- Courses offered by theme and in pairs to enhance cross-disciplinary learning
- Experience Canadian culture and teaching practices
- Engage with UBC Student Cultural Ambassadors
- Participate in socio-cultural activities with other students
- Approximately 39 hours of class time per course
- Earn a certificate and grades letter upon successful completion
### Program and Registration
**Program Fee**
The 2026 program fee **$6,000 CAD** and will include:
**Application fee: $150 CAD**, payable upon submitting the application. Application approval status granted upon payment of application fee.
**Program fee: $5,850 CAD**, this includes below list:
- Tuition and course materials
- Shared accommodation on UBC campus
- Medical insurance
- Group airport transfer and city tour
- Orientation and farewell events
- Social activities (optional trips may require an additional fee)
Students are responsible for the cost of food and transportation around the city, as well as any other personal expenses they may incur.
**Registration**
Students must meet their institution’s requirements for studying abroad, be proficient in English, and have a strong academic background. All disciplines may apply. Online applications now open. For more information, please visit us at . Late applications may be considered depending on space availability.
### Accommodations
Participants will be housed in UBC residences, such as Walter Gage Towers, on campus with easy access to classes, libraries, sport facilities, and transportation. Students will stay in shared suites that include 4-6 single bedrooms, an in-suite bathroom with a shower and toilet, a lounge area with a television, and a fully-equipped kitchenette. High-speed wired internet is included. The residences are secure and have a 24-hour front reception desk. If maximum occupancy is reached in apartment style accommodation, students may be placed in dormitory style accommodation.
Learn more about [accommodation details](https://vancouversummerprogram.ubc.ca/student-life/accommodation/), and [campus resources](https://students.ubc.ca/campus-life) can be found.
Take a [quick tour of campus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw9u5XO2uf0) for more info.
### Date and Schedule
### July 17 - August 17, 2026
Schedules vary depending on the package selected. Typically, classes are held 4-5 days a week. Example of a typical schedule:
9:00–12:00 | Morning class
12:00–13:00 | Lunch break
13:00–16:00 | Afternoon class
Once you arrive, you will have access to our social excursions led by our Student Cultural Ambassadors. They are current UBC Students organizing and assisting in the Vancouver Summer Program and your local guide to UBC and Vancouver. Past activities included city bus tour, hiking, a baseball game, a soccer/football game, and ice skating. Past venues also included [UBC Museum of Anthropology](https://moa.ubc.ca/), [UBC Botanical Garden](https://botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/), [UBC Farm](http://ubcfarm.ubc.ca/), [Vancouver Lookout](http://vancouverlookout.com/about/), and many more. You will have access to [recreational facilities](https://recreation.ubc.ca/) using your UBC Student Card, including the VSP Sports Festival. Also, we also have a Mini Grad Fair, for those of you interested in Graduate Studies in the near future.
### Nursing Package A: Aging Well - Community, Care, and Connection in Later Life
Image
This package is open to all prospective students of various disciplines. The following two academic courses are offered in Package A:
### Aging in Action: Exploring Health, Care & Community
###### Instructor: TBA
This course offers an engaging exploration of healthy aging and the common health challenges faced by older adults. Students will take part in excursions to innovative seniors’ care centres and learn through interactive mentorship experiences that bring theory to life. Guest speakers, including older adults, healthcare providers, and educators, will share real-world insights into aging, dementia, and wellness. Students will discuss best practices for promoting seniors’ health and wellbeing, guided by ethical principles and respect for personhood. Learning takes place through a dynamic mix of lectures, workshops, discussions, and excursions, providing meaningful opportunities to connect with and learn from the aging community.
### Caring Communities: Supporting Seniors Where They Live
###### Instructor:[ ](/our-people/jasjit-gill "Jasjit Gill")TBA
This course offers students an applied exploration of how to support the health and well-being of seniors within their homes and communities. Students will gain experience developing practical skills to engage effectively with older adults and to create safe, supportive home environments that promote aging in place. A range of guest speakers, including seniors, family caregivers, and health and social service providers, will share diverse perspectives on community-based care. Guided by expert faculty in the field of aging, students will examine environmental, policy, and systemic factors that influence aging in place. Learning will take place through lectures, case studies, discussions, and excursions, connecting classroom knowledge with real-world experience in senior support.
The content covered in NURS Package A: Aging Well - Community, Care, and Connection in Later Life is similar to an undergraduate elective course, [NURS 270](https://nursing.ubc.ca/undergraduate/nurs-elective-courses), and foundational pillar courses in the Masters of Health Leadership and Policy (MHLP) Seniors Care program as a whole ([NURS 542](/course/nurs-542 "NURS 542"), [NURS 585S](/course/nurs-585s "NURS 585S")). However, this course does not translate exactly into the content covered for either course due to condensed format.
### Nursing Package B: Roots of Resilience - Mental Health and Well-Being at UBC
Image
This package is open to all prospective students of various disciplines. The following two academic courses are offered in Package B:
### Mental Health Journeys: From Birth to Later Life
###### Instructor: TBA
This course applies a life-course perspective to examine mental health and illness from the fetal period through older adulthood. Students will explore key developmental, biological, social, and structural determinants influencing mental health across the lifespan, including major risk and protective factors. Emphasis is placed on mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment, as well as health system challenges and opportunities in addressing mental health and substance use concerns. Through lectures, discussions, and guest presentations, students will develop a strong foundation for working effectively with individuals, families, and populations across diverse care and community settings.
### Stress Less: Science, Strategies & Self-Care
###### Instructor: TBA
This course examines the multidimensional nature of stress and resilience and their impact on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Students will explore the positive and negative aspects of stress, factors that contribute to stress, and the physiological and psychological responses it evokes. Emphasis is placed on understanding resilience, social support, and self-care strategies that foster overall health and well-being. Through lectures, discussions, excursions, and an interactive creative assignment, students will apply evidence-informed approaches to managing stress in their current and future personal and professional lives.
The content covered in NURS Package B: Roots of Resilience - Mental Health and Well-Being at UBC is similar to coursework covered in a few courses, [NURS 303 and NURS 180](https://vancouver.calendar.ubc.ca/course-descriptions/subject/nursv). It is intended to support university students to advance their knowledge about mental health and wellbeing. However, these packaged courses do not translate exactly into the content covered in the courses due to its condensed format.
### Nursing Package C: Global Leadership - Health Equity and Climate Resilience
Image
This package is open to all prospective students of various disciplines. The following two academic courses are offered in Package C:
### Leading Global Health: Equity, Policy & Sustainable Futures
###### Instructor: TBA
This course offers students an opportunity to explore how an increasingly globalized and connected world creates new avenues for health care providers to lead in social justice and equity. Drawing on the World Health Organization’s current program of work and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the course introduces leadership styles and strategies for global health advocacy and policy development. Discussions will examine global health leadership in action as it relates to complex contemporary challenges such as climate change, human resources for health, good global governance, decent work, gender and age-transformative action, universal health coverage (UHC), and the WHO’s “triple billion” goals. Students will also have opportunities to meet leaders in Vancouver who champion Indigenous rights and cultural safety.
### Climate Change: Impacts and Building Resilience
###### Instructor: TBA
This course addresses climate change, the largest threat of the 21st century, and its impacts on human health and well-being. Students will explore key concepts in climate science, examine how human activities contribute to environmental degradation, and consider strategies to promote sustainable practices at individual, community, and population levels. Using the social determinants of health framework, the course integrates lectures, sessions with climate and health experts, and real-world case studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of climate-related health challenges. Students will gain critical knowledge and practical skills to support resilience and promote health in a rapidly changing world.
The content covered in NURS Package C: Global Leadership - Health Equity and Climate Resilience is similar to coursework covered in a few courses, [NURS 290, NURS 351, NURS 512 & NURS 520](https://vancouver.calendar.ubc.ca/course-descriptions/subject/nursv). However, these packaged courses do not translate exactly into the content covered in the courses due to its condensed format.
### Vancouver, University of British Columbia, & UBC School of Nursing
Welcome UBC School of Nursing Vancouver Summer Program (VSP) prospective students. This is a brief introduction to Vancouver, University of British Columbia, and UBC School of Nursing.
**About Vancouver**
[Vancouver](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yrne0UhRRg) is the 3rd largest city in Canada, located in the southwest corner of British Columbia. We are 40 minutes away from the United States border. Vancouver is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the world in terms of quality of life, opportunities, cultural diversity, political stability, and a healthy environment. One of the many Vancouver attractions during the summer include the Celebration of Lights Festival. The colourful festival is held in English Bay and it attracts thousands that come to watch the design, techniques and the innovation that is exhibits by the fireworks producers.
During the summer, Vancouver is warm but still very mild compared to many other destinations. Temperatures hover between 19˚C – 25˚C (66˚F – 77˚F) during the day, dipping by about 10˚C (50˚F) overnight. Check Vancouver’s current and historical weather conditions [online](https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/monthly/british-columbia/vancouver).
**About the University of British Columbia (UBC)**
UBC is a global center for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Two major campuses - in Vancouver and the Okanagan - attract, nurture and transform more than 60,000 students from Canada and 140+ countries around the world. 16 faculties, 18 schools, and 2 colleges offer a wide range of study options. The UBC Campus is a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. More than 400 hectares in size, the stunning campus is surrounded by forest on three sides and ocean on the fourth. [Welcome to UBC Vancouver!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCgUM1jKtdg)
**About UBC School of Nursing**
Established in 1919, the UBC School of Nursing has over 100 years of experience educating nursing leaders and innovating research. We have an international reputation for research and scholarship, guided by a vision of excellence in nursing education, research and practice. We offer undergraduate and graduate programs taught by experienced and award-winning faculty members:
- [Bachelor of Science in Nursing](https://nursing.ubc.ca/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-bsn) (BSN)
- [Graduate Certificate in Clinical Informatics](https://nursing.ubc.ca/graduate/graduate-certificate-in-clinical-informatics)
- [Master of Science in Nursing](https://nursing.ubc.ca/graduate/master-of-science-in-nursing-msn) (MSN)
- [Master of Nursing-Nurse Practitioner](https://nursing.ubc.ca/graduate/master-of-nursing-nurse-practitioner-mn-np) (MN-NP)
- [Master of Health Leadership and Policy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLJYmDj28pYsHR6Fds8ZZn5WIvSl8fdGPf&time_continue=5&v=KzJE4RoGjNQ) (MHLP)
- [Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing](https://nursing.ubc.ca/graduate/doctor-of-philosophy-in-nursing-phd) (PhD)
If you would like more details or have further questions about the VSP in Nursing, please contact:
### Rubee Dev
Assistant Professor & VSP Faculty Coordinator
[604.822.6249](tel:604.822.6249)
[PROFILE](/our-people/rubee-dev "Rubee Dev")
### Ellen Siu
Senior Manager
[1-604-822-7749](tel:1-604-822-7749)
[PROFILE](/our-people/ellen-siu "Ellen Siu")
### Weilin Yuan
Assistant Manager, Recruitment and Admissions
[604-822-7473](tel:604-822-7473)
[PROFILE](/our-people/weilin-yuan "Weilin Yuan")
Please contact [vsp@nursing.ubc.ca](mailto:vsp@nursing.ubc.ca?subject=VSP%20Nursing) for general inquiries and applications. To find out our past VSP experiences, please visit: .
For Central Office, Office of the Vice-Provost International, please contact [vsp.ubc@ubc.ca](mailto:vsp.ubc@ubc.ca?subject=VSP%20Nursing). Tel: +1-604-827-2957
For East Asia, please contact Rebecca Chiang in our Asia Pacific Regional Office, Hong Kong at [Rebecca.chiang@apro.ubc.ca](mailto:Rebecca.chiang@apro.ubc.ca?subject=VSP%20Nursing). Tel +852-2111-4401
For South Asia and the Middle East, please contact Faisal Beg in our India Liaison Office, New Delhi at [faisal.beg@ubc.ca](mailto:faisal.beg@ubc.ca?subject=VSP%20Nursing). Tel: +91-11-46061905