Vantage Peer Mentors

The Vantage Peer Mentors are a group of Vantage College alumni, passionate about fostering social connections and providing peer support to Vantage One students.

They can help you with:

  • Connecting you with the UBC Community and resources
  • Questions about UBC Vantage College and university life
  • Networking
  • Peer-to-peer support

You can connect with your Peer Mentor via:

Meet Your Peer Mentors for 2022-2023!

Alqallaf

Preferred name: Alqallaf

Pronouns: he/his/him

Faculty: Science

Specialization: Dentistry, 2nd year

Home: Kuwait

Interests/hobbies: Hiking, fishing, and practicing martial arts

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

It is okay to fall if you would stand up again.

Cassie

Preferred name: Cassie

Pronouns: She/ Her/ Hers

Faculty: Arts

Specialization: Major Psychology & a Minor in statistics, 4th year

Home: China

Interests/hobbies: Video games, e-sports and Music.

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

Don’t be afraid to say hello to new person. Friends is crucial especially in a new place.

Jafar

Preferred name: Jafar

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Faculty: Science

Specialization: Not declared, 2nd year

Home: Kuwait

Interests/hobbies: I like to play football/soccer and I enjoy swimming

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

Take the first step in meeting new people, because most students are new to this environment and they all as nervous as you are. 

Elaine

Preferred name: Elaine

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Faculty: Arts

Specialization: Psychology, 4th year

Home: China

Interests/hobbies: Hiking, travelling, playing with animals.

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

Do not hesitate to explore and making friends. You may encounter many difficulties and uncertainty in first year and get more social interactions will be helpful.

Maria

Preferred name: Maria

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Faculty: Science

Specialization: Not declared, 2nd year

Home: Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil

Interests/hobbies:  Playing the piano, swimming and playing volleyball

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

Join a club! It's the best thing I did during my first year at UBC, I promise you won't regret it.

Mioko

Preferred name: Mioko

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Faculty: Arts

Specialization: Not declared, 2nd year

Home:  Japan

Interests/hobbies: Skiing, golfing, midnight cafe runs

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage Students?

Don’t rush or feel you are behind, everyone’s got the same worries :) 

Tara

Preferred name: Tara

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Faculty: Science

Specialization: Statistics, 2nd year

Home: Belgrade, Serbia

Interests/hobbies: Reading (Pride and Prejudice is my favorite in this lifetime), playing and listening to music, and watching comfort TV shows (Gilmore Girls always). 

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

Give your best, and take care of yourself! Study when you feel productive, visit different parts of Vancouver, meet friends from everywhere and make sure you stay open-minded to new things!


K

Preferred name: K

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Faculty: Applied Science

Specialization: Mechanical, 2nd year

Home: Thailand

Interests/hobbies: Eating, snowboarding and kendo

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

“If you win, you live, if you lose, you die. If you don’t fight, you can’t win.”

Tiffany

Preferred name: Tiffany 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Faculty: Arts

Specialization: Major in Sociology, Minor in Commerce, 4th year

Home: Hong Kong

Interests/hobbies: Travelling, exploring new restaurants

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to try new things! (e.g. join a club!)

Yiming

Preferred name: Yiming

Pronouns: he/him/his

Faculty: Science

Specialization: Combined Major in Statistics and Economics, 4th year

Home: Beijing, China

Interests/hobbies: Photography, coffee, badminton

What is a piece of advice you would give to new Vantage students?

Please feel free to come to me if you are confused, I hope they will treat me as a friend. College life is very beautiful, please rest assured and boldly create your future!

Events

The Vantage Peer Mentors host monthly events throughout the academic year for Vantage One students to connect with fellow peers, Vantage Faculty and Staff, and learn about UBC services and resources available to them.

Note: event details will be posted on the Virtual Lounge, and communicated via email.

Get Involved

Grow your leadership skills, support new Vantage students in their transition to campus life and plan events to enhance their academic and social experiences. 

Applications for the Vantage Peer Mentor Program (2023/2024) are opening soon!