Winter Orientation 2026 at the University of Northern British Columbia was a great reminder that even in the middle of winter, campus can feel welcoming and full of energy.
Around 25 to 30 new students showed up to take part in the day, many of them meeting each other for the first time. The event started with registration, welcome bags, and faculty pins, which helped students feel part of the UNBC community right away.
To break the ice, students took part in a bingo activity that was all about student life. Instead of numbers, the bingo cards had prompts like “likes tea more than coffee,” “registered for four courses this semester,” or “wakes up at 8 a.m. every day.” Students walked around chatting and finding people who matched each square. The first four students to complete a row either vertically or horizontally won prizes, but the real win was how easy it made it for everyone to start talking.
After the icebreaker, students split into three groups for campus tours. Two of the tours were led by Student Ambassadors, while one was led by a Future Student Liaison. While the campus tours were happening, International Orientation was also taking place at the Bentley Centre.
Throughout the day, students also heard from various campus departments. Bill, the WIL Projects Coordinator, and Sonia, the Co-op Education Coordinator, spoke about how the Career Centre helps students with resume development, interview preparation, and exploring co-op and work-integrated learning opportunities. Staff from the International Office, Athletics, and other departments shared details about the support, programs, and resources they offer throughout the year.
Once the tours wrapped up, everyone headed to the Global Lounge for snacks and refreshments. Board games were set out, giving students a chance to relax, hang out, and keep getting to know each other.
A trivia game followed, with questions asked in sets of four. Many of the questions were based on information shared during the tours, while others tested general knowledge about the Prince George campus. One group of four students played together, while two students played individually. The group ended up winning a $50 gift card to either Thirsty Moose Pub or Degrees Coffee, a highlight of the evening.
The day wrapped up at 6 p.m. with the President’s Welcome Dinner, where students gathered for a final warm welcome.
Student Life Coordinator Tyree mentioned that what stood out most was how students stayed longer than expected, continuing conversations and already forming connections. When asked how they felt about the event, many students said they were excited to start their journey at UNBC and felt comfortable knowing they had already met people on their first day.
Overall, Winter Orientation 2026 created a relaxed and welcoming space for new students, helping them feel connected before classes even began.
