Prepare For Your Experience

Congratulations! You’re almost ready for your Intercultural Communications and Globalization – East Meets West (ICG-EW) summer program.

Make sure you have everything ready before you head to Canada! Below you’ll find all the important details to help you prepare for ICG-EW – including payment instructions, visa information, health insurance requirements, and more.

Payment Deadline

May 18, 2026

Visa Deadline

June 10, 2026

Contact

Got a question about the ICG-EW? Get in touch with us here.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND FORMS

Organize Your Documents

Now that you’re through the application process, you’ll need to get your travel documents ready before your trip. Below you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your trip to Canada, including visitor visa and eTA information, Accommodation and Roommate (FAR) form, Consent form and more.

Besides your passport, you may also need to apply for a Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your citizenship, to enter Canada. Find out which document is required for you at the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Visitor Visa

If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, find out how to apply for one here. Find out the current visitor visa processing times here. It will depend on the country of where you are applying from, not the country of your citizenship.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

If you are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, you can apply for one here.

Study Permit

At this time, a study permit is not required to participate in ICG-EW as the study period of our program is less than 6 months. Additional information about study permits can be found here.

We’ll send you the link to the FAR form closer to the program starting date. When you have all of your flight details and documents ready, submit the form with your flight information and rooming preferences filled in. Completion of this form is mandatory for all ICG-EW students.

As a participant in the ICG-EW Summer Program, you need to sign and submit a consent package to us (we’ll send you the forms). The package includes giving consent for:

  • Outdoor activities
  • Expectations of conduct
  • Expectations while living in residence
  • Use of your image for photos/videos
  • Emergencies
  • Release of liability, waiver of claims, and assumptions of risks

Health Insurance

Health insurance? We’ve got you covered.

Health insurance coverage is included in the Intercultural Communications and Globalization – East Meets West (ICG-EW) summer program. More Information about the coverage details will be shared with you closer to the program start date. If you plan to arrive in Canada early or stay later than your ICG-EW package dates, you must purchase additional health insurance for the time you’re not in the program.

 

When Plans Change

Learn about our cancellation, withdrawal and refund policies.

We understand that circumstances can change unexpectedly. If you need to withdraw from the program, we’re here to help guide you through the process. Below you’ll find our policies for program cancellations, withdrawal procedures, and refund timelines—including important deadlines that determine your refund eligibility.

If the ICG-EW International Summer Program is cancelled by the university and no alternative program is offered, ICG-EW will refund 100% of the program fees paid (excluding service fees). The university is not responsible for any additional costs incurred by participants, including travel, accommodation, visa fees, insurance, or other personal expenses.

If you can no longer participate in ICG-EW and choose to withdraw, please email cpe.ubco@ubc.ca with an official withdrawal request. Withdrawal does not automatically result in a refund.

General Refund Policies

  • Once payment has been received, program fees are non-refundable.
  • A 4% service fee is applied to all payments and is non-refundable in all circumstances.
  • Refunds may incur additional bank fees, currency conversion charges, or exchange rate differences, which are the responsibility of the participant.
  • Approved refunds will be issued to the original method of payment.

Visa Refusal Exception

A refund of the program fee (excluding service fee) may be considered if you are refused a visitor visa, provided all of the following conditions are met:

  1. You required a visitor visa to enter Canada.
  2. A complete visa application was submitted no later than June 10, 2026.
  3. Official documentation of the visa refusal is provided.
  4. The program office is notified promptly upon receipt of the refusal.

Visa delays, pending applications, or late submissions do not qualify. Participants from visa-exempt countries are not eligible for visa-related refunds.