A new academic journey often begins with a mix of excitement, curiosity, and uncertainty. For FDU Vancouver’s new students, Orientation Day on September 8, 2026 offered a chance to turn those first-day feelings into connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging while experiencing the university’s new home at Oakridge Park. 

Students explored the campus, met classmates, connected with faculty and staff, and became familiar with the spaces and resources that will support their university experience. 

With more than 70,000 square feet of learning and collaborative space, FDU Vancouver’s new Oakridge Park campus includes modern classrooms, computer and science labs, an AI lab, student support areas, and a multipurpose event space. The campus is designed to bring together learning, support, and community in one connected environment. 

Starting the FDU Vancouver Journey 

Throughout Orientation Day, academic programs hosted dedicated sessions led by program coordinators. Students learned about program expectations, academic resources, and the support available throughout their studies. For many students, particularly those new to Canada, Orientation was also an introduction to a new city, culture, and community. 

A key part of the day was the Department Fair, where students connected with YMCA BC, RBC, TransLink, Service Canada, Skynet Wireless, and Musqueam Nation Elder Christie Charles. 

YMCA BC shared information about its International Student Employment Support Program and resources for navigating the Canadian job market. RBC provided guidance on Canadian bank accounts, newcomer banking packages, and financial literacy. TransLink helped students understand Vancouver’s public transit system, including Compass Card setup and how to navigate SkyTrain and bus routes. Service Canada provided guidance on applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), an important step for students planning to work in Canada. Skynet Wireless helped students explore mobile phone plan options and set up Canadian phone service. 

For many international students, these practical aspects of settling into a new city can feel overwhelming. Having these organizations available directly on campus gave students an opportunity to ask questions, access information, and take some of those first steps in a comfortable and guided environment.  

As Arthur Pinto, Student Services Manager at FDU Vancouver, explains, “Our community partners play a vital role in bridging the gap between the classroom and life in Canada. Bringing these services directly to campus helps remove barriers and gives students the confidence and tools they need to focus on their education.” 

These partnerships reflect FDU Vancouver’s commitment to supporting the whole student academically, personally, professionally, and culturally, while strengthening connections between the university and the wider Vancouver community. 

Connecting Students to Place and Community 

Orientation Day also included a welcome from Musqueam Nation Elder Christie Charles, who acknowledged the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations on which the campus stands. 

For many international students, the welcome offered an introduction to Indigenous history and culture while helping them better understand the community in which they are studying. 

One new student reflected that FDU Vancouver’s recognition of First Nations communities, along with the diversity of its student body, stood out to him during Orientation. He shared that seeing students from different cultures and backgrounds helped him feel welcomed and comfortable in his new environment. 

His experience reflected FDU Vancouver’s personal, global, and transformational approach to education. 

It was personal because every student arrived with their own story, questions, goals, and aspirations. 

It was global because students from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds came together in one community. 

And it was transformational because the Orientation marked the beginning of a new academic experience and, for many students, a new chapter of their lives. 

More Than a First Day 

By the end of Orientation, students had explored their new learning environment, met classmates, connected with faculty and staff, and learned more about the resources available to them. 

The day offered an early look at how the new Oakridge Park campus brings together education, student support, career development, and community engagement. 

Arthur also notes that “each of these partnerships reflects FDU Vancouver’s commitment to supporting the whole student, not just academically, but personally, professionally, and culturally.” 

For new students, Orientation Day was more than an introduction to campus. It marked the beginning of their FDU Vancouver experience. 

Looking Ahead 

Orientation Day marked the start of the student experience at FDU Vancouver’s Oakridge Park campus. In October, the university will continue celebrating this new chapter with Grand Opening events from October 14 to 16. 

The celebrations will bring together alumni, students, university leaders, counsellors, recruitment partners, and members of the wider community to recognize FDU Vancouver’s growth and look ahead to what comes next. 

The doors are open, the community is growing, and a new chapter for FDU Vancouver has begun. 

Personal. Global. Transformational. 

 

Rishva Amin

Student Ambassador

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