Experiential Education
Experiential education is an integral part of the overall UBC Okanagan academic experience, supporting the transformative learning focus of UBC’s Strategic Plan (Shaping UBC’s Next Century) and Outlook 2040. Transformative learning is supported by leveraging multiple pedagogical approaches such as interdisciplinary education, flexible learning, work-integrated learning, practical learning and experiential education.
Experiential Education is a philosophy and methodology in which “educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people’s capacity to contribute to their communities.”
Association for Experiential Education
NEW EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION WEBSITE: This new website provides students with the opportunity to learn more about experential education opportunities available to them to support their academic goals and career aspirations. VISIT EE.OK.UBC.CA >
Experiential Education Initiative at UBC Okanagan
Between January 2024 to December 2026, UBC Okanagan is advancing a campus-wide Experiential Education (EE) Initiative, designed to expand and enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students while providing resources for faculty, staff and industry partners.
This initiative focuses on creating the tools, frameworks and partnerships needed to make experiential education accessible and impactful across academic and co-curricular contexts.
Reports and Plans
Overview
Significant effort was invested across both campuses to create a shared understanding of experiential education, identify challenges and barriers to advancing this work and develop an action plan for moving these priorities forward. This work has culminated in a phased approach to experiential education that is in alignment with UBC-wide strategic priorities and articulates the unique experiences and opportunities found at UBC Okanagan.
Related reports:
phased approach
Expand experiential education across teaching and learning
- Leads: Faculties, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Provost Office, AVP Students
Engage students in experiential education opportunities
- Leads: AVP Students, Provost Office, PAIR, Faculties
Encourage community engagement in experiential education initiatives and programs
- Leads: Faculties, Provost Office, Alumni & Development, Co-op Office, AVP Students
progress and achievements
✅ Launched Summer 2024 | ee.ok.ubc.ca
- For Students: The website provides a valuable resource for guiding students towards various experiential learning activities available across campus, enhancing both recruitment and retention efforts.
- For Faculty & Staff: The website shares resources and guidance for designing and supporting EE (added Summer 2025).
- Coming Soon: A planned industry engagement section (expected 2026) will showcase collaboration opportunities for community and industry partners.
✅ Endorsed Fall 2024
The EE Competency Framework provides a shared language and structure for identifying, developing, and reflecting on the skills students gain through experiential learning.
- Purpose: Aligns participation with institutional learning outcomes and workplace-ready skills.
- Development: Created collaboratively with faculty and staff, informed by research, labour market data, and benchmarking across Canadian post-secondary institutions.
- Impact: Serves as the foundation for the Experience & Involvement Portfolio.
✅ Student Access Spring 2025
EIH is a centralized platform that helps students:
- Discover curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular EE and involvement opportunities.
- Track & Reflect: Guided reflections link activities to the Competency Framework, bridging academic and non-academic experiences.
EIP (Experience & Involvement Portfolio) allows students to:
- Build a personalized, evolving record of learning.
- Document growth, achievements, and readiness for employment, graduate studies, or other goals.
Faculty and staff benefit from the EIH by leveraging its tools to enhance the impact of experiential learning and integrate reflection into the student experience.
✅ Established Fall 2024
This cross-campus committee provides feedback on priorities, supports implementation and ensures Faculty/unit representation in shaping EE at UBC Okanagan.
To learn more about the UBCO EE Initiative, visit ee.ok.ubc.ca or contact the co-directors.
Report highlight
Undergraduate Research Engagement: UBC Okanagan
In 2024, the Office of the Provost contributed to a cross-campus report presented to the Board of Governors on undergraduate student research opportunities and engagement at UBC. As a complement to that work, a UBC Okanagan-specific report has been developed featuring programming and opportunities unique to this campus.
Student Spotlight
UBC Okanagan offers a wide range of experiential education opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Meet some of the students on our campus who are experiencing these transformational learning opportunities.
Embracing Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Research
Learn how UBC Okanagan alumna Geetika Sadarangani took advantage of undergraduate research opportunities to enhance her degree and help other people.
