Some suggestions from Christine: A very active recent UBC international gradaute student from Mexico.
If you would prefer to join other groups that are already established or have an interest in common, check the Alma Mater Society Clubs the first week of September. That directory gives you more than 350 activity groups to join–theatre, yoga, martial arts, dancing, photography, journalism, rock-climbing… they’ve got it all! Or join organized sport teams at the UBC Recreation Centre.
And well, if you want to diversify the kind of people you meet and the discussions you have, I would strongly recommend taking courses in other departments or faculties. You’ll be surprised by the unbelievably interesting courses offered all across UBC!
One last tip–and this one can actually go on your resume and make you look good–volunteer! Talk to profs whose research sounds interesting and offer to give a hand. Join student groups, organizing committees, search committees… Put yourself out there. You will learn more than you can imagine, and others will benefit from your talents. And, who knows, you might have a job in line by the time you finish your degree!