International and Family Island Student Services

IFISS liaises with Housing and Residence Life to share recent updates of the Off-Campus Housing/Landlord Registry list to new international or Family Island students relocating to New Providence to pursue their studies at the University and to returning students who may be transitioning from their current accommodations during the semester for various reasons. Students may visit or contact the office (via telephone: (242) 302-4427 or email: ifiss@ub.edu.bs) to have a realistic conversation about how to find suitable housing options, navigate roommate/landlord challenges, and prepare to live on their own. Recommendations are given to students from the list based on their sex, age, classification, and budget.

You can meet fellow international and Family Island students by joining the WhatsApp community and attending events where ‘meet-ups’ are promoted. ‘Group Check-Ins’ are arranged by country and Family Islands throughout the semester, allowing students to connect with others from the same country or island.

Joining the International and Family Island Students Association (IFISA) presents another opportunity to meet fellow IFIS and participate in respectful sharing of culture in a safe space. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Registering with International and Family Island Student Services (IFISS) provides the office with important information that documents your interests and needs officially. This allows the office to provide you with individual help in a confidential manner and helps the office to determine programming for the academic year based on your specific interests or challenges. It informs the office of your preferred method of receiving updates and provides a safe way to submit recommendations to the office on how to best serve you and your peers effectively. The information provided each year is compiled to prepare reports to give an accurate picture of the overall campus experience and challenges international and Family Island students encounter so that improvements can be made for future semesters.

Registrants are eligible to obtain membership of IFISA and may be considered for the departmental award issued at the annual Mingoes Awards. By registering with the office, students may be randomly selected to win prizes and/or a signature IFISS Box/Tote. The IFISS Box is filled with travel-themed items, native and international snacks and sweet treats for the recipients to enjoy.

An invitation to register with International and Family Island Student Services is extended via email on the Friday after deregistration takes place. This invitation includes the survey link that each returning and new student must complete once per academic year. All information provided in the registration survey is kept confidential.

There are two IFISS WhatsApp groups:

1. New Accepts and Transfers IFISS WhatsApp Group – This group is solely for new international and Family Island students and UB North students who are preparing to transfer to the Oakes Field Campus. The group allows IFISS staff and buddies to share information quickly to help students in their search for housing, locate class locations, ask questions about getting around Nassau, and find helpful resources during their initial stages of moving to New Providence. This group is operational until the deregistration period, after which it is dismantled.
2. General IFISS WhatsApp Group – This group is for all registered IFISS students to connect and stay informed while enrolled at UB. In this group, students get to know each other and their respective home island or country, give and receive advice, stay updated on events occurring on and off campus that benefit international and Family Island students, and celebrate each other’s achievements.

IFISS sends an invitation to students to register with the office and indicate whether they wish to join the General IFISS WhatsApp Group.

Housing Subgroups – Both WhatsApp groups have a general chat and announcements section. Members of the groups have the option to join the Housing subgroup if they are searching for housing or a roommate.