Meet the Dalhousie community
Each semester, the Faculty of Graduate Studies welcomes new students joining us from locations locally, nationally and around the world. To bring us all together, we’ve created Together@Dal: Grad Edition (T@DGE).
T@DGE features Brightspace modules designed to introduce you to the resources available at Dalhousie and equip you to start your degree program.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Dalhousie graduate student community!
In case you missed it! We also have a checklist for new graduate students.
Workshops and panel discussions
Join us, in person or virtually, for an opportunity to learn more about life as a graduate student at Dal, what resources are available to you, and connect with fellow graduate students.
Karaoke and Games Social
Date: Thursday, February 23
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. AST (Registration closes February 22 at 4 p.m.)
Live Events
Join us, in person or virtually, for an opportunity to learn more about life as a graduate student at Dal, what resources are available to you, and connect with fellow graduate students.
#GradChats and Q&As
Curious about life as a Dal graduate student? Chat with graduate peer mentors and expand your network.
Meet the Dalhousie community
Each semester, the Faculty of Graduate Studies welcomes new students joining us from locations locally, nationally and around the world. To bring us all together, we’ve created Together@Dal: Grad Edition (T@DGE).
T@DGE features an in-person orientation, #gradchats with current graduate students, live virtual events, and Brightspace modules all designed to introduce you to the resources available at Dalhousie and equip you to start your degree program.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Dalhousie graduate student community!
In case you missed it! We also have a checklist for new graduate students.
Coming up on Campus
In addition to Together@Dal: Grad Edition, we also recommend exploring other New to Dal programming on campus.
T@DGE Orientation Workshops
Drop-ins welcome for in-person workshops, registration encouraged
*Location of orientation has changed to Weldon Law Building room 105*
Meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS)
Welcome to the Dalhousie graduate student community! We are excited to have you join us and wanted to introduce the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) team. Learn about supports from the FGS office and ask questions! Opening remarks from the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Date: August 27th at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Event Type: In-Person
Location: Weldon Law Building room 105
Meet Dalhousie Campus Partners
Unsure about what resources are available to you on campus? Come join this panel discussion to meet representatives from Bisset Student Centre, Dalhousie Libraries, Centre for Learning and Teaching, Student Health & Wellness, Studying for Success, and Writing Centre to learn more about supports you have during your graduate studies at Dalhousie. Moderator: Mabel Ho, PhD, Director Professional Development and Student Engagement| Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: August 27th at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Event Type: In-Person
Location: Weldon Law Building room 105
Building a Strong Student/Supervisory Relationship
At the centre of every research-based graduate student’s life at Dalhousie is their relationship with their supervisor. Come join us and hear current graduate students share their experiences about building a strong supervisory relationship. This will be a panel discussion and we also welcome your questions. Moderator: Valerie Chappe, PhD, Associate Dean Students and Postdoctoral Fellows. Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: August 27th at 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Event Type: In-Person
Location: Weldon Law Building room 105
International Graduate Student Experiences at Dalhousie
New to Dalhousie and to Canada? Come join us and hear current international graduate students share their experiences and lessons learned. This will be a panel discussion, so we welcome your questions. Moderator: Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: August 27th at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Event Type: In-person
Location: Weldon Law Building room 105
Orientation events & #GradChats/Q&As
Curious about life as a Dal graduate student? Check out our upcoming orientation events to familiarize yourself with campus resources, expand your network and chat with graduate peer mentors.
Note: While the events below are categorized by location, most are offered in a hybrid format and can be attended online from anywhere.
Dalhousie University is excited to welcome new students to the winter 2026 semester with the Winter Welcome Week, taking place January 5-15, 2026 in Halifax. All new Dalhousie students are invited to attend Winter Welcome Day, an orientation event specifically for new students. Spend the day learning about university supports/resources, engaging in workshops to help you settle into life in Halifax, and connecting with fellow students.
Partners: International Centre, Grad Mentors
Date: January 5, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. AT
Type: In-person
Location: McCain Building lobby
Celebrate the start of the semester by connecting with students from all around the world through games! Together@Dal will host this cozy Board Game Night—a great chance to make new friends, share stories, and enjoy a global game experience. Snacks will be provided.
Partners: International Centre, Grad Mentors
Date: January 5, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. AT
Type: In-person
Location: International Centre
FGS Winter 2026 Orientation: Meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies (Hybrid)
Welcome to the Dalhousie graduate student community! We are excited to have you join us and wanted to introduce the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) team. Learn about supports from the FGS office and ask questions! Opening remarks from the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Date: January 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. AT
Type: Hybrid
Location: In-person at the McCain Building, Auditorium 2, Online via Teams
FGS Winter 2026 Orientation: Meet Dalhousie Campus Partners (Hybrid)
Unsure about what resources are available to you on campus? Come join this panel discussion to meet representatives from Student Accessibility Centre, BIPOC Mentoring Academy, Bisset Student Centre, PREP, Dalhousie Libraries, International Centre, Centre for Learning and Teaching, Student Health & Wellness, Studying for Success, Dal Innovates, and Writing Centre to learn more about supports you have during your graduate studies at Dalhousie.
Moderator: Kala Hirtle Clarke, PhD, Senior Manager Professional Development and Student Engagement| Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: January 6, 2026
Time: 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. AT
Type: Hybrid
Location: In-person at the McCain Building, Auditorium 2, Online via Teams
FGS Winter 2026 Orientation: Building Strong Supervisor-Student Relationships (Hybrid)
At the centre of every research-based graduate student’s life at Dalhousie is their relationship with their supervisor. Come join us and hear current graduate students share their experiences about building a strong supervisory relationship. This will be a panel discussion and we also welcome your questions.
Moderator: Valerie Chappe, PhD, Associate Dean Students and Postdoctoral Fellows. Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Date: January 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. AT
Type: Hybrid
Location: In-person at the McCain Building, Auditorium 2, Online via Teams
FGS Winter 2026 Orientation: #Gradchat Question and Answer with Grad Mentors (Hybrid)
Come connect, relax, and build community with fellow graduate students! Hosted by the FGS Grad Mentors, this casual social is a great opportunity to meet mentors and peers, share experiences, and make new connections across programs. Whether you're a returning student or new to Dalhousie, everyone is welcome to drop in, ask questions, and grow your grad network.
Date: January 6, 2026
Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. AT
Type: Hybrid
Location: In-person at the McCain Building, Auditorium 2, Online via Teams
Get ready to explore the university in the most interactive way possible, as we turn the Dalhousie campus tour into a giant treasure hunt! You’ll be put into teams to solve tricky riddles and complete fun photo challenges as you race to find hidden gems and essential spots on campus. It’s the perfect way to learn your way around, discover the best study nooks, and meet new friends. (And there will be a prize for the winning team!).
Partners: International Centre, Grad Mentors
Date: January 6, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. AT
Type: In-person
Location: Meet in the lobby of the Student Union Building
#Gradchat: Modules 1 & 2 "What the Dal?" and "Thriving in Graduate School"
You are invited to join your graduate peers in this hybrid (in-person and online) session run by Grad Mentors. Start building connections to your Dal grad community. Three mentors will facilitate each session are excited to chat with you!
Do you have some questions and want to talk directly with a graduate student mentor? Join us!
Get in touch with your grad mentors and discuss more about the 'What the Dal' and 'Thriving in Graduate School' modules.
Partners: Grad Mentors
Date: January 7, 2026
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. AT
Type: Hybrid
Location: Mona Campbell 3107
Online via Teams
#Gradchat: Modules 3 & 4 "Relationship Building" and "Creating a Graduate Student Game Plan"
You are invited to join your graduate peers in this hybrid (in-person and online) session run by Grad Mentors. Start building connections to your Dal grad community. Your Grad Mentors will facilitate the session and are excited to chat with you!
Do you have some questions and want to talk directly with a graduate student mentor? Join us!
Get in touch with your grad mentors and discuss more about the 'Relationship Building' and 'Creating a Graduate Student Game Plan' modules.
Partners: Grad Mentors
Date: January 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. AT
Type: Online via Teams
Grow, Thrive, Succeed! Wellness Strategies for the Year Ahead
Join this session to build confidence in understanding and supporting your wellness throughout the winter (and beyond). Designed and facilitated by Student Health & Wellness' Student Care Crew Team, you’ll leave this session with a personalized wellness support plan that is private and unique to you. Light refreshments are also provided.
Partners: International Centre
Date: January 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. AT
Type: In-person
Location: International Centre
Join us for a cozy and interactive evening at the International Centre featuring cheese and chocolate fondue made fresh on site. Participants will dip, snack, and socialize while taking part in a lively team-based trivia game designed to spark connection and friendly competition. Whether you come with friends or meet new people on the spot, this event blends delicious food, cultural exchange, and a fun challenge—perfect for unwinding and building community.
Partners: International Centre, Grad Mentors
Date: January 9, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. AT
Type: In-person
Location: International Centre
The Galentine’s Games Night is designed to bring female-identifying graduate students together for a fun and welcoming night. The event will feature games and shared dishes from different countries, creating an inclusive space for connection, cultural exchange, and community-building among graduate students.
Max registration is 40--we will email if you are placed on the wait list.
Partners: International Centre, Grad Mentors
Date: January 23, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. AT
Type: In-person (location will be sent after registration)
Brightspace modules
The T@DGE Brightspace course includes four modules that you can explore at your own pace. Sign in to Brightspace using your Dalhousie NetID and password, and click on 'Together@Dal: Grad Edition' under 'My Courses' on the left side of the page to get started. If you don't see the course listed, email us at TogetherGrad@dal.ca with your full name, NetID and B00 number, and we'll set you up.
Please note that all four modules are available to review until Friday, September 27, 2024 at 9 a.m. (AT), at which point the Brightspace page will no longer be accessible.
Module 1: What the Dal?
Find out how to get involved in the Dalhousie community and discover the campus resources available to help you succeed.
Module 2: Thriving in Graduate School
Learn how to stay motivated, resilient and confident when starting your program online.
Module 3: Relationship Building
Nobody makes it through graduate school alone. Discover the importance of making social connections and identify tips to stay in touch with your peers, professors, and departmental staff.
Module 4: Creating a Graduate Student Game Plan
Develop strategies to kick-start your graduate studies and build your skills through professional development.
Get recognized for your efforts
When you complete the reflection activities at the end of each of the four modules, Together@Dal: Grad Edition can be added to your Co-Curricular Record (CCR), a document that records your extra-curricular and volunteer activities.
More in-person events
New graduate students are encouraged to check out all New to Dal events, including International Student Orientation, Able@Dal, the Black Student Advising Centre (BSAC) Welcome Event, events hosted by the Indigenous Student Centre (ISC), the 2SLGBTQ+ Services Fair, and more.