Vancouver, Canada: A Study Destination For International Students!
Happy belated Thanksgiving! We asked VanWest student advisors why they consider Vancouver / Canada as an ideal study destination for international students. Check out their responses! 😊
Q. Why do international students choose to study in Canada, do you think?
Canada is an ideal destination for international students who are looking for a welcoming, safe, and fun place to study English! The country offers multicultural experience, spectacular super-natural beauty, and an endless variety of sports and recreation in all seasons. Also, you can get engaged in a great variety of cultural events, festivals, restaurants, and entertainment!
Q. What are your top five tips of things students should do when in your town/city?
- Visit landmarks and attractions and explore Canada
- Join different types of local festivals and learn more about Canadian culture
- Attend school or local events to build a stronger network
- Enhance your resume by participating in volunteer opportunities and engaging in your local community
- Speak English everywhere as much as possible!
Q. Please tell us an interesting fact about Vancouver.
You will be impressed to find out how many blockbusters are filmed in Vancouver! Just take a walking tour around the city and you will get to know that Vancouver is a go-to destination particularly for many movie producers and the city earned the nickname, “Hollywood North”. Here are 5 popular films you may have not realized that they were shot in Vancouver: Big Eyes, This Means War, Tomorrowland, Juno, Fifty Shades of Grey!
Q. What is your favorite hangout/place to visit in the area?
My favourite place to hang out in the Vancouver area is Granville Island. You get to shop in the public market and see visitors from all around the world. Walking around the craft stores is very relaxing and entertaining. Visiting seafood restaurants on Granville Island should be on everyone’s bucket list! Besides the Island, there are so many other interesting places – Kitsilano Beach, Granville Island, Stanley Park, Burnaby Mountain, PNE (Playland), Gastown, Deep Cove, and Capilano Suspension Bridge…
Q. Where and what do you suggest students eat?
Canada is the most multicultural country in the world, so there are countless restaurants from various countries and they offer authentic taste! Japanese, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Brazilian, Italian, Greek, just name it… Students can easily find a menu they want or they can even buy ingredients to cook at home. I would recommend the traditional local cuisine, “Poutine” – this is a dish that includes crispy fries, crackling cheese curd, and rich gravy sauce.
Q. Do you have any useful tips regarding visa applications, accommodation, and travel for first-time students?
For a study permit, always prepare all of the required documents from CIC, especially the fund of financial support. It is always good to have more funds than the actual required amount.
As for an eTA (short term less than 24 weeks), prepare that you are able to explain about your trip such as duration, returning date, place to stay, and school information if you are taking a short ESL class. Hotels in Vancouver are usually pricey, so it is better to look into homestay or student residence options first. If needed, sharing a room with a roommate can be an option, too.
We encourage you to make the most of your time here – get involved and participate in school activities and make your experience worthwhile! VanWest College is here to support you every step of the way!
