I had previously visited Vancouver a couple years ago on holidays and fell in love with its atmosphere and ice hockey culture, not to mention it’s not far from many local ski mountains and whistler is only 2hours away. I promised myself that one-day I would eventually come back to Vancouver, and a year on exchange was the perfect opportunity to do so.
There wasn’t any pre approved Unit credit transfers for Simon Fraser University (SFU), so getting enough courses approved by both universities was a constant battle. A full year’s minimum full time course load (3 units a semester) was difficult with constant bouncing back and forward with meetings and emails between university advisors. However, looking back on it, it was all worth it. So just stick in there and leave yourself with enough time to plan.
SFU is placed on the top of Burnaby Mountain overlooking the surrounding city skylines, ocean, and looking up to the breath taking mountains. Its old unique stone buildings give it a lot of character and style that slowly changes through the seasons. The Library is a massive six-story football field. If your unlucky you might have to do some classes out in the city of Surrey or travel downtown to the city center with isn’t so bad. The city is a beautiful and filled with very nice people. However try to stay away from east Hastings Street that is over run by homeless people. This is hard as the main route from on campus to downtown Vancouver is along Hastings Street.
I had and assumption that the Canadian university experience would be a lot like the American culture with lots of fraternity parties and support in the sports teams. However, this was not the case. With more parties organised at bars and dorms on campuses. More support was also aimed towards the Professional teams. This was eventually no issue as the whole city was crazy passionate about their only professional ice hockey team in the NHL.
There are many Activities to do in Vancouver that will keep you busy. So try to organise trips and activities early in the semester. Ranging from hiking the local mountains in the summer, skiing them in the winter, catching a ferry over to Tofino on Vancouver Island to go surfing if you miss the beach, or making quick trips across the close border down to America. Many popular north American destinations are much cheaper and quick to travel to and were popular with many exchange students to travel to on mid semester breaks e.g. Cancun for spring break.
The city is very multicultural and many different sections of the city show this, however the national languages are English and French, with English the most predominant language. Sushi is a definite must and is one of the more popular places to eat as the quality is outstanding where ever you go and the cost is very cheap, where most sushi restaurants out number cafes.
SFU has great facilities. With most of the facilities are free and included with your student fees. This including the gym, pool and bus passes. A student dinning hall is also available on campus, and offers a range of cheap meal plans for the semester or cheap single all you can eat meals. This is a good place to hang out and study with food close by. The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) were always planning events and outgoing for exchange student to be apart of. Ranging from on campus music concerts, hockey games, or ski trips. There was always something to keep you busy and sometimes distract you from your studies.
