Surviving Life as a Graduate Student: Exploring Vancouver and Beyond

SURVIVING LIFE AS A GRADUATE STUDENT:

EXPLORING VANCOUVER AND BEYOND

Laura Dale,

MSc Student

Alden Blair,

PhD Candidate

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

1. UBC life

2. Getting Around Vancouver

3. Neighborhoods and places to go

4. Getting Away from Vancouver

5. Events

6. Questions

Beaty Biodiversity Center

Museum of Anthropology

UBC Rec.

Botanical Gardens

UBC Farm

Gyms

Pools

Student Theater and Music

UBC:

YOUR HOME FOR THE NEXT 2-8 YEARS

GETTING AROUND VANCOUVER

Bus: Pick up your UBC bus-pass every month at the book store (you’ve already

paid for it)

SkyTrain: Works with U-pass

Driving: Car share programs abound: Car2Go, ZipCar, Modo

Shuttles: to Whistler, Victoria, Seattle, etc

Ferries: Bus or bike and walk-on for cheaper service

Seaplanes: more expensive but have student discounts

Biking: You can bike everywhere in Vancouver

• Biking is the great way to get around

• Bikes are treated like cars: do not bike on sidewalks

• Helmets are required:

you can be fined $100 for not wearing your helmet!

• Bike maps are available online:

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/map-cycling-vancouver.pdf

• Lock your bike with a good lock.

• Register your bike: http://www.bikerevolution.ca/

• Used Bikes range between $150-$600 dollars

Buy them during the winter off season!

GETTING AROUND: BICYCLING

AROUND VANCOUVER:

NEIGHBORHOODS

• Kitsilano and Point Grey: Beaches, single family houses,

“old hippies and young yuppies” and grad students in

basements

• Spanish Banks: volleyball, picnics, swimming

• Jericho Beach Sailing Club: UBC sailing club, food, tennis

• Kits beach and pool (130 meters!) : swimming, everyone in the

summer

• Lots of yoga studios

AROUND VANCOUVER:

NEIGHBORHOODS

• Granville Island: food market, Emily Carr

Art School, Art exhibits, whale watching

tourists

AROUND VANCOUVER:

NEIGHBORHOODS

The West End

Stanley Park

AROUND VANCOUVER:

NEIGHBORHOODS

Granville Street

Gastown, Chinatown:

• Water Front Station

• Hip restaurants and bars

• Cruise ships

• Transitional neighborhood

AROUND VANCOUVER:

NEIGHBORHOODS

• Commercial Drive: affordable eats and

drinks, small crafty shops, markets,

coffee shops, hipsters, gelato

AROUND VANCOUVER:

NEIGHBORHOODS

Grouse Mountain: Skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, the Grouse Grind,

Bears

Cypress Mountain: Skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, trail running

Deep Cove: Kayaking, hiking, restaurants

Lynn Canyon Park: Waterfalls, trail running, hiking, Lynn Valley

Suspension Bridge *The Capilano Suspension Bridge is not worth the cost! Lynn Valley is free!

Bowen Island: Cute island community, crafts, hiking, bicycling

GETTING AWAY: AFTERNOONS OR DAY TRIPS

Victoria, Vancouver Island

Tofino, Vancouver Island: Amazing surfing, hot springs, hiking

Saltspring Island: Small ‘crunchy’ island community

Whistler and Blackcomb: skiing, mountain biking, trail running, resorts,

camping

Squamish: skiing, mountain biking, trail running, camping

Okanagan: camping and wine tasting

Seattle, USA: Art, music, coffee, markets [if you plan on going to the US a lot

consider getting a NEXUS pass]

GETTING AWAY: FURTHER AWAY

VANCOUVER IS… EXPENSIVE!

FOOD AND DRINKS

Food and groceries in Vancouver: • Wholefoods/Capers and Choices: $$$$

• Safeway: $$$

• Local grocery stores: $$

• Save-on-foods: $

• No-Frills: $

• Costco (bulk): $

• Farmers Markets: $ - $$$$

On the plus side they cater to all your dietary needs

• Gluten free, vegan, no-nightshades, vegetarian, soy-free, lots of

bacon

• Ethnic food stores abound:

http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2010/09/18/best-ethnic-grocery-

stores-in-vancouver-chefs-choices/

VANCOUVER IS… ACTIVE!

Races:

• http://runcouver.com/races/

• http://www.events.runningroom.com/

• http://cyclingbc.net/

Running groups: Join at any Running

Room or Forerunners

Yoga: more studios than you can count.

Check online for deals, styles, and

discounts

VANCOUVER IS… FULL OF STUFF TO DO!

Science World: dorky but fun

Vancouver Film Fest

Sports Teams: Lions, Whitecaps, Canucks

Vancouver Art Gallery

Vancouver Aquarium

Christmas Markets

Car-free Days

VanDusen Botanical Gardens

Vancouver Public Library Late night study sessions…

Kits Pool: 130 yards & outdoors!

CHECK LIST:

1.Umbrella

2.Waterproof laptop case

3.Change of socks

4.Bright desk lamp

5.U-Pass

6.A happy plant

VANCOUVER IS… WET

SURVIVAL GEAR

GRADUATE SCHOOL IS HARD… BUT LIVING IN

VANCOUVER MAKES UP FOR IT.