Vancouver, Canada: The Best Time of My Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The structure of the classes and grading in Canada are generally similar to that of institutions in the US. The grades at UBC get scaled so that 80% is an A, 70% is a B, which is different from the UC system where professors tend to just curve. I also felt that the quality of instruction at UBC was a lot better. My professors were all very well prepared for class, encouraged class discussion (one even taught using the socratic method), and took the effort to know their students on a personal level. I enjoyed my academic experience at UBC very much and I am astonished by how much I learned during my exchange abroad.

On-site administration of your program

The Go Global staff and all my advisors were extremely helpful. They reached out to us through various forms of communication. They had useful information for us, and one advisor even helped me with some of my grading options.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

UBC is a pretty safe campus, and I lived on the 15th floor of Gage Towers which overlooked the beach and had a view of downtown Vancouver and the local mountains. Simply stunning. The public transportation in Vancouver takes you anywhere you want and unlike that of the US, it's actually quick and reliable. There are nights for drinking on campus, frat houses, and plenty to do in downtown. UBC dorms provide a pillow, but other than that you do need your own sheets. What I liked particularly about their on campus housing was that they don't charge you for getting locked out of your room, the janitorial staff was much friendlier, and the best one, they don't force you to buy their meal plan/cleaning services. What I paid there for three months was the same as what I pay at my home university for one month.

I pretty much cooked myself, but there are some pretty amazing restaurants in the area. Vancouver is such a diverse area that you'll find tons of amazing food everywhere.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Best thing about studying at UBC: ending class at noon and spending the afternoon on the slopes! Downtown Vancouver is right at the base of some of the mountains, so you can pretty much finish snowboarding and head straight to dinner/drinks. Good food, nightlife, and snowboarding? This is heaven.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

All I needed was one booster shot and a general health checkup before studying abroad in Canada. Vancouver is a pretty safe area with tons of friendly people. I felt safer there than I do at home.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• International Students

• The people, culture, university, its staff, the students, student life, the city, the surroundings, fun activities, the nature

• The general lack of Mexican food in Canada