UBC Graduate Students share with you the Vancouver they know... neighbourhoods, services, arts and recreation opportunities and favourite places to go and things to do. Get to know your new city!
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
Surviving Life as a Graduate Student: Exploring Vancouver and Beyond
1. SURVIVING LIFE AS A GRADUATE STUDENT:
EXPLORING VANCOUVER AND BEYOND
Laura Dale,
MSc Student
Alden Blair,
PhD Candidate
2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
1. UBC life
2. Getting Around Vancouver
3. Neighborhoods and places to go
4. Getting Away from Vancouver
5. Events
6. Questions
3. 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
4. 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
5. • 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
7. • 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
8. • Granville Island: food market, Emily Carr
Art School, Art exhibits, whale watching
tourists
AROUND VANCOUVER:
NEIGHBORHOODS
10. Gastown, Chinatown:
• Water Front Station
• Hip restaurants and bars
• Cruise ships
• Transitional neighborhood
AROUND VANCOUVER:
NEIGHBORHOODS
11. • Commercial Drive: affordable eats and
drinks, small crafty shops, markets,
coffee shops, hipsters, gelato
AROUND VANCOUVER:
NEIGHBORHOODS
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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/
15. 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
16. 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!
