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.
