Three students having a break between classes

Living in British Columbia, Canada

BC combines a spectacular natural environment with safe urban centres. From the rocky mountains and gulf islands to cities that offer world class arts and culture, British Columbia is Canada's premier destination for residents and tourists alike.

Overview
Where to Live
City or Town?
Exploring BC
Getting Around
Staying Connected
Banking & Other Services
Working in BC
British Columbia Links
British Columbia Weather
 

Your chance to explore British Columbia

There are so many places to visit while you are in British Columbia and for many students this is one of the most important reasons for choosing to study in BC. No matter where you are studying, take the time to travel around British Columbia and see some of the beautiful natural landscape.

Travel Services

There is so much to do in British Columbia that you will find it hard to choose what to do first! You can explore on your own or take guided tours. You can travel by car, bus, train, ferry or plane. There are lots of options so you will want to find out what is available. Visit the student travel agency called Travel Cuts. In other areas you may want to visit a local travel agency. To learn more about the different travel options check out the British Columbia tourism web page at www.hellobc.ca

Skiing, Snow Boarding and Fun in the Snowphoto courtesy Malaspina University-College

British Columbia has an international reputation for some of the best snow in the world! You can ski and snow board on Vancouver Island, at Whistler/Blackcomb, in the Okanagan and in the northern part of British Columbia. The best time of year is between December and March, but some mountains stay open throughout the year. Most ski mountains offer lessons for beginners and you can rent the equipment that you need. Prices vary between the different mountains. Go to Info BC to find out more about skiing and snow boarding in BC.

Oceans, Rivers, Lakes and Life on the Water

You can go sailing, boating, rafting, canoeing, kayaking and even whale watching in BC at most times of the year. Whether you choose to sail in the ocean, swim in a lake, or kayak on a river, water sports are a favourite activity in British Columbia. You can explore with a group of friends or join a tour or excursion group. Some activities you can do for an afternoon and other trips can be for several days. Many of the schools have outdoor activities available for their students. When you arrive, enquire about the different activities and student organizations.

Art, Culture, Museums and Heritage

While you are studying in British Columbia visit some of the museums, art galleries and historical sites. British Columbia and Canada's history is a blend of First Nation Canadians, settlers from Europe and current immigrants from all over the world. The museums and galleries have some of Canada's finest art work and historical artifacts and provide an interesting and beautiful depiction of British Columbia's history and heritage. There are also many local galleries in every centre where you can take a look at current art shows and see new Canadian art first hand. British Columbia supports local performances and artists and there is always a wide selection of theatre, ballet, dance and other performances to choose from. To find out more about the different options, please go to the individual city sites.

Festivals, Events and Multicultural Activities

There is always something exciting and new going on in the different regions of British Columbia. From parades at Christmas time in December, to lantern festivals in the summer to the Indy Car race in downtown Vancouver, there is never a dull moment! To find out what special events are happening while you are in British Columbia, check with your school or check the Tourism British Columbia web site.