I want to study in Vancouver, Canada.
But I’m not sure if it’s really safe for me to decide on a place to study abroad. ……
Are you worried about it?
Vancouver is Canada’s third largest city, located on the west side of the country.
It is as popular as Toronto on the east coast, but compared to other cities, Vancouver is said to be more comfortable to live in, with a lot of nature in the city.
Vancouver has a high percentage of Asian immigrants, and most of the language schools have Japanese staff, making it an easy city for Japanese students to get used to.
Studying in Vancouver is recommended for those who are studying abroad for the first time and want to live in a comfortable place.
However, there are still some concerns about whether Vancouver is really a good choice as a study abroad destination.
Therefore, in this article, we will introduce basic information about studying in Vancouver, its merits and demerits, and characteristics of people who are recommended to study in Vancouver.
If you are worried about choosing a city to study in Canada, please refer to this article.
Vancouver is an easy city for Japanese to study abroad
Vancouver is a city in the province of British Columbia on the western side of Canada.
As of 2021, Vancouver will have a population of 662,248, and approximately 2.73 million people in the metropolitan area, making it the third most populous city in Canada.
While Canada itself is a multi-ethnic country, Vancouver has a particularly large Asian immigrant population; as of 2021, 29% of the population was Asian, with Chinese, Filipinos, and Indians making up the bulk of the population. Among immigrants alone, Asian immigrants account for 70% of the population, a very high percentage.
The atmosphere of the city is both urban and natural, and the appeal of the city is that it offers both a convenient lifestyle and a relaxing atmosphere. Access from Japan is easy with direct flights from Narita Airport, and several airlines, including Air Canada, ANA, and JAL, are available.
As a study destination, there are many language schools in Canada, and most schools have Japanese staff.
Although the city is not as large as a metropolis, its convenience and atmosphere make it an easy place to live for both long-term and short-term study abroad programs.
Advantages of Studying in Vancouver
1. Multinational, especially Asian, population makes it easy for Japanese students to fit in.
Vancouver has more immigrants than any other city in Canada and is blessed with linguistic and cultural diversity. There are many Asian (e.g., Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese) and Latino (e.g., Mexican, Colombian) people in our schools.
2. Many restaurants and stores catering to Japanese people
With 28,305 Japanese residents, Vancouver has the eighth largest number of Japanese in the world.
Because of the large number of Japanese people in the city, you will find many Japanese-owned restaurants, cafes, and retail stores. In addition to being able to eat Japanese food easily, it is possible to feel the Japanese atmosphere even when you feel homesick.
For those who have never traveled or studied abroad before, just being able to eat familiar Japanese food can be a source of relief.
3. Easy access from Japan and good local transportation system
Vancouver has several direct flights from Narita. Although the flights are long (around 9 hours), there are no transfers, so there is no need to get lost or waste time at the transfer airport.
Vancouver also has a well-developed transportation system, with bus (SeaBus), train (SkyTrain), and ferry service the three main modes of transportation within the city.
Buses are sufficient for basic transportation, and many Vancouverites use them to get to work or school. The fare is as low as 2.95 CAD (about 312 yen) no matter how much you ride, so transportation costs are not very expensive.
An IC card called “Compass Card,” similar to Suica or ICOCA in Japan, can be used for boarding, and can be purchased from ticket vending machines at train stations or drug stores.
4. Safe and comfortable place to live in Canada
Canada is a safe country as a whole, and if you are careful, you do not have to worry too much about getting involved in major crimes. Vancouver was ranked fifth on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s list of the world’s most livable cities.
However, it is not necessarily safer than Japan. If you are not careful, there is a possibility that your wallet or phone could be stolen or left behind. Remember that you are staying abroad, and take basic safety precautions such as not going out alone late at night and not wearing expensive items.
5. Enjoy both urbanity and nature
Vancouver has a good balance of urban and natural beauty. Both of these atmospheres make for a calm and relaxed lifestyle, which is why it is known as one of the most livable cities in Canada.
The center of Canada has an urban atmosphere and is lined with buildings that house offices and other facilities. There are also many restaurants and shopping malls, making it easy to get around.
In contrast, the city is surrounded by mountains to the north and the ocean to the west and south. With both the mountains and the ocean within the city, visitors can experience a wide variety of activities such as kayaking in the ocean and hiking in the mountains.
You can play in the great outdoors while living in the city, and you can refresh yourself regularly during your study abroad.
6. Warmer climate than other cities in Canada
Winters in Canada are cold and snowy throughout the country. However, Vancouver is still a mild area, and even those who do not like the cold do not find it too hard.
While many cities experience snow and sub-zero temperatures in winter, Vancouver’s average temperature from December to February is 3.6-4.9°C, which is slightly warmer than other Canadian cities.
Despite the cold weather in Canada, the mild climate makes it easy to spend time in Canada, and it is difficult to feel sick due to the seasonal changes.
7. Easy access to the West Coast of the U.S.
Canada itself is a country close to the United States, but Vancouver is located near the state of Washington on the west coast. Seattle is only 2.5 hours away by car or 1 hour by plane. Buses and trains are also available, making it possible to travel while studying abroad.
The U.S. also gets cold in the winter, but the west coast side is a relatively warm area, so you will not feel cold even if you go to visit in the winter.
Disadvantages of Studying in Vancouver
1. rent is skyrocketing and the cost of stay is high
Vancouver has seen housing prices rise sharply in recent years. It is possible to reduce rent to 60,000-100,000 yen by changing your accommodation to a shared house, room share, or student dormitory.
If you know how to keep living costs down by cooking your own meals, the cost of studying abroad will not be so high. Although the cost of living in Japan tends to be high, if you want to reduce the cost of living in Japan, you should consider your accommodation options while planning your study abroad program.
2. the weather during the rainy season can be very gloomy.
Winter tends to be a rainy season. Rainy and overcast conditions are common, as well as a dreary overcast sky. However, the rain is not as heavy and copious as in Japan, but is usually a gentle drizzle. Local people sometimes walk around without an umbrella, so it is not a problem for those who do not mind.
The best season in Vancouver is from June to September. If you don’t like rain, avoid the months of November to February, when it often rains, and study abroad in the summer.
3. It is difficult to feel the atmosphere of a big city.
Vancouver is not as urban as Toronto, especially because of the ocean and mountains. If you imagine big cities like Tokyo, New York, or Los Angeles, you will feel a gap or lack thereof.
Since the country itself is rich in nature and has few big cities, Canada is recommended for those who seek a calm environment rich in nature to begin with.
However, it is easier to concentrate on learning English because there are fewer temptations. Even though it is not a big city, it is the second or third largest city in Canada, so you will not feel any inconvenience.
It is recommended for those who want to concentrate on their studies and improve their English language skills.
Who should study in Vancouver?
So far I have introduced the advantages and disadvantages of studying in Vancouver.
Vancouver has a large population of Asian immigrants and is easily accessible by direct flights from Japan, making it easy for Japanese students to spend time here.
Based on the characteristics introduced so far, we recommend Vancouver as a study abroad destination for the following people.
・First-time international students
・Those who prefer an environment where it is easy for Japanese people to live.
・People who want to live in a city that is easy to live in.
The city is multinational and has a large number of Asian immigrants living in the area, so even beginners to study abroad and English can feel somewhat at ease in this environment.
It is also a comfortable city to live in, with a lot of nature and a moderately calm atmosphere. This is a recommended destination for those who want to improve their language skills in a place they are comfortable with.
