Tour Vancouver and Alexander College

Even if you are just flying in, getting from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Downtown Vancouver to our campuses is as easy as hopping on the SkyTrain.

If you are a fan of hiking or nature, taking a short SeaBus ride from Downtown Vancouver and back will take you to three well known Vancouver sightseeing spots.

Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park

After about a 15-minute transit ride, you will be greeted to Capilano Park which boasts our famous Capilano Suspension Bridge.

According to Tourism BC, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is known to bring in over a million visitors and tourists a year!

In addition, the park and bridge also feature different attractions depending on the holidays so come Christmas you may catch a peek of some spectacular Canyon Lights displays! If you’re a fan of natural adventures or photography, you’ll find no shortage of sights to take in. We promise there are many great spots if you are an avid Instagrammer.

So be sure to stop by and visit one of Vancouver’s oldest tourist attractions at Capilano.

Grouse Mountain – The Peak of Vancouver

Continuing from Capilano park and you will arrive at Grouse Mountain which is famous for its view, hiking trail and ski slopes during the winter.

Known as “The Peak of Vancouver”, it is home to an observation deck and restaurant to relax with a meal as you sightsee.

If you’re adventurous, you can try out the zipline which is open during the summertime or challenge yourself on the many mountain bike trails.

Once the snow falls, Grouse Mountain is one of the most popular destinations for ski and snowboard enthusiasts (snowshoeing also available).

Don’t own a snowboard? Never learned how to ski?

Have no fear as Grouse offers rentals and lesson packages with many schools visiting for their field trips. Student groups from UBC, SFU as well as our own Alexander College students have taken annual trips to the mountain so be sure to add it on your must-do list.

If you are new to Vancouver or haven’t seen it yet, we definitely recommend taking a visit to Grouse Mountain!

Stanley Park and The Seawall

If you’re looking for another addition to your scenic tour, look no further than Stanley Park and our well-known Seawall.

For those who are fans of more leisurely walks, Stanley Park has a perfect balance of flat and long trails while you marvel at the coast along the Pacific Ocean.

While you are at the park you can also visit the Vancouver Aquarium which is home to many aquatic animals and even acts as a conservation to preserve, educate and rehabilitate our local sea life.

Cycling in Vancouver

Once you have returned to the Seawall, you can either choose a casual walk or take part in one of Vancouver’s favourite method of transportation: Cycling!

Many bike rentals surround Downtown Vancouver as the Seawall connects from our main city hub circling back from Stanley Park.

Best of all, many of the bike rental companies offer student discounts with a valid student ID so be sure to take advantage of it!

Vancouver also has its own bike sharing program where you can register an account online and reserve a bike ahead of time using the app (No cash needed!).

As you reach the end of the seawall, you will eventually stroll through three of our major beaches:

• English Bay (one of our most popular)
• Second Beach
• Third Beach

Many visitors, students and tourists enjoy our warm yet mild summers at the beach as a favourite past time. you will experience the sights of beach volleyball with friends, summer BBQs filling the air with its aroma and even exercise groups which often allow the public to join.

Food Culture and Cuisines

Once you have returned to our city centre, you will find Vancouver is home to several different cultures and cuisines.

If you’re ever feeling homesick, visit the many restaurants throughout the city for some authentic snacks and savories. We have cuisines ranging from Chinese, Indian, Korean, Latin American, African and several more!

In fact, our students have even explored some of our local eateries with their own recommendations.

After you have found yourself more familiar with our city, it’s only a matter of time before the school season begins. In that case, we welcome you to our first campus located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver!

A Campus in The Heart of Vancouver

Alexander College’s Vancouver Campus is located in the centre of downtown Vancouver on the corner of Seymour and West Hastings Street.

The Vancouver campus is steps away from the major shopping, entertainment districts, and major tourist attractions. As well, it is just one block from the Vancouver Waterfront SkyTrain.

Historic Gastown

Around the campus, you will also discover our historic Gastown and its variety of eateries, landmarks and promenades.

You’ll be able to visit our famous Steam Clock and Hotel Europe which is styled after the flatiron buildings of New York.

In fact, Gastown has lent its location to numerous film, TV show productions and independent photoshoots.

Film aficionados may notice locations or settings that were used in shows such as the CW’s Arrow, Supergirl or The Flash.

Hollywood North

In addition, Vancouver is commonly known as “Hollywood North” due to the frequent amount of film productions so if you love movies and actors you may even bump into a few while touring the city.
(We once caught a glimpse of Vancouver born Ryan Reynolds near our campus filming a movie!)

Science World and Vancouver Public Library

Vancover is also home to several architectural marvels that are all minutes away with our transit system. Once you are on the Skytrain, you will likely pass by our famous Science World with its iconic dome shaped design.

Originally used as the expo center for the Expo 86 Worlds Fair, Science World is home to numerous exhibits and is a non-profit science museum which hosts upwards of 850,000 visitors annually.

Another notable architectural landmark is the Downtown Vancouver Public library which draws its design inspiration from the Roman Renaissance era.

Walking by, you will feel as if you are standing in front of the Roman Colosseum itself!

It currently serves as the main branch for our Vancouver Public Library resources which is a popular destination for students.

For students working on multimedia projects, the library also allows you to rent recording booths, audio and video equipment as well meeting spaces for your various projects.

Campus Events and Lifestyle

At Alexander College, you can also expect to learn about the many events that we host both on and off campus.

Starting from the front lobby and all throughout the college’s halls, you will be greeted with posters about clubs and events ranging from conversation clubs, study groups or cultural events.

Our students have enjoyed adventures such as visiting the Playland at the PNE or kayaking at Deer Lake Park.

Two very popular events that our students enjoy with an additional bonus of discounted tickets or entry fare with their student IDs.

In fact, one of our most popular student events is our AC Talent Show which features the many talents of our students. It is a great way to get to know both staff and fellow students while also competing for some amazing prizes!

Cultural Celebrations

When off campus, some of our cultural events have included the Indian celebration of Diwali, a Lunar New year feast as well as a Cinco De Mayo celebration. Here at Alexander College, we always encourage our students to share their culture and anyone is free to pitch their event to our Student Association.

Sports Leagues

If you are a sports fan, Vancouver is home to several teams for you to cheer on throughout the year:

• National Hockey League team the Vancouver Canucks
• Major League Soccer team the Vancouver Whitecaps
• Canadian Football League team the BC Lions

Watching our teams play is a great opportunity to bond and cheer along with friends and experience the local culture. Quite often our students will take field trips to watch the games and they always have a blast!

Cafes in Vancouver

From the 360 video you may also notice we love our cafes here in Vancouver!

The city is filled with many local specialty coffee shops with several of them using locally sourced ingredients.

Alexander College students have even guided us on a tour to view some of our favourites while also educating us on the differences between lattes and americanos!

Even if you are not much of a coffee drinker, you will often see our students taking part in study clubs at cafes while socializing.

Granville Island

While taking a break from studies, another popular spot that is close to our Downtown campus is Granville Island. As one of Vancouver’s hub for the culinary and visual arts, you will find some amazing local seafood spots and handmade goodies crafted by local artists.

In the summertime, we definitely recommend visiting Granville Island which is known to have some of the best ice cream spots in the area.

A Campus in the Centre of Burnaby

If you are a fan of movies, then look no further than SilverCity Metropolis which is Metrotown’s movie theatre.

A popular destination for our students when we host movie nights after classes.

(Tuesdays offer cheaper prices as a bonus!)

Convenience

With a huge metropolitan shopping centre as well as a suburb, the area is also home to several housing options which means you will be within walking distance of your school, home and groceries!

Whether you are in need of a new school semester outfit or supplies for your class, you will find Metrotown a valuable destination to revisit!

A Glance At Campus Culture and Services

Once you have settled in at the Burnaby Campus, you will find many friendly faces who are always willing to help you through your academic career.

Our front desk can help direct you to your classes and put you in touch with right staff if you need any assistance.

Stopping by the bookstore is your go-to when it comes to buying textbooks and paying tuition.

Our Registrar and Enrolment Services teams provide student services related to admissions, course registration, academic advising and much more.

Walk past the library and you will see several spots for quiet study or if you need a book for a research assignment. We also have a service known as the Writing and Learning Centre which allows you to meet staff and receive free one-on-one tutoring for your assignments.

As the larger campus, many students enjoy using our student den to catch a break in between classes. You will often find students there either during a Student Association meeting or when one of the many clubs host an event.

Working Part-Time While Studying

If you are looking for a part-time job while studying, there are many local businesses around Burnaby and our campus. In fact, you may even be greeted by our students at the front desk working on campus.

Here at Alexander College, we offer a student worker program which is a great way for students to gain some professional work experience while also being flexible enough to accommodate their classes.

If you are an international student, you may even meet some new friends and learn about other cultures with your work peers!

A Central Hub

Just in case you needed another convenience, our campus in Burnaby is also central to other major cities depending on where you will be living. Whether you are going to Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam or West Vancouver, many major bus routes and the SkyTrain run through Burnaby at Metrotown Station.

Our Burnaby campus offers both comfort and convenience which means you are sure to have a pleasant stay while studying with us.

Tour and Study in Vancouver

We know that deciding to study in another country is a huge decision.

That said, we have several staff members that you can speak to if you need further advice. For international students looking to inquire, our staff also speak a variety of languages ranging from Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Punjabi and several more!

You can apply online, request additional information, call or send us message on our social media platforms and we’ll be sure to get back to you about your inquiry.

We also have several students who have shared their experiences about coming to Vancouver.

Many of them have said their experiences have also helped improve their English-speaking skills as well as their appreciation of different cultures!

If you have decided that Vancouver and Alexander College is your next destination, be sure to let us know.

We look forward to having you in our city and most of all seeing you on campus!

Learn more in our International Students Guide