<p>Well! Let’s see, there are just about a billion and a half things that make me love UBC so much! Okay. Despite the fact that I consider myself a highly social person, I feel like the unfortunate rumors about UBC being devoid of social activity is utterly false. I think that these rumors stem from comparing large American state schools (ASU, Florida State, U of Wisconsin, UW, etc.) with the much different Canadian “equivalent”. UBC doesn’t have a party 24/7 kind of greek life and team sports aren’t a huge thing. Considering that a big part of the typical American college experience is frat parties and football, UBC not having that seems to scare off people who’re dependent on those things to socialize. What many Americans fail to realize, however, is that there are 3394820934023 clubs to join at UBC and tons of intramural sports, from the standard ultimate to skimboarding! Sure you won’t make friends at big Animal-House style parties or football games, but anyone who’s at least a liiiittle extroverted should have no problem making friends with people who’re involved in the same things they are. Also, with Vancouver being such a big, awesome, cosmopolitan city, there’s quite a bit of city-only kind of fun to be had, like going to concerts and laser shows and raves. And with the lower drinking age, I’ve heard that students who want to go out and have a good time take advantage of the Europe-esque club/bar scene and go into the city for fun. I mean, let’s face it, with a drinking age so low, drinking occurs allllll the time at UBC- departments even throw beer gardens for students and faculty to just kick it and drink! It’s not a dry campus and there are four bars, one where a meal card is accepted as payment. Drinking alone is kind of awkward/terrible, so it’s safe to assume that UBC students do their drinking with one another, SOCIALIZING and having a good time.</p>
<p>Then there’s the location. That’s a big thing for me because I’m from Seattle, Washington, which isn’t terribly far from Vancouver. I’d be far enough from the parents but not TOO far that my mom would freak out haha. I love the moderate, kind of gray and rainy Pacific Northwest climate, (believe it or not!) because it makes things green and absolutely beautiful. I like the fact that I could go snowboarding all day and go to a bonfire on the beach that night in the Pac NW, and I like all the other awesome, outdoorsy kinds of things that this very underrated region has to offer. Other than the familiarity, there’s snowboarding, which is like, the one sport I’m not half bad at. UBC offers its students a $400 deal on season passes to Whistler, which is even cheaper than a pass at my local, not nearly as world renowned and incredible summit. Since I’m big on that, I’ll be riding a whooooole lot if I get in. Other sportsy things that are chill about UBC would be their awesome gym that offers a nice variety of classes. The quarterly fee for membership isn’t all that much either. Annnd I already mentioned the cool intramurals. :)</p>
<p>Ok, back to the environment. Have yo visited? It’s so clean! It’s one of the most sustainable, eco-conscious universities in the world. And it’s in such a nice area too. UBC isn’t in Vancouver proper, but it’s close enough that going to the city with your FREE student bus pass wouldn’t be such a hassle. The school’s academic reputation is great, (consistently ranked in the top 40 universities in the world by U.S. news, beating USC and Dartmouth and other top ranked U.S. schools) Vancouver is one of the most gorgeous, livable places in N. America, and the campus echoes that. When I visited, I felt like living at UBC would be kind of like staying at a halfway decent hotel, given the gym and the 4 starbucks’ and like 3 sushi restaurants and multiple restaurants and bars and the concierge service and whatnot- it’s like an academic resort where the amenities aren’t exactly top notch but they surpass most other schools. Or like a little microcosm of a city where nobody has kids and is around your age.</p>
<p>It also felt kind of European like, everyone was dressed so nicely on the most ordinary day of class! I saw guys in blazers and nice jeans with leather jackets and girls in high boots with tights and skirts. Most people had their hair looking nice, and a lot of the girls had their makeup done. Pretty different from my visits to American colleges where I could just roll out of bed wearing sweats, throw on a pair of flip flops, and fit right in with the students! I was wearing that when I visited UBC and felt reeeeeally out of place haha.</p>
<p>And then finally I love Canada. I’ve been there 6 or 7 times and I kind of love it. As long as my sentiments don’t change, I’ll probably end up staying in CA for good.</p>
<p>Overall, UBC has like a crapton of awesome to offer- great education, great environment, great opportunities for fun, and an overall great college experience.</p>
<p>…I think they better let me in now. That, or pay me to write their advertising pamphlets. Haha :)</p>
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