University of British Columbia Master’s Program in Genetic Counselling
University of British Columbia Master’s Program in Genetic Counselling Scholl Profile
SCHOOL PROFILE
University of British Columbia
Master’s Program in Genetic Counselling
Transcript
Yes
Letters of Recommendation
Yes, Three Letters
Resume or CV
Yes
GPA
GPA guidelines were not posted on the site
GRE
Not required
Other Information
Information not on the schools website
Living in Vancouver
What is Vancouver Like?
Vancouver is a remarkable blend of vibrant urban life and stunning natural scenery, renowned as one of the most livable and beautiful cities in the world. From the iconic Canada Place waterfront landmark to Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, and Grouse Mountain peak, the city's attractions will astound even seasoned travelers. Vancouver serves as your gateway to discovering Canada's picturesque coastlines and majestic mountain ranges; venture an hour's drive from downtown and you'll find a paradise of beaches and forests.
Conceived as one of the premier cities worldwide, Vancouver is an extraordinary place to call home. Boisterous and situated on Canada's West Coast, one can indulge in a morning hike, explore Stanley Park and the aquaria during the day, savor dishes from any culinary corner imaginable in the evening and attend live theatrical performances by night.
Vancouver, BC is a highly sought-after place to live due to its stunning natural beauty, abundance of activities, and vibrant economy. It's the largest port in Canada and a major industrial hub; this wealth of opportunity makes it easy to find employment.
The City of Vancouver aspires to create a pedestrian-friendly environment, enabling locals to access amenities without the need for motorized transportation. After having lived in Vancouver for six years, I can confirm that they have been highly successful in this pursuit. This feature of the city amplifies its attractive qualities and facilitates exploration within a single day.
The core of Vancouver's downtown is incredibly pedestrian-friendly. You can traverse from Science World in the East to Stanley Park in the West in no time, granting you remarkable sights along the way. As far as public transit goes, Vancouver has truly excellent service for a North American city; though not quite at the level of its European counterparts such as London or Paris, it still functions remarkably well.
Vancouver boasts an impressive public service—Translink—with buses and the longest autonomous train system in North America: the SkyTrain! This can make car ownership an unnecessary expense if you reside in Vancouver. The SkyTrain features several subterranean stations near downtown. Enjoy a spectacular landscape during your entire ride.
Connecting Vancouver and its surrounding areas, there are 3 distinct railway lines, with an extension being currently constructed to UBC. Additionally, at key convergence points, there are also high-speed bus routes available. The SeaBus functions from the downtown Vancouver area to North Vancouver and is extremely dependable; False Creek ferries and Aqua buses offer commutes from the West End to Yaletown, Kitsilano, Olympic Village, and Granville Island.
High Cost of Living in Vancouver
Vancouver is Walkable with Great Public Transportation
Vancouver is renowned for its reputation as an expensive city to live in, with a cost of living that surpasses any other Canadian metropolitan. High rent costs are what ultimately drives the city's expansive price tag.
Housing is typically the main expenditure for households and, in Vancouver, average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment in Vancouver is priced at a hefty $2,500 per month while the median home price is $490,000. Groceries such as produce, dry goods, and other necessities will set you back 6% more than the national average. Although healthcare fares 10% over the standard, costs can differ greatly by individual circumstances.
If rent near the city center is a bit expensive, with access to the expansive cycle network or public transit, you can venture further out and explore. Despite this, it is a known fact that the monthly cost of living in Vancouver is significantly high.
Amazing Shopping in Vancouver
Vancouver is a mecca for shoppers, boasting charming boutiques, colossal shopping centers, luxurious couture, thrift shops, and a multitude of independent stores.
Explore a multitude of unique shopping experiences while in Vancouver! For funky gifts and savory European delicacies, venture to The Drive. Discover chic souvenirs and handcrafted jewelry in Gastown.
For a variety of shopping experiences, downtown Robson Street offers an array of large shopping centers. Gastown and the rest of the city offer various independent shops, Alberni Street is home to luxury and designer boutiques, while Tsawwassen Mills and the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet provide discounted designer goods. When needing a comprehensive selection of items, I'd usually visit Park Royal in West Vancouver – it's where I'd end up purchasing most of my Christmas goods.
Immerse yourself in the élan of the Lonsdale Quay market on the North Shore. Lastly, traverse downtown for an array of high-end stores such as Tiffany's and Holt Renfrew in addition to Roots and Sephora.
The ever-bustling Granville Island opened its public market in 1978. Tourists are drawn to the area to shop for handmade crafts, unusual gifts, and sample the diverse cuisine at the food stalls; all while enjoying stunning ocean views. Even more exciting is encountering the Raptors: an assembly of falconers who graciously bring out hawks to educate visitors. To witness these raptors is among the many enjoyable free activities Vancouver has to offer!
Access to Nature Surrounds Vancouver
The stunning views of mountains, ocean and forest pervade Vancouver; a ubiquitous presence that can be observed from nearly any point in the city. What's more, Vancouver offers an abundance of beaches for locals and visitors alike to explore - on both the downtown streets and further out. There is nothing quite like life in Vancouver with these idyllic scenes.
Live downtown and step out your door to be enveloped by a stunning beach, moments away from exploring the ancient forests. Take advantage of an unforgettable experience - ski at one of North Vancouver's three ski hills (Cypress, Seymour and Grouse) in the morning and relax on the shoreline in the afternoon - I have done it!
Just 30 minutes away from downtown Vancouver, the North Shore offers a premier mountain biking experience while Lighthouse Park and Squamish provide an array of climbing opportunities. Additionally, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are all within reach.
For those in pursuit of outdoor adventure, Vancouver offers an abundance of spectacular hikes. Go sightseeing atop Bowen Lookout or St Mark's Summit or strike out on a journey to Mount Seymour - the possibilities are endless. Experience a wealth of thrilling hikes and explore the wilderness with abandon.
Last, but certainly not least, is the access to Stanley Park; an iconic destination in Vancouver and one of the main draws for living in this city. This massive grandiose park boasts century-old pine trees, serene streams, quaint lakes such as Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon, and an exclusive 10 km trail that invites only pedestrians and cyclists to bask in its beauty.
Vancouver is a Foodie Paradise
Vancouver gets a lot of rain. While the summers are usually pretty dry, the winter and fall in Vancouver can be very grey and rainy. And when it rains in Vancouver, it really rains. If you wake up and see it’s raining or cloudy outside, then you can expect that weather to continue for the rest of the day.
In November, it’ll often rain for some amount of time every single day of the month. However, the rain isn’t always torrential. When living in Vancouver try to embrace the rain. You could still get outside and enjoy the mist and the clouds in the forests in North Vancouver, see the waterfalls near Vancouver in full flow and get a delicious smell from the plants soaking up the rain.
Vancouver rarely sees snowfall, yet some Canadian cities get a white Christmas without fail - Environment Canada classifies the city as one of the least likely to have at least 2 cm of snow on the ground come Dec. 25. And while wintertime in Vancouver usually brings rain, it also heralds more ski-worthy conditions in the mountains!
It Rains a lot in Vancouver
Vancouver is renowned as one of the most culturally vibrant cities in Canada and its eclectic cuisine never fails to tantalize. Conde Nast Traveler even recognizes Vancouver as one of the top culinary destinations in the world. International flavors blend harmoniously, thanks to its proximity to the ocean and multicultural population. Tour your taste buds through an array of delicacies, including dim sum, ramen, sushi, Mexican, Italian, French or classic Canadian fare; endless delicious options await your discovery in Vancouver.
Vancouver is renowned for boasting the highest quality sushi outside of Japan - a must-try! As well, savor the delights of Japadog - a take on traditional Japanese hotdogs found at select carts and a food truck. Not to mention, from ramen to Indian cuisine, brunch spots, upscale restaurants and burger joints - there's something for all budgets! Treat yourself to Vancouver's epicurean offerings and tantalize your taste buds.
