My name is Alan, I’m a 22 years old guy from Brazil. Currently I’m studying Mechanical Engineering in Salvador – Brazil.
I always had a dream of living in another country and also the English became a necessary language in my future working area as a mechanical engineer, so I mixed a dream with a necessity and… I found Canada. I had to choose between some other countries and Canada, but I saw something more interesting in Canada and definitely I’m happy that I chose the best.
I didn’t choose INTERNeX, it was a partnership between INTERNeX and the company from my country. But if I had to choose, INTERNeX would be my choice. INTERNeX was extremely helpful introducing Vancouver to me and giving me support to find a job in my first days. I participated in the program Working Visa Holiday. I chose this program, because it gave me a working visa, giving me an opportunity to live in Canada by myself with my work, while I studied English and travelled in Canada. I worked at The Chopped Leaf in Downtown Vancouver. It was a salad restaurant which had a big variety of salads, sandwiches etc. The work wasn’t easy, because we didn’t have time to stop, but the good communication with the costumers and co-workers always made my work and my English better everyday. Working in a restaurant seems to not have a specific necessity of characteristics and skills, but it’s wrong. You need to be energetic, a good listener and always open to learn new ways to do things.
When I arrived in Vancouver I lived in a homestay for a month and after that I found a basement on a website which I stayed until my last day in Canada before coming back to Brazil. Cold and rain, that was my first impression about Vancouver, but shortly after I fell in love with every detail of Vancouver. I could check why Vancouver was one of the best cities in the world to live. Beautiful mountains behind the big buildings, green area, good people and multiculturalism made me impressed. The safety always made me impressed with Vancouver and Canada. As my first time living far from my family and in my own place, I had to learn everything about housekeeping and cooking and also mix working and studying, what made my routine sometimes too tiring.
I attended to several activities with the INTERNeX team. Every Wednesdays were full of good moments and unforgettable times. The Rocky Mountains trip stays in my mind everyday. Definitely my best moments in Canada, INTERNeX was present directly or not. If I make a real list of activities, it would have more than 20 pages. But my favourites activities were: Hiking, snowboarding, pubs, nightclubs, cycling and outdoor activities. I was always open to new activities though. In Canada I travelled through the Rocky Mountains and stopped in some cities like: Jasper, Banff, Kelowna, Kamloops etc. And also visited some cities to the north of Vancouver such as Whistler and Squamish.
The most memorable thing about Canada are the friends I made. I arrived in Canada alone and came back to Brazil leaving a family in Canada and spread in the world. I made friends I can count on them and they will be always in my best memories of Canada. The first thing I thought I would do when I came home was enjoying my family and the beach, but I just study everyday so far hahaha.
After this experience I definitely know that my travels will not stop. I didn’t decide yet, but New Zealand and England seam good places to travel, but for sure Canada will be one that I want to go back.
– Alan
INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com
One of the most affordable supermarkets in general in town is 
This week’s expose of the week is about David. He is 25 years old and from Germany. He originally came to Vancouver to improve his English and in the 6 months he has been here he has improved it a lot. During these 6 months he was also an intern at a construction company to gain more practical experience in the world of civil engineering. Additionally, David is also the house manager at the INTERNeX staffhouse on 34th avenue. Unfortunately, David will be leaving us soon so I sat down with him to talk about his experience here in Vancouver and with INTERNeX.
rk.
INTERNeX Canada 