How was the weekend?

It was long, but felt so short. 😀

On Saturday INTERNeX went on a little hike in Lynn Canyon, over the Suspension Bridge, through the lush forest, along the river and multiple waterfalls. It was a hot day, but the trees gave us a nice cool shade, so it wasn’t half bad. Another thing that cooled us down was the natural pool with its refreshing water, some just dipped their feet in, others were full on cliff jumping! Tim and Daniel had so much fun jumping that they stayed longer while the rest of us went on with the hike. On our way we saw more people cliff jumping from a different spot, it looked quite dangerous, so we were holding our breath for the jump. Fortunately nothing happened! The guys seemed to have experience. I could never imagine jumping into the water from such a height. Maybe because I’m afraid of heights? What about you? Are you into the thrill and adventure? Would you do cliff jumping? After the adrenaline kick from watching them jump, we had a hard time getting up the last couple of stairs before ending our hike, maybe because I told everyone there were no more stairs coming, but then oooppssiieee, surprise, more stairs! In the end they forgave me (I think) and we went back downtown. I don’t know about you, but I always feel weird being back in the city after a day in nature. It’s so calm and peaceful, versus so fast and exciting.

Exciting was also the Pride Parade on Sunday. We met on Davie street and walked all the way down to English Bay where we found a great spot to watch the parade. Again, it was a hot day but we had some trees covering us with shade and the firefighters in the parade were sprinkling everyone with water which was super refreshing. The display went on for 2-3 hours and it was so fun cheering everyone on, seeing all the different groups showing colour and celebrating diversity! There was lots of music and performances, good vibes and great people. We started collecting stickers, buttons, and other things they gave away. After a while people went and grabbed some food, while others went to the after-party at Sunset Beach. There were food trucks, two stages with live music and other booths around the area, the perfect set up for an awesome day.

I would tell you more, but this week is really busy at INTERNeX, so I’ll stop writing for today. I have to introduce you to a lot of newcomers on Thursday, so keep posted! 😉

We can also chat more tomorrow at Pub Night, 7pm at the GPO Kitchen and Bar, so you can tell me about YOUR weekend! 🙂

See you there!

Cheers,

Laura 🙂

Candidate exposé – Rieke Wilkens

Hello, my name is Rieke. I am 18 years old and from Germany. In my future I am planning to work as an event manager.

Canada is a beautiful country with a lot of different places and nature. For my mom it was also important that it is safe where I am going. I did a practicum for three months in Canada. I chose it because it leaves a good mark on my CV for the future. I really enjoyed my practicum. The people were very nice!

I worked at a non-profit organization that focuses on sports and organizes events as well. I enjoyed working at the museum because I could speak a lot of English and I talked to many different people. To work at the museum it is important to be friendly to every customer.

I lived in a homestay in Richmond. INTERNeX placed me there. My first impression of Vancouver was amazing! All the people from different cultures, the high buildings and all the parks in the middle of the city. Now I am back in Germany and it feels like a dream to see all the pictures I took, because it surprises me every time.

I attended many of the pub nights and trips. I’ve been with INTERNeX to Victoria for example. The trips were always a lot of fun! I’ve also done a lot of hiking! Deep cove, the grouse grind, Lighthouse Park, Lynn Canyon and Joffre Lake were amazing. The longest trip I did was to the Rocky Mountains. With INTERNeX I took the ferry to Victoria and we went to Whistler and did the bungee jump together as well. In Vancouver I’ve been to Stanley Park, Gastown and English Bay Beach for example. An activity that everyone has to do when they come to Vancouver is definitively watching an ice hockey game, which I did as well.

I liked spending a lot of time and going on trips with the people from INTERNeX. The Rocky Trip was also a highlight of my journey. My only difficulty was that the legal age is 19 in Vancouver. So I couldn’t go to every pub night and go out in the evening. The most memorable thing was the trip to the Rockies.

The first thing I did when I was back in Germany was eating German food.

This trip inspired me to travel more because I met a lot of people from different countries and they told me a lot about their culture. Maybe I will go to Brazil and visit my Brazilian friends.

INTERNeX helped me find accommodation and a lot of friends through the weekly pub nights. I would definitely recommend the service to others.

– Rieke Wilkens

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

Candidate Exposé – Chris Jason Wakely

Hi, I’m Chris and I’m 24 years old from New Zealand. Since returning to New Zealand, I’ve decided to take up some study.

I guess I’ve always wanted to come to Canada, so doing the practicum helped me come across. I went through a practicum program and website, they set me up with the experience and they put me through to Tim. I chose the practicum to gain some further experience and have the opportunity to see how Canadians are first hand.

I was working at the film festival. VIFF is kind of self-explanatory. It’s a great place to see how movie festivals are made behind the scenes. For this job you need to be flexible and have a willingness to learn new things. It is quite useful for my career aspirations, as it shows I can mingle into different crowds and become a fully integrated part of the team.

The services of INTERNeX really helped me solidify my knowledge and meet some great people. I have many connections throughout the world that I can turn to whenever. I sure did attend the several activities, pub nights, trips and events INTERNeX was organizing! These activities were great to get to know the other interns and to see the greater areas that Canada has to offer. I went to the Rockies, mountaineering, hiking, surfing, beer drinking, quite a bit of Greater Vancouver and BC.

Vancouver is great as there is always something to do, whether it is a trampoline park or simply cycling around Stanley Park. The difficult part of Canada was the return home, and having to say goodbye to so many people. Vancouver felt like a metropolis. It’s really busy but a part of me feels at home there. I also found my former place of residence through the Internex team. They placed me in contact with my Landlady and she was able to set me up in her property.

By far the most memorable thing is my trip to Vancouver Island. The first thing I did when I came home was getting some sleep and see what has changed (not much has changed tbh). This trip had really inspired me to travel more. I wish to travel to visit those I connected with in their home locations.

– Chris

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

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL – My INTERNeX Experience!

Rasmus, Sweden

So I tried to get this trip going for several years now and it wasn’t until last year I realized this was a possibility due to the fact that I finally had enough money to do it. So I told everyone back home that I decided go to Canada and work and after waiting what felt like forever to get the visa, I finally left Sweden this June.

The trip was crazy from the get go. Arrived June 10 to Vancouver, I went to the INTERNeX office on June 11 where I met the awesome Timothy who had set me up for two job interviews that day and I got both jobs, and then June 12 I started to work as a Barista at one of the many Coffee shops here in Vancouver. I pretty much worked all summer except for going two trips, one to my friend in Seattle and the other one to go to Toronto. After this everything just went by like a blur and I am still working at there.

Now that you have read everything about my amazing life in its short version, it is time for you to know how amazing INTERNeX has been for me and hopefully for many others. I first had an interview with Timothy before I went to Canada and he pretty much told me everything I needed to know. Then my second experience with INTERNeX was day after I arrived and they set me up for my job interview and gave me advice on what I need to live in a city like Vancouver. After that I got to meet Amiel and Natasja who were the PR persons at the time and they put on all kinds of events but I mostly only went to the weekly pub nights which were a really fun time. All these events they put on helped me meet so many new awesome people. I also got to see Richmond night market, do Laser Tag and have barbecues and picnics.

We also went to see Celebration of Light, which is a firework competition that takes place every year.
During China’s firework Amiel had brought the classic red cups that you see in American movies and we got stopped by the police because it was so obvious that people were drinking alcohol in those cups and we got to pour it out. Anyway I was just laughing through the whole situation because I thought it was hilarious and then the police decided to ask Chris who sat next to me about who I was. So apparently if you just sit and laugh then will take notice about you even though I was only drinking mountain dew. That is just one of many experience I have had so far here in Vancouver and I will have so many more because I have just been here 6 months and I still have almost 6 months to go.

This may be one those weird reads for you all because I am writing all this while being hungry and tired and also interrupted by a Skype call from my friend in Florida because it is all in a day of Rasmus. That is probably unneeded information but I will just throw it in there for added personality. #smileyface

So I can’t recommend enough for people to go to Canada to do working holiday or internship because the experience I have had is amazing and I can’t stress enough how much fun you will have with the help of the great INTERNeX.

Much love from the amazing Swede Rasmus.

Celebration of Light Festival

Wednesday’s Vancouver’s streets and corners were filled with people wanting to see the annual Celebration of Light Festival happening at English Bay.

Since 1990, Vancouver has been home to the Celebration of Light (originally known as the Symphony of Fire). This international pyro-musical fireworks competition has attracted the world’s leading fireworks designers and is seen as a highly prestigious event. The fireworks festival creates an exciting arena where spectators can enjoy each country’s representatives unveil their latest techniques and use the most innovative fireworks materials as they compete to be crowned the winner.

Didn’t get the chance to see Wednesday’s show? No worries, you have three more opportunities! Meet other INTERNeX candidates this Saturday for another viewing of the Fireworks. We will meet up at the Starbucks behind the laughing statue in English Bay at 7 pm! Bring a good book, a game and a blanket because it will be a wait and can get a bit cold after the sun goes down!

Saturday, July 24, 2010 – London Drugs presents Spain Night

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 – HSBC presents Mexico Night

Saturday, July 31, 2010 – Concord Pacific presents A Tribute to China

Listed as one of the “Best Eight City Breaks in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Vancouver offers thrilling adventure, exciting entertainment, festivals and events, shopping, gourmet delights, sights and attractions throughout the year. Visit tourismvancouver.com, Vancouver’s official tourism bureau website to find all the information and tools you need to plan your perfect vacation.

Dining Choices

Vancouver’s restaurant scene has exploded in the past few years offering world-class cuisine from every corner of the globe. Fine dining, casual or family-friendly restaurants are easily accessible throughout Greater Vancouver. Browse the many dining options available to you and make your reservations online. Reservations are free, instant, and confirmed.

~ The INTERNeX Girls