The Amazing Rockies Trip by Janel

I had an amazing weekend in the Rockies!! Thanks to Discover Canada Tours and everyone that came with us on this trip!!

The first day started of in the rain in Vancouver, but as soon as we got on the bus and drove out of the city the weather got a lot nicer! We spent a lot of time on the bus on Friday, but got to see a lot of beautiful places. Some of us were sleeping and Danielle, Christina, Kerstin and me started playing a game. Our first few stops were just small stops to go to the washroom and get some food. When we arrived in Kamloops we went to the BC Wildlife Park. It was great to see all those animals that I had never seen before, like grizzly bears, black bears, cougars and coyotes. After the park we drove to our resort. It was an amazing hotel next to the beautiful Shuswap Lake. In the evening we started with a campfire and an amazing story from the first nations cultural host of the resort. He told us really interesting stories and I learned a lot more about the first nations. After the campfire we decided to do some drinks in our room. Almost the whole group came and our room was fully packed with 16 people. We played some games, told stories and were having lots of fun!!

On the second day it was hard to get up, because of the great evening we had together. After a powernap in the bus we were ready to go again! Our first sightseeing stop that day was Emerald Lake. The whole lake was still frozen and really beautiful. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t fall through the ice in the lake, so that of course happened. But luckily I wasn’t the only one. After Emerald Lake we went to Lake Louise, which was also still totally frozen. We walked on the ice to the other side of the lake to see a beautiful big frozen waterfall. The ice was really slippery and it was really difficult to not fall, but we all managed to get to the other side of the lake without falling. When we finally arrived in Banff, we checked into the hotel and went out for dinner right away. As we were with such a big group it was hard to find a restaurant where we could all fit, but we found one and had amazing dinner at Earls together. After dinner we went back to the hotel and again had some drinks in our room to get ready for the big party in Banff that night. We called cabs for 15 people and were at the club around 10:30. The club was really nice, we danced all night and had a great time with each other and the other people from our bus. We also met up with two other people from INTERNeX, who are living in Banff. It was amazing to see them again and we had lots of fun! 🙂 Some of us left earlier and some of us only slept around 2 hours, but we all had a great night!

The third day was the activity day. Some of us went on an ice walk, others went horse riding, skiing or slept in. I went horse riding in the morning. It was the best cure for my hangover to be outside in the fresh air. The bus drove us to the ranch and we got assigned some horses. It was an one-hour tour through the woods and next to a river. It was really beautiful. During the whole trip we had amazing views. After the horseback riding we had lunch at the Spaghetti Factory. Then the bus picked us up there and brought us to the Banff Gondola. Almost everybody from our group went up the mountain in the gondola. The sun was shining and there were almost no clouds, which made the view amazingly beautiful. We saw all the mountains around Sulphur Mountain and went to the second peak to have an even better view! After a big day of activities we all went back to the bus and started our drive to our hotel in Golden. We had dinner and got drinks again for the campfire. Around 7.30 PM the campfire started. The whole group went to the campfire and we all had lots of fun with the tour guides, bus driver and the other people from the busses. We played some music, played a game and sang Dutch and German songs at the same time. At 1AM everybody started to feel tired and we went to bed.

The last day it was a lot of driving. We stopped a few times for lunch and toilet breaks and had one sightseeing stop at Craigellachie. At Craigellachie the last spike of the railway across Canada was set. It always was a golden spike, but as a lot of people wanted to steal it they removed it and got a metal spike coloured gold. On this last day we watched two movies in the bus and played a game called two truths and one lie. When we arrived in Vancouver it was of course again raining and we all went home immediately to get some sleep.

Thank you guys for this amazing weekend! I am never going to forget it!!

– Janel

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

INTERNeX Canada: About INTERNeX!

Life is full of so many wonderful opportunities, don’t you think? But it’s whether or not you decide to grab hold that really counts in the end. Sometimes, we let the most important chances slip by! INTERNeX offers these chances. But possibly the greatest aspect of INTERNeX is that there are so many options!

Do you consider yourself an animal lover? Do you like working for a cause  that really matters? The volunteer program offers you an unique experience working and helping injured wildlife! If you can’t get away from the city, there are volunteer opportunities in animal rescue centres!  But let’s say you’re more interested in different cultures. There are even chances to work with First Nation’s community where you’ll get to learn and experience their culture!

Maybe our internship program might interest some of you. This program gives you the chance to gain practical work experience in an international company! Not only will you get to learn about the skills in that specific work industry, but you get to see new things and live an exciting new life abroad!

Not looking for anything specific but working in a new country? Hospitality program invites you to do just that! Work in the hospitality sector and become a tourist in a new city!

All of the opportunities here at INTERNeX are unique and tailored to meet your needs and wants. But each opportunity always has one thing in common…an amazing and valuable experience. 

 

So I urge you to take chances, and make the most of your life! Don’t waste it, just by sitting in front of your computer! Check out our website here for more information on different programs we offer!

Cheers,

Flora

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

International Vancouver: Aboriginal Peoples

The Aboriginal peoples have been living in British Columbia for about 10,000-12,000 years before the European settlers discovered the West Coast.

Today, there are approximately 200,000 Aboriginal people in British Columbia and over 1 million in Canada.

Thus,the First Nation’s histories and traditions are very much integral to that of Canada`s. While they are often known as a specific group of people, they have very diverse identities within the group.

There are 198 distinct First Nations in BC including the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and children of First Nations and European settlers, speaking more than 30 different languages.

The sensitive relationship between the European settlers and the Aboriginal peoples has clashed at various times because of the different philosophies, political and economic beliefs and systems. While for many years the government did not recognize their rights, the BC government and the First Nations Leadership Council signed the Transformative Change Accord in 2005 as a commitment to each other based on respect. For more information, please visit AboriginalBC.com.

However, the tension between the two governments continues to be an issue as seen by the Idle No More protest movement occurring at the moment. This peaceful protest, originated by the Aboriginal peoples in Canada, is against the new Bill C-45 of parts that demises indigenous treaty rights by the federal government.

This two month rally has gained significant attention through rallies, teach-ins and social media. Join the Idle No More Facebook page for current updates!

Cheers,

Queenie

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

INTERNeX Canada: From Sea to Sea

Did you know the Canadian motto is “From Sea to Sea”? I think that is so perfect because Canada is surrounded by three oceans. The Pacific Ocean is right next to us on the west coast, the Atlantic Ocean is on the opposite end on the east coast and the Arctic Ocean is in the north surrounding the North West Territories and Nunavut.

We have the world’s longest coastline at 202 080 km and at 9 984 670 sq km, Canada is pretty darn big! The beautiful and diverse landscape includes mountains, lakes, glaciers and vast prairie lands allow the opportunities to experience many different outdoor activities and wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else.

More than just geography, it is really the people that make Canada as special as it is. Our Canadian identity has been shaped by the British, French and the First Nations people. More and more, our pop culture is heavily influenced by the Americans.

Canada is known for their multiculturalism, especially in the metropolitan cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Where else can you find people from all over the world with different backgrounds and stories to tell?

This video inspired my passion for Canada, once again. Watch it!

Cheers,

Queenie

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

 

INTERNeX Canada: What to do on the weekend?

It’s time for the big INTERNeX trip this weekend – WHISTLER is fanially happening! We planned a lot of action and events for our Whistler weekend: we will hike in thrilling heights of the mountains and enjoy the beautiful views of the mountain lakes, do ziplining and even bunjee jumping. HI Whistler will be our home for this weekend where we will enjoy all the comfort of this former Olympic village accommodation. Drop by next weekend to read about our exciting time!
For all who stay in Vancouver or Toronto this weekend, check out these events:

Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2012
Don’t miss Vancouver’s biggest and greatest music festival of the year: the Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2012! It features 1800 musicians and 400 concerts at 40 venues across the city. Over a 100 of the events are free of charge! The festival takes place from June 22nd to July 1st. Check out the official website for all venues and free concerts: http://www.coastaljazz.ca.

Vancouver: BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival
This festival is the biggest Highland Games in British Columbia and will take place on Saturday June 23, 2012. It features world pipe band champions, highland dancing, heavy events, British cars, whisky tasting, beer gardens, children’s events, main stage entertainment and much more. The opening ceremonies will take place at noon on Saturday. Check out more info at: http://www.bchighlandgames.com.

Vancouver: Klahowya Village is back for 2012
Check out the authentic Aboriginal Summer Village in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Experience Native cultures through songs, dance, art and food! This weekend is the Village opening weekend, it will be accessible until September 16th.  You will find more information at: http://www.aboriginalbc.com/klahowya-village.

Toronto: Pride Toronto
Pride Toronto is a cultural and arts festival and one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. Thousands of individuals, community groups, and businesses celebrate the lives and stories of Toronto’s Queer Communities. The festival is part of the Pride Week that features 10 days of world class arts and cultural programming activities such as street festivals, Pride Parade, Dyke March, Family programming, Blackness Yes and Youth and much more. The events start on Friday June 22nd; the Pride Parade will be held on Sunday July 1st, 2012, starting at 2pm at Bloor & Church. For more locations and events see:  http://www.pridetoronto.com.