Candidate Exposé – Roslyn Campbell

My name is Roslyn. I’m 23 years old and I’m from a small city in the heart of Scotland. I graduated from Abertay University in 2017, just before I went to Vancouver. I studied Media, Culture and Society there, a course that looks at analyzing the media and its relation to society.

After visiting Vancouver in 2013 before I started university, I fell in love with this amazing, outdoor city. It had always been a dream of mine to come back. Since I wanted to expand my work experience after university, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. In Canada, I did a volunteer program where I focused on sustainability and increasing the company’s social media presence. In order to be successful there, you need to have a strong sense of independence and be self-reliable. You also need to be a team player. I enjoyed my time there a lot.

Although I had been in Vancouver once before, my second impression was that the city was even more amazing than I remembered it. I stayed at a host family, which helped me feel at home. I also attended (almost) every pub night organized by INTERNeX and I joined many of their activities and trips. I went to Seattle, Whistler, Banff, Salt Spring Island, Bowen Island and many more beautiful places. I made a lot of friends through these events and my experience would not have been the same without them.

The nature is definitely one of the things I like most about Canada, together with White Rock, Salt Spring Island and the people. It is my goal to come back one day. However, I really want to visit other places such as Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries as well. My ultimate dream is to go on a safari and explore a rainforest in Africa. For now, I am back in Scotland, where the first thing I did was cuddle my dog, as I had not seen her in 6 months.

INTERNeX was very helpful regarding the preparation for the program, as well as providing me with advice about the city, what places to explore and introducing me to new friends. I have already recommended it to my friends! I miss Vancouver and am already thinking about when I can come back.

– Roslyn Campbell

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: Culture Shock

I had a real culture shock a couple of weeks ago when we went to the Richmond Night Market and I saw a food cart offering… deep fried Mars bars! Really, fried a chocolate bar in hot oil is one of the most unhealthy things that I can imagine.

So I decided to investigate a little about this strange custom… The dish is said to have been invented in 1995 in the Haven Chip Bar in Scotland. The recipe consists in cover a Mars with a batter commonly used for frying other kind of food like fish or meat. The trick is to chill the bar before fry it, because if not the chocolate can be melted into the frying fat. Yummy.

But this isn’t the only deep-fried thing that you can find! Basically, you can find any chocolate bar brand like Snickers or Twixs. But you can find a big variety of deep-fried foods… like deep fried Twinkies, deep fried Oreos, deep fried ice-cream and even deep fried pizza!

Another strange food that I found is… Maple bacon donut (a donut with bacon and maple syrup on the top). This “original” combination was originated in Nebraska. It seems like in USA and Canada there is an obsession called bacon mania . Inside this phenomenon I also found bacon bubble gum, baconnaise, chocolate covered bacon…

I don’t know you guys but I really want to try something of this, only for the experience, but I don’t know if I will be able of try that… What do you think?

 

Take care!

Clara.

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 9N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

INTERNeX Canada: Culture Shock

What are the differences between Canada and your own country? We tried to answer this question in the office last week. The INTERNeX staff is so international that we decided to get to take a closer look at each other’s cultures and countries. It was so interesting to listen to the different opinions in our team, especially because we work with all of you from all over the world and considering our Around the World Summer Party 2012 that just happened!

It was Petra’s goodbye get-together so she started off with the Netherlands where people don’t organize themselves in lines as much as Canadians do, she said. They wouldn’t wait for things patiently and rather continue to the next possible option; or elbow their way through into busses and trains. It’s funny because Canadians indeed wait in lines politely. Just take a look at 99 express bus stops – there are always three neat lines formed to board the three doors! Lies, who grew up in Malawi, mentioned that Malawians are happier people. In fact, Malawi was rated one of the happiest countries in the world despite being one of the poorest places on earth. But I am sure Canada is among the first in this survey as well! The Germans in our team agreed that Canadians are a friendlier crowd. The “How are you” in the supermarket here, the “Thank you” in the bus or a chat in the train, they always make my day. Germans are known to be very organized as well. But then again, who stands in neat lines all the time? I guess Canadian line-ups wouldn’t work with Germans because they are a little bit impatient, Martina thinks. But German food can definitely compete with Canada. Many people miss the German bread and some would die for all the different sausages, not to mention the beer.

Mina thought than Koreans are more emotional than Canadians. Happy or sad, they show it too. One of the ways to do it is clapping, Koreans clap their hands aaaall the time, no matter how small the occasion. Find the right address – clap your hands; meet a friend – clap your hands; if you happy and you know it – clap your hands! Our Japan representative Mayuko pointed out that Canadians don’t bow and that our sushi in Canada is all “wrong”. So expect a sushi restaurant called “Sushi the right way” to be opened soon in Vancouver! Katie though that Americans are more crazy about sports. They start to exercise as toddlers almost and continue doing and watching all kinds of sports and team games. Well, Canadians are probably right behind the US in this regard. Could you feel all the excitement about the Olympics? I won’t even start explaining the ice hockey spirit…

And of course we have Canadians at INTERNeX, too! They compared Canada with some destinations they travelled. Barbara lived in Melbourne/Australia that feels basically the same as Vancouver, she said. It’s not too small, not too big, it’s green, there are beached and even the same language ;-). It might be a couple degrees warmer sometimes though… Tim has travelled the UK and pointed out that although it’s all English, he is glad you can understand what people are saying here in Canada as opposed to Scotland. Even he gave up on listening and trying to figure out their expressions and pronunciation. You think you can speak English? Go try that in Scotland!

It’s impressive that we are so different but we all live here and share pieces of our cultures and of Canada! It’s a good thing we don’t have to decide for one or the other: be Dutch, clap your hands, have some sushi and German beer with your American friend, and watch some ice hockey in an Irish pub! What is a major difference between Canada and your country? Are you from one of the INTERNeX team’s countries? Please comment and share you opinion!

Cheers,

Xenia

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

Is Canada on your bucket list?

As I was reading through the paper this morning, pictures of the annual “Running of the Bulls” festival in Spain filled the pages. As I flipped through the photographs, I couldn’t help but think that although some of people looked terrified (who wouldn’t with a 2,800 pound bull chasing them) – they had crossed something off of their bucket list, and it got me thinking.

What’s on my bucket list? What things do I want to conquer with every ounce of my being before my time here is over? This year alone has brought so many firsts for me and I really look forward to what the next six months will bring. If you’re reading this, that means you’re on the other side of the computer screen. You may already be in Canada or maybe you’re still in your home country. Either way, take the time to write down 5 adventurous things you want to do in your life, or how about this year!

If you’re not in Canada, then is visiting here on your bucket list? Do you want to see this beautiful country and experience the sight of mountains and city in the same glance? You can do it if you set your mind to it, and you can also come here on an internship, work placement or volunteer opportunity through any of INTERNeX’s programs.

What’s on my bucket list? (Not in any order)

Swim with sharks

Try Fencing

Play a round of golf in Scotland

Drink a round of beers in Scotland

Bungee jump

Solve a rubix cube

Skydive

Visit Africa

Get my motorcycle license

and Live in New Zealand.

Those are just a few things on my list of things to accomplish in my lifetime, and this list is always growing. In my opinion, it should never stop, because you are never done exploring and trying new things! So, start writing YOUR bucket list!

More about the Running of the Bulls Festival:

Every morning of the festival at 8 a.m., six bulls are guided through the narrow, medieval streets of Pamplona by an equal number of large steers — each wearing a clanking cowbell — whose task is to keep the pack tight and galloping at an even pace.

The run covers 930-yards (850-meters) from a holding pen on the edge of town to the central bull ring where the bulls will face matadors and almost certain death in the afternoon.

The final bull, a massive red-colored beast called Gavioto from the renowned Jandilla ranch, was coaxed into a pen at the bullring, the final destination. In the ring, Gavioto tossed a man in the air, partially removing his trousers with the tip of his right horn.

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200-211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC
V6A 2R5 Canada
Email: info@internexcanada.com
Phone: + 1 604 662 8149
Fax: + 1 604 662 8199

www.internexcanada.com

Head down under – Head to New Zealand!

The world we live in is a large and beautiful place. There are approximately 195 countries on earth, all offering different landscapes, cultures and languages. So, have you been exploring yet?  Maybe you’ve only been thinking about traveling, or maybe you’re currently planning your next move. But, if you’re searching for a destination where the landscape is green and the mountains soar as high as your dreams – you’re searching for New Zealand.

New Zealand’s spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. Comparable in size and shape to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million – making it one of the world’s least crowded countries. It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.

Start planning now and you could be on your way to New Zealand in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup – the premier international rugby union competition. Canada, Australia, England, South Africa, USA, France, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga are just a few of the competing countries! This is the third largest sporting event in the world, behind the Olympics and the Soccer World Cup.

Choose from many INTERNeX programs such as work and travel, gain work experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, undergo a professional internships or even try out our Farmstay program! INTERNeX has the program for you!

INTERNeX has agents in Canada, England, USA, France, Argentina and more! INTERNeX itself also has offices around the world, including New Zealand! If you’re seeking work or internship opportunities, we can help you! For more information on our programs and services in new zealand, visit www.internexnewzealand.com. To visit our Canadian website, click here.

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200-211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC
V6A 2R5 Canada
Email: info@internexcanada.com
Phone: + 1 604 662 8149
Fax: + 1 604 662 8199