Future Students

Are you moving to Nanaimo to attend Vancouver Island University? The sooner you start your search, the better, as rental accommodations can be in high demand in Nanaimo.

I went on the Northern Tourism in Practice graduate field course organized by the University of Arctic from October 30 to November 5, 2023. The course is a collaboration between seven partner universities:

Currently working as a nursing unit assistant at Summit Quadra Village in Victoria, VIU alum Jingjing Li says she loves her job as a “communications link” in the medical field. But there was a time when she wasn’t even sure if she would make it past the first day of VIU’s Nursing Unit Assistant certificate program. With a good dose of persistence and the assistance and advice of staff and other students, Jingjing graduated from the program last spring and began work in the industry right away.

For Ezat Haidary, a brand-new program at Vancouver Island University is already having a life-changing impact.

Called Trades Pathways for Newcomers, the program launched in September and supports newcomers looking for a career in the trades by ensuring they have the skills, knowledge and supports to successfully transition into the educational programs that will get them there.

A new collection of academic essays published by VIU’s Liberal Studies program examines issues of morality, love and death. 

The Compass Rose: Explorations in Thought is an online collection of essays written by undergrad students at VIU and at other institutions. 

It’s a joint project between the Liberal Studies Department and the Alexandro Malaspina Research Centre. The goal is to help students gain real-world work experience that relates to what they learn in class.

I spent three months in Bali this summer interning with a non-profit organization called Yayasan Peduli Kemannusian (YPK). It’s an organization that focuses on helping people with disabilities become more independent through physical rehabilitation. Located in the city of Denpasar, YPK also offers a mobile clinic program to assist clients that live in rural areas.

Early morning classes can be challenging when you’re not a morning person. It’s not always easy to wake up and make it to class on time, especially if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before. But do not worry! With some creative thinking and a few clever techniques, you can learn how to master those early morning classes.

Read on for some tips that will help you make it through the week without missing an assignment or showing up late.

VIU’s main campus is in the harbourside city of Nanaimo. If you’re new to the area, it’s a good idea to spend some time exploring the city. One of the most helpful ways I dealt with homesickness as a new, international student was by familiarizing myself with the places around me. Even simply learning the names of a few key streets or taking long, aimless walks helped me better understand my new environment and feel a little less lost. Here are a few places to explore in Nanaimo.

As you start university, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the unique language and terminology used in academia. Let’s demystify the common terms and phrases you’ll encounter at Vancouver Island University. By the end of this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to converse fluently in university-speak, making the most of your time and the opportunities at VIU.