Welcome to Nanaimo

Welcome to Canada and Welcome to Vancouver Island University’s  Language and Culture ESL Program.   In the few weeks you are here,  you will have a busy and enjoyable experience.  Not only will you improve your ability to communicate in English, you’ll also get to experience a new culture and learn a lot about Canada directly.    It’s summer.  Relax.  Have fun. Learn.

While at VIU, you’ll learn about Canada and Canadian culture beginning here in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.    You’ll learn about ways of thinking and doing that may be very different from back home.   

If this is the first time you’ve travelled and lived outside your home country, you may experience some culture shock.   This is when all the differences and perhaps loneliness overwhelms you and you just want to quit and go home.  Don’t fret.  The feeling passes.   This is a great opportunity and for a short time.   If you have this problem or other problems, talk to your teacher and your homestay family.   In Canada, people are very open.  You can talk about almost anything with anyone.   Don’t be shy.

You are only here briefly.   Your family and friends back home won’t miss you so much.  Some important advice for you is don’t spend hours at night chatting on the Internet.  You’ll be too tired the next day.   You’ll get sick.  You won’t learn.  You won’t enjoyable the beautiful summer weather.  Connect with Canada while you are here.   Try to speak as much English as possible.
By the end of your time here you’ll be thinking and dreaming in English.

We look forward to teaching you and helping to make your stay here in Canada @ VIU as enjoyable and educational as possible.

This is the best time of the year in Canada.