Towering mountains to the north, sparkling ocean waters to the west, and a comfortable, temperate climate draw nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to Vancouver year-round. World renowned for its unparalleled beauty, Vancouver consistently draws high rankings on quality of life surveys, and was named the Best City in the Americas by readers of Condè Nast Traveler in November 2004, and placed third on a list ranking 215 world cities for Best Overall Quality of Life in a survey conducted by Mercer Human Resources Consulting in March 2005, coming in just behind Geneva and Zurich. Vancouver will showcase the elements that earned these high marks when it hosts the world during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Canada's third-largest city is found in the southwest corner of British Columbia on the coast of the Straight of Georgia, 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of the United States-Canada border in Washington. The City of Vancouver is home to nearly 600,000 and is part of a 21-municipality region that comprises the Greater Vancouver area, housing well over two million residents, more than half of the population of British Columbia. Nearly 70% of newcomers to British Columbia make their home in the Greater Vancouver area, which is experiencing a surge of population growth, fueled in part by a terrific economy in the area.

Construction is one of the fastest-growing industries as it expands to keep up with increases in population. Trade makes up one of the largest industries, as it employs more than 200,000 people. Technology is booming, especially telecommunications, biotechnology, wireless communications, new media, and fuel cells. Film and television production (see British Columbia Film Commission) is also huge in Vancouver – the city is the third largest film production center in North America. Nearly 200 movies and television shows are filmed here annually.

Other major industries include professional, scientific, and technical services; business, building, and supply services; educational services; transportation and warehousing; agriculture; and forestry, fishing, mining, oil, and gas.

Tourists flock to Vancouver – more than 8.5 million visitors ventured this way in 2004, according to Tourism Vancouver. Upon arrival, visitors to Vancouver discover what natives have known about for years: the endless recreational and cultural amenities the city affords. In addition to hundreds of fabulous restaurants and clubs, Vancouver boasts more than 200 parks (Vancouver Park Board - Parks), premiere museums (Tourism Vancouver - Museums), miles of beaches (Vancouver Park Board - Beaches), impressive mountain ranges (Mountain Climbing in BC), the Vancouver Canucks hockey team, Granville Island Market, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Punjabi Market area, Chinatown, and nearby Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort.

British Columbia's population is heavily concentrated in Greater Vancouver and thus it is fitting that there is such a wealth of public post-secondary institutions in the metropolitan area. According to Vancouver Economic Development, public post-secondary institutions in Greater Vancouver award more than 29,000 degrees and certificates annually. More than 230,000 students were enrolled in Vancouver institutions during the 2004-05 school year, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Advanced Education.

Options in Greater Vancouver include 12 universities, university colleges, colleges, and institutes:

Universities

• Simon Fraser University - Burnaby, Vancouver, and Harbour Centre
• Thompson Rivers University - Burnaby
• University of British Columbia - Vancouver

University Colleges

• Kwantlen University College - Surrey, Langley, and Richmond

Colleges

• Capilano College - North Vancouver
• Douglas College - New Westminster
• Langara College - Vancouver
• Vancouver Community College - Vancouver

Institutes

• British Columbia Institute of Technology - Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond
• Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design - Vancouver
• Institute of Indigenous Government - Burnaby
• Justice Institute of British Columbia - New Westminster

In addition to Vancouver's public post-secondary schools, there are more than 300 career training institutions in the metropolitan area which are registered with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency.

British Columbia has a comprehensive transfer system that makes it possible for students to begin studies at one institution and transfer to another, improving access, and making it possible for many students to live at home for at least some of their post-secondary education. The extensive transfer system also provides students a wide variety of choice in learning environments, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Advanced Education.

Another unique option students have is access to courses offered at public institutions throughout British Columbia through BCCampus. Students can enroll in distance education classes that might not be offered at their school, or that do not fit into their schedule. The virtual campus also offers general education resources for all students attending public post-secondary institutions.

Prospective students who are ready to complete an application to a public post-secondary institution can do so online through the Post-Secondary Application Service of British Columbia. Most public institutions accept applications through PASBC, but be sure to check that your chosen school is listed before completing an application.

Educational costs extend beyond tuition, however. Room and board can add significantly to the bill, as can fees such as those for activities, technology/computer access, textbooks, etc. Be sure to research all possible fees to best be prepared when it's time to pay for your education.

*Tuition calculated based on two semesters of 15 credit hours each

• Canada Study Grants – Financial need-based grants for students with permanent disabilities, part-time students, students with dependents, and female doctoral students in underrepresented fields
• District Scholarship - Awarded for academic achievement
• Governor-General Bronze Academic Medal - Given to the top student in each high school throughout the province
• Passport to Education - A motivational scholarship given to students in grades 10-12
• Premier's Excellence Award - A $5,000 scholarship given to the top all-around student in each of the province's college regions
• Provincial Scholarship - An award of $1,000-$2,000 for excellence in grade 12 provincial exams

Loan options include:

• Canada Student Loan - Federally-subsidized loan of up to 60% of total funding
• British Columbia Student Loan - Provincially-subsidized loan for British Columbia students (must meet the criteria for a Canada Student Loan)

Applications for loans and grants can be completed online through the British Columbia Student Assistance Program. Forms can also be downloaded from the Ministry of Advanced Education. Students from other provinces must apply directly to their home province for assistance.

Students from the United States planning on attending school in Vancouver can apply for aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

The following links provide several great resources for financing your education:

• Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada - Awards thousands of scholarships annually and offers a searchable database
• BC Awards Online - Ministry of Education, Ministry of Advanced Education, and School District 61 partnership provides searchable database of bursaries, scholarships, and other awards
• CanLearn - Information about different options for financing and budgeting
• Millennium Scholarships - Excellence Award Program scholarships and bursaries
• ScholarshipsCanada.com - Searchable database of scholarships, grants, bursaries, and other awards, as well as information about budgeting, loans, and applying for aid
• StudentAwards.com - Includes scholarships, grants, bursaries, fellowships, and more
• Youthlink - Information about scholarships specific to the Vancouver area

Here are a few helpful websites for finding internships:

• Campus Access - Lists internships in business, healthcare, technology, and government fields, children's organizations, United Nations, and humanitarian, developmental, and environmental groups in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere
• Canadian Federation of Students - Programs for students to live and work abroad
• Career Edge - Register to find internships with some of the top companies in Canada
• Young Professionals International - International career experience for Canadian citizens
• Environmental Careers Organization - Paid internship opportunities for environmental students
• International Health Youth Internships Program - International internships with healthcare organizations
• Natural Resources Canada - Internship opportunities in science, technology, and the environment

Another option for students looking for some real-world work experience is a co-op, which is similar to an internship, but is more intensive as it alternates semesters of schooling with semesters of full-time work. British Columbia Institute of Technology, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Langara College, University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University all offer details about co-op programs in their schools.

According to the 2001 Canadian Census, Vancouver residents with at least a trade certificate or diploma earned an average of $35,418 per year (approximately $29,601 US), while those with a university certificate, diploma, or degree earned an average of $46,016 (approximately $38,458 US) per year, compared to $27,000 (approximately $22,565 US) per year for those with no post-secondary training.

In a 2003 University Presidents' Council of British Columbia Survey of 1998 graduates of all five universities in British Columbia, 82.5% reported being somewhat or very successful with high job satisfaction. 76.8% reported having a position with opportunity for career advancement, and 72.5% reported being very satisfied with their income.

Students need to be sure to visit their school's career services department early in their freshman year. Most career services offices offer careering planning and counseling, internship placement, resume preparation, interview coaching, and career fairs. Students should take advantage of everything the school has to offer to maximize their potential after graduation.