Study Abroad on Vancouver Island in Canada

Nanaimo and surroundings

The port city Nanaimo

Nanaimo (located in British Columbia) is the second largest city on beautiful Vancouver Island with about 100,000 inhabitants, after the city of Victoria.

Thanks to its central location on the island, Nanaimo has two major ferry connections: The BC Ferries regularly depart to Vancouver and back every day from both the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and the Duke Point Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, the airport in Nanaimo will also get you to Vancouver. The flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo offers a fantastic view and takes about 15-20 minutes. Flying by seaplane is also a popular option to get to the main land. Here, you will take off in the port of Nanaimo and land downtown in the port of Vancouver – an ideal way of transport for a shopping trip to the big city.

The student city Nanaimo offers a pretty downtown area as well as the picturesque harbor promenade with great shopping opportunities and good restaurants. Why don’t you try a burger and have a drink at the Dinghy Dock Floating Pub on Protection Island? A small boat takes the guests there once every hour – a small island directly across from Nanaimo. We recommend taking the boat to the island during sunset.

Fun fact: The treat “Nanaimo Bars” (small chocolate slices filled with vanilla and coconut), are known throughout North America. The bars were named after Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Study in Canada:

Request information now

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is over 450 km long and about 100 km wide and has a similar size as the European country Belgium.

The island is just like the rest of the west coast of Canada: breathtakingly beautiful and has something to offer for nature lovers. Whether you prefer surfing or skiing, whale watching in the Pacific, cycling, stand up paddling (SUP), kayaking or climbing in the mountains – during a semester abroad or full study in Canada, you will definitely not be bored. The university also offers various excursions and trips to explore the area during the semester. Particularly popular with students are trips to British Columbia’s capital Victoria, the surfing village of Tofino, the metropolis of Vancouver and the Olympic Park Whistler. Private organized trips before and after studies often go to the US, due to the close proximity of the border to the United States.

A weekend in Vancouver

A weekend in Vancouver

Student report by Christina F. - A weekend in Vancouver East Hasting Vancouver seems to be a really nice city. Yes it is for sure! But every big city also has a “dark” side, so does Vancouver. We didn’t watch out where our hotel was placed. Actually it wasn’t really a...

A Day in Downtown Nanaimo

A Day in Downtown Nanaimo

Student report by Christina F. - A Trip to Downtown Nanaimo  Nanaimo is really a small city, actually it is more like a village. I am used to Cologne so it was quite a change-over for me. But anyway there are really nice places in downtown and its surroundings.  ...

A Trip to Banff and Yoho National Park

A Trip to Banff and Yoho National Park

Student report by Christina F. - A Trip to Banff and Yoho National Park My best friend came to visit me and we wanted to make a trip to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We rented a car in Vancouver and let’s go! Yoho National Park Our first drive took round about 8 hours...

Downloads & further information

Brochures and forms:

Please find more information as well as forms and guides for your study abroad term at Vancouver Island University in Canada below: