In late November, Marion Ferguson, program manager for the Corbett British Columbia-Washington International Exchange Program and UW Study Abroad program manager Sarah Berryman traveled to Vancouver and Victoria to visit the two Canadian universities that contribute to the program. They met with colleagues in the global and international services offices to learn more about what American students can expect when on exchange at the University of British Columbia or the University of Victoria. They also connected with current Corbett scholars and recent alumni. Read more about the visit here.
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- UBC – at the heart of campus is the double-headed serpent post, which tells the origin story of the Musqueam people.
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- UBC – the Forest Sciences Centre is designed to feel like a natural forest, and features a beautifully restored Haida canoe.
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- UBC – these artistic structures are made by students in the renowned forestry program, and pop up around campus.
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- UBC – the Beatty Biodiversity Museum features Canada’s largest blue whale skeleton.
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- UBC – Hungarian refugees from the Soviet Union were welcomed by UBC, and helped revolutionize Canada’s forest management strategy. Descendants gifted this commemorative arch to the school.
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- UBC – the Reconciliation Pole tells the story of residential schools in Canada, and commemorates the children who died while attending them.
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- UBC – each part of the Haida pole tells a different part of the history of Canada’s Indigenous people, before, during, and after the residential school period. It is meant to be read from bottom to top.
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- UBC – the pole was installed in April 2017, and encourages deeper thought about reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
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- UBC – another feature of the school’s commitment to Indigenous communities, the First Nation Longhouse.
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- UBC – as part of an art installation across campus, these signs encourage critical engagement with the physical space that UBC occupies.
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- UBC – as part of an art installation across campus, these signs encourage critical engagement with the physical space that UBC occupies.
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- UBC – as part of an art installation across campus, these signs encourage critical engagement with the physical space that UBC occupies.
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- UBC – Musqueam house posts and other Indigenous art can be found across campus.
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- UBC – the view from behind the UBC Museum of Anthropology showcases both sea and mountains.
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- UBC – the view from behind the UBC Museum of Anthropology showcases both sea and mountains.
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- UBC – a common fixture in Pacific Northwest cities, a beautifully curated rose garden looks out over the Strait of Georgia.
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- UBC – a common fixture in Pacific Northwest cities, a beautifully curated rose garden looks out over the Strait of Georgia.
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- UBC – the Canadian flag flies above the rose garden at the end of a chilly winter day. Photo credit: Marion Ferguson.
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- UBC – the main library on campus is designed to resemble an open book.
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- UBC – opened in 2018, the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre is open to the public as a space to support informed dialogue and engagement around reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
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- UBC – the view along the main mall of campus, which was converted to a pedestrian area several years ago.
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- UBC – the view along the main mall of campus, which was converted to a pedestrian area several years ago.
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- UBC – inside “the Nest”, a student union space that features restaurants, study spaces, and community spaces.
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- UBC – Sarah Berryman (UW Study Abroad), Fay Alikhani (UBC GoGlobal), and Marion Ferguson (UW Corbett Exchange program manager)
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- UBC – Marion Ferguson and Sierra Red Bow, current Corbett scholar.
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- UBC – Julia Lindsay (Corbett 2018-19), Marion Ferguson, Guadalupe Guadarrama (current Corbett scholar), and Parsa Shani (Corbett 2018-19)
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- Sarah and Marion aboard the ferry between Vancouver and Victoria
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- The ferry travels through the small islands dotting the coast of Vancouver Island, where the city of Victoria is located.
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- Mt. Baker (and the U.S.) visible from the Vancouver-Victoria ferry.
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- Victoria features the oldest Chinatown in Canada, and the second-oldest in all of North America. It is a vibrant area featuring a strong arts community, historic buildings, and restaurants.
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- Victoria harbor at night, featuring the legislative building lit up.
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- The city of Victoria has abundant art installations, including this mosaic orca statue alongside the harbor.
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- This helpful sign indicates which country Victoria is in.
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- UVic – despite being a compact and walkable campus, Marion and Sarah got treated to a campus tour via golf cart!
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- UVic – despite being a compact and walkable campus, Marion and Sarah got treated to a campus tour via golf cart!
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- UVic – despite being a compact and walkable campus, Marion and Sarah got treated to a campus tour via golf cart!
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- UVic – the First Peoples House is central to the campus, and provides a welcoming and safe space for all, but especially Indigenous students.
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- UVic – the First Peoples House is central to the campus, and provides a welcoming and safe space for all, but especially Indigenous students.
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- UVic – the university encircles a welcoming green quad that brings everyone outside on warm days.
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- UVic – the main library on campus was buzzing with students, with lots of resources available, from writing help to a dedicated international student guidance center.
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- UVic – the main library on campus was buzzing with students, with lots of resources available, from writing help to a dedicated international student guidance center.
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- UVic – the Student Union Building houses nine student-run businesses in a central location, including a cinema and discounted copy center.
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- UVic – the Student Union Building houses nine student-run businesses in a central location, including a cinema and discounted copy center.
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- UVic – the recreation center is recently renovated. Students at UVic use athletic facilities more than the average Canadian student, and the quality of recreation facilities reflects it!
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- UVic – CanAssist is a dedicated disability advocacy and assistance organization on campus. It also pioneers research and development of assistive technologies.
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- UVic – Sarah Berryman, Maddy Palmer (UVic GoGlobal), Marion Ferguson, Megan Sylka (UVic GoGlobal), and Kiran Nagra (UVic GoGlobal)
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- Despite being the legislative seat of British Columbia, and home to a major university, Victoria can still feel like a cozy seaside town.
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- Victoria features a wealth of bookshops, charming boutiques, and great cafes and restaurants.
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- Victoria features a wealth of bookshops, charming boutiques, and great cafes and restaurants.
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- Victoria features a wealth of bookshops, charming boutiques, and great cafes and restaurants.
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- Marion tried to recruit this bear to join the Corbett Exchange Program, but settled for a hug instead.
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- Victoria features a wealth of bookshops, charming boutiques, and great cafes and restaurants.
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- Victoria features a wealth of bookshops, charming boutiques, and great cafes and restaurants.
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- The Victoria Clipper is a fast, 3-hour ride to Seattle, and has great views of the city on the way out!
