UGA - Terry - Business & Sustainability in Canada : Reviews (Vancouver)
The following program review responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Program Evaluation
Wesley Parker Bacastow,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
The orientation materials served as a good reminder of travel safety tips and best practices.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
Had a great time exploring and learning about beautiful British Columbia!
Zachary Ryan Starker,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
The orientation stressed safety and health. It was also very helpful in explain what exactly we were going to be doing in the study abroad.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The orientation was helpful in preparing us for the differences in cultures from America. We were able to adjust our behavior more appropriately to respect the areas we were in. The background on indigenous populations was also very useful as their relations with other Canadian populations were very intertwined.
Zachary Ryan Starker,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
Everywhere we went felt safe and secure. The hotel had good security.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I thought the location of the hotel and the hotel was very nice. I liked the transportation and the tour guide Nadja was wonderful.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I felt like our housing accommodation and its location was very safe. I never felt unsafe while in Vancouver, and I appreciated our tour guide giving us a city map with specific areas marked as no-go. I also like the Alert Traveler app. While away, the app notified me of a stabbing in the city, and I felt better being alerted of such activities. Our UGA organizer, David, briefed us on the incident and assured us that the stabbing was on the other side of the city, and we should not be too concerned.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I always felt safe. There was never a moment when I felt in danger due to the provided resources.
Zachary Ryan Starker,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
The workload was very easy to maintain and I enjoyed the overall quality of the classes before the trip and each company visit.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I feel like the structure of class and orientation really provided us with everything we needed to fully experience the city of Vancouver. Without all the background and emphasis on sustainability, we wouldn’t have been able to understand the city’s goals and business initiatives as well as we did.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Dr. Matthews was a great professor and encouraged us to experience everything Vancouver had to offer. He offered assistance on specific course works, and I enjoyed travelling with him.
Spring Break 2019 Participant
Vancouver was amazing, and I loved all the excursions we did! I would recommend this trip for anybody.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
The company visits were truly awesome and very informative.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I liked almost all the places we went to as a group. And the location was good for being able to go places outside of the school allocated time with the other people on the trip.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Very much enjoyed where we visited and what we saw.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The first day in Vancouver was my favorite! We saw so many sites and experienced a lot of Vancouver culture. Even though everyone was dragging towards the end of the afternoon, looking back, I thought the day was super fun. My favorite company that the group visited was CBRE. The company's presentation, I thought, related more to sustainability than any of the other companies. The speaker answered all of our questions and gave insights on the building's sustainable qualities. The other company visits were interesting, but I don't think these visits related to sustainability which was the main focus of the study abroad trip.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The excursion was probably one of the best things I've done in my life.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
It was very clean and the hotel employees were very nice.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Loved coming back everyday and having our beds made! The location of the hotel was perfect, and everything was within a 10 minute walk. I also thought the hotel was very conducive for school groups since it had conference rooms which our group used several times.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
Good meals as well.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The breakfast arrangements every morning were amazing. The food was extremely good and the location was very convenient. It also had a lot of options and the staff were very friendly. The 2 dinner locations were also very nice. The food was good and the locations were great, especially the last night.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The food was AMAZING.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I loved both of the group meals at the beginning and end of the trip. Out of the two restaurants, Steamworks was my favorite. The revolving restaurant was a great experience, but I didn't feel like the two meal options were of equal quality and wished there was one more option for students to choose from. Also, I think it would have been fun to have another group meal in the middle of the week for everyone to reflect on the activities we had done that far. For most dinners, our group had to split up because places could not accommodate 20 people on short notice, so I think an additional group dinner would have been great.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
I interacted with the locals as much as possible since everyone was so nice.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Obviously this was a quick trip, only over Spring Break, but I feel that we did get to talk to a few people that were local. Personally, I talked to a lot of people at the airports and on airplanes that were from Canada.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I had many opportunities to interact with the locals and learn more about Vancouver.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
D Eckles and D Wildes rocked.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I thought the program staff did a great job planning and organizing the trip. We did a lot of things as a group but still had time to do things in smaller groups.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The staff was very quick to answer our questions whether they were about the academics, a question about when we were supposed to be in a place, helping find places we needed to be, and all kinds of things.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
David was always willing to answer questions and made sure we knew to reach out to him if we had issues.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
David Wildes was so compassionate and had a very obvious care for his students. He was always very available and was easily the best person for the job. There were times when David would notice small changes in my behavior and discuss issues with me before I even knew it was truly bothering me.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
I really liked the trip to Whistler, and all of the great places we got to eat at.
Ken That Duong,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
The program surpassed my expectations because I was able to learn so much about the city of Vancouver through my peers, professor, and professionals from the companies I visited in a week period. Besides learning more about how business corporations in Canada function, I was able to immerse myself in the culture and create memorable experiences with my friends who I created through this study abroad program.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I really enjoyed the program, and liked the locations we went to and the activities we did. The local market immersion was very fun.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
This program overall met my expectactions. I really enjoyed the other students on the trip , I learned a lot, and I got to see much of Vancouver.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Expectations were exceeded
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Exceeded my expectations, only wish we had more time in Vancouver!
Daniel Linden Huber,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
Awesome. Learned a lot and enjoyed every moment.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
It was such a great, well-planned, and thought-out experience. I enjoyed the entire week!
Ken That Duong,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
For future participants, I would recommend making sure that you have everything prepared before going to your study abroad destination. Make sure to exchange currency, prepare the correct clothes/attire for the weather, bring medicine, and ensure that you will have mobile data/service to at least be able to make phone calls.
Kimberly Miller,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
Pack tennis shoes. There is a lot of walking. Only pack flats, no high heels (too much walking to be comfortable, paired with fast paced walking with group and uneven surfaces and sidewalk grates throughout the city.
Zachary Ryan Starker,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
Make sure you pack with enough clothes to wear the entire time and don't just think about professional wear. Think about the clothes you will be wearing away from the businesses as well. Also make sure you come with plenty of questions to the company visits.
Spring Break 2022 Participant
Search the weather of your destination city! Since it's March, I assumed it would be warmer. I was in Canada and very wrong.
Spring Break 2022 Participant
Be open to trying new things; by doing this on a study abroad trip, you'll learn a lot more about yourself and the others in your group. You also will be doing yourself a favor because you'll make the most out of your trip.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Wear comfortable clothes and be open to learning. It is a jam-packed week, so get lots of rest and ask lots of questions.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I would recommend learning about everyone in your group. It was very easing to learn that most everyone was going through the same “struggles” as you as we are deciding our careers. It makes the process a lot less daunting.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I would say to future program participants to just enjoy the experience. Vancouver is truly a wonderful city, and you will have free time every evening to explore it. Go to some bars, go to Stanley Park, etc., and hang out and talk to the other students in your group.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Invest in comfortable, business casual shoes.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Go out there and become friends with everyone on the trip, then the memories are even better. Additionally, talk to the coordinator and the professor as well they are great human beings, and it's amazing to learn from them.
Jia Min Liu,
Spring Break 2019 Participant
Great experience to learn about our neighbor country. Lots of insightful presentations but still time to explore the city! Highly recommend!
Jyoti Manoj Makhijani,
Spring Break 2019 Participant
The program is essentially a business trip to Vancouver. As a student, you have the opportunity to interact with various companies to learn about US-Canada trade relationships while enjoying some free time shopping, eating at local restaurants, etc! The best part is after you finish your class presentation on the trip, is visiting Whistler Ski Resort! You get to pick which activity you want to do; I picked snowmobiling and it was a breathtaking experience!
Spring Break 2019 Participant
The value provided from this trip exceeded any other opportunity that could have been granted on any spring break excursion.
Wesley Parker Bacastow,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
I would highly recommend this trip to any Terry student looking to gain an international perspective without the typical cultural barriers. It was the most memorable spring break of my college career by a long shot.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
The study abroad to Canada was a great experience. Life in Canada is not much different than life in the United States, but there are subtle differences that you pick up on. This was one of the best ways that I have ever spent a spring break.
Spring Break 2020 Participant
Terry Business in Canada is one of the most unique study abroads UGA has to offer. You get unique, behind the scenes insights at an array of Canadian companies as well as getting to enjoy the beautiful city of Vancouver. The trip is fast paced and jam packed, but extremely fun and totally worth going.
Zachary Ryan Starker,
Spring Break 2020 Participant
This is a great trip to get to know more people in Terry as well as getting to know two professors in the school.
Spring Break 2022 Participant
UGA - Terry - Business in Canada (British Columbia) changed the way I approached international companies. It really opened my eyes to opportunities in foreign countries, especially ones that import talent to fill necessary roles. I am beyond grateful to the program and its coordinators for making this a realty for UGA students.
Spring Break 2022 Participant
Studying abroad is a truly immersive experience that is enhanced by learning with fellow UGA peers and by exposure to professionals and cultures within the country abroad.
Spring Break 2022 Participant
This trip was one of the best experiences of my life.
Spring Break 2022 Participant
There is a lot more to do than meets the eye. You won't regret it.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
This was an amazing opportunity to do something out of my comfort zone. Traveling abroad and immersing yourself in a new city for a week will certainly give you a new perspective and provide you with a sense of independence. My week in Vancouver was fun and educational, and all of the students on the trip were a joy to be around. Want to do something different for your Spring Break? Go to Canada!
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I would strongly encourage doing a study abroad at some point in college. It has been a great experience! Getting to learn about new cultures and meet so many new people with similar career paths to my own has been the highlight of my academic career!
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The Canada Study Abroad program was an incredible experience. Not only did I have the opportunity to explore Vancouver and its culture and people self-sufficiently, but the company visits allowed me to learn about business in Canada.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
The Canada study away program revealed higher standards I look for in a company and their practices.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Experience the intricacies of international business!
Spring Break 2023 Participant
A great experience for anyone curious about new cultures.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
I came into this program not knowing anyone outside of my major, let alone the names of those coming with me to Vancouver. This experience gave me the chance to get closer to the kids in Terry and gain many new friends and stories to share.
Spring Break 2023 Participant
Even though Canada is America's neighbor, I have never experienced such a diverse culture and atmosphere. Within the cultural melting pot that is Vancouver, B.C., I learned about the city's innovative sustainability efforts and visited several companies that shared their positive influence on the local community. Situated between the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ocean, Vancouver also has breath-taking views like no other. Definitely a trip of a lifetime!
Spring Break 2023 Participant
“This trip is great for those who cannot fit a longer trip into their schedules.”