Vancouver is a city known for its long rain periods, which can make it hard to engage in outdoor activities. Vancouver is a hub for a large variety of cuisines, cultures, and outdoor activities because it is one of the provinces in Canada with nice weather conditions. 

Being an international student in Vancouver, I was able to build a community of friends through engaging in activities outside the classroom. I would be sharing my favorite spots in the summer, like cafes, parks, viewpoints, and Ice-cream spots.  

There are so many study spots and cute cafes here in Vancouver but there’s one place that gives me a cozy, warm feeling with an amazing ambiance called Zaatar W Zeit.

Zaatar W Zeit is a nice cozy Lebanese café on Granville Street, Downtown Vancouver. It is close to the SFU Harbour Centre campus, which is in proximity to campus, making it accessible to students. It has a wide variety of sandwiches, wraps, and hot drinks. It has very cozy and comfy furniture.

Summer is my favorite season aside from the heat. One of my favorite parks in Vancouver is Stanley Park. It is one of the biggest parks in Vancouver, and it’s well-known for cycling around the seawall while looking at the great view of the city and its surrounding nature. It is a park great for all seasons of the year and its beauty always shows regardless of the season. 

I love biking here with my friends because it’s a great outdoor activity and a good bonding experience. We can take walks, have picnics, and do other activities in Stanley Park. Stanley Park also has two beaches and an aquarium, which makes it great for so many activities to take part in.  

Another great thing I love about living in this city is the number of view-worthy places there are in this city. One of my favourite viewpoints is the view at the pier in Canada place, Waterfront. You can see all the beautiful lights at night and the skyline of North Vancouver. The water scenery is very calming to watch and walk around. The Pier wraps around the water and goes all through downtown Vancouver. I love taking therapeutic walks along the pier to help clear my mind, be one with nature and appreciate the scenery. 

Last but not least favorite I would be sharing my favorite Ice cream spot in Vancouver. Everyone loves some good ice cream on a hot summer day, but I can have ice cream every day of the year regardless of the season, that’s how much I love it.  

Vancouver is home to a lot of ice cream companies and businesses but my favorite, for now, would have to be Earnest Ice Cream. The reason I love this brand of Ice-cream, apart from the amazing range of flavors and texture of their product is that the brand is very eco-conscious, which is very important in the times we live in. A small business-like Earnest has been able to take conscious steps in the production of their goods and the impact they have in their communities.

These favorites have contributed to my enjoying living in Vancouver and made various moments memorable for me and my friends.