I shouldn’t be the only person counting down the days until Reading Break. We are almost entering the halfway point of the Winter/Spring semester, and midterms, papers, and assignments are already piling up on us! Unfortunately, as we live in a city known for its rainy and oceanic climate, we only get to experience summer weather for probably four months of the entire year, from May to August. And unless you have money to spend on a lavish vacation, you’re finding yourself stuck here in Vancouver for Reading Break. But in a city that is multicultural and diverse, possesses a rich hockey history, has every type of restaurant you can imagine and is thriving itself towards the booming tech industry, there are evidently lots of things to do here and there, especially as we are heading towards Reading Break!
Attend a networking event
Networking events are not just limited to Business students and professionals – anyone with an open mind and is eager to learn about the industry they are yearning to go into being able to attend networking events! Personally, I make it a goal to attend at least one networking event per semester. During the reading break,I will be attending the Vancouver Girls in Tech Hack for Humanity hackathon at UBC. The purpose of this networking event is to foster a welcoming environment for women to participate in a hackathon, and to get experience in a field that may be male-dominated otherwise. This is a free-to-attend event, and anyone who is 18+ can join.
Details: Hack for Humanity – Girls in Tech Vancouver x UBC Saturday, February 10 – Sunday, February 11, 2018 6425 Agronomy Road, Hugh Dempster Pavilion 110 Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hack-for-humanity-girls-in-tech-vancouver-x-…
Take a tech/coding class
Another event you can go to hone some practical skills and expertise is by taking a coding class! Vancouver’s tech scene is evolving, and there is the reason why we are nicknamed the “Silicon Valley of the North”. Bootcamps such as Lighthouse Labs, BrainStation, and RED Academy offer classes where students can learn how to code programs and websites, design UX/UI interfaces, or implement marketing solutions on social media platforms. If you are considering a career in tech, many of these boot camps offer 10-12 week programs, and graduates go on to work in digital or marketing agencies, or as a freelancer.
Attend a concert
Although concert season starts around the summer, some amazing artists and bands are starting off 2018 by going on a tour. Plus, it’s always a good idea to destress after midterms by jamming out to your favourite song or musical artist live!
Concerts to catch in Vancouver during Reading Break:
February 11 – MØ & Cashmere Cat @ Vogue Theatre
February 13 – Majid Jordan @ Orpheum
February 15 – Walk The Moon @ Vogue Theatre
February 16 – Dua Lipa @ Vogue Theatre
February 17 – Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, and Breaking Benjamin @ Pacific Coliseum
Hot Chocolate Festival 2018
Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Festival made its start in 2011, and since then, it has brought the city’s best chocolatiers, bakeries, confectioners, cafés, baristas, and ice cream makers together to deliver the luxurious, sweetest, and yummiest beverage ever. According to its website, 35 participants, also known as “chocstars”, and 75 flavours are in the running this year. Current locations for 2018 include Bel Café, Cartems Donuts, and Thierry Chocolates in Downtown Vancouver, Terra Breads and Thomas Haas in Kitsilano, and Chez Christophe and Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionery in Burnaby.
Attend a Vancouver Canucks game
Currently, the Canucks are in the midst of a rebuild, but that doesn’t mean you cannot go to a game! I am a huge hockey fan, and I try to attend a few games each season. Nowadays, I solely go to games for the excitement and to cheer on some of the best players in the league, which include Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser (1, 2).
Canucks home games to watch during Reading Break:
February 14 – Vancouver Canucks vs. Florida Panthers
February 17 – Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins
Lunar New Year
This year, Lunar New Year falls on Friday, February 16, celebrating the Year of the Dog! In Chinese and Asian culture, the dog symbolizes a man’s best friend. If a dog enters a house, he is bringing good fortune. People who are born in the year of the dog are described to be independent, sincere, and loyal.
It has been said that Vancouver is widely known for its multiculturalism and diversity, and what better way than to ring in the new year is through an array of festivities throughout the city.
Lunar New Year 2018 events in Vancouver:
February 16 – 18 @ International Village in Downtown Vancouver – Celebrating Chinese New Year
February 17, 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM @ International Buddhist Temple in Richmond – Chinese New Year’s Eve
February 18, 11:00 AM – Chinese New Year Parade @ Chinatown
February 18 @ Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden – Year of the Dog Temple Fair celebration