About Us

prepare to meet the world

Last year Languages, Cultures & Travel challenged you to “prepare to meet the world” as we look ahead to the 2010 Olympics. We are thrilled by your response: Vancouverites
have joined UBC Continuing Studies courses in record numbers to learn a second, third or fourth language. This year we continue the campaign from our newly renovated
facilities in the Buchanan D Building. Just steps from our building you can relax in the Rose Garden with its magnificent views of Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean or visit the renowned Museum of Anthropology.

The UBC campus is bustling with multicultural and multilingual citizens from all corners of the globe. This richness of cultures is reflected throughout our brochure by flags of countries our courses help you discover. We offer exciting programs in 16 languages, international cuisine and understanding wine, as well as travel programs promoting cultural and linguistic immersion.

Preparing to “meet the world” is about more than preparing for the Olympics; it is about communicating with our neighbours, locally, nationally and globally. Learning
languages and discovering other cultures define us as global citizens.

I hope you will join us at UBC this year to learn a language, discover new cultures and become a citizen of the world!

Dr. Judith Plessis
Director
Languages, Cultures & Travel
Continuing Studies
The University of British Columbia

Asia-Pacific

For the past 20 years UBC Continuing Studies’ Languages, Cultures and Travel Division has offered excellence in teaching Chinese and Japanese languages and cultures in collaboration with UBC Asian Studies and educational institutions abroad. The new Asia-Pacific Programs allow us to build on this experience to offer more innovative programming that prepares participants for an active role in the global economy.

Our comprehensive approach to teaching languages and cultures responds to the needs of adult learners who want to educate themselves for personal, business and tourism purposes. With the 2010 Winter Olympic games in Vancouver and 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing in mind, and in addition to our existing quality programs, we are offering some new programs, more choices in terms of levels and more flexible hours.

I am excited about the growing interest in our Asia-Pacific Programs and would be happy to meet with you to discuss programs that could meet your needs and/or the needs of your organization. To make an appointment, please call 604-822-1321.

Lang Sun
Program Director, Asia-Pacific Programs
UBC Languages, Cultures & Travel

Learn the Language, Live the Culture!

“I learned French as a child and continued using it throughout
my professional career until retirement. The UBC course on
Saturday mornings has greatly assisted me to maintain my
proficiency in that language. Without the course with its
highly skilled teachers I am afraid I soon would lose my
ability in French.”
Michael Ashby (French language student)

“I used the languages courses to prepare myself for spending
the summer (2006) in Spain. Really excited about that and
will be continuing my studies there and hope to continue
in the fall session with UBC downtown. Ciao! “
Jeanette Levi (Spanish language student)

“After taking an initial Italian language course at UBC,
I had the enthusiasm and enough confidence to travel
to Florence ... And I am still enjoying taking classes with
people who share my love for the language and the culture.
Thanks, UBC.”
Margot Magee (Italian language student)

“I’ve been attending the three-week immersion program
at UBC for the last 17 or 18 years, and that in itself gives
you an idea of how much I enjoy the UBC French program ...
It is amazing what I’ve learned about other cultures. The
main reason that I attend the summer immersion program
and the weekly Saturday morning class is the fact that I’ve
met so many super people that I can now call friends. The
teachers at UBC are magnificent and they have taught
me so much, especially how to speak French in a friendly,
non-pressured atmosphere.”
Nan Hornaas (French language student)