Vancouver Study & Work Testimonial: Nataliia from Ukraine

Nataliia is an ESL student coming from Ukraine, currently enrolled in our Study & Work program.

After graduating in Foreign Litteratures, Nataliia felt that she needed to go on an adventure to experience a new culture and also improve her English level. After speaking to a few of her friends who participated in STEPWEST Study & Work in 2011, she decided to enrol in the program and come to Vancouver for 6 months.

Nataliia first studied Intensive English for 3 months at one of Vancouver’s’ top English school located in the historical neighbourhood of Gastown in Downtown Vancouver. Thanks to this English training including an English for Hospitality course where she learned a dedicated vocabulary, required by most employers in order to serve customers – she was then ready to start the second component of her program; a 3 month work experience in the service industry.

After meeting a few times with her STEPWEST Placement coordinator to have an interview preparation, she was sent to an interview for a waitress position and got the job on the spot! She now works as a waitress in a restaurant located in the evergreen heart of Vancouver : Stanley Park.

Nataliia is really enjoying her job as the summer season is now starting and more and more tourists are arriving making her very busy but also meaning more tips! She enjoys exchanging with customers every day. Sometimes, she even has the opportunity to speak Ukrainian with some tourists! She insisted on the great atmosphere “the staff is really friendly” and immediately ”integrated her in the team”. She even told us it was the best place she’s ever worked for!

If like Nataliia, you would like to discover the best city to live in the world and at the same time improve your English level through English study and a work experience – contact STEPWEST at inquiry @ stepwest.ca.

Vancouver Casual Job Testimonial: Emily from Taiwan

Emily is from Taiwan, and  is currently participating in our Casual Job Program for 6 months.

She originally came to Vancouver, Canada to take part of a Study & Work Program at one of our ESL school partner. After completing her study portion of the program, she came to see us so we could look after her work experience portion.

After reviewing her experience and preferences, our placement coordinator arranged an interview in a very famous crepe restaurant chain in Vancouver. She did a great job during her interview and got a job on the spot!

Although she did not have experience as a cook, they hired her and trained her to be a “crepe-maker“. She now works part time at their busiest spot in Vancouver located at the corner of Granville street and Robson street. Her mail daily duties includes making all kind of crepes on the go while keeping her spot neat and clean.

Emily told us her English has improved dramatically since she started working. And she appreciates having friendly relationships with her co-workers, which - according to her - is something very rare  in Taiwan.

For more information about our offers, especially our Study & Work Program which combines English classes with a Casual Job or a Professional Internship; contact STEPWEST and come join us for a fun summer in Vancouver!

Vancouver Study & Work Testimonial: Maxime from France

Maxime is from France and participating in our Study & Work Program. After graduating from his business school, he felt the need to improve his English level in order to have an advantage over other candidates when starting his career in France.  He decided to come to Canada to discover a new country, and the city of Vancouver, which he had previewed through the TV during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

His Canadian Adventure started with a period of intensive English study at one of Vancouver’s best English school. Thanks to it, he has  increased his vocabulary and  more importantly, his conversation skills.

After meeting with a placement coordinator from STEPWEST, and discussing his goals, a job position in the retail industry seemed a perfect match for him. So STEPWEST arranged an interview with a well-known Canadian retail store. Maxime is now working part-time there as a sales associate, while studying in the morning.  He is enjoying his job a lot; he has become good friend with his co-workers and his responsibilities are allowing him to use English skills everyday. Moreover, thanks to his salary, he was able to afford a few trips across Canada and the United States!

If you would like to live a similar experience; improve your English while working in Vancouver, contact STEPWEST. We offer multiple program combinations depending on your profile and goals – which includes English study, combined with a Casual Job or a Professional Internship Placement in Canada.

Experiencia Internacional Canadá abierto en España !!!

El programa de Experiencia Internacional Canadá (International Experience Canada) en España es por fín abierto para los españoles que desean estudiar y trabajar en Canadá por 12 meses. Las categorías son:

- Trabajo en Vacaciones (Working Holiday): tendrás la oportunidad de conocer Canadá y trabajar remunerado en el sector de la hotelería y servicios, como hoteles, restaurantes, tiendas, parques de atracciones, ski-resorts, etc. A través de este programa, conocerás personas anglófonas y mejorarás el Inglés mientras viajando y trabajando.

- Prácticas (International Co-op): tendrás la oportunidad de obtener una valiosa experiencia laboral en Canadá en tu campo de estudios mientras descubres un país nuevo y haces amigos de todo el mundo. Ser un trabajador altamente calificado con experiencia en América del Norte mejorará tus posibilidades en un mercado laboral competitivo.

- Jóvenes Profesionales (Young Professionals): tendrás la oportunidad de trabajar con personas de diversas culturas y conocer nuevas maneras de trabajar en una empresa Canadiense en Vancouver para avanzar la profesión laboral durante un contrato de trabajo previamente acordado (máximo 12 meses). Esta experiencia laboral será sin duda muy ayudante para su profesión futura.

Por más información sobre los requisitos, por favor contacte Claire Han (claire @ stepwest . ca).

Work & Travel in Vancouver und Kanada.

Deutschland und Kanada haben ein Abkommen, welches International Experience Canada genannt wird und es deutschen Staatsbürgern zwischen 18-35 Jahren ermöglicht für ein Jahr in Kanada zu arbeiten und zu reisen.

Es ist eine großartige Möglichkeit dein Englisch zu verbessern, neue Freunde aus der ganzen Welt zu treffen und unser wunderschönes Land zu entdecken und zu erleben.

Abhängig natürlich von deinen Vorlieben, können Work & Traveller sich entscheiden in einer Großstadt wie Vancouver zu leben. Vancouver bietet viele verschiedene Freizeitaktivitäten, sowie jede Menge Restaurants und Bars.

Für diejenigen, die Spass an Sport und Natur haben, besteht die Möglichkeit in einem der beliebten Resort in British Columbia oder in den Rocky Mountains zu arbeiten.

Viele Resort wie zum Beispiel: Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise und Jasper heißen jedes Jahr im Winter und Sommer deutsche Work & Traveller herzlich willkommen. Die angebotenen Jobs sind von deinem Profil abhängig aber viele bevorzugen in einem Hotel zu arbeiten, da oftmals freie Skipässe und auch reduzierte Mitarbeiter Unterkünfte angeboten werden.

Mögliche Jobs in Hotels können zum Beispiel sein: Kellner, Zimmermädchen, Kuechenhilfe, Room service oder Empfangsmitarbeiter. Manche haben sogar das Glück einen Job in einem Ski Resort zu erhalten und als Lift Assistent zu arbeiten. Als Lift Assistant besteht oftmals die Chance umsonst Ski oder Snowboard zu fahren während der Mittagspause oder am Wochenende.

STEPWEST bietet ein Work&Travel Programm für Deutsche Work &Traveller an, welches einen Job nach der Ankunft in Kanada garantiert.

Egal, ob du das Großstadtleben oder eine Resorterfahrung bevorzugst, wir haben viele verschiedene Jobs in Restaurants, Hotels, Einzelhandelsgeschäften oder in einem Ski Resort. Für mehr Informationen sende uns einfach eine email an inquiry @ stepwest.ca.

Vancouver Study & Work Testimonial: Olga from Russia

Olga is from Moscow (Russia) and enrolled in our Study & Work Program.

Her main reasons for participating in the program was to deepen her skills in her field of study; hospitality, with an experience abroad in a Canadian Hotel, discover Vancouver, one the best city to live in the World - which has become very popular in Russia during the Winter Olympic Games of 2010. And of course improve her English, in order to eventually get a job promotion when she goes back to Moscow.

She started her experience here with a 3month period of Intensive English study at our partner school located in downtown. Thanks to this study period, she has increase her vocabulary and grammar skills and therefore feels more comfortable with her English now.

Regarding her work experience;  thanks to the help of a STEPWEST placement coordinator she was able to get an interview and is now working in a Vancouver high-end hotel located in Dowtown, as a front desk attendant . Olga is enjoying  her job a lot;  she has the opportunity to practice her English in a professional atmosphere and exchange a lot with clients. It took her a while to get used to some night shifts, but on the bright side, she has time to enjoy the beauty of Vancouver!

If you are looking for an effective way to improve your English level, and earn money at the same time. Or just want to gain experience, contact STEPWEST. We offer multiple program options, which includes English study, combined with a Casual Job or a Professional Internship Placement in Canada.

Canadian Hotel Internship Testimonial: Pamela from Costa Rica

Pamela comes from Costa Rica. In order for her to get a Master Degree in Hospitality Management her university requires her to do an internship of 6 month minimum in a Hotel.

Because she understands that it will be an asset for her resume to have an overseas experience,  she decided with three of her schoolmates to enrol in STEPWEST Professional Internship Program. 

One of their goal was also to discover a new country, a new culture, far from the white sandy beaches of Costa Rica. And they got what they where looking for; Since May 2011 they have been working as Front Desk Agent and Banquet Server for a luxurious hotel group located in the very famous mountain resort of Banff in Alberta. 

Pamela is delighted by her internship position;  she gets to exchange a lot with her international co-workers. Luckily, she and her schoolmates also found time to travel around Canada. Maybe that’s why her main issue is to learn how to save money! Besides the amazing cultural experience, she has also reported that her English has been improving a lot since she started her internship.

If you are looking for an enriching experience in your field of study, and earn money at the same time. We have professional internship opportunities in various sectors such as business, Information Technology and Hospitality. Contact STEPWEST for more information!