Spring has arrived in BC, and we hope warmer weather is coming, too. Surrey, BC, attracts international students from around the world, partly due to our warm, comfortable climate. Spring is a great season to enjoy a wide range of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
If you’re hosting an international student this Spring, here are some great outdoor adventures and cultural experiences you can do together in and around Surrey, BC.
Easter in Surrey
Easter weekend (March 29- April 1) has many opportunities and events you can enjoy with your international student:
- Easter Ice Skating (Mar 23/30/31)
- Easter Egg Hunt at the Historic Stewart Farm (Mar 30)
- Tots Easter at the Museum of Surrey (Mar 30)
- Easter Swimming at participating indoor pools (April 1)
Experience Surrey’s 600 parks through Geocaching
Get some exercise while discovering unique treasures through the Geocaching app. Select a cache in one of Surrey’s 600 parks and go for a family walk to find it. Just be sure to either leave the treasure for the next person or replace it with something new. You never know what treasures you might uncover.
Discover something BEE-utiful
Have you ever visited the Honeybee Centre (176th and Fraser Highway)? It’s a fun way to learn about bees and honey. You can book a private tour or workshop if you have eight friends or family members. Learn to plant bee-friendly flowers, make beeswax candles or wraps, learn about beekeeping and honey extraction, and more.
You can also stop by during operating hours to shop for bee and honey products and check out the exhibits.
Try a foodie day
Surrey is full of diverse cuisines to try! Take the family to the Surrey Spice Trail and try something new or indulge in your favourite foods or drinks. Surrey is an incredibly multicultural city, and chances are high there’s a restaurant featuring foods from your international student’s home. We’re sure they’ll enjoy sharing food from their home country with you.
You could also experience new foods together. Search the interactive Surrey Spice Trail map to sort restaurants by ethnicity or type. Or pick a foodie theme (ice cream, hot chocolate, or donuts) and hit up a bunch of restaurants on your own, custom foodie crawl.
Count 1001 steps…that are really only 284
Get your runners or hiking boots and get ready to count at “1001 Steps Park.” The main attraction is a series of steep steps that lead to the beach. Despite its name, there are closer to 284 steps.
Either way, it’s a great workout, and you get to enjoy exploring the beach bordering Boundary Bay. Take your time exploring and resting before your return trip up the stairs to your car.
Shopping at a Farmers’ Market
Support local growers and artisans by bringing your international student shopping at a local farmers market this Spring. Here are a few regular markets to visit this Spring:
- Surrey Urban Farmers Market at Royal Kwantlen Park (Saturdays, June through October)
- Clayton Community Market at Clayton Community Centre (Sundays, May through early October)
- Cloverdale Market Days on 176 Street (May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug 24, and Sept 21)
- Fort Langley Farmers Market (in nearby Fort Langley) with events year-round on Saturdays
Bring your international student to the market to taste new local produce together. Try challenging yourselves to pick one new food and bring it home to make a new recipe.
Rainy outside? Go to the arcade!
Although Vancouver summers are usually warm, it’s not uncommon to have rainy days. Spend the day at Central City Fun Park. Your student can try arcade games, mini golf, roller skating, or bowling. Invite your international student’s friends from school or the neighbourhood and make it a group day.
Try a potluck picnic
Surrey has many beaches and parks to enjoy on a warm summer day. Get together with a bunch of families and have a potluck picnic. Bring some lawn games and music, too, and make a day out of it. If you’re still out at the end of the day, grab a lawn chair and head to a beach to watch the sunset.
Bike and sightseeing around Barnston Island
Take the small passenger ferry to Barnston Island Regional Park and bike the perimeter. Bring lunch and enjoy the park. The perimeter is a short 0.3km bike ride, so you can cycle it a few times or take your time to enjoy the views of the surrounding Fraser River.
Cool off indoors at the movie theatre
Do you need air conditioning to cool off on an unusually sweltering hot day in Surrey? See a movie at one of the many movie theatres. Make an evening of it and do dinner and a movie as a family.
Are you looking to become a homestay host family in Surrey, BC?
We’re looking for homestay families to host international students in Surrey, BC. Our hosts create memorable experiences for students; you’ll have many opportunities and cultural experiences in your hometown that they’ll love.
As a host family, you get to:
- Learn about cultures and traditions from all over the world
- Share your cultural experiences
- Create a life-changing experience for a youth
- Create new memories for your family
- Earn a monthly compensation for hosting
If you have what it takes to create a welcoming home for an international student, apply online with Harmony Homestay today.
