From China to UBC: The REAL Challenges of Being an International Student

Finding Your Place: How Zheng Navigated Life & Research at UBC 🌲🌎

Moving to a new country is both exciting and challenging. In this episode, we sit down with Zheng Chen, a PhD student in Forestry at UBC, who moved from Beijing, China, to Vancouver, Canada, to pursue his research in climate change, carbon offsets, and sustainability. From adapting to a new culture and learning English to discovering Vancouver’s forests, study spots, and opportunities, Zheng shares his unique student journey.

🌱 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why Zheng chose UBC for his PhD & how he transitioned from Beijing to Vancouver.

✅ Overcoming language barriers & cultural differences as an international student.

🌏✅ Exploring climate change & sustainability – his research on carbon tax & wildfire emissions. 🔥

✅ First impressions of Vancouver & UBC – "Wait, there’s a university with a beach?" 🏖️

✅ The power of networking – why connections matter for academic & career growth

✅ Zheng’s favorite study & nature spots – from Pacific Spirit Park 🌲 to UBC libraries 📚

💡 Thinking about studying in Canada? Whether you're an aspiring PhD student, an international student, or just curious about UBC life, this episode is packed with insights!

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Follow us for more student stories, advice, and real experiences from Vancouver!

🎙️ The CANADA STUDENT NETWORK Podcast is where students connect, share, and grow. Tune in weekly for real stories, study tips, and advice to thrive in Canada—whether you're new to the country or planning your next academic step.

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