Want to improve your English and speak confidently? Try our English language courses at Oxford International English School Toronto.

From the slopes to the sea, winter is a fantastic season to experience all that North America has to offer. Our schools in Vancouver, Toronto and San Diego deliver more than just great English language courses. We offer specialized English courses in Vancouver for international students, designed to provide comprehensive language learning experiences tailored to your needs. we also provide amazing social programmes that really encourage students to experience the countries they are living in. As these locations have so much to offer, we thought it would be great to share a few hidden gems with you. So wrap up and get ready to read about some of the incredible experiences you can have outside of the classroom!

Vancouver

Did you know that you can see the Northern Lights in Canada? This beautiful cosmic display officially termed the ‘aurora borealis’ is caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with molecules and atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere. This results in brightly coloured streams painting the night sky in a truly breathtaking phenomenon. The Northern Lights can be seen in Canada between October and March.

Do you consider yourself a food enthusiast? Yes? Well, then you must check out the ‘Dine Out Vancouver Festival’, Canada’s largest food and drink celebration. The event is held each year in January and attracts tens of thousands of foodies. As part of the festival, participants are offered discounts to some of Vancouver’s top restaurants, allowing residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy cuisines from across the globe that may not normally be accessible for students. Find Instagram-able food at a fraction of the cost at  https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/.

Toronto

Chill out at ‘IceFest’, Toronto’s incredibly cool ice sculpture and carving festival in February. The event takes place on February 8th & 9th this year and is set to an 80’s theme that is sure to dazzle attendees… you can even get a photo with an ice sculpture of a Delorian! The car that was made famous by the Back to the Future movie franchise. The festival is approximately 30-40min walk or 20min on public transport from our Toronto school making it accessible to all wanting to attend. Find out more at https://www.bloor-yorkville.com/.

San Diego

As we turn our attention further south, you can swap the snow for the sun, in San Diego, the warmer climate attracts something truly special each year. During the winter months, pods of Grey whales can be seen migrating past the Californian coast, making the sea off San Diego a fantastic place to witness these majestic creatures as they move to warmer waters. The migration period for Grey Whales starts around mid-December and goes through to April. You can see the whales up close and personal through an organised tour or instead you can observe them a little further away from many spots along the shoreline, making this experience available to all.

However, if you prefer wildflowers to wildlife, then San Diego also has you covered. At the end of winter and into early spring the Anza-Borrego Desert blooms with a huge variety of wildflowers. This normally baron landscape is bathed in colour sprouting from its sandy floor as wildflowers and shrubs spring to life during February and March.

With all these fantastic activities to do and more, our North American schools make it easy for you to access an amazing range of experiences to enhance your education during the winter months. Which school and activities will you choose? Book now at https://www.oxfordinternationalenglish.com/booking-form/.

Looking to boost your English skills and speak with confidence? Explore our English language courses available across the UK, USA, and Canada.