Vancouver is only worth enduring the eight months of rain for the four-ish months of summer we get here. The sun comes out, the beaches are wet (in a good way), patio season begins and we actually see what other people’s knees look like.
How exciting!
But going home hits different. Maybe I’m just saying this because I’m not going home this summer. Or maybe I'm saying it because even after growing up in the same place for eighteen years and telling myself everyday “I can’t wait to go to UBC and never, ever come back,” there’s still no place like home.
Here are some totally valid reasons why going home is not only inherently a good thing but might even be the best thing for your summer!
Food
There, now we’re all in agreement! Nothing beats coming home to a parent-provided warm meal that has absolutely nothing to do with a barely-scraping-by No Frills grocery run.
If you’ve been eating in the residence halls, I feel for you. Mom’s spaghetti is going to feel like actual heaven after eating at Gather all semester.
And for my international student pals, food from home has a different significance when you get to taste it after four months of living half a world away. Suddenly all the mildly homesick nights, the long-distance phone calls and crappy WiFi connections melt away the minute you have a bite.
Your pets
Dude, nothing beats this! Imagine after a semester of living in lonely-as-fuck Vancouver where most people’s faces are hidden under an umbrella for a good chunk of the year, somebody is GENUINELY happy to see you.
Bros before hoes and all, but nothing beats the unconditional love of your family pet. They don’t care that you didn’t bring them a UBC hoodie or some quirky Canadian snack (I’m looking at you ketchup chips). They’re just glad you’re home.
To get the fuck out of Vancouver
I like Vancouver as much as the next girl, but after spending a grueling semester without any breaks (despite what my Instagram may say)… it can be a lot.
So, if you’re not able to get away to some exotic island destination for the summer, going home is the next best thing if you’re looking for a change of scenery. Browns is great but going back to your local McDonald’s hits different.
Also, not to mention how many cyclists there are in Vancouver in the summer. Spoiler alert: way too many. Get away while you can.
To have a fling with your high school ex
‘That girl’ is dead. Chaotic girl summer is back. Be toxic. Go to raves. Make out with your childhood best friend. Get back together with your obnoxious ex!
Basically, what I’m saying is to do everything for the plot! It’s not a bad decision if it’s a funny story.
And if you and your ex are both back home for four months, you'll naturally get some tea on them. Blow up the group chat with all the hot goss. Spread some negativity!
I hear summer can be a notoriously dry time of year and it definitely will be if you're spending a lot of time with your ex.