I was surprised when I first arrived in Vancouver that I could see so many colourful murals and pieces of street art due to the fact that in India we also have some graffiti or pieces of walls art, but they are old, small, or political and no one really notices them, here young people walk through the neighbourhood, go through streets such as Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Commerce Drive, and even alleyways near the Downtown, and they notice that there are so many pieces of street art, they take photos, or post them online, and one day I realised there are not just decoration I have observed that the artwork is very colourful, playful, and even profound at times, as you can see abstract designs, portraits, cultural symbols, social messages, some fun cartoons, and all things serve as a small story to be discovered on the walk around the city, making it an interesting process of experiencing the work of culture without spending any money or going to a gallery, and I realised that to students and young people, street art becomes the way to experience the culture. The other aspect that surprised me is the fact that street art promotes photography and sharing on social media, since young people are fond of taking photos in the background of the paintings, make reels, and record Tik Toks that slowly make street art a way to express oneself and a way to connect socially, as well as teaches everyone the lesson of appreciating creativity in a very subtle way, since everyone is fond of admiring murals, taking photos of them, and sharing them on social media. Also, I noticed that the variety of the city influences the murals in the city since it is possible to observe the work inspired by Indigenous culture, Asian culture, Latin American culture, and modern pop culture, and such an approach to intercultural relations makes young people more conscious of multiculturalism, tolerance, and inclusion, and indicates that art in the city is not just decorative but also educative, informative, and communal. The street art also makes the youth creative as many of them end up sketching, painting or photographing the murals as a hobby too and in some cases they even attempt to create their own designs in legal areas, which serves them to practice the arts whilst also networking with other people who also aim the same, and in such a way, the creative aspect makes the students and new people confident and happy, which is quite important when you are away at home and adapting to a new city. The other significant information I discovered is that street art tends to make neighbourhoods more pleasant and secure, as a place with a mural would motivate people to walk, take pictures, and appreciate the surrounding, and empty, dark, or unsafe areas become fewer, and local youth feel safe spending time with friends, hidden spots, or examining nooks, and it has a way of silently enhancing social life and social interaction. Vancouver street art is also a great way to tell a story, since most of the murals are historical events, local myths, environmental messages, or personal narratives of the artists, and I was used to walking around and reading a story without words, and to students and young people it is a way to learn about the city and to feel connected and to admire other points of view and it gradually teaches people to be empathetic, conscious and curious about the world. The murals also serve as landmarks to the youths, since when one says, meet me at the mural outside the coffee shop, everyone knows where to go and it becomes an informal, inventive, and entertaining place to meet, unlike the official or formal one and I observed that this little use of art on the wall makes the city more vibrant. Weather also influences how individuals approach street art, in hot weather months you will see groups of friends walking, riding bikes or skateboarding past murals and in rainy months you will still see people standing under small roofs or taking snapshots and moving on as part of their routine, which is how significant street art is as an element of youth daily life, in that it draws attention, creates interest, and becomes habitual even in inclementary weather. Another thing I observed is that street art in Vancouver is highly inclusive, as everyone can look up and enjoy, photograph and share, which makes it accessible to all youths irrespective of their background, financial status, or their status at school and therefore, in a very subtle manner, it teaches the concepts of equality, freedom of expression, appreciation of creativity, all of which is very important to newcomers or students like me who were in the city having a first time experience. The other aspect is the relationship between street art and cafes, shops, and small business, since most of the murals are located in places surrounding well-known places, and this creates a mix of art and lifestyle, which encourages people to walk, find out new locations, and enjoy the city without the need to spend a lot of money, and students, in particular, love to walk, explore areas of the city, and enjoy the culture, which is why the city can be seen as a fun adventure to explore. Gradually, I have noticed that street art also allows young people to speak indirectly, since some of the murals depict social messages, environmental consciousness, or political statements, and although the messages are not obvious, they make any viewer think and discuss, which results in little, but meaningful conversations between students and young individuals, and teaches to think critically and observe the world. I also noticed that street art leaves imprints, as lots of people take photos with friends at the murals, visit old favourites, or even do little walking tours with friends through the murals and this becomes a part of their story of life in Vancouver, or to a newcomer to the city like myself, it makes me feel part of the culture, discovered, and connected with it. It, too, encourages youth to love the city, as when the street is lovely, colourful, and significant, people will tend to retain the area clean, safe and pretty and this indirectly teaches the youth to be responsible, proud and involved in the community, which is of paramount importance in the formation of social awareness among the students and newcomers. Eventually, I realised that Vancouver street art is not simply paintings on the walls; it is a social, cultural, and artistic lifeline among the youths, because it is inspirational, inter-relational, educative, entertaining, and unforgettable and it quietly shapes how students and young people explore the city, find friends, express and connect with their world and that is why I understand that the colourful walls, the hidden alleys, and the colourful murals of Vancouver are more than just a decorative element, they are a part of the social and cultural identity of youth in this city.