Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I shared an appartment with 4 other people and I think it was a great experience. And the people I knew who stayed in the Residences weren't so satisfied (small rooms, people don't interact too much ->too many people - 12 p/kitchen)

Personal comments:
I was very lucky to find accommodation on my first weekend in Mtl. But I think, depending where you want to be, it's not hard to find nice accomodation for a few months.

Describe host city: Students interact with the local community without much university involvement

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Activities, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
There are many places in Mtl to have a drink with friends (Sherbrooke, le Plateau) in really nice pubs. A tip: try the "micro-brasseries", they're everywhere in the city (where they brew their own beers). Cafe Campus is nice for students outings. Rue Ste Catherine is good for clubs.

Course recommendations:
The main difference with Belgium is that I had to work a lot more during the semester. In Belgium, I only start to study before the exams, at the end of the term. In Mtl, I always had something to do, a paper due, an exam... But eventhough it was more work, you get easily good grades..

Personal comments:
The courses were really interesting, i.e. I had the chance to take courses that don't even exist in Belgium (like on the phenomenon of the gangs, on the drugs, on intelligence, etc. PLUS the teachers were really open and at your disposal. I was a bit disappointed by the locals at University, it was hard to be friends - meaning doing stuff together other than just sit in class. Hopefully I got to know a bunch of great local friends thanks to my flatmates.

Language of instruction: French

Main source of funding:
Government assistance

Other sources of funding:
Family
loans :(

Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work

Personal spending habits:
Food, is cheap, for Europeans using the euro, that is. Only certain things as good cheese and wine are expensive. Calling locally is very cheap, any payphone on the street can be used for 25 cents per conversation, long distance is more expensive, consequently. Housing is excellent, especially considering that you're living in a big city as Montreal. It's nothing compared to ludicrous prices in Holland! Nightlife is good, and cheap but they expect big tips, around 15% is 'appreciated'... Very hard for me, as a cheap Dutchman!!! :) Travel is exccellent, metro and busspasses in one: 31$CAD per month, if you have the required student card (9$CAD) Travel outside of Montreal is good as well, many busses to Québec city, Toronto, Ottawa, etc.

Food, Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone, Housing: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
Winter is REALLY freezing (down to -40°C on the worst week) but remember that spring and summer can be really hot. In May we already had 25°C and I had nothing but rollneck jumpers, warm trousers and walking shoes... So bring some lighter clothes for springtime !

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!