53 reviews
4.05 / 5 based on 53 reviews
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1
julie d
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Nightlife, Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
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.
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julie d
Housing
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)
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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.
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julie d
Languages
Language of instruction: French
Was learning French a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I had no problem with the language since French is my mother tongue but I still had to get used to the particularities of the "québécois", which can be rather different. But I just loved it !
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1
julie d
Academic
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..
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
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.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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0
julie d
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work
Personal spending habits
I found that nightlife (esp. booze) is really expensive. Then price of wine and cheese is off the roof.
The 15% tax is a cheater coz it's never included so everything looks actually cheaper than it really is. PLUS the tip^... Coming from Louvain la Neuve where you had a beer for 1€, paying 5 CAD with tip and taxes was a bit hard to swallow (eventhough it didn't stop me from trying all their great beers...)
Phone is really cheap if you get a landline, you can call anyone in Mtl for free.
International calling cards are also really advantageous.
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Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Housing, Overall:
was the same price as at home.
Telephone, Travel:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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1
julie d
Overall
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 !
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The courses are really good, the university is big but with a friendly atmosphere. I enjoyed my time there, eventhough it took me a while to find my way first !!!
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Montreal is just a great city to live in. I Just LOVED it. Winter is really cold but it didn't worry me that much (except for a few memorable times walking home from the movies with no one in sight because it was -20, no bus and frozen legs upon arrival OR waiting 30 minutes in a line to get into a club...) because the sun is shining a LOT (nothing like Belgian grey sky).
Try to do as many things as you can with the locals, they're GREAT fun and so nice once you really get to know them intimately. And they'll invite you to their homes, cook typical food, sing with la cuiller, go to a hockey game, etc.
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