Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Winter in Montreal Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/07/2016 to 04/30/2016 with

McGill University: Montreal - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to be a part of a different part of the world. I improved my French. I really became more independent and confident in my ability to travel and navigate the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

McGill often seemed not to realize that I was an exchange student.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was living off campus, so McGill didn't have any direct involvement. However, their rooms for rent listing site was very helpful in finding a place to live.

* Food:

Food on campus was somewhat limited. I did pretty much all of my own cooking, and was able to find reasonably priced groceries. There were also some good, cheap restaurants near the downtown campus.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I'm not really sure what my health care was, honestly. I had travelers' insurance from my home university, and I'm not sure if I had any coverage from McGill. However, I received an email from McGill telling me that I had insurance for the upcoming fall semester, when I will not be at McGill.

* Safety:

I never had any incidents, and I felt fairly comfortable walking around the city alone between ten and midnight.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved spending time getting to know the city of Montreal. I loved the city's restaurants and unique shops. I had a great time at street festivals and visiting museums and historic monuments. I was living in a really vibrant neighborhood.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was able to spend only half of the money that had been budgeted for my expenses, and therefore was able to afford museum visits and theater tickets and such.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy a discounted students' monthly subway and bus (OPUS) card.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 221
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Perhaps live with French speakers; listen to French radio and television.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Exploring Montreal
  • Montreal's French and bilingual culture.
* What could be improved?
  • Support from McGill's administration.
  • The amount of time I spent speaking French.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had had a better understanding of McGill's grading policy. I wish I had known how much English is spoken in Montreal.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!