Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Montreal: European North America Past Review

By (Biology, General., The College of William and Mary) for

McGill University: Montreal - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES. I've learned how to adapt and live in a metropolitan city. I also now know that that is the setting I would like to live and studying in while attending graduate school.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Although the classes are very difficult, the grading is different: 85% and up is an A, 80-85% is an A-, etc. All my classes were lecture classes, and larger when compared to William and Mary classes, however that style worked well for me.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt well integrated into McGill, as if I was just another student. I had to take the initiative to go out, meet people, and find things to do, but I knew that and took advantage of all the opportunities at McGill.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very lucky to get the housing I did. I lived with another McGill student from toronto. However, I had to completely find housing on my own. McGill was not able to offer any campus housing and only in september did I find a housing guide specifically for exchange students. It was very difficult finding housing because I was studying for just the semester and most people wanted to sublease for a full year.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Food is expensive. And there is 13% tax on everything in Quebec.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None, just high school french
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Women in the Christian tradition
Course Department: RELG 338
Instructor: Lucia Marr
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course material and subjects covered were fasinating. The teacher was a little spacy at times and didn't do much to facilitate group discussion, but the material was well presented and the final very fair.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Molecular Biology of the Oncogene
Course Department: BIOL 314
Instructor: multiple
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I loved this course. there is only a midterm and a final, but the information is so interesting and overall well presented, I almost wanted to study.
Credit Transfer Issues: