An overview of life at McGill University, Canada
"I CAN either go to a not-so-good school in the U.S.A or go to Canada. Where should I go?" This is a frequently asked question among exchange students-to-be. Having an unfounded illusion about the States, many hesitate to attend school in any other country, regardless of the university ranking. Let me help you answer that question once and for all. I give you McGill University, one of the top universities in Canada : and in the world.
McGill U is the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Canada. Its main campus is set in the heart of downtown Montreal, in Quebec. The city is highly sophisticated, with a mix of cultures and languages. "English is the main language on campus, but once you step out of downtown Montreal, French is almost all you hear and see," explains Jung Hong-sik, a 2005 McGill U exchange student, now graduated. Although this can be a challenge to adapt to, it is a great opportunity to learn about another culture.
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| ▲ Statue of McGill | ||
This high academic level is sustained by 14 libraries opened to the public. With an extremely well organized electronic database and comfortable environment, it offers an ideal place to study, research and rest. The classes also require high levels of academic performance and participation. "McGill U emphasizes a lot on reading. My semester flew by because of all the readings I had to do," recalls Jung. The professors are also full of passion, constantly improving their lessons. One impressive tradition of McGill U is the way exams are carried out. "They are as long as three hours. You have to know everything you were taught for a semester and even three hours are not enough to record all that you have learned," explains Jung.
On the other hand, the residences McGill U offers are rather small and costly, with freshmen occupying most of the 2400 places available. Many suggest finding an apartment nearby. "You can find housing information on the admission papers and also on the website," suggests Jung. "Most students rent a studio apartment and the living expenses are not that high." Although public transportation is convenient, it is advised to find an apartment near the university in winter (usually from December to April) because of its overly cold and snowy weather. Also, one should look for a place to stay in advance, as the seasonal factor cannot be ignored.
Many future exchange students seem to think that there are only two choices when choosing a university. The first one is going somewhere isolated and studying the whole time. The second one, is heading towards a downtown university, where studying is just impossible because of the many lures of the city. McGill Univ. is a place that shows you that a third choice exists: studying in one of the best and most challenging schools, but not without being able to enjoy city life. So tell me, what will your choice be?
Name: McGill University 
▲ from McGill Univ.
Foundation Year: 1829, Canada's oldest university
Students: 19,367 full-time undergraduate students
Academic Units: 11 faculties and 10 schools
(Exchange students can only take course the Faculty of Arts and Science offers)
Required TOEFL Score(min.): 213
Cost of Living: CAD $600~900 a month