Details

• Canada
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I recommend starting the preparations early, especially the eTA application, university documents, health insurance, and course selection. The eTA application was quick and uncomplicated in my case. Health insurance was mandatory at the university, so it is important to check the requirements and organize all necessary documents before departure. Students arriving in January should be prepared for extremely cold weather. A thick and warm winter jacket is an absolute must, together with suitable winter shoes, gloves, and thermal clothing. It is also useful to compare flight options early and consider baggage costs. Good preparation makes the arrival and the first weeks in Montréal much easier.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Montréal can be stressful, so I strongly recommend starting the search as early as possible. I stayed at ALMA at Shaughnessy Village, a private student residence located at 1680 Lincoln Avenue. The residence is in a central area with good access to public transport, shops, restaurants, and metro stations. The university is not within walking distance, but it is easily reachable by public transport. I generally felt safe in the area and appreciated the convenient location. Before signing a lease, students should carefully check the rental period, total price, additional fees, included furniture, cancellation conditions, and insurance requirements. It is also important to check whether the lease matches the exact duration of the exchange semester. Starting the search early gives you more options and reduces unnecessary stress.

3. Academic life at host university

Compared to WU Vienna, there are many more group projects and collaborative assignments at HEC Montréal. Participation and continuous work throughout the semester are also important, rather than focusing only on one final exam. The professors are very open, friendly, and approachable. They encourage questions and discussions and are generally willing to support students when something is unclear. Overall, the teaching atmosphere is interactive and welcoming.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Montréal is very comparable to Vienna and generally worked well. The metro and bus system made it easy to get around the city. Although there are visibly more homeless people than in Vienna, neither I nor anyone I knew experienced any dangerous situation. I personally felt quite safe in Montréal, including when using public transport. The social life was excellent, and the university also organized different activities for exchange students, which made it easy to meet new people. Montréal offers many leisure activities and events throughout the year. Attending NHL games was one of the highlights of my exchange and created unforgettable memories.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in Montréal was an unforgettable experience. The highlights were definitely the NHL games, the welcoming international community, and the amazing people I met. I was also impressed by the incredibly beautiful nature Canada has to offer, which made the entire experience even more special.