Details

• Canada
• MACEMS-25
• Graduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Attend the welcome sessions and connect with other outgoing students early. Set up WhatsApp groups for travel planning and, ideally, form a small group to find housing together before you arrive. Having a group before you even get there made a huge difference for us.

2. Accommodation

Sync with other students early and ask people who have already been to Canada whether on-campus or off-campus housing worked better for them, that is basically how my search went. I ended up living in a shared house off campus, which is what most people do in Canada. Since the exchange was only three months, this was the better option for me because you connect with people much faster. Location-wise, pick a place with good public transport access so you get to campus easily even in snow. Safety is not a concern, it is pretty safe both on and off campus. The tip I wish I had known beforehand: the people matter far more than the place. Check the group chats, see who is teaming up with whom, and be selective about the vibe. If you find the right people, the type of accommodation barely matters.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus facilities are outstanding: the campus is super modern, the library is great, the cafeteria is good, and the gym is honestly the best I have ever been to, a real highlight. The academic culture at Ivey is very open and friendly, and faculty members are approachable. Compared to WU Vienna, the teaching style is much more interactive: lots of group work, teamwork, and hands-on tasks instead of classic lectures, and participation actually matters. One practical thing to know: the internal software system is confusing and not great, so everything looks more complex than it actually is. Get familiar with it early and stay in close, direct contact with your faculty coordinators, they will guide you through. Course-wise, I can recommend Fundamentals in Business and AI: it offers relevant insights and the workload is very manageable.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport exists, buses get you to campus, but be prepared that they are basically always late, so plan some buffer, especially in winter. Uber is relatively cheap if you need a reliable alternative. Safety-wise there is nothing to worry about, it feels safe everywhere, on and off campus. Everyday life depends a lot on the group you are with, but it mostly revolves around university and sports. There are plenty of sports options, not just the gym but also student-run activities. Socially there is always something going on: student events, parties, and clubs (the Thumbs Club is quite nice). Overall, expect a good mix of studying, teamwork, sports, and going out.

6. Testimonial

My exchange gave me something I never expected: a new best friend and connections that will last well beyond the semester. I learned a lot about teamwork through all the group projects, and the mix of studying, sports, and spending time with great people made every week fun. If I could, I would do it all over again.