Details

• Canada
• MACEMS-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

Overall, I felt well prepared for my exchange semester, mainly due to the proactive support of the host university. The international office contacted students early on and provided helpful information regarding health insurance and accommodation options, which made the organizational process much easier. I traveled by plane. The best airports are Toronto (my choice) and London/ON. Apparently, Detroit is also a good alternative. From Toronto Airport there are regular bus services to Western University available (FlixBus, OnexBus, etc.) For me as an EU passport owner, entry to Canada generally required an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) along with the official confirmation of enrollment from Western. However, please check this once again yourself.

2. Accommodation

I chose to stay in an Airbnb, sharing a house with three other students, which was great and significantly more affordable than the university dorms. I paid ~1000€ per month. On-campus housing is available, but it is relatively expensive, and I heard from some students who applied for a dorm room but did not receive one. Planning early is therefore highly recommended. We lived in Hyde Park, about five kilometers from campus. The bus connection was acceptable, but public transportation is generally limited, so you should review transport options in advance. Uber is a convenient alternative, with reasonable prices as long as you do not rely on it entirely. You can also purchase a university bus pass, which costs slightly over 100 euros.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at Western/Ivey differs in several ways from what you may be used to in Vienna. The campus buildings are relatively new, but rather small. Although there are conference rooms that can be booked for group work, space is limited and study areas are often crowded, making it difficult to find available rooms. The learning culture is noticeably more informal. Active participation in class plays a significant role and constitutes a considerable portion of the final grade (30-40%). Across all courses, teaching is strongly case-based: you are typically required to prepare a case study at home, which is then discussed in class. Compared to my experience in Vienna, there is less emphasis on theoretical foundations and a stronger focus on practical application. Overall, the grading is quite student-friendly. For master’s students, I can recommend the course Supply Chain Management.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in the city is generally comfortable, but there are a few aspects you should consider when choosing where to live. The area east of uni and between the university and Downtown feels relatively safe. However, areas further east of Downtown appear noticeably less secure with many homeless people. I would therefore recommend looking for accommodation west of Richmond Street, ideally close to campus or even further west. Public transportation is available but limited. Buses generally reach most important destinations; however, they usually run only every 30 minutes per line. For longer distances, the connection to Toronto is very convenient. Long-distance buses take approximately two and a half hours to reach downtown Toronto, where you will find a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. Although the city has nearly half a million inhabitants, the leisure options are somewhat limited. Several bars and restaurants are located along Richmond Street, and there is a large mall. Sports play an important role in student life. The university offers good on-campus sports facilities, including its own gym, which is well equipped but extremely crowded during peak hours. In addition, you can watch university sports events, such as football or ice hockey games, free of charge. The surrounding region also offers good travel opportunities. The Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes are within reasonable distance, and the U.S. border can be reached relatively quickly via Detroit, making short trips to the United States easy to organize.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester was a highly enriching experience, both personally and academically. The friendships I built with other exchange students were the highlight of my time abroad. I also valued the opportunity to explore the region and to experience a new and different teaching style.