Details

• Canada
• MACEMS-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Since my semester at Ivey Business School (the business faculty of Western University) was part of the CEMS program at WU, there was no separate application process. It was entirely integrated into my initial CEMS application. Travel to London, Ontario: I flew into Toronto with a friend, where we rented a car for a pre-semester road trip. If you are not driving, the most convenient way to reach London is by taking one of the frequent, direct buses from Toronto directly to Western University. Visa & Health Insurance: You do not need a full student visa for a single semester, as a simple Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is sufficient and fast to get. Additionally, healthcare is mandatory to purchase through the university, which takes the hassle out of finding insurance yourself.

2. Accommodation

Housing is a crucial part of the experience. While student dorms are available and close to campus, I wouldn’t recommend them due to the high cost. The best approach is renting a house with other students. You can find great options on Airbnb or through Western University’s dedicated housing platform, which you will receive a link to from your Ivey program manager. Don’t stress too much about the exact location, as long as it isn’t too far outside the city. It is ideal to be near the university or close to Richmond Street, where most of the bars are located. You will likely rely on Uber frequently, but it is worth checking Google Maps beforehand to see if your potential house is well-connected by bus lines. I lived with three other CEMS exchange students. This was an incredible experience and is absolutely the living arrangement I recommend the most, as you get more of that “Exchange experience” than if you would live alone.

3. Academic life at host university

Teaching at Ivey is highly case-based. You typically receive a case study to read and prepare before class, which is then heavily discussed during the lecture. Grading & Participation: Compared to WU, there are far fewer traditional exams. Grades are largely based on homework, presentations, group work, and – most importantly – in-class participation. This focus on particiaption was the biggest adjustment from WU, though the emphasis on group work feels similar to the WU CEMS curriculum. Workload & Scheduling: While the courses aren’t overly difficult, the constant group work makes the semester relatively time-intensive, and attendance is strict with a typical 80% requirement. However, I managed to condense my classes into just two days a week, leaving the rest of the time free for traveling. Most exchange students did exactly the same.

5. Every day life in the host country

Getting around relies mostly on the local bus system, which is decent, but otherwise, public transport is limited. Uber and Lyft are cheap and convenient, especially when splitting the fare with your housemates. We did not rent a car for the entire semester. However, if I had the chance to go back I might explore this option more in-depth as having your own car gives you quite a bit more flexibility. Socializing & Leisure: London is generally an unexciting city, but there are good nightlife options on Richmond Street. I also highly recommend hitting the local sports bars to watch hockey, football, or baseball with friends. Travel Opportunities: London is a great hub for road trips. You can easily take a bus to Toronto, or rent a car to explore Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, and Niagara Falls before crossing into the US. If you have a few days, a road trip to Chicago is highly recommended! Campus Life & Sports: Ivey itself is quite professional, but it sits right next to Western’s main campus where you get the full “North American college” experience. The sports facilities are incredible: there is a massive gym, a swimming pool, basketball courts, and free fitness classes like yoga and cycling. If you want to go beyond you can also sign up for intramurals or a sports team at the start of the semester.

6. Testimonial

Living with fellow exchange students, fully utilizing Western’s sports facilities, and exploring North America on road trips truly made this semester special. It is a fantastic opportunity – hit the local pubs, get to know people, and travel as much as possible to make the most of it and embrace the Canadian lifestyle!