University of Toronto

I think it's really important to keep up the language when you return. You pick up a lot while you're there. But you need to practice! It's tough 'cause you are no longer living in the language. Oh and I should note that the school has a STRICT rule about ONLY speaking French while you are there. In fact, they reserve the right to kick you out of the program if you are caught speaking another language. This is good if you are more advanced but sucks if you are basic. I know a whole bunch of people who went on a trip and they were all very basic beginners. They totally got yelled at for speaking English!! But really.........if they spoke only French their conversations would have consisted of "Hello, my name is......." or "I am good....." and stuff like that. BTW, there are a TON of students from Mexico so Spanish is pretty rampant. In the residences you are pretty much free to speak whatever language you choose. I have to admit we spoke a combination of English-French-Spanish with each other.

Travelling is best done by walking within the city, since the bus fares are expensive (2$), and though the city is quite sparse. You get used to walking 10 minutes for a coffee shop. For going outside the city, trains are good, though not that cheap. Car pooling is best.

The very first time I went to Quebec City I thought to myself..........Wow! I want to live here one day. It's that sort of place. If you go there is NO way you will regret it. Take my recommendation and live on campus. Also, IF you are a Canadian student you have the opportunity to obtain a bursary from the Canadian Government. You can apply through the Council of Ministers of Education of Canada. They pay for your tuition, your books, and your housing........on top of that you receive a subsidy of $500 for the 5 weeks that you are there. Also, a lot of the excursions that the University offers are subsidised. It's a fantastic opportunity! I would suggest that you take a chance and go for it! :o)

It can be intimidating at first to be the only one in the classroom with a strong accent. It is very hard at first to get use to idioms, expressions and slang language use in everyday conversations. Class presentations are part of the academic assigments in Canadian universities and that for me was my biggest challenge: addressing my classmates in a formal presentation. On the other hand, you will find you have a wonderful source of support not only from teachers and classmates but also in campus. It will challenging at the beginning but it will ease with time.

Bloor street is the hottest spot located a steps from the University. There is also Harbord Street which is accross the University with lot of places to go for dinner and drinks. My best cafe (reminds me of Europe) "Future Bakery" located at Bloor Street. Night life for someone like me who cames from Spain was a little dissapointing; however, you just have to adjust and realize that party time here starts at 7:00 pm and finishes at 2:00 am (after that time not alcoholic drinks are allowed).