What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired by people who had already studied abroad and by all the stories I've read and seen about study abroad experiences. It was also a huge factor hearing from people who hadn't gone abroad, wishing that they had. My sister was a big influence as I got to hear her stories all the time from when she went abroad, as well as people in my major who had great experiences in all different locations. Everyone loved parts of being abroad and had some big challenges too, so I knew what I was getting into!
Mont-Royal!
Why did you choose your specific program?
I chose to do the Montreal Summer Program because it allowed me to have my first study abroad experience after my Sophomore year instead of waiting until my junior year, when most people studied abroad for the semester. I also got to earn six credits towards my degree, which was huge, not to mention being in Montreal during the best time of the year! It made sense to do something through Champlain because it was my home university but also because the program was super cool. The class offerings and structures made sense, along with the pricing per credit hour (and all the benefits!).
What was your favorite part about Montreal?
There is so much to love about Montreal, but I’ll just list a few favorites. One big one was the culture. Montreal is this huge authentic melting pot of culture. You can walk down one street and pass by a traditional Jewish bagel place, authentic Greek food, Indian food, Chinese food, and basically any other kind you imagine. They all have a history and roots. I also loved the festivals, and the ease of access to anywhere in the city by walking, biking, or metro! The architecture was beautiful too.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The main thing was unexpected discoveries. Walking home from class and stopping at a festival you just happen to pass, going out to different food places representing so many different cultures all on one block, and the views! There was so much opportunity to just see anything and everything. The summertime is really when Montreal comes alive. They will shut down entire roads for weeks to have a huge variety of festivals — jazz, pop, art, comedy, basically anything you can think of there’s probably a festival for it.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff throughout the duration of our study abroad experience were hugely supportive. They took us to local spots, helped us learn about and navigate the city and to really understand and feel comfortable in the place we were in! They were very knowledgeable and kind. Not to mention we were in contact with them for months before we actually set foot in Montreal to help with logistics, nerves, and any questions we might have. We have also been in contact occasionally after the program, too, when they visit Champlain or have other events nearby. It's nice they remember you and take the time to get to know you.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have budgeted better. I spent a lot of money going out to eat and getting drinks, when I didn't need to. Spending a little extra time up front to cook or prepare more meals would have saved me so much money overall. It’s also hard because you want to go out and travel and see as many things as possible or try so many new food places. It’s all about setting priority, what do you really want to do/try/eat and what can you compromise on, while also leaving room for unexpected expenses or surprises!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Monday through Thursday we had class in the morning and afternoon. The morning class we usually were up and about in the city, stopping at local vendors or restaurants to try food and talk to locals. One class we went to two rival bagel places and tried each of them to see which we liked best. After both classes we would walk through the city home to explore different streets and see what we could find. We'd take some time at our apartments and then go out at night! Either to bars to watch hockey, to festivals, or to somewhere more lowkey like an ice cream shop or a show.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I loved just sitting outside by the water and watching people, going to festivals, riding my bike along the paths, or just hanging out with friends. Everything I’ve pretty much mentioned before. There were also great markets like the Jean Talon Market. One time my friend and I rode our bikes there and while we were exploring we discovered that the bike path takes you to a hidden restaurant only accessible by bike so of course we had to go! It was right along the water and a beautiful location.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We stayed at Evo Apartments right near Old Montreal. I LOVED my view (I could see the Farine Five Roses sign every night — which is a huge staple of the Montreal skyline and it's so pretty). Another huge plus was that the beds were pretty big too!! No Twin XL in sight, we had so much room to stretch and sleep. However, the rooms themselves were kind of small, there wasn't a lot of storage space, especially for kitchen things. And there was just one kitchen for each floor. I did like the game room they had on the first floor as well. Another plus was that the metro station was directly under the building so if you need to get somewhere, it's ridiculously close.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Don't be nervous! Language really isn't a barrier, but bonus points if you know any French. I just politely asked people if they knew English and everyone was very receptive and kind. You've also got lots of free time — don't waste it. Just go out and walk around (without your headphones) and just see what's happening. That's how I found some of the best things (a late night impromptu jazz festival session where people just got up started swing dancing!). You just never know what's around or what's happening unless you step out of your comfort zone!
Would you recommend your program to others? Why?
This program made a ton of sense for me. It was cheaper per credit hour than a usual semester-long three credit class, it allowed me to be in one of the best places during one of the best times, created room in my regular semester to complete my minor and specialization, and it was through my home university, and the classes were super fun! It made the city accessible, activities fun and learning wasn't a chore (I actually enjoyed the assignments we had, but don't tell anyone else that).
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad to any country for any length of time is simply - learning! You learn a tremendous amount about yourself, about the place you're studying in or visiting, and about being on your own and also traveling with others. You learn to prioritize whichever way works best for you, and discover what you really love and create great memories. One thing that is also a huge benefit is learning what you're not comfortable with and trusting your gut. That can be just as important as anything else.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I have so many great memories! And I try to go back to Montreal at least once a year during the summer time because it's so close to Champlain and Vermont, but it's so different! I encourage anyone who wants to go, to definitely give it a shot! It's also great if you're not sure you want to do an entire semester to give the summer program a shot. The times I had are experiences I love to share with people who ask about it and it makes for such a memorable summer. It made me want to travel a lot more, which I got to do for a semester in New Zealand, and I'm considering moving out of the country after graduation, too, because of my great experiences!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is what you make of it. It is having a purpose, but no end goal (because you never know where it will take you or what you will learn!). Traveling can have a very specific purpose — except some of the best discoveries come when something unexpected happens, or when you didn't have a plan quite so set in stone. It makes the travel more important and in fact, more meaningful. Just be open and flexible to what may or may not happen! It makes life a little bit more exciting I think.
