HEC Montreal

Choice of finding a place through HEC (GIA Gestion) or finding a place yourself. Very easy to find an apartment to share in Montreal as everyone sublets. Most people seemed happy with their GIA Gestion accommodation as well.

For Poutine: La Banquise, for awesome and cheap Sushi: Sago Sushi on St. Denis, for chocolate fondue: Juliette et Chocolat, for clubbing: anywhere on St. Laurent, if you like more alternative places: Foufounes éléctriques on Ste. Catherine and many more...

GIA-Gestion claim to operate at no profit, however, you'll find the same landlords who rent through GIA will offer the same properties on the regular market for much, much cheaper. If you do a bit of research, along with the housing assistance that HEC offer, you'll be able to find the same, if not better accommodation at much cheaper prices. You'll also get the guarantee of living with other students, saving on household expenses and having a much better home life.

started to speak fluently French, French was spoken between the exchange students nearly all the time; at the beginning when I insecure with my language skills the people continued in English; only some teacher couldn't understand our difficulties

The Quebecois accent is really quite something, and although you get used to it pretty quickly, some Montrealers speak i a much stronger accent that other. As a consequence you sometimes get landed with a lecturer who is very hard to understand.