According to the Consulate General of Canada, 2018 was a record year with regard to the amount of resident visas granted to Brazilians. As the numbers show, Canada is one of the preferred destinations of those who leave Brazil, whether for a temporary exchange, or for beginning a new life, as a home. For students, the city of Montreal is an excellent choice, since the second largest city in Canada has a relatively lower cost of living than other Canadian cities. Located in Quebec, the city lends its name to the main local teaching institution, the Université de Montreal (UdeM), which also offers more moderate prices to Canadians and immigrants.
The selective process
You must write an acceptance letter in order to study at UdeM. The tip is to be agile: being in advance is the keyword, since it takes the university up to 6 months to answer the acceptance letter sent by candidates. During this time, a valuable tip is to invest in learning English or French.
Tips for exchange students at UdeM
After approval, look for a place to live, even before travelling to your destination country. If possible, travel a month ahead of the start of classes, in order to settle in: know public libraries, buy appropriate winter clothes, learn how to move around the city on public transportation, and even discover more affordable shopping places. A week before the start of classes, UdeM promotes 7 days of activities for the students’ adaptation.
Cost of living as an attraction
Cosmopolitan and multicultural, bilingual Montreal, where both French and English are official languages, is also famous for its welcoming of foreigners. Starting with rent, which goes from CAD$600 to 1000 a month, depending on the district. Don’t worry about living near the University of Montreal, since the public transportation system is very good, and the monthly ticket for its use is CAD$85.60.
Working in Montreal
According to Canadian laws, foreign students must be enrolled full time during their stay in the country, but this does not keep them from working up to 20 hours weekly during the academic year. During vacation, you can work up to 40 hours weekly, either inside or outside the university.
Life outside the university
The exchange student doesn’t live only to study. Montreal is ideal both for those who have a lively lifestyle, and love bars, restaurants and nightlife, and those who prefer a calmer routine, going to public parks, museums and cafés. Festivals in public spaces are common in the city.
