Location of host university.
Ècole des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) is a school of Higher Commercial studies in Montreal, Canada. It is often ranked among Canada’s top 4 business schools. The exchange programme provides a vibrant experience with prestigious academics. The campus experience is enriched by the multilingual culture and curriculum. Montreal is a dazzling city where European charm blends with North American spirit. It is in the bilingual province of Quebec where French & English are spoken. The city is bursting with festivals, timeless architecture & a world-class food scene. HEC was readily available to help incoming exchange students prepare. Their effective communication and helpful resources contributed to a smooth journey. Montreal’s student life is like that of Stellenbosch, where academics are held in high regard while students make the most of their scenic environment and bustling night life.
Academic
My programme was a Bachelor of Business Administration and I took 5 courses: Internationalisation Strategies, Operational Issues of International Trade, Global Business Environment, International Marketing & Doing Business in Emerging Markets. HEC had a more intimate academic culture where the classes were relatively small, and lecturers took it upon themselves to know their students and cultivate personal engagement. The classes were focused on equipping students for real-world scenarios and promoted critical problem solving. The environment allowed me to enjoy learning and gain new insights while still leaving room for exploring and rest. Discussions, guest speakers & assignments all contributed to fresh perspective I’ve gained regarding foreign affairs & trade.
Social Experience
I was blessed to be able to visit 3 other cities in Canada. Two friends & I travelled to Ottawa for a day trip. We ‘rented’ seats in a car and set off to the capital city in the morning. We visited the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, Parliament Hill &the official residence of the governor. We could not leave without tasting the famous Obama cookies and testing if their Nando’s measured up to South African standards. For the half-term break my South Korean friend & I went to Toronto. Some highlights include dining in Sankofa Square, the CN tower views, ping-pong
games & Niagara Falls. We feasted on popular fast[1]food chains and tasted staple Fall drinks. Honourable mentions are deserved by the delicious ramen we indulged in and my first Amber alert notification. The first destination I travelled to, Quebec City. In September we took a lovely road trip and stopped to admire Montmorency Falls. We toured the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Quartier Petit Champlain & the Citadelle of Quebec. The glistening waters of the beautiful port were almost frozen by the time I went back in December. This finale to my exchange involved snow sledding, ice skating, & the last serving of homemade poutine.
Tips and Advice
I would highly recommend that future exchange students strictly follow the calendar that HEC provides pre-departure to ensure that travel documents are received on time. Welcoming week will help you get comfortable with getting around the city and will provide opportunities for making memories with new.
friends; it’s necessary! Try to know conversational phrases in French, the locals will appreciate it & it will give you an immersive experience. (Carvalho, Gama & Ramires, 2022). Canada holds a special place in my heart & there’s nothing quite like Quebec charm.
Some pictures to marvel at while I was abroad:
