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PA
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Ar 1
riv
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Dear student,
Were proud to present you with our welcome guide for new international students.
Especially designed to answer your questions and address your concerns, this guide will
give you practical tips and tricks about housing, transportation, your new environment,
integration, life in Montreal, and so forth, that you might find useful throughout your
stay with us. Happy reading!

PART 1 - Arrival 3
Our team: Always ready to listen
Administrative formalities
Housing
Health and insurance
Telecommunications
Opening a bank account

The International Student Affairs Office team HECMontral

3
4
4
6
7
8

Our team: Always ready to listen

The International Student Affairs Office (ISA)
is a division of Student Services devoted to the
needs of students who come to study here
from abroad and those who are interested in
internationalism.

PART 2 - STUDYING AT HEC MONTRAL 9

Starting school
A new university environment
Evaluation
Services offered at HEC Montral
Services offered at Universit de Montral

9
10
13
14
17

PART 3 - LIVING IN MONTREAL 18

PART 5 - WORKING IN CANADA 30

Montreal in a nutshell
Discovering Montreal
Eye-catching streets and great parks
On the menu
Leisure activities
Bargain hunting

Work permits 30
Volunteering 30

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18
18
22
23
26

PART 4 - TRANSPORTATION 27
Public transport andthe OPUS card
Biking
Driving
Travelling outside of Montreal

27
28
28
29

Our mission is to make your stay here an

unforgettable experience. For example, through
our office youll have the opportunity to meet
specialists who will be able to accompany
throughout your studies at the School. When
you have little questions or big problems, our
doors will always be wide open! Come see us!

give you advice regarding social

andculturaladaptation

intervene with respect to your rights

andobligations as an international student

offer you information and

integrationworkshops

produce documents and publications

thatmeet your needs

promote openness to the world

andtoothercultures

and much more...

PART 6 - LIVING IN QUEBEC 31

More specifically, were here to:

We cherish the environment!

Qubecs quirks
Intercultural resources
Winter
Qubecs shared values
Culture shock

accompany you and advise you

throughout the immigration process

Our coordinates:
ISA - HEC Montral

support you as you look for housing

5255, avenue Decelles, office5.260

answer your questions about

healthinsurance

Telephone: 514-340-6075
Fax: 514-340-7100

give you information about

your labourrights

E-mail: baei@[Link]

31
32
33
33
35
36

Campus map 20

ST
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Administrative formalities
Before you arrive in Qubec, make sure
youhave the necessary entry permits:
}

Certificat dacceptation du
gouvernement du Qubec (CAQ,
Qubec acceptance certificate)

Study permit from the

Canadian government

Temporary entrance visa (if necessary)

Dont forget! Students participating in

aninternational exchange program for
justone trimester are exempt from these
administrative procedures.

program youve chosen (for a maximum

of four years). Keep this expiration date in mind,
because if you need to extend your stay, youll
need to restart the immigration process at least
three months before your permit expires. To
study in Qubec, youll also need a valid Qubec
Acceptance Certificate or Certificat dacceptation
du Qubec (CAQ) for the appropriate level of
studies. Your study permit will not be valid for
alonger period of time than your CAQ is.

Things to remember...
}

Instructions on how to obtain entry permits

and visas are available on our website.

The Registrar will unregister any student

whoseimmigration file remains incomplete
after a certain cut-off date.

The ISA team is available to help

answer any question you might have
regarding administrative procedures.

Entering Canada

Youll save time by submitting

your visa applications online.

You should save a copy of your

applications and your supporting
documents, as well as proof of sending.

If you received your study permit at a Canadian

embassy before your arrival on Canadian soil,
you should take note of the following information. This permit has an expiration date, which
usually corresponds to the length of the study

Housing

Websites to check out

[Link] } [Link]
[Link]
} [Link]
} [Link]
} [Link]
} [Link]
}
}

CAUTION: In Qubec, leases are generally for

an entire year. Signing a lease in Qubec is a
definitive agreement that cannot be broken.
Before you start looking for an apartment,
takea look at our housing web page or write
tous at baei@[Link].
If you have trouble during the course of your
apartment rental, see the Rgie du logement
(the housing board).
Take note! If youre an international exchange
program student, HECMontral can offer you
four options to help you find housing for five
months. See our website or contact us by e-mail
at the following address: housing@[Link].

Qubec terminology

Registering with your consulate

By law, many countries require that their
expatriate citizens keep them informed
of their residential address at all times,
wherever they live. You should register your
new address in Montreal with your countrys
consulate as soon as you arrive. This
procedure is important for your personal
security. In case of emergencies, your countrys authorities will be able to help you.
Your country might also require you to
register on the consular electoral rolls
withyour countrys Montreal consulate.

The best ways to look for housing are:

advertisements (HEC en ligne, websites, bulletin
boards, newspapers) and signs in front of
houses on the street ( louer for rent).

(N.B.: This tip does not apply to exchange

program students)
Insuring your apartment isnt mandatory, but it is essential! You can receive
adiscount at TD Meloche Monnex
thankstothe Rseau HEC Montral
(theSchools alumni association).
Everybank also offers some kind of
housing i nsurance. This insurance
alsoincludes civilresponsibility.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE PURCHASES

AT LOWER PRICES

Studio (also called a 1 or 2 , according to

size): one room, kitchenette, bathroom. Ideal
if you want to live alone. Nevertheless, very
few of these are available around campus.

You should take a look at want-ad

websites (for individual-to-individual
purchases: [Link],
[Link], [Link]).

3 : one closed room, a living room,

akitchen, and a bathroom.
Normally, a closed room (chambre ferme)
means a single room with a door that closes;
its always advisable to make sure that
room refers to a closed room, though.

Dont forget! If the store doesnt offer

adelivery service, youll have to plan
some kind of transportation, especially
when buying used furniture.

4 : two closed rooms, a living

room, a kitchen and a bathroom.

5 : three closed rooms, a living

room, a kitchen and a bathroom.

Room (chambre): A closed room (chambre

ferme), generally furnished, but you
should always check. The rent includes
heat, hot water, electricity and sometimes
internet access. Normally, the bathroom
and the kitchen are shared with the other
people living in the apartment or house.

Looking for housing

You should consider several criteria
whenlooking for housing:
} how close it is to a metro station or
to abusline that runs frequently;
} how long it will take you to get to the
School (check on Google Maps);
} how close it is to a supermarket
andothershops;
} whether its in a neighbourhood that
corresponds to your lifestyle (look on the
site [Link] for more
information about neighbourhoods to
live in,trips, leisure activities and more).

HOUSING INSURANCE

External support resources

Furnished (meubl): Apartment that,

in general, includes a refrigerator, stove
and oven, a table and chairs, as well as,
for each bedroom, a bed and a desk.
Bedding and dishes are not included.
Semi-furnished (quipe, semi-meuble):
Apartment that has at least a
refrigerator, stove and oven.

Flatmates
Having flatmates is widespread in Montreal
and among young people in Qubec more
generally. When you live with flatmates,
thecost of your rent will vary between
$400-500 a month (telephone, electricity
andheating included).
Why is having flatmates a good idea?
} Youll save on monthly costs
} The price of moving in will be spread out
} It will make integration and
meeting newpeople easier
} It's the most common living
arrangementavailable

Electricity and gas

Before renting an apartment, check to see
who will be paying the electricity and heating
bills: the landlord or you, as the renter. To open
an account or get an idea of the costs, go to
Hydro-Qubec or Gaz Mtro, depending on
thetype of heating you have.

Health and insurance

Health insurance in Qubec
Every student must have health insurance
either through the Schools plan (Sun Life) or,
under certain conditions, through the Rgie
delassurance maladie du Qubec (RAMQ).
Students from Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal
and Sweden: you have access to insurance
through the RAMQ and therefore do not have
to purchase the Schools plan. For instructions
on getting a RAMQ insurance card (also called
acarte soleil), see our website.

The Schools health insurance

Students who do not have access to RAMQ
health insurance must take out the Schools
health insurance. They must pay their bills in
the days following their arrival, at the information counter in the Registrars office (Decelles
building, 2.260), and obtain a Sun Life insurance
card. The insurance plan covers the students
only for their medical and hospital fees and
prescription drugs. It does not cover dental
oreye care fees.

Things to remember...
}

Some ideas about getting furniture

New furniture: IKEA Montral, Brick
Used furniture and accessories:
} Used furniture (637, rue Jarry O.)
} Entraide Montral (3756, rue Masson)
} Bric-A-Brac (9015, rue Meilleur)
} Renaissance, Salvation Army
or Value Village
Accessories for new homes: Canadian Tire,
Rona, Maxi & Cie, Walmart
6

Are you feeling troubled? You can also get in touch with these organizations:
} Tel-Aide: 514-935-1101
} Multi-coute (in several languages): 514-737-3604
} Gai-coute/Gay Line: 1-888-505-1010 } Dprims anonymes: 514-278-2130
} Suicide Action Montral: 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553)

}
}

To receive insurance in clinics or

hospitals, you must present your
insurance card (RAMQ or Sun Life).
In general, when you use your RAMQ card,
you should not have to pay for anything.
With Sun Life, it is sometimes necessary
to provide payment and afterwards file a
refund claim with the insurance company.
In Canada, there are very few medical
services offered in private homes.
Think about going to a CLSC! The centres
locaux de services communautaires
(CLSC, local community service centres)
offer a number of health care services.
The Centre de sant et de consultation
psychologique as well as the Universit
de Montral Clinique dentaire can

also offer you a whole host of services

(physiotherapy, nutrition, dentistry, etc.).
} Travel insurance is necessary for any
trip outside of Canada, even a short
one, because the RAMQ will not
cover you outside of the country.
} Do you think you might be pregnant?
Doyou want to get checked for a sexually
transmitted infection (STI)? Go to a CLSC
or a medical clinic. An excellent resource:
La Clinique lActuel on rue McGill.

Supplementary insurance

For all emergencies, call 911 immediately

(freefrom all telephones).

Telecommunications
Telephones, cell phones, internet, television,
radio: for everything you need to know about
networks and operators, see our website.
A land line comes with unlimited local calls.
Bandwidth consumption generally has a
megabyte limit.

The School is not responsible for making sure

that you have taken out supplementary insurance to cover the fees that RAMQ and SunLife
will not reimburse you for (for example, dental
or eye care).

Main companies:

So its up to you to check out the

followingoptions:
} Insurance offered by your student
association (N.B.: This does not apply
to exchange program students).
} Private companies: Manulife Financial
(Rseau HEC), Blue Cross Qubec, etc.
} For French students: the Caisse des Franais
de ltranger de la Scurit Sociale (CFE).

Cellphones

Bell
Vidotron
} Distributel (contract-free)
}

Check before purchasing:

}

the length of the contract (or target

amount for balanced plans) and the fee
for breaking your contract before its up;

whether youll be billed by the second

after the first second or by the minute;

billing for incoming text messages (SMS);

Im sick. What should I do?

what time night rates start;

Running to the doctors office is not a good

idea, because the health services network in
Qubec is overburdened and waiting times
in drop-in clinics are often several hours long.
A better idea would be to find out if in your
situation, you need to see a doctor.

if there is an unlimited incoming calls

option (which could be appealing
if you dont have aland line);

monthly network access fees,

voicemail, caller ID, 911, and taxes.

For non-emergencies, you can start by asking

for advice from the nurses at Info-Sant by
calling 811 (free, available 24/7), or from a
pharmacist. These specialists will tell you
whether you should consult a doctor.

Principal companies:
}

Bell
Fido
} Virgin Mobile
} Solo Mobile

Rogers
Telus
} Koodo
} Public Mobile
7

Its not wise to walk around with lots of cash

on you or to keep a large amount of itat
[Link] your own safety, its better to
openabankaccount.

M
on
tr
al
HEC

St
ud
yi PAR
ng
T
at 2

ST
UD
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Opening a bank account

Opening a bank account:

Telecommunications

Starting school

Make an appointment;

Bring your passport and your study permits;

As a new student at HEC Montral, you might

find the information in this section useful as
you prepare to go back to school.

Bring your letter of acceptance

from the School;

Have someones contact information

handy for reference purposes;

BE CAREFUL ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU

DOWNLOAD on the internet. You have
alimit to the amount you can download
written in your contract. If you go over it,
youll have to pay additional fees. They
can add up fast.

Bring proof of permanent address

(lease, electricity or phone bill).

Things to remember...
}

Youll find branches of most

banks on Cte-des-Neiges.

Its important to compare what

banking services are offered and
what kinds of student rates.

Banks generally charge for every current

transaction (withdrawal, deposit,
direct payment in a shop [debit]).

Using an ATM belonging to a different

banking network than your own can
be very costly (only National Bank
and HSBC share their networks).

In the School, there are National

Bank and Desjardins ATMs.

ATMs allow you to make deposits

(cheques and cash).

You can pay your bills on your banks website.

Receiving a funds transfer from

abroad involves high fees.

N.B.: Any cheque you deposit can be

held for between 5 to 30 days.

The websites the Yellow Pages and

Canada 411 have telephone-book information about businesses and people.

bank account
Take note! Students in exchange
programs that last for less than six
months: it is difficult to open a bank
account if youre here for a short
time only. Its a better idea to plan
onbringinga credit or debit card,
ortravellers cheques.
Debit or bank card: allows you to
withdraw and deposit money, as well
asto pay cash in shops (Interac).
Credit card: allows you to purchase
on credit, that is, to put off paying
the amount until a later date after
thepurchase, often with a very high
interest rate if the bill is settled after
the monthly due date.
A good idea: National Bank offers an
unlimited, free package for HECMontral
students. To take sign up, bring your
student card to a National Bank branch
and ask for the financial program for
HECMontral students.

University calendar
Its very important to know and respect deadlines for transactions related to your courses.
Please consult the university calendar at the
following address:
[Link]/en/programs_training/
academic_calendars.html.

Student card
Possession of a student card is obligatory,
regardless of the number of courses or the
program you are registered in. Student cards
are issued for the duration of your studies and
can be renewed by the addition of a label every
year in the fall. It is highly recommended that
you carry it on your person at all times.
See our website to find out when student cards
are issued: [Link]/etudiant_actuel/
rentree_scolaire/[Link].

Course details and requirements,

school supplies and laptops
For more information about the books and
course packs to buy, required software, the
material taught at each course meeting, and
the types of schoolwork and exams youll have,
see ZoneCours: [Link]
To get the books, course packs and school
supplies required for your courses, and a laptop
(if you need one), theres just one stop: the

Coop HECMontral. You can order online or

goinperson to the store. See their website
[Link].
Beyond the Coop, you can also buy a laptop
incertain stores, such as:
} Bureau en gros: [Link]
} Microboutique: [Link]
} Future Shop: [Link]
} Dell: [Link]
} Best Buy: [Link]
Where can you buy used books? Check the
ads on [Link], on the HECMontral
Facebook group or on the bulletin boards
in the Cte-Sainte-Catherine and Decelles
buildings.
Where can you make photocopies and print
documents? A number of photocopiers and
printers are available for use in both buildings.
You have to pay for photocopies and youll
need to use a rechargeable magnetic strip card.

Paying tuition and fees

(N.B.: This tip does not apply to exchange
program students)
}

By a funds transfer

By cheque or bank money

order (in $CAN or )

By Visa or MasterCard

By debit card

By bringing your bill to the bank

By online bill payment (on your

Canadian banks website)
9

ST
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To understand your tuition and fees in detail:
[Link]/en/current_student/
financing_studies/tuition_fees.html
Payments in several instalments and cash
payments are not accepted. In case of late
payment, late fees (a percentage of the unpaid
amount) will be charged, and your access to
HEC en ligne will be blocked until you settle
your bill.
So dont forget to pay your fees before
theduedate!

Reserving a locker
Full-time students can have access to a locker in
one of the two buildings. They must share their
locker with another student. You can reserve
a locker on HEC en ligne with your student
number and the student number of the person
with whom you will share the locker. You may
use the locker right away at the beginning of
the trimester. Remember to bring a lock.

Reserving a study room

Study rooms are located:
}

In the Cte-Sainte-Catherine building,

on the 1st floor and in the library;

In the Decelles building, on the

3rd floor and on the 4th floor.

A single person or a single team cannot reserve

a study room for a period of more than four
hours a day. Reservations should be made at
least a week in advance. To reserve a study
room: [Link]

A new university environment

Starting in a new educational system is a bit
like learning a new sport. Even if youre already
a great athlete, when you start practising
a new sport, you have to take the time to
acquire new techniques, sometimes you have
to work new muscles, but above all you need
to learn new rules. So no matter how much
10

stamina you have and no matter the number

of sports you already do, start training right
away at the beginning of the school year, and
dont hesitate to talk to your trainers if you
have any questions or problems, or if youre
feeling tired out. In Qubec, the national
sport is hockey! Maybe you dont know how
to skate, and maybe you dont even know the
rules of the game yet. It might take you a while
to score a goal then. But its better to be easy
on yourself and take the time you need to
learn the basics.

Following the rules

During a trimester, full-time students will
be registered in 12 or 15 credits (except in
certain doctoral and masters programs), the
equivalent of 12-15 hours in class per week.
Does that not seem like very much to you?
Areyou used to longer classes? Becareful!
Dont forget the amount of readings,
assignments and team meetings outside of
course time. All that can add up to 30 more
hours of work a week. To winthe game, you
have to beat every challenge! Soto get your
diploma, youll need to pass all your courses
and maintain a GPA above a certain minimum.
Ifyou faila required course, youll have to
takeit all over again and pass.

Developing your skating technique!

Courses come in several different shapes:
lectures, case studies, class debates, simulations, etc. The pedagogical method used will
also vary. As for oral participation, it is very
important and might even be evaluated. In this
context, ideal players will, after thinking about
the matter, give their opinions. These players
stand out from the rest and demonstrate their
interest and sense of initiative. Professors
expect a high level of interaction and assume
that their ideas will be analyzed and criticized
in aconstructiveway.

Encouraging team spirit

Technological resources

Teamwork is very important at HEC Montral.

In management, when youre dealing with
complex problems, answers often come
outofa joint effort, and its rare that only
one will work. So if youre skilled at individual
competitions, some adjustments to your
playing might be necessary before you
find yourself working in harmony with your
teammates. Youll have to listen and respect
everyones point of view, but also find
your own place on the team. We strongly
encourage you to invest in your teamwork
andto take advantage of this kind of exerciseby socializing with students with other
origins, so you can benefit from the cultural
richness each student offers.

On our website, youll fin a whole bunch

of info-boxes about technology. Here
arethree indispensable examples:
}

How to set up your HEC Montral

e-mail account: [Link]/
etudiant_actuel/technologies/
courriel/[Link]

How to connect to the wireless at

School: [Link]/gti2/capsules/
reseau_et_internet/reseau/
[Link]

How to access your electronic

agenda... and your colleagues!
[Link]/gti2/capsules/
outils_en_ligne/agenda
11

How can you get ready?

yourpersonal interests, your tastes, your family

obligations, and how much importance you
give to the possibility of career opportunities
that a diploma represents. All students draw
their motivation from different sources; its up
to you to find yours.

Before each class meeting, you should check

what readings you need to do on ZoneCours.
These readings could be in a language other
than your mother tongue, whether in French,
English or Spanish, according to the requirements of your program, so they might be more
time-consuming. In ZoneCours, youll also find
exercises to help you improve. Forget about
occasional work and last-minute studying!
Ifyou want to be ready for competition, you
need to train regularly!

Managing pressure and stress

Like all good athletes, students sometimes
need a bit of stress and pressure to perform
well. However, when the trial gets closer, stress
might take up too much space, or, for others, the
pressure to succeed might become too much to
handle. For others still, the idea of failing might
be very painful and cause serious harm to their
self-image. To help manage your stress and the
pressure you feel, you should participate in these
relevant workshops offered by Student Services
or meet with an adviser from the ISA.

Be diligent about practising

The surest path to success is regular training on
the way. Even if its not always recorded, class
attendance is mandatory. Missing more than
one meeting can easily lead you to failure. Only
continuous attendance and regular work will
allow you to stand on the podium.

A great adventure

What do the competitions look like?

A midterm exam? A final? Individual work?
Or teamwork? Or quizzes? Each course has its
own methods of evaluation. There is a pattern,
however: very quickly at the beginning of the
semester, youll be evaluated several times and
in different ways for each course. There are
many students who arent ready for their first
race! Stay sharp!

Tolerated behaviour in class

Discreetly standing up to go to the bathroom is
tolerated, but coming in late to class or letting
your telephone ring are absolutely not allowed.

Your connection with your trainer

Your professors are your partners for success,
but they arent the only ones responsible for it.
Theyre there to help you on your way. Dont
expect them to do the work for you, nor to
be available for last-minute requests. Even
if professors are available and might have
a friendly, understanding demeanour, they
12

will be no less demanding, and you shouldnt

misinterpret that as a chance to get favours or
extensions on your work. Dont hesitate to ask
your professors for advice during the break
in class or at the end of a class, or by e-mail.
If youthink a more in-depth conversation is
necessary, make an appointment.

Motivation
Whatever your motivation for studying at
HEC Montral is, its important to define it.
Depending on the culture you come from,
education might be seen as a way of gaining
prestige or a certain social status. Acquiring
a diploma might be more important than
acquiring new abilities. Your choosing to
study management, or to study abroad, could
be influenced by familial or personal factors.
When you make this choice, its important
to gauge how much importance you give to

Studying abroad can be a big challenge. To

make this adventure a positive and enriching
experience, as much for your studies as for
your personal and intercultural development,

its important to take the time to reflect on the

differences you note as you progress through
your program: different ways of thinking and
seeing the world, of learning and teaching, that
will help you explain lots of little things. Dont
hesitate to come discuss your observations
with the ISA team throughout your stay here.

Evaluation
Grading system
How are grades calculated?
1. For each course, youll receive a mark (often
out of 10, 20 or 100) for each evaluation
(exams, assignments, quizzes, etc.).
2. At the end of the trimester, the professor
calculates each students average out of 100.
3. The professor arranges the students in
descending order, giving an A to those with
the best results, a B to the next group, then
C, and finally D when only the minimum
requirements set forth by the professor have

Course changes
(for all programs, except for levels 0 and 1 of the B.A.A.)
All your course changes must be done before the second course meeting on HEC en ligne,
where you can add or cancel courses. If youre on the waiting list for a course, check
HECenligne regularly. Be patient! Everything can change up to the second course meeting.

Course withdrawal
(for all programs, except levels 0 and 1 in the B.A.A.)
Pay special attention to the deadlines for course withdrawals, and if you choose to
withdrawal from one, dont forget that course withdrawals must be done on HECenligne.
Depending on the deadline for course withdrawal, the course may or may not be
reimbursed (see the official calendar for more information).

13

been satisfied. Students receive an F (failure)

if they have not satisfied these requirements.
The conversion grid for marks out of 100 to
letters is different for each course and varies
according to the professors requirements
andthe average class results.
4. To calculate your average grade:
}

the letters for each course can be

converted to a numeric value on a scale
of 0 to 4.3 according to the chart below.

Each grade out of 4.3 is then

weighted according to the number
of credits the course is worth.

Finally, the total number of points is divided

by the total number of registered credits.

Take note! If you withdraw from a course after

the deadline, you will be given an F for nonattendance. The F, equivalent to 0, will appear
on your transcript and this mark will count in
the calculation of your average grade until
youretake the course.

Watch out for plagiarism!

One of the objectives of Qubecs educational
system is to develop students autonomy,
creativity, and honesty, as well as their sense
of responsibility. To protect students and to
encourage them to adhere to these shared
values, a zero tolerance policy is applied in
cases of plagiarism. Thus at HEC Montral, as
at other universities in Qubec, appropriating
another persons work, not citing your sources
in an assignment, or handing in work already

In general, the passing grade in Qubec

is60%. Thus the grading system here
is verydifferent from the one in France,
where10/20 is considered a passing mark
and16/20 a very good grade.

14

handed in in another course without getting

permission before hand, all constitute cases of
plagiarism. During exams, using unauthorized
materials, communicating with other people
and copying your neighbours work are also
cases of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a fraudulent
act and the consequences are serious from
a failing mark (0) for the assignment or exam,
up to expulsion from the School. Make sure to
familiarize yourself with the Schools rules so
youavoid thepenalties.

Services offered at HEC Montral

Student Services
Student Services mission is to encourage
students to develop their potential and to
help them work through any difficulties they
might encounter during their studies. Students
are encouraged to overcome their limitations
and develop their potential in multiple ways,
whether by getting involved in student life, for
example, or through an international exchange
experience, or practising a sport at a high level.

Mark

Value

Evaluation

As for the difficulties students might encounter,

there are many: psychological issues (mourning,
sickness, failure), adaptation-related difficulties
(living in a new country, with new styles of
teaching, living with a disability), or financial
worries. In such situations, its essential that
youcan rely on the specialized resources
offered by Student Services. The different trials
that life presents us with can hinder or help
our learningexperience, and Student Services
ishere to support you and make a difference
inyour studies.

Individual support
Your personal well-being and your academic
success are important to us. If youre having
trouble or if you feel like you need to talk, dont
hesitate to make use of our confidential counselling services theyre free and easy toaccess.
To receive psychological support, students can
meet with a psychologist at Student Services.
The first meeting is free. Following an evaluation of the situation, you might be directed
toward external resources with a preferential
price. To make an appointment: 514-340-6166.
For more information: [Link]/en/
current_student/well-being/[Link]

Getting involved in student associations

Fair

In HEC Montral there are many student

associations and student life is dynamic. Theres
something for everyone: arts, journalism, social
activism, sustainable development, interuniversity competitions, etc. Dont be shy about
getting involved! Its a good way to make your
integration into the School easier. For more
information, check out the Schools website
under the rubric Current student, Student life.

Fair

Poor

There are two groups especially forinternational students:

Failure

Failure

Bachelors

Masters and
doctorate

A+

4.3

Exceptional

Exceptional

Excellent

Excellent

B+

3.5

C+

2.5

D+

1.5

Very good
Good

Very good
Good

WattsUp nergie internationale: A student

group with the goals of welcoming
international students and promoting

creative energy and interculturalism.

Jointhisgroup on Facebook:
[Link]/
WattsUpEnergieInternationale;
}

HEChange: A student group whose

mission is to welcome exchange
students to HECMontral. Write to
them at hechange@[Link].

The Myriam and

J.-RobertOuimet Library
The Schools library abounds with resources,
both traditional and electronic, to help you
with your studies. At the beginning of the
school year, the library offers workshops on
literature research; its highly recommended
that you attend these.
For more information (including opening
hours): [Link]/biblio.

The Mathematics Help Centre

(CAM,Centre daide en mathmatiques)
The Mathematics Help Centre helps students
with special difficulties in math to consolidate
their knowledge so that they can succeed in
their courses at HEC Montral. Among other
services, it offers refresher sessions at the
beginning of every semester that deal with
the basic mathematical principles necessary
tounderstand quantitative courses offered
atthe School.
[Link]/en/cam

The Coop HEC Montral

Cooperative that offers various services: book
selling, technology, food services. The Coop
also manages School parking.
When you join the Coop, youll receive
discounts on books, course packs, school
supplies and laptops purchased at the
Coopbookstore. And your membership
isgoodfor life!
[Link]
15

Security Services
There is at least one security station
ineachbuilding:
}

Cte-Sainte-Catherine building: Station at

the main entrance on Cte-Sainte-Catherine,
and one at the Louis-Colin entrance
Telephone: 514-340-6611 (open 24/7)

Decelles building, station at the

mainentrance, 2nd floor
Telephone: 514-340-6969 (open 24/7)

Safety in case of fire: As soon as the alarm at

high speed (120 beats/ minute) is heard, must
evacuate the building immediately.

Services offered at
Universit de Montral
As an HEC Montral student, you receive
certain benefits from our affiliation with Universit de Montral. The services described below
are also available to you. In certain cases, the
School can reimburse the difference between
the general public price and the student price.
Check at the welcome desk at Student Services.

Quality Communication Direction

The primary goal of the Quality Communication
Direction (Direction de la qualit de la communication) is to help you develop your mastery of
languages (French, English, Spanish, Mandarin).
The Direction includes the Centre daide en franais Langue et rdaction scientifique (French
Help Centre Language and academic writing),
whose mission is to offer help in written French
to all of HEC Montrals students whether
French is their first, second or a foreign language.
Learn more about the practical workshops
offered for free by the Centre, such as workshop
on Writing and presenting academic work.
[Link]/qualitecomm
16

Career Management
Services (CMS)
Throughout your program of study, youll
have access to a personalized service that
includes a whole set of top-notch activities
and resources that will help you: clarify your
needs in terms of orientation or the search
foremployment; discover careers inmanagement; write your curriculum vitae(CV); and
explore the jobmarket, all tohelp you get a
position that corresponds to your goals. CMS
can also help youlook for internships during
your coursesor thesummer. For all the
details on this service, visit [Link]/sgc.

The Centre dducation physique

et des sports de lUniversit
de Montral (CEPSUM)
Your campus sports centre: lots of activities
andcourses, space reservations, training
gym,and more! See their website:
[Link]. Be sure
tocheckthe deadlines for registration.

Les Carabins
Les Carabins is the name of campus sports
teams. There are 375 student-athletes at UdeM,
Polytechnique and HEC Montral, spread out
in 17 teams involved in 10 different sports. Les
Carabins work with a renowned program that
brings together study and sport and attracts

Theft prevention, etc

For more information on computer
etching, lost objects and for a few basic
safety rules to follow, see the Schools
website, in the section: Current
student, Practical life, Security.

thousands of passionate fans, full of enthusiasm

and proud to show their support. Come
encourage them! [Link]

Ma Sant au sommet
Ma Sant au sommet is a program run by
theCEPSUM whose mission is to contribute
to the physical, psychological and social
well-being of the university community.
Followtheir activities on campus:
[Link].

Activits culturelles
Activits culturelles at Universit de Montral
offer training workshops and opportunities to
experiment and share. Whether your interest
lies in visual arts, the cinema or media, in
communications, dance, music, photography
or another area, youll certainly find a workshop
to help you develop a new passion. For more
information: [Link].

Belles Soires
The Belles Soires at Universit de Montral
offers more than 350 conferences a year on
a host of themes: history, psychology, music,
wine appreciation, and more. They also
propose, to the most adventurous, a selection
of trips, excursions and thematic tours in
allfour corners of the globe. Learn more:
[Link]
17

M 3
on
tre
al

in

Part

Li
vi
ng
Montreal in a nutshell
}

The biggest city in Qubec, and the

second biggest in Canada after Toronto.

There are almost 2 million people living

on the island of Montreal, and nearly
4million in the greater metropolitan area.

Eye-catching streets
and great parks
Some streets to discover:

At least 35 languages are spoken in the city.

More than 10 million tourists visit each year.

(East-west)
} Rue Sainte-Catherine
} Avenue Mont-Royal
} Rue Sherbrooke

There are approximately 5,500restaurants

and more than 200 bars.

(North-south)
Rue Saint-Denis
} Boulevard Saint-Laurent
} Rue Saint-Hubert
} Rue Crescent

Discovering Montreal

On these streets, you'll find loads of shops,

restaurants, bars and concert halls, museums,
and much more! Make sure to take a mental
note that Saint-Laurent is a very good landmark, since it divides the city between the east
and the west and building numbers start at it.

Montreal is divided into more than 20neighbourhoods, each with its own attractions.
Youcan discover them by visiting this site:
[Link]/en/living.

For another way to get around town, try

Audiotopie ([Link]). This
organization puts together audioguided
sensory and immersion tours that will highlight
the territory youre seeing, help you discover
the environmental ambiance of the area and
suggest interesting urban experiences.

Mont-Royal park

You can find your way to the Old Port by

takingthe metro to Champ-de-Mars, Placed'Armes or Square-Victoria. Along the quays,
you can roller-skate, go biking, ice-skate in
thewinter, orjust take a walk along the river:
[Link]. In this neighbourhood you'll alsofind the Montral Museum
of Archaeology and History: Pointe--Callire,
as well as the Montral Science Centre.

Including Mont Royal and environs, this large

park occupies a choice spot in the middle of the
island of Montreal, with more than 200hectares
of territory. It offers unbeatable views of the
city and the surrounding area. In the summer,
you can observe numerous species of bird.
In the winter, you can practise cross-country
skiing and slide down its snowy slopes; as well,
Beaver Lake is transformed into a skating rink.

Parc Jean-Drapeau
Located on two artificial islands, one of which
was created for Expo 67, Parc Jean-Drapeau
is the location of the aquatic complex, the
Biosphre, the Montreal Casino, La Ronde
amusement park, and the le Notre-Dame
beach. You can get there by taking the metro
toJean-Drapeau station:
[Link].

Montreal Botanical Gardens

Taking a walk in the Montreal Botanical
Gardens, no matter the time of year, means
letting yourself be dazzled by a bouquet of
perfumes and colours from around the world:
from China to the heart of the Mexican desert,
via Japan, France, and even the Laurentians.
[Link]/jardin/[Link]

Tourisme Montral

You can also read the Guide du Montral

Multiple. It will give you an idea of what tools
are best to explore the city and enjoy its
multicultural atmosphere.

The Old Port and its quays

Check out this site for more information

abouttourism in the city of Montreal:
[Link]/Accueil.
And finally, for more information about services
for Montreals citizens, two useful references:
this web portal ([Link]) and this
phone number (311).
18

19

se
rv
ice
s

m
ai
n

m
ap
M
ap Cam
an pus
d
Business Hours
Monday to Friday: 7: 00 a.m. to 11: 00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 7: 00 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m.

20

Cte-Sainte-Catherine Building

Decelles Building

3000 Cte-Sainte-Catherine Road

Montral, Qubec
Canada H3T 2A7

5255 Decelles Avenue

Montral, Qubec
Canada H3T 2B1

Phone: 514-340-6000
Fax: 514-340-6411

Phone: 514-340-6000

Main services:
} Library
} The Mathematics Help Center
} Quality Commnication Direction

Main services:
} Registars Office
} Students Services
} ISA (International
student affairs Office)

21

ST
UD
TI ENT
P

Dpanneur
m. n. small neighbourhood store where you can buy certain foods, newspapers, tobacco,
beer, calling cards, and other essentials. A convenience store, corner store, or bodega.

where you can find the gamut of products

from every continent at affordable prices.
}

OPENING HOURS
Many businesses are open from Monday to Friday from 9 to 5; shops are generally openfrom
10 to 6 from Monday to Wednesday and from 10 to 9 on Thursdays and Fridays. Weekends,
theyre also open from 10 to 5. Some grocery stores and pharmacies are open24/7.

The Lachine Canal is a national historic site that

stretches out over 14.5 km. This urban park is
very accessible; you can enjoy it on foot in a
boat, or on a bicycle.

Italy: Milano Fruiterie

(6862,rue Saint-Laurent)

Middle East: March Adonis

(PlaceVertu, 3100, avenue Thimens
et 2001, rue Sauv Ouest)

RSO

A little taste of Qubec

RSO is a 30 km network of underground

tunnels. It's the largest underground city in the
world. In wintertime, you'll love travelling all
over downtown Montreal in this underground
network, which links metro stations with
shopping centres.

McGill Metro: Eaton Centre,

Promenades Cathdrale

Peel Metro: Place Montral Trust

On the menu

22

Chinatown: Youll find plenty of grocery

stores, restaurants and specialist stores
here, near Saint-Laurent, Place-des-Arts
and Champ-de-Mars metro stations.

Supermarkets: The main chains are

Metro, IGA, Loblaws, Provigo and Maxi.

}
}
}

[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

La Paryse, the wonderful story of the

burger and the fry (302, rue Ontario Est)

Le Sainte-Elisabeth, Montreals most

beautiful terrace (1412, rue Sainte-lisabeth)

Patati Patata, poutine, hamburgers, fish

andchips, etc. (4177, avenue Saint-Laurent)

Dieu du Ciel (29, avenue Laurier Ouest)

La Banquise (994, rue Rachel Est) or

Poutineville (1348, rue Beaubien Est or
1365Ontario Est), a poutine for every palate!

Vice et Versa, beers from all over Qubec

(6631, boulevard Saint-Laurent)

Le Bilboquet, among the best

artisanal ice cream places in Montreal
(1311, avenue Bernard Ouest)

Vie Urbaine: [Link]

Accs culture (Ville de Montral):

[Link]

bring your own WINE

Did you know that in some restaurants
in Qubec, you can bring your own wine,
purchased at the SAQ? That way, you can
save on the bill! Visit the Bring your own
wine section on the Resto Montral site
for more details.

Festivals

Le cabaret du Roy, entertainment

and cuisine from New France
(363,rue de la Commune Est)

For information on all the events and festivals

in Montreal: [Link]/
Quoi-Faire/Evenements

Maam Bolduc, for the classics of Qubec

cuisine (4351, avenue de Lorimier)

Our favourite seasonal festivals:

} Carnaval de Qubec [Link]
} Montral en lumire
[Link]
} Coup de cur francophone
[Link]
} Igloofest [Link]

Montreals public markets

([Link]),

Vitrine Culturelle: [Link]

At a restaurant, if you havent finished

your plate, you can ask to leave with the
leftovers in a doggy bag.

Leisure activities

restaurant

Some microbreweries:
Le Cheval Blanc, Montreals first
microbrewery (809, rue Ontario Est)

Buying groceries

La Vitrine Culturelle as well as the

site VieUrbaine offer very favourable
specials at restaurants and for performances. Visiting these sites is a must:

Finding restaurants

A little taste of home

Montreal abounds with a truly multicultural
variety of markets and restaurants. Discover
something new, or cheer yourself up!
Herearesome examples:
} France: La vieille Europe
(3855,boulevard Saint-Laurent)
} Asia: Le March Oriental (7101, rue SaintDenis) and Kim Phat (3588, rue Goyer)
} Latin America: March Andes/
Sabor Latino (436, rue Blanger)

Fairmount Bagel (74, avenue

Fairmount Ouest) or Bagel Beaubien
(828, rue Beaubien Est), for the best
real bagels in North America

Cultural Life

Tourisme Montral, Stphane Poulin

Lachine Canal

Little Italy: The members of the citys

biggest ethnic group will be more than
happy to hail you with a Buongiorno!
along boulevard Saint-Laurent between
Saint-Zotique and Jean-Talon, near metros
De Castelnau and Jean-Talon, where
youll also find Jean-Talon market.

23

Organized tours
Do you want to get out of the city,
butyoudont have a car? Why not take
anorganized tour!
} [Link]
} [Link]
} [Link]
See the following site for all sorts of tourism
information: [Link]
Enjoy the wide open space, in summer and
winter alike: Socit des tablissements de
plein air du Qubec, [Link].

Fall outings
}

24

Lets pick apples!

Apple-picking is a typically Qubec activity
that should not be missed. The season begins
in the middle of September up to the beginning of October. Spend a beautiful fruity
dayat one of the orchards near Montreal.

The flambe des couleurs!

The citys community leisure centres (centres

communtaires de loisir) have numerous
courses and activities on offer at a low price.
} Les Carabins would love yourencouragement:
[Link]

Qubec is well-known throughout the world

for its stupendous fall landscapes, when the
foliage takes on flamboyant colours. Go enjoy
the show on Mont Royal, Mont Orford or
MontTremblant!
}

Three professional sports teams

The magic of the lanterns and

free-range butterflies
In the fall, from September to November,
the Montreal Botanical Gardens are lit up at
nightfall thanks to hundreds of traditional
Chinese lanterns. From February to April, more
than 2000 twirling butterflies will fly free in
the greenhouses. Seeing these performances
is really worth the detour. Its best to reserve
your tickets in advance.

Start living to the rhythm of hockey, soccer

andfootball become a fan of Montreals
sports teams!
} [Link]
} [Link]
} [Link]
}

Skiing resorts
Mont Orford: [Link]
Mont Tremblant: [Link]
Ski Bromont: [Link]

Winter outings

Discover the many pleasures of winter: skiing,

skating, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice slides,
and more!

Sledding
[Link]/
glissade-sur-tube_au-quebec

Iceskating
More than 150 skating rinks in Montreal:
The Old Port quays:
[Link]
In your neighbourhood:
[Link]
In side the Atrium at 1000, de la Gauchetire:
[Link]

Unusual!
Ice hotels: [Link]
[Link]

To watch matches with friends, go to La Cage

aux Sports, Chez Serge, Le St-Hubert, and your
local neighbourhood bar. Let yourself catch
sport fever!

Culture
Places to discover
} Grande Bibliothque (nationallibrary)
[Link]
} Muse dart contemporain de Montral
(contemporary art museum) [Link]
} Muse des beaux-arts de Montral
(museum of fine arts) [Link]
} Pointe--Callire, Montral Archaeology
andHistory Museum [Link]
} Canadian Centre for Architecture
[Link]
} Montral Science Centre
[Link]
} Montral Biodme [Link]
} Environment Canadas Biosphre
[Link]

Doing sports... or watching!

Maisons de la culture (cultural centres)

On campus, the Centre dducation

physique et des sports de lUniversit de
Montral (CEPSUM) offers a whole host of
activities. See the following link for more
information: [Link].

Every borough or neighbourhood has a Maison

de la culture, where various activities are
offered. Check your boroughs website:
[Link]

Whether alone or with friends, if

you want to move and socialize with
a lot of people, Bougex is for you.
Toregister: [Link].

Journes de la culture
Tons of FREE cultural activities occur
duringtheJournes de la culture:
[Link].
25

I love discounts

For all the details about schedules and movie

theatres: [Link].

Thtre du Nouveau Monde [Link]

Espace Go [Link]

Thtre dAujourdhui
[Link]

Thtre du Rideau Vert

[Link]

Thtre La Licorne
[Link]

Thtre de QuatSous [Link]

Bargain hunting
Lunch: Its all about budgeting!
Preparing your lunch at home and bringing it
to school is the cheapest, and also often the
healthiest and most delicious, way of eating at
noon. About $4-5. Eating at the cafeteria costs
between $6-8. Eating in a restaurant can cost
asmuch as $15+, without a drink.

ISIC card (International

Student Identity Card)
Recognized throughout the world, this card is
the only one accepted by VIA Rail for student
discounts on train tickets. It also allows you
to get student prices at the Voyages Campus
travel agency.

Theatre

To get one, see the website for information on

seller locations. [Link]
}

SPC card (Student Price Card)

This card will allow you to get discounts in
many clothing and shoe stores, as well as in
partner restaurants and cafs.
[Link]

Tr 4
an
sp
or
ta
tio
n

Part
Cinema

Carte Accs Montral

This card will offer you discounts at various
points throughout the city: museums,
cinemas,theatres, pools, sports, the
BotanicalGardens, etc.
[Link]
Dont forget that your HEC student card
also gives you discounts in various places
(restaurants, museums, performance
tickets,and so forth).

Public transport
andthe OPUS card
The OPUS card is necessary for access to the
public transportation network in Montreal
(buses and metro). It is available at a reduced
price for students and valid from the date of
issue until 31 October of the next year.

How can you get an OPUS card?

}

If youre 26 or younger, you can get an

OPUS card with a student discount:
Privilge tudiant. For more information
about how to proceed: [Link]/
en/current_student/getting_started/
opus_card.html.

If youre 26 or older, you can buy a

regular-priced card at any metro station.

OPUS card prices

}

Did you know that...

}

many neighbourhoods offer free swimming hours at the indoor pools?

} most of the activities at all of the festivals are free?
}

skating in the park in the winter is free?

} many museums are free to visit on certain weekdays?
} movie tickets are cheaper on Tuesdays?
} you can borrow movies and CDs from libraries?
See [Link], [Link], [Link] to keep up to date
withalltheactivitiesthat you can do for free in Montreal.

26

See this site: [Link]/

tarification/[Link].

Recharging your OPUS card

}

The OPUS terminals found in metro stations

will allow you to recharge your card. You
can also do so at the Coop HEC bookstore
and at certain authorized shops.

For all you need to know about Montreals

transportation network and its hours
ofoperation: [Link].
To calculate the best route for a trip:
[Link]/azimuts.

Bus schedules by telephone

To know the schedule for the next three
runsata stop:
514-AUTOBUS (514-288-6287)

27

ST
UD
TI ENT
P
Biking
With its enormous network of bike paths,
Montreal is a wonderful city for cyclists. Traffic
regulations also apply to cyclists, who can
receive tickets with fines and see demerits
registered on their drivers licences.
BIXI is Montreals self-service bicycle system.
BIXI is designed for short trips 30 minutes or
less. It is available 24/7, from May to November.
For more information and a detailed map
ofstations: [Link]/accueil.
The Biciklo workshop is a community bike
repair workshop on the cole Polytechnique
campus. There youll be able to find training,
repair your bike or work as a volunteer:
[Link].
SOS Vlo is a business that takes in used bikes
and recycles them as new bikes. If youre
buying a bike, in addition to saving money, youll
also be doing good, because SOSVlo employs
people in social rehabilitation programs.
Formore information: [Link].

Driving
International students with a study permit
can drive in Canada with their foreign drivers
licence if the latter is in French or English.
Otherwise, they will have to obtain an international licence: [Link].
A piece of advice: If you need to get around
inwintertime, we advise you to check the state
of the roads. Before leaving, call 511 or check
this site: [Link]. Make
sure that your car has snow-tires.

Communauto
A car-sharing service (yearly registration, billing
by the hour and according to distance covered).
All fees and gas are included in the price.
28

You must have a drivers licence and proof of

permanent address or a valid study permit.
[Link]

Taxis
Look out for thieves!

Taking a taxi in Montreal is safe and affordable.

} Taxi Coop: 514-725-9885
} Taxi Diamond: 514-273-6331

A very good lock (U-shaped) is unfortunately necessary if you want to keep your
bike. Its not advised to park yours next
to a metro station. At the Cte-SainteCatherine building there are many bike
stands in the underground parking area.

Travelling outside of Montreal

For all the details on biking in Montreal:

[Link]/fr/[Link].

assurance
Did you know that youre covered for
120 days spent abroad under thesupplementary insurance of your student
association (ASEQ)? (N.B.:Notapplicable
to exchange program students.)

Renting a car
You cannot rent a car if youre under 21.
Youmust pay an additional fee if youre
under25. A drivers licence that has been
validfor over a year and a credit card are
required for rental. Pay attention to the
kilometrage and insurance!

Carpooling
Allo-stop ([Link]) and Amigo
express ([Link]) are longdistance carpooling services. Simple, green,
cheap, brilliant!

Regional buses
The bus is to America what the train
istoEurope.
Several companies transport travellers every
day both inside Canada and toward the
UnitedStates. The bus station located at
metroBerri-UQAM is the point of departure
and arrival for most of these buses.
}

Gare dautobus Montral:

[Link]/fr/Bienvenue

Greyhound: [Link]

Orlans Express: [Link]

Gray Line: [Link]

Autocars Adirondack: [Link]

Trains
The train system is underdeveloped and its
notQuebeckers favourite mode of travel.
However, it can be an interesting option,
especially in winter. VIA Rail serves Canada,
andAmTrak the United States. The ISIC card
willgive you rebates (up to 35%). Central
Station is located atmetro Bonaventure
([Link])

Planes
The Montreal airport is accessible by taxi
andby shuttle bus, as well as by the express
747 bus run by the STM (departure and
arrival at Berri-UQAM bus station, with
stopsdowntown).

Visas for the U.S.

You might need a visa to get across the
American border. Dont forget to check the
laws that apply to people of your nationality.
N.B.: Waiting times for decisions on visas for
the U.S. can be long.

Travel insurance
You shouldnt cross the American border
withouttravel insurance, whether its for a
coupleof hours or for several days, because
the smallest problem in the States could
bringabout major financial costs, in the
thousands of dollars. Its much the same
forany travel destination. Students with
theSchools Sun Life insurance benefit
fromlimited coverage during trips outside
ofCanada.

Some references
}

Croix bleue du Qubec:

[Link]

Assurance Bon Voyage:

[Link]

CAA Qubec:
[Link]/assurances
29

Take note! International exchange students

cannot work during their stay in Canada.
However, the International Experience
Canadaprogram gives some students a
chanceto workafter their exchange.

Working on campus
To work on campus, you dont need a work
permit you can apply at HEC Montral,
Universit de Montral and Polytechnique.

Working off campus

To work off campus, you need to secure
an off-campus work permit and satisfy
thefollowing requirements:
}

You must have fulfilled the requirements

set by HEC Montral (full-time studies and
the minimum grade point average);
} You must have completed six moths of fulltime study (e.g., by starting a full-time course
of study at the beginning of September,
you can submit an application in March)
} You must have attended an information
session on the subject. Check the dates for
the next information sessions on our website.

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Work permits

For more details on working in Canada,

thedifferent types of immigration permits,
andthe procedures to follow:
[Link]/en/international_student/
regular/montreal_life/work/[Link].
For more information on the dates of our
information seminars, keep an eye on our
activities calendar: [Link]/
etudiant_etranger/regulier/[Link].

Volunteering
Volunteering is an enriching experience that
will be valued by future employers, even if
you only dedicate a couple of hours to your
volunteer work. The ISA is constantly looking
for volunteers to help prepare our various
activities. Dont be shy! Let us know your
interested by writing to baei@[Link]!
For a list of organizations that you could
getinvolved in: [Link]

We cherish the environment!

In Qubec, we believe that a healthy environment contributes to a high quality of life.
Everyone has the duty to participate in the
creation of communal well-being. Members of
the community look down upon actions and
gestures that disregard environmental protection policies.
Heres a list of simple things you can do every
day as soon as you arrive:
}

Throw rubbish in rubbish bins, but RECYCLE

paper, metal, glass and plastic by placing
them in the appropriate receptacles,
even at home (Montrealers can get their
hands on a recycling bin at their local
co-quartier: [Link];
other citizens can find more information on
recycling on their city or towns website).

Recycle unwanted clothing or other

objects by bringing them to a thrift store:
Salvation Army, Value Village,etc.

Save energy and water by turning off

lights and faucets when not in use.
Regulate your heating appropriately
(turn the thermostat down when not
in the room or during the night).

Dont throw toxic or other dangerous

waste (like paint or batteries) in the sink,
toilet or trash. Keep an eye out for special
waste collection times. At HEC Montral,
we have a disposal container for batteries
and electronic waste. Its located on the
rez-de-chausse, near the north elevators.

For more information:

[Link]
[Link]/developpement_durable

Credited internship in
the B.A.A. program
To go on a stage that will give you credits
for your program, youll need a co-op work
program permit, which is free.

Working after you graduate

You can apply for a post-graduation work
permit and thus prolong your stay in Canada
from 8 to 36 months.
30

31

Qubecs quirks
Rules and regulations
}

Taxes are not included in the prices as

shown (add about 15%). Youll quickly
figure out little tricks to help you
remember the amount in taxes to add.

Tips are not included in restaurant bills, at

bars, the hairdresser, or when you take a cab.
In restaurants, it is appropriate to leave a
tip equalling 15% of your bill before taxes.

bring what they plan on drinking, and

sometimes food to share as well.
}

The legal drinking age is 18. You must

be 18 to purchase or consume alcohol
or to go to bars and nightclubs.

It is illegal to consume alcohol on

the street in Canada ($140 fine).

It is illegal to smoke in public places

(metro, bars, restaurants, universities,
etc.), and you must smoke at least
9meters away from public buildings,
including HEC Montral ($80 fine).

Canada uses the metric system, but old

Anglo-Saxon habits die hard. So height
is usually measured in feet and inches,
and individuals weight (and often that
of objects) is measured in pounds. A man
might be considered tall if hes 6 feet tall
(1.80m); a woman, if she is 5 foot 7 (1.74m).

Canadian society places a high importance

on punctuality. It is looked down upon
to show up late to a meeting or to a class.
Some consider it disrespectful. So its
always preferable to arrive 5 minutes
before any formal meeting. However, it is
inappropriate to arrive early to someones
house when that person has invited
you to their home at a specific time.

Habits and customs

}

32

Equity is the rule in social and friendly

relationships. In restaurants or bars,
everyone pays their own bill. During
a night out with friends, everyone will

In North America, we have a lot of

space. This has influenced the amount
of distance we prefer to keep between
each other when saying hello, having a
conversation, or lining up. Because of
this, giving someone bise, a hug, or a
handshake are not necessarily automatic
gestures, and are generally reserved for
close friends or special occasions.
The widespread use of tutoiement among
students, sometimes with professors,
between shopkeepers and clients, and
between colleagues testifies to the
simplicity that Quebeckers prefer to
maintain in their social relationships.
Consensus building is Quebeckers
natural management style. Since in
general they are not comfortable with
direct confrontation, they will naturally
do their best to avoid open conflict.
The individual is the centre of Qubec
society, and in North America more
generally. Taking care of ones self
and ones own interests is a priority.
Independence and autonomy are values
encouraged from infancy. Everyone is free
to, and responsible for, managing their
own lives and following their dreams.

Quebeckers do not like to feel indebted

to someone for an invitation.

Respect for diversity is a fundamental value.

Every culture and religion has a presence
in Montreal, and these communities live
in harmony and respect each others
traditions. For Quebeckers, religion
belongs to the private sphere. This way,
everyone can live their spirituality as they
see fit even if most Quebeckers are not
practising. Sexuality also belongs to the
private sphere. Quebeckers are therefore
very accepting of same-sex sexuality.

Quebeckers are firm believers in direct

communication. In writing and when
speaking, they like to be concise
and get straight to the point.
It is not infrequently the custom to take ones
shoes off before entering someones house,
especially when there has been bad weather.

The ISA organizes a number of activities tohelp

you discover Qubec. Stay in touchwithusand
check out our calendar formore information:
[Link]/etudiant_etranger/regulier/
[Link].

Intercultural resources
This page was designed for the curious and
adventurous and for all lovers of diversity and
human interaction. Youll find more resources
to continue your trip here: [Link]/
en/international_student/intercultural_
ressources/[Link]. If you have a tip
tohelpus improve this page, let us know!

Winter
Winter is by turns attractive, repulsive,
worrying, enchanting. Whatever else it
mightdo, winter elicits strong reactions
evenamong Quebeckers. Let yourself
be carried away by the magic of winter!
Thebestway to enjoy it is to learn about
itandgetready for it!

Your allies:
}

Weather reports. Check the wind

factor (the feel-like temperature),
rather than the plain temperature;

Snow. When it snows, its often less cold.

Your enemies:
}

Wind. Be careful!

The sun. When the sun is shining,

its often colder out.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

When does winter start?
The first snowstorm could arrive as
earlyasNovember, but generally the
snowwill start staying on the ground
inmid-December.
How long does winter last?
Winter generally lasts until the end
of March, or, at latest, until mid-April.
Thecoldest month is usually January,
whenthe average temperature in
Montrealdrops to about -10C. Some
daysinJanuary and February, the
temperature can fall below -20C, but
thedaily temperature will be higher.

33

Qubecs shared values

A society rich in diversity

Qubec is a French-speaking, democratic

and richly diverse society, based on the rule of
law (Government of Qubec, 2006). This brief
overview of Qubec societys fundamental
values will help you better adapt to your new
living environment and will enable you to get
the mostout of your stay.

Qubec is becoming more and more

diverse. The francophone majority,
anglophones and the various indigenous
communities live together with people
of diverse origins and cultures who have
come here from all over the world.

Qubec encourages cultural exchanges

and bridge-building between different
communities, and recognizes that diversity
means enrichment. However, everyone is free
to choose their own lifestyle, their opinions
and their religion so long as they do so
with respect for others rights. Relationships
between people are established with respect
and tolerance in an atmosphere of harmony.

(Source: Gouvernement du Qubec,

Valeurscommunes, in Pourquoi choisir
leQubec, Ministre de lImmigration
etdesCommunauts culturelles, 2006.
[Link].)

The necessity of French

}

A snowstorm is a large accumulation

ofsnow(e.g., 30cm), sometimes accompanied
by violent gusts of wind.
}

You can plan on seeing 5 or 6 big

storms in Montreal each winter.

Often, there will be a surprise storm in March,

and you can even see some snowflakes until
the end of April and very rarely, in May.

The day after a storm means snow removal,

salt, and gravel, and snowbanks.
}

Give yourself a little more time to get

to your classes, because the sidewalks
will be snowed-in and/or slippery, and
the buses might be running late.

To demystify this unique and magnificent

season by learning winter tips and tricks
34

anddiscovering some favourite winter

activities, dont miss our Apprivoisez lhiver
qubcois workshop! Seeour activities
calendar for more information.

Qubec is committed to preserving

and promoting its official language.
Not only is French an essential tool for
communication, but it also symbolizes our
common belonging to Qubec society.

A society based on the rule of law

}

Qubec is a democratic society based on the

rule of law. All human beings are equal in
worth and dignity, and are entitled to equal
protection of the law. They must respect
the law, regardless of their convictions.

It is illegal to discriminate against people

on the basis of motivations listed in the
Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms:
race, colour, sex, pregnancy, sexual
orientation, civil status, age except
as provided by law, religion, political
convictions, language, ethnic or national
origin, social condition, a handicap or the
use of any means to palliate a handicap.

A free and democratic society

}

Plan your daily activities

andyourclothing selection
} Mto Mdia

[Link]/
weather/caqc0363
} Environnement Canada
[Link]/city/pages/
qc-147_metric_f.html

Qubec society is governed by the

Charter of the French Language, which
makes French the official language of the
province. French is the language of public
institutions and the usual and normal
language at the workplace, for instruction, in
communications, commerce and business.

Qubecs political system rests upon

freedom of expression and the right to
equality shared by all people, as well as
on citizens participation in associations,
political parties and administrative
organisms such as boards of directors.
Citizens can run as candidates in elections
and have the right to vote in them.
Expressing hateful behaviour, whether
political, religious or ethnic in nature, is
not tolerated. Qubec society prefers
to resolve conflicts by negotiation.

Political and religious

powers are separated.
}

The State of Qubec and its institutions

are secular. Their decisions and actions
are independent of religious authorities.

The State of Qubec has a secularized

school system. Religious instruction is
not a part of public school curricula.
35

Women and men have the same rights.

}

Women and men are equal. Women

and men have the same rights and
responsibilities. Women may practise
any profession or trade of their choosing.
A female worker must receive the same
salary as a male worker when their jobs,
though different, are of equal value or
of equivalent value in a business.
The value of equality between the sexes
also pervades the types of relationships
recognized in Qubec. Whether the
relationship is a common-law partnership,
a civil union or a marriage, spouses of
the same sex or of different sexes remain
equal before the law. The parents share the
same responsibilities for their children.

The free exercise of human rights and freedoms

must be undertaken with respect for the
rights and freedoms of other people and for
communal well-being.
}

Fundamental rights and freedoms

should be exercised with respect for the
rights and freedoms of others, for public
order, for the communal well-being of
all citizens, and for the shared values of
Qubec. The use of violence is illegal.
Briefly stated, for Quebeckers, maintaining
an atmosphere that promotes freedom of
expression, equality between people, and
respect for difference is very important.
Quebeckers agree on the importance
of these values and the laws of Qubec
society; these latter ensure that each
person has the right, among others, to
express themselves and to freely choose
their lifestyle, opinions and religion.

Culture shock
Adapting to a new culture
Take one new school system, add a couple
friends 6,000 kilometres away, a pinch of
freezing cold, a couple grams of unfamiliar
36

food, and a hearty dose of foreign language,

and youve got the perfect recipe for culture
shock! Going to live in a foreign country can
beveryunsettling.
After the initial enthusiasm of the first few
weeks, when everything is new and exciting,
akind of cultural stress can creep in, which can
be quite difficult to manage. Most expatriates
eventually feel this adaptation fatigue. Indeed,
it takes a lot of energy to adapt to so many
changes. Everyday gestures that seemed
so simple at home can suddenly become
complicated; communication can become
moreconfusing. The symptoms manifest
differently in everyone: frustration for some,
discouragement for others.
Even if these kinds of difficulty are common and
normal, its better to be vigilant and not let them
take up too much of your time. Adaptationrelated malaise can take various forms: lower
motivation, problems concentrating, overeating
or undereating, alcohol or drug abuse, stomachaches, migraines, insomnia or drowsiness. Its not
always easy to fight these symptoms when our
friends and family are far away and were having
trouble understanding our new environment.
To adapt, one needs to understand the culture
ones adapting to. And culture is like an iceberg:
even if a number of differences are noticeable
right away, the majority are submerged, uncon
scious, much more difficult to identify. Being
conscious of ones own behaviour and culture
allows one to make the first step. Having help
discovering the other culture will in its turn
allowone to make that second step.
So be curious, and get interested in your
adoptive country! Reconsider your expectations: every country has its own challenges, and
nothings perfect. Be modest, and behave as a
good guest would. Show that youre open to
differences; be content observing those difference without criticizing others; learn about
good manners in the other culture. Even if you
dont understand respect others differences.
Theres usually some logic to things that one

observes here, even if sometimes Quebeckers

might not be able to explain them all.
Develop new friendships. Let people help you
learn and adapt. Show your sense of humour.
Go more than halfway to meet new people! In
general, those who demonstrate altruism and
sympathy and who want to give a helping hand
adapt better abroad.
There are several ways to conceive of moving
between cultures. One can see the glass as half
empty, and think about everything one has
lost, idealizing ones country of origin. Or, one
can see the glass as half full and take advantage
of the new atmosphere, seeing obstacles as
means of overcoming your limitations and
opportunities to learn. Stay positive! Pick
challenges that youre up to taking on, and
celebrate your successes.
To fight off loneliness and culture shock,
support yourself with things you love. Did you
have a passion in your country of origin? Try to
take it up here! Sharing and discussing things
we love brings peoples together! Make sure,
too, that you take the time to escape from it all.
Whether its through music, literature or sports,
make time to clear your head.
Take advantage of the fact that students who
share your nationality are around, but be

wary of the ghetto syndrome that groups

of international students often fall prey to,
being very unified and feeding off each others
dissatisfactions. It might lead to you sinking
into pessimism and bitterness. Surround
yourself with positive, open, optimistic people
who have decided to act and to get involved.
And keep in touch with your friends and family
and your culture of origin. Without spending
all your time reading the news from home and
every night on Skype, do keep a link to your
country of origin. Montreal is positively teeming
with diverse cultural activities that are also a
great way to stay connected to ones culture, or
sometimes even to rediscover it in a new way.
And if things arent working well and youre
feeling discouraged, the best thing to do is to
talk about it to a friend, to a professor, or the
the International Student Affairs Office Team.
Discuss what youre going through, learn to
identify sources of stress and to adopt strategies with the help of well-informed people.
This will help you get through those brief
low points and the long ones. Remember
that youre not alone! If you encounter any
problems, come see us. Well help you get
through your troubles and find solutions in
strict confidentiality.
37

HEC Montral Sustainable Campus is a movement that mobilizes

the entire university community around three main themes:
teaching, research and the living environment.

50%

As part of its environment friendly approach, HECMontral uses

recycled paper made in Qubec, in compliance with renowned
environmental standards.
Printed in Canada

Design: Graphic design of the Communications Office,

HEC Montral.

12.07/11.1.3

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