Decision:
Which university should it be? Where should it go? I asked myself these and many other questions. After many deliberations between the UK, USA and Canada, I am so happy to have chosen Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. The university is not one of the partner universities of my university, but there wasn’t much choice anyway (at least for what I was looking for). What spoke in favor of it? Compared to the points that were important to me – English speaking, choice of subjects, fees, flight costs … – the university simply won. Preparation: After the decision, about a year in advance, the planning started! I asked myself numerous questions and all of them were answered. Thanks to the instructions, I had the application documents together within a few days and only a short time later I was accepted. Big advantage: no language certificate (DAAD or Toefl) was required. I agreed with the individual professors beforehand that the credits for my chosen courses would be credited. In February I booked a flight with Condor. First I compared several airlines, it was the cheapest and fastest alternative, as it was from Frankfurt a. M. gives a direct flight to Halifax. Since I was only there for one semester, I did not need to apply for a visa, because you can stay in Canada for six months without it. I agreed with the individual professors beforehand that the credits for my chosen courses would be credited. In February I booked a flight with Condor. First I compared several airlines, it was the cheapest and fastest alternative, as it was from Frankfurt a. M. gives a direct flight to Halifax. Since I was only there for one semester, I did not need to apply for a visa, because you can stay in Canada for six months without it. I agreed with the individual professors beforehand that the credits for my chosen courses would be credited. In February I booked a flight with Condor. First I compared several airlines, it was the cheapest and fastest alternative, as it was from Frankfurt a. M. gives a direct flight to Halifax. Since I was only there for one semester, I did not need to apply for a visa, because you can stay in Canada for six months without it.
When I was accepted, I actually expected that I could go to the dormitory. Unfortunately, a regulation was changed so that you could only move into the dormitory for a full academic year. For now, at least. So that much of the option for me is gone for now. Later I found out that it was still possible to register, but then I left it. I decided on an off-campus shared flat and drove myself completely crazy in Germany because I thought I couldn’t find anything there. In the end, I stayed in the hostel for a week (2 nights, the rest was reimbursed) until I found accommodation. My tips for looking for an apartment: Find something not too far from the university (without a bus is ideal). Kijiji.ca offers many options. You can look for something suitable yourself or, that’s how I did it, put in an ad about you. You don’t have to attach a photo. The very next day I already had several “offers”. I can really only advise you: DO NOT ENTER INTO A RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH ANNE THOMPSON (EMPLOYEE BRITTA)! My roommates were super cool, I can’t say anything against that. I also liked the house itself very much. BUT it requires students who want to keep the lease for less than a year a double pension for the first month. They didn’t really discuss the contract itself, so I’ve now got a quarter deducted from my original deposit for cleaning, even though everything was pikobello when I drove in mid-December. I can really only advise you against it. Otherwise look for something from there, then you can get an exact picture for yourself,
Education:
The SMU is very international and finances a large part through its international students. I liked it myself, I got to know a lot of cool people from different nations. Accordingly, there is also a broad program for the internationals. A great O-week and many other offers, including excursions. Yes, there were a lot of Germans there, that puzzled me at the beginning because I was planning to improve my English and then thought it wouldn’t work anyway. In the end, I can confidently say that my English has improved. We had our German gang (my second family for the time), but I also had to speak English on the streets in my flat share and at the university. I took three courses.
International Marketing: I struggled a little with the course at the beginning, but I can recommend it with a clear conscience because the content was very interesting.
Consumer Behavior: I was a bit disappointed with the course. The content was super interesting, but it was a little exhausting to follow the professor and I was just unlucky with my group.
My personal favorite – Making Sense of Atlantic Canada: I took this course because it was recommended by some and I can only agree with it. I have never seen such a committed professor who gives a lecture on Atlantic Canada with heart and soul. I learned a lot about the region and the people. Of the requirements in the courses, I have to say that they are lower than in Germany, so that you can get very good grades with diligence and interest. The Canadian system is more reminiscent of our school system, which personally appealed to me more. Check andyeducation to see more reviews from current students.
City and life:
Haifax was a picture book city for me. Canada as you imagine it. Wooden houses, sea, lakes, trees and much more. I can only say what I saw in the south was impressive, in the north I rarely or never stayed. Lots of bars, pubs, pubs, restaurants and a couple of clubs. Very often there was live music, which I found to be the best. Canadian Schlager means country music, just let yourself be carried away. The Canadians themselves are really friendly, of course, there are always exceptions, but rarely. We also went to ice hockey games a lot, which was always an event.
Travel:
There we made a weekend trip to Cape Breton. A beautiful island with a huge national park and many options for whale watching, whales guaranteed! Then we have chosen another day to drive to the surrounding cities, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Peggy’s Cove. We were very lucky with the weather and were able to enjoy the landscape to the full. Experienced everything from summer to winter. And by winter I mean Canadian and not German winters. In the end, nine of us traveled to Montreal, visited Quebec City, the four of us went on to Toronto, Niagara, Ottowa and New York City. All very recommendable. It is very important to dress warmly!
Costs:
The question of costs naturally plays a very decisive role. I also chose this university because the fees were one of the cheapest and the largest on offer. The cost of living is really high, but one should ask oneself whether the USA or Australia would be that much cheaper. I was able to enjoy the time to the full as I started saving immediately after I was accepted and received support from the Auslandsbafög. I don’t think that it would have been much cheaper elsewhere, it’s just a semester abroad. So plan at least 8000 € (fees, flights, supplies, books !!, travel …).
Conclusion:
Oh Canada, I can only say, the best time that I was able to experience and for which I am very grateful! The country, the people, the city and the university have convinced me and I would have loved to stay longer. I also learned to appreciate Germany, which doesn’t hurt, eh.;)
