GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE STUDENT REPORT
Student Report
Name of the University: Bishop’s University
Exchange semester: Fall, 2015
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
- When and how did you receive information from the exchange university, and did you
encounter any difficulties?
In March, I received an email with information regarding everything you need to
know before starting your semester at Bishop’s. The university will inform you about
everything you need to know about housing and dining possibilities, selection of
courses and health insurance.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
- How did you apply for your visa, what did it cost and did you have difficulties?
I did not apply for a visa since I was staying for only one semester, but I did apply for
an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which is mandatory for everyone entering
or transiting Canada by air. This is an online application and gets approved within the
day. Remember to bring your acceptance letter from Bishop’s through customs, as
they will ask you to show it.
Travel
- How did you travel to your destination?
I travelled from Oslo to London with SAS and London to Montreal with Air Canada,
which was very convenient. The tickets can be expensive, so make shure that you
book your tickets in good time. Since it takes approximately two hours to drive from
Montreal to Lennoxville, I stayed one night a a hotel in Montreal. I highly recommend
this if you arrive late in Montreal. I took a bus that is called “Limocar” from Montreal
to Lennoxville, which is easy and you will probably meet other students going to
Bishop’s on this bus.
Housing
- Was housing provided by the university? If not, did you receive support from the
school?
Most first year and exchange students live on campus, but the school offers assistance
if you want to live off campus. Living on campus brings you close to the dining hall,
the sports center and the classrooms. I lived in a residence called “Paterson”, which is
an apartment that you share with three others. This is the newest building and has a
better standard than other residences. The other residences are older, which makes
them colder during the winter. I lived with three other exchange students. In Paterson,
you have your own room that you can lock, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living
room. All students living on campus has to have a meal plan, but if you live in
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE STUDENT REPORT
Paterson you can have one that is cheaper if you want to cook your own food. The
kitchen does not have any cutlery, so for me personally it was easier to have a meal
plan where you can eat as much as you want every day for the whole semester. The
prices vary from the different residences, but I payed $4,986.83 in total for the whole
semester. This price includes rent, meal plan, health insurance and a single-linen kit
that I pre-ordered.
Costs
- Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food,
transportation, and other personal expenses?
Most of the books are expensive, but most of my courses had either no book or an ebook, which is a lot cheaper. It is also possible to buy used booked at the library. If
you have to buy a book you can deliver it back after the semester and get some of the
money back. Transportation is cheap compared to Norway and the bus easily takes
you to most parts of town. In general, everything is cheaper than in Norway and I find
the price level to be low.
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
4265 NOK
600 NOK
3550 NOK
100 NOK
200 NOK
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
As it is an English speaking school, I had no problems with communicating with
faculty or students. I did not experience much communication problems, but the
timetables for the bus are in French and you can meet people off-campus who does not
speak English.
-
How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
Lennoxville is in a great part of Canada, with the opportunity to travel to Quebec City,
Montreal, Toronto, Vermont in the U.S. etc. You can travel by plane, train or bus.
There is also different carpool websites for students, which makes it very cheap to
travel. There are several facebook groups and a webpage called “Amigo Express”.
This is safe and I had a good experience. Keep in mind that the theachers take
attendance, so you are not “free” to take a day or week off to travel.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
- The school (location, size, study structure, special academic areas etc.)
Bishop's University is a predominantly residential, undergraduate university founded
in 1843. They offer programs in arts, sciences, business, and education, and has about
2200 full time students.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE STUDENT REPORT
Bishop's is located in the bilingual community of Lennoxville, a suburb of
Sherbrooke, the 5th largest city in the province of Quebec. Bishop's 550 acre campus
boasts 25 buildings including seven residences, two libraries, two theatres, laboratory
and athletic facilities. You can also find an arena, a historic chapel, a music recital
hall, 10 tennis courts, an outdoor pool, and a golf course on campus.
Course registration
- When and how did you register for courses?
Exchange students are offered to preregister for classes before the other students by
email. I wanted to change some of my courses after I arrived at Bishop’s, which is
easily done online. There may be some problems when selecting courses online
because as an exchange student they cannot see which courses you have already taken
at your home university. This means that you may not be ”allowed” to select a course
online, but if you send an email to the teacher they will approve it for you.
-
When did the add/drop period end?
This period ended about 2 weeks after the official first day of class.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Thanksgiving
Other:
Aug. 28.
Sept. 2.
Nov. 27.
Nov. 30. – Dec. 12.
Oct. 12.
Arrival
- Describe the introduction week
The introduction week is a lot of fun and you get the chance to meet new people.
Exchange students have to pay for it, but in my opinion it is worth it. This is a full
week were you are divided into different “teams” (you get to choose your own). The
teams compete against each other, but only in a fun way. There are several “judges”
that walk around campus giving the teams challenges, this is how you earn points. The
school is very clear on the fact that you do not have to do the challenges if you do not
want to, but most of the challenges are harmless and fun. This week is packed with
social games, concerts etc.
The International Office
- As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
I received all the information I needed both before and after arrival at Bishop’s.
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Promoting BI and Norway
- What kind of activities were you involved in to promote exchange to Norway at your
exchange university?
I was not offered to promote my school and Norway, but most people were very
interested in Norway and my school.
Social activities
- How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange students?
The relationship between students at Bishop’s is very good. Since the school is small,
it is easier to get to know people. Exchange students have a lot in common, which
makes it natural to connect well with other exhange students, but I have made just as
many Canadian friends. Bishop’s is a school where everyone knows everyone
-
Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for exchange
students?
There is a “social activity group” for exchange students that arrange trips and other
types of events.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
- Describe the teaching style (practical, theoretical, cases/lectures, formal/informal etc.)
My lectures took place in a classroom together with 10-20 students. The teachers
expect you to participate during class and it is a part of your total grade.
-
How is the level and workload compared to that at BI?
The level is in my opinion easier than BI, but in some classes you have case
studies/assignments every week. Some of my courses did not have a final exams,
which meant that I had a lot of group work during the semester.
Course materials
- Describe the course materials used (books/literature, online articles, Powerpoint, level
of course material etc).
I had to buy books for two of my courses. The rest of the courses based the course
material on lectures and articles posted online.
Exams
- Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
The exams were based on the lectures and because the teachers want you to come to
class.
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-
How was the course evaluated (include all that apply)?
o Final exam (include form: written, oral, home assignment, presentation, etc.)
o Mid-term exam
o Small assignments and/or papers
o Presentations
o Group work
o Class attendance
o Class participation
Two of my courses had a mid-term and a final exam. My other three courses were
graded based on groupwork (presentations, assignments etc.).
Library and technology
- Describe the facilities
The Library and furniture is old, but functional. The Library has a lot of computers
and it was never a problem to get a private seminar room to work on projects.
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
Prerequisites
2-hour written
exam
General Finance
BHR313
Compensation
Management
Bachelor
No final exam
General HR
Strategic
course
BMG214
Entrepreneurship:
New Venture Creation
Bachelor
No final exam
None
Elective
BMG215 Introduction
to International
Business
Bachelor
3-hour written
exam
None
Elective
BFN203 Corporate
Finance
Approve
d as
Finance
course
Comments
Midterm and
final exam.
Group work:
presentation
Groupwork:
three
presentations
regarding our
compensation
strategy for a
company.
Groupwork:
“create” a new
venture –
write a
business plan.
Three
individual
case studies
during the
semester.
Midterm and
final exam.
Groupwork:
case study
every week in
groups.
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BMG318 Feasibility
Analysis & Managent
of Risk
Bachelor
No final exam
Entrepreneurhip
Elective
Very
interesting.
Each group
got to be
consultants
for a local
company.
Great teacher.
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
- E.g. the experience from an academic, cultural and social point of
view, influences to your future career possibilities etc.
The exchange semester has been a great experience. I have made friends all over the
world and have gained experiences for a lifetime. I have learned a lot about myself
and I am more aware of the cultural differences that my occure. I would highly
recommend going on exchange.