Student Report – McMaster University Fall 2013
Student Report
McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business, Hamilton,
Fall 2013
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
During the process of applying to different courses at McMaster, it is important to
match courses that BI allows as well as McMaster. The best way of doing this is to have a
good communication with the international office at BI to get an overview of what courses
that should be taken during the exchange semester. Then, these requirements should match the
prerequisites and the academic calendar (when the different courses is scheduled during the
week) at McMaster. This should be a simple process, if these components is taken into
consideration. The process of applying to courses is done online, and the coordinators at
McMaster Registar Office is very helpful regarding all questions about the application
process.
After the application process to McMaster University, we received information
regarding the exchange semester, and our acceptance letters. Our acceptance letters and
confirmations were necessary in the way of getting in to Canada and the information about the
school and the area help a lot during the first days in Hamilton.
All students at McMaster is required to have a UHIP insurance (University Health
Insurance Plan) which costs around $215. Norwegian students however, are excluded from
this, however they need a healt insurance for students abroad, which you will receive from
HELFO by mail prior to depature. You will get this insurance automatically when you are
applying to your annual student loan/ scholarship at “Lånekassen”. Remember to send the
HELFO documents to the international office at BI, and they will than be responsible for
sending these documents to McMaster.
It is also highly recommended to join ANSA (Association of Norwegian Students
Abroad), and purchase the ANSA travelling insurance. HELFO insurance cover medical bills
and incidents at school, while ANSA insurance works as a normal travel insurance and will be
helpful if for example your cell phone gets stolen.
Applying for a Visa
As a Norwegian studying in Canada, you are able to stay in Canada for six months
without visa. In other words, the only thing you need to do is to bring the necessary
information that confirms that you are going to study in Canada for four months. This being
acceptance letter, addressed to the Canadian Immigration Authority, which states that you
have been accepted to McMaster University and for how long. It is important that you bring
these documents if you are planning to travel. If you are for example taking a trip to the states,
it is necessary to have these documents in order to getting back in to the country.
Travel
Toronto’s international airport is Pearson Airport, and it arrives several flights from
Europe to this airport. Nevertheless, we used Iceland Air when we travelled from Oslo to
Toronto. If you book your plane tickets about one month in advance, it will cost around 3000-
Student Report – McMaster University Fall 2013
4000 NOK one way. It is recommended to order a return ticket if possible. Iceland Air allows
you to bring two bags weighing up to 23kg (50lbs) and remember, Iceland Air do not serve
any food during the flight.
There are several ways of getting from the airport to the Hamilton area. One option is
to take the 34 bus (leaves from Terminal 1) to Bramala, and then take the 47 bus, which goes
straight to McMaster University. Another option is to order a car from the limo service which
has a flate rate of $90 from the airport to Hamilton. A last option is to take a regular taxi,
which will cost you around $100.
Another alternative is for example to fly to New York, stay there for a few days, and
then take the bus to Toronto/Hamilton.
Housing
When it comes to housing in Hamilton, you can either live on campus or you can rent
off campus. First, we applied and got accepted on campus, but we found that it was a lot
cheaper to live off campus and therefore decided to live off-campus.
McMaster have a site that helps you find a house very easily:
http://macoffcampus.mcmaster.ca/index.php. The rents varies quite a bit, pending on what
your room looks like, but they mostly range from $350 to $550. Most of the students seems to
live off-campus and McMaster University is surrounded by student houses. We found the
nicest area to be Westdale, around King Street West and Stertling Street. This is also the area
that is closest to the business faculty, DeGroote Scool of Business.
The only problem we encountered when finding a place to rent, was that most of the
tenants do not offer 4 month lease. However, it is much easier to find a place to rent prior
when the classes begin, and a lot of other exchange students we got to know did not have a
house prior to arrival and they did not have any problem finding a place to live after arriving
Hamilton. This also ensured them the desired living conditions.
Costs
Something important to remember is that Canadians pays 13% taxes everytime they
purchase something. So remember, the price on the price tag is not exact what you have to
pay. You also have to remember to give tips for service (range from 10-20%).
It is cheap to live in Canada compared to Norway. Regardless, there are still some
situations where things is just as expensive as in Norway, or even more expensive. Books is
one example, where the books ranges from $80 to $200. The most expensive book we bought
cost $220. A tips is to wait a few weeks in order to check if you actually need the books
assigned by the professor, as many of the courses are less based on readings than at BI. At the
end of the semester, you are able to sell back the text books at the university bookstore.
Food is also cheaper in Canada compared to Norway, that being food you buy at the
grocery store (Fortinos or Metro). If you want to eat at a restaurant or order take-out, it is
significant cheaper than in Norway.
As an undergrad, you are able to take the bus (HSR)for free. This is a great offer, since
the distances in Hamilton is quite big and the busses goes everywhere. As a grad student, you
have to pay a fare of $2.55 per bus ride. If you want to go to Toronto, it will cost you $10.45
one way either by express bus or by train.
When it comes to costs and phone bills, you have to pay a larger amout in Canada than
in Norway. We recommend you to either use Koodo, Fido, Wind or Virgin. But if possible, do
not purchase any mobile services at all during your stay, and if you do, try to get a cheap deal
and use the internet at home and at school as much as possible.
Student Report – McMaster University Fall 2013
Culture and language
We did not have any problems regarding the culture or the language. Canadiens are
very friendly and is genuinely interrested in small-talk. The Canadian culture is quite similar
to the Norwegian culture, but we must say that canadiens are more open and outgoing. People
are generally very helpful if there is anything you are wondering or need help with. If you are
looking for typical Canadian culture, you should eat “Poutin” (fries with a special sauce), or
go to a country bar (Dirty Dogs in Hamilton Downtown).
If you want to experience another culture than the Canadian one, during the exchange
semester, there is more than enough time to travel to the states or even more south.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
McMaster University
McMaster University’s main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario. The city of
Hamilton is actually close to the same population and size as Oslo, and is most known for it’s
universities. The area is quiet and close to suburban, but you can still tell that Hamilton is
filled with students.
The undergrads are situated at the main campus, while the grad students are situated at
Burligton (about 20 minutes from the main campus with suffle bus). It is approximately
25,000 enrolled in a undergraduate program and 4,000 in a graduate program. The DeGroote
School of Business, or the business faculty at the main campus is where most of the classes is
located and where you can get most of the help if needed. The main campus is huge compared
to BI’s location. It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk through campus and the campus is
divided in to several facualties (medicine, healt science, engineering, business, commerce,
etc.). In the center of the campus is the Student Center, containing several stores, food court,
medical clinic, dentist, pharmacy, and kiosks.
Course registration
You register for courses before arriving McMaster. And when it comes to register for
desired classes first come first served, so it is important to be on time with deadlines. You
register for courses online, and as mentioned earlier, it is important to match courses that BI
allows as well as McMaster. Then, these requirements should match the prerequisites and the
academic calendar (when the different courses is scheduled during the week) at McMaster.
This should be a simple process, if these components is taken into consideration. Make sure
that BI approve the courses and list as many as possible on your learning agreement (LA).
The coordinators at McMaster Registar Office is very helpful regarding all questions about
the application process.
If you do not have all of your courses ready before arrival, don’t worry, you are able to
change and add courses to your calendar after arrival and you will get more than enough
information regarding this after the first information meeting during the first week. You are
actually able to drop/add courses until 8th September, which is one week after school have
started.
 Information regarding undergrad courses:
http://registrar.mcmaster.ca/CALENDAR/current/pg1769.html
 Information regarding the course timetables:
http://registrar.mcmaster.ca/scheduling/coursett.html
Student Report – McMaster University Fall 2013
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Late August
5th of September
Range from 25th of November to 5th of Desember.
Range from 5th of Desember to 20th of Desember.
Thanksgiving at the second Monday in October.
Arrival
From the moment we arrived Hamilton and got in contact with administrators from
McMaster, we were put in contact with other exchange students and fellow students from
Canada. In other words, the administration was well prepared for our arrival. Other exchange
students is just as eager as you to come in contact with others and have a good time, so there
was definetly no problem coming in contact with other students during the first weeks.
The university arrange something calles “Frosh Week” which is the well-known
welcome week. This week consists of different events every day to help you to get to know
the other students and to get to know the campus, this being quizzes, parties, concerts,
information meetings, and sports events.
We were also introduced to the M.I.X. Club (McMaster International & Exchange
Club), which arranged parties and events for the exchange students throughout the semester.
We recommend you to take initiative to talk to other exchange students as soon as you can.
The International Office
The international office is located in Gilmour Hall. Gilmour Hall is also the place
where you pick up your student ID card. If you have any questions, you can contact the
administrative office located in the lobby in DeGroote School of Business building.
Promoting BI and Norway
The university arranges a week of different activites to encourage Canadian students to
take a year or semester abroad. DeGroote School of Business hosts presentations and have
stands in the lobby of the faculty. Exchange students are able to encourage Canadian students
to go to their home university, and this is something you should participate in.
Social activities
As earlier mentioned, we really recommend you to take initiative at the M.I.X. Club to
ensure that you have a fully booked social calendar during your stay. We found that we were
most social with other exchange students, since interaction with Canadian students usually
happened in class or if you happen to rent your room in a house with other Canadian students.
Because of this, we encourage you to take initiative with the people in your group in one of
your classes, so that you also are able to be social with “natives”. Another way of doing this is
to participate in sport groups and other student groups on campus. There are at least 50-100
different groups and you will definitely feel connection to some of them (the M.I.X. Club is
one of them). Another club that we recommend is the McMaster Outdoor Club, which
arranges trips and hiking tours in Canada and this is a good way to meet friends and to
Student Report – McMaster University Fall 2013
explore what Hamilton and the rest of Canada has to offer. You will be able to find
information about each group on Facebook.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
The classes for 4th and 3rd year courses are quite small compared to BI. The class
consist of students that can range from 20-50 people, which is perfect for interactions and
discussions. Of course, all courses is taught in English; however, some professors tend to talk
quite fast or mumble. This took us some getting-used-to during the first weeks.
The classes is being taught very different from the lectures at BI. In every course you
take, there is participation marks. In other words, you are required to participate in class. If
you not participate, you get zero as a participation mark, and you might as well don’t meet up
for that class. Other things that is quite different from BI is the assignments and cases that the
professors distributes during the semester, and the groupworks.
As you might predict, the biggest difference between the teaching and learning style is
that you are going to experience much more workload simultaneously throughout the
semester. But do not worry, it is not so difficult to get good grades since students exchanging
from BI is used to analyse the work and cases given.
Exams
Since there is evaluation throughout the semester through participation, assignments,
presenations, and midterms, the final exam does not count as 100%, as it does in Norway. It
varies how much a exam counts, but it usually ranges from 45% to 15% of the total grade, and
some of the courses does not even have a final exam.
The evaluation during the term includes
 Small assignments
 Presentation – Group work
 Class participation
 In-class test throughout the term
Library and technology
There are four libraries at McMaster University’s main campus; Mills, Innis, Thode
and Health Sciences. All of the libraries offer computers, group rooms and a silent area. Innis
is the library located at DeGroote School of Business bulidng (DSB), and they offer all the
business textbooks necessary.
Student Report – McMaster University Fall 2013
Description of courses
Course code &
name
Commerce 4PA3 –
Business Policy &
Strategic
Management
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Commerce 4FV3 –
Venture Capital &
Private Equity
Bachelor/
Master
Commerce 4MC3 –
New Product
Marketing
Bachelor
Commerce 4SA3 –
International
Business
Exam form
Prerequisite
s
Marketing
Approved
as (at BI)
Mandatory
Corporate
Finance
Mandatory
- 3 tests (2
mandatory)
- Group project
- 2 presentations
Marketing
Elective
Bachelor
- 1 final exam
- 1 assignment
- 2 presentations
- Group project
Marketing
Elective
Commerce 4FR3 –
Insurance & Risk
Management
Bachelor/
Master
- Group
assignment
- 3 tests
Introduction
to finance
Elective
Commerce 3MB3 –
Consumer
Behaviour
Bachelor
- Final Exam
- Midterm
- Group
presentation
- 2 assignments
Introduction
to Marketing
Elective
- No final exam
- CAPSIM
- 1 assignment
- 1 midterm
- 1 home exam
- 1 presentation
- 1 test
- 2 tests
- 1 assignment
- 1 project
Summary of the Exchange Experience
Comments
Interesting course despite a huge
work-load. Mostly because of
the required participation and
CAPSIM (business simulation
game/contest online). Try to
participate in class, this will be
beneficial for your final grade.
Strictly finance course, which is
quite different to the finance
they teach at BI (stock and
shares etc.). We found this
course to be very interesting, but
also extremely hard, because we
did not have any strictly finance
cources that focuses on shares,
which was an enourmous part of
this course.
Interesting and easy course.
Eventhough it seems to be a
huge workload, it doesn’t feel
like it since the components is
quite easy.
Interesting course where you get
a overview of international
business through canadiens eyes
and not through norwegiens.
The professor was very good,
and it was interesting being in
the class. We highly recommend
to take this course.
Would not recommend this
course since it mostly focuses on
canadien insurance, which you
can’t apply in Norway at all. I
also found the classes to be quite
boring.
This is an easy course, but quite
boring since it is so basic. It
focuses on marketing and
generally how the consumers
think, feel and act prior, during
and after a purchase.
Student Report – McMaster University Fall 2013
We had a great time during our exchange semester in Canada! We found that by moving out
of our comfort zone and spending a semester at a foreign country, we gained knowledge that
we would not be able to gain spending the semester at our home university, both academically
and practically. We have met people that we will for sure stay in contact with and we have
obtained memories for life.
Enjoy your stay!
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact any of us through international office.
We are more than glad to answer your questions.