Student Report
Name of the University: York University / Schulich School of Business
Exchange semester: Fall 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
I received information by asking the staff at BI and by looking at forums and
comments from previous students. I did not experience any difficulties with this.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
There was no need for a VISA, but you need to apply for an ESTA if you are travelling
through the US. This is a simple procedure, but it’s important that it is done more than 72
hours before you travel.
Travel
I travelled to Toronto, Canada by first stopping in Newark (New York), which took
around seven hours. In Newark Airport I had a break of roughly two hours where I checked in
my luggage and went through security again. It is here you need your ESTA approval.
Housing
Housing was provided by the university if you apply for it early in June. I needed to
pay for a deposit of one month rent (788 Canadian Dollars) in July. You will receive email
from Schulich’s international office in in May/June about this offering, an offer I truly
recommend.
Costs
I paid 788 Canadian Dollars for rent per month via the housing offer on Campus.
Further, I paid for Internet in my apartment, which is about 25 Canadian per month. Books are
quite expensive, so you should check with your teacher and fellow students if there exist
ebooks or if they are really needed to follow your curriculum. Food in restaurants at the
school is quite cheap and you can pay roughly 60 NOK for a complete meal. Public Transport
costs 3 Canadian Dollars per travel, and the total costs depend on how much you travel
downtown.
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
4920 NOK
2000 NOK
2000 NOK
50 NOK
NOK
Culture and language
I did not experience any problems with regards to language. However, many of your
fellow students are international students, who come from different parts all over the world
(many from India and China), and some of them are difficult to follow if they speak fast. But
again, it was not a problem at all for me.
Canada is a beautiful country, where there are many places to see. The schools
graduate society (GSS) and the Open Arms Committee (OAC) offer many tours and trips
where you can discover Canada. In early September, there is an annual trip to see the
beautiful Niagara Falls and the Toronto Islands, something that you have to see. In the end of
September, there is a weekend in the beautiful wild 3 hours north of Toronto, an event called
the Schulimpics. Here you sleep in cottages and experience the true nature of Canada, as well
as party with your fellow students. It was one of my best experiences and I highly recommend
it. There are also several student parties that is posted on the society’s webpages and facebook
pages.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
York University is very big with more than 20.000 students. However, Schulich
School of Business (which is the business section of the school), is new in style, four floors,
and smaller then BI. It has a good infrastructure with many small group rooms, lecture halls,
and both a café and restaurant. It hosts less than 1000 students and it is quite small.
Course registration
I registrered for the courses at BI in the beginning of June, were I sent an email to the
international office. However, I changed some of my courses due to recommendations about
difficulty level, as well as practical reasons. This is possible during the first two weeks and is
easy to do on the school’s webpage. You should do this quickly, as classes may be full.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
Aug, 26th
Sep, 4th
Dec, 11th
Nov 25th – Dec 11th
Reading week in October (travel)
Arrival
The first days in September we had two session about what to expect in Canada and its
culture. We also received practical information about the school and the system. The
introduction week was good. But it’s not like with BI, where you have two weeks of partying.
It is more barbeques with your fellow students in a nice summer environment. Exchange
students go out together at the end of some nights.
The International Office
- As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
The Management of the school offered good information with regards to both culture and
practicalities. It was also very easy to contact the international office, both by email or in
person, and they always took time to answer questions.
Promoting BI and Norway
There was one exchange day in November, were I received questions about BI from
Canadian students who wanted to travel abroad.
Social activities
The relationship between exchange students is really good. We became a large group
that travelled together, partied, and did sports. Exchange students often have a YES-mentality
and are easy to drag along if something is happening. We all became really close. The native
students was also really nice, by including us in many events.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
This is a MBA program, so native students often have more work experience than you,
which creates a good class room dynamics. Exchange students know theory, MBA students
know the practical and real work life. The classes often have cases and require that you
participate. Teachers include students in discussions, and class participation is a part of your
grade. It is not that much reading material, but teachers often post real life articles that are
current.
Course materials
Course material is often an article collection of cases (especially in marketing
courses). Teachers often post online examples to illustrate the relevance of the session. There
is not that much to read before class, but this depends on each course. Teachers have a more
practical orientation than those at BI.
Exams
Exams were often in the form of a main paper (in marketing and strategy courses).
However, in finance there is always a final exam. The final grade is based upon several
criterias, which makes it easier to secure a good grade. Not everything is dependent on your
final exam but on many variables (class participation, presentations, midterm, cases, and final
paper/exams).
Library and technology
The library is quite small, so it is important to come early in the exam period to get a good
spot. However, there is always rooms and chairs available in the school. The computers are
quite new and fast, and always available during the semester.
Description of courses
Please list below all the courses you took while on exchange. Your comments are
useful for BI and for future exchange students, include information on the qacadmic level,
challenges, relevance to your studies, if the course was practical/theoretical, any enrolment
issues, etc.
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
MBA
Exam form
Prerequisites
3-hour written
exam
None
SGMT 6970:
Restructuring and
Turnaround
Managemtn
MKTG 6226: Social
Media for Marketing
and Management
MBA
3-hour written
exam and final
paper and
presentation
Final Paper and
presentation
Basic Strategy
and Finance
courses
MKTG 6250:
Business Marketing
MBA
FIN 6200: Managerial
Finance
MBA
Final Paper and
presentation
Approved
as
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Comments
Good to understand
the basics of finance
and financial
management.
Great course and
great lecturer. Really
practical if you want
to go into consulting.
Relevant marketing
course, where you
understand social
media for businesses.
Good course to
understand B2B.
Great lecturer who
included exchange
students.
Summary:
My exchange semester in the fall of 2014 was the best semester I’ve ever had. I met new
friends from many countries, and I still have weekly contact with many, and one who is now
my girlfriend. Canada was a great country to visit, and I recommend it highly. Beautiful
nature, very open and nice people, and a good infrastructure. The academic level is not very
high theoretically compared to BI students, but practically it is very strong. The classroom has
a great dynamic with people with job experience (MBA students) and theoretical experience
(exchange).