Experience in Concordia University, Canada by Monika

Generally, what is Concordia University like?

Concordia University is quite a large university with a variety of programs to focus in. There are two main campuses: the Loyola campus and the Sir George William campus downtown. At the Loyola campuses, the sciences (Chemistry, Physiology, Psychology, Biology... ) are mainly taught, while downtown at the SGW campus are the businesses, arts, histories, languages, engineering and social sciences.

There are variety of courses and programs taught at Concordia, giving oneself many opportunities in what one wishes to study/get a degree in.

Concordia University is one of the main universities in Montreal and with the option of programs at hand, it really shows. Not only with programs, but with all the student unions, groups, activities in all of the departments. There are many opportunities to further your education to greater lengths while studying at Concordia.

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What are the facilities like?

Since I am an Art History student, all of my courses are at the SGW campus, downtown; to be more specific, the EV building. That being said, the building which I am in is one of the larger buildings on the campus, as well as one of the bigger ones. The four main buildings of the downtown campus (EV, MB, Hall and GM) all have access to the metro, Guy-Concordia. While this may seem like a deterrent, attracting in some questionable people, there is security throughout the school to keep control and manage those who are passing through the buildings to get to the metros.

Each department either has a floor or chunk of the buildings which is specific to their department. The MB building is mainly for the John Molson School of Business students, however, on one of the higher levels, the Dance Department has a space reserved for them. The EV building has the Arts and Engineering departments within them. Hall, the languages and social sciences. So on and so forth.

All that being said, the facilities vary from department to department. The Art History, in my opinion, while small, accommodates to the needs of the students within the program with access to libraries, books, archives (with permission) to help with our research. The JMSB departments have large student run facilities to assist in their departments and student Co-op programs. The Sociology Department (from what I have seen) also has specific computer labs for their use. Even the Language Department has language labs where students are able to go and do their course work/examinations.

From what I have been told of the Loyola campus via friends, the facilities are also accommodating to the students needs.

Are there some facilities lacking in comparison to others? More than likely. Have I had an experience with them? Not from what I have seen no, but I am sure they are out there.

No university is without quirks within their walls and without a doubt Concordia has them. So does McGill, UDM and UQAM. They exist everywhere.

What are the tutors like?

I haven't had an experience with the tutors, however, each department is given the opportunity to attend sessions at the learning centre. Whether they need help editing an essay or doing research for one.

The opportunities to go to see tutors are there, it all depends on whether you feel the need to go see them or not.

Are the lessons easy in Concordia University?

The lessons are not easy nor are they difficult.... if you do the work. While most courses which I have attended are lecture based, there are many readings and group discussions where grades on participation are factored in. Also, missing a course is not really recommended. The pace at which courses are taught, it is more than likely when you miss a course, you could miss an entire section.

I wouldn't recommend taking more than 4 courses a semester (you remain full time while taking the minimum amount of courses permitted), because more than likely, you will be swamped with work by the end of the semester. Essays, midterms, projects/assignments are all common things which happen. Miss a deadline and the penalisation varies depending on the teachers own preferences (3-10 percent each day late, zero after three days after deadline, etc. ) So it is very important to keep track of what is in each courses syllabus/course outline. There are teachers who don't even remind you of these deadlines and it is up to you to stay attentive of what they are (mind you, you are a university student, so why should they constantly remind you? ) The only excuses permitted for a late paper/extension are medical injuries/illnesses (with a doctors note), death in the family, and (only some teachers, not all) religious holidays. However, it is up to you after that point to hand in everything within the extension date, afterwards, it is up to the teacher in what to do with your assignments.

Courses can be as short as an hour, twice a week to as long as 4-5 hours once a week depending on the department/course. The longer courses are usually in the studio and language courses, while shorter courses are in the history and social science courses... usually. There is always the exception to each program of course.

Some courses even have tutorials attached to them. These can be as short as an hour to as long as a couple of hours (I haven't had one longer than an hour). They are courses to assist you in comprehending what is taught in the main lecture, as well as helping you move forward in your research papers/assignments. Tutorials, believe it or not, are mandatory to go too and if you miss a certain amount, your marks in participation will be lost. There are also some Tutorial assignments which must be done depending on the program (presentations, etc) which you are graded on and do have an impact on your final mark. These tutorials, also, help you when preparing for final exams at the end of the semester and for that reason, they are greatly beneficial to the student.

Overall, as stated, while lessons are not hard necessarily. If you don't do the work, participate in the courses or attend the lectures, you will find yourself falling behind really, really quickly. There is no mercy for those who choose to slack off or miss out on courses, so it is best just to attend all courses and only miss out if really really necessary.

Does the University organise activities? If so, what are they like?

Each department has activities within them. For example, I am constantly getting emails letting me know about Art History/Fine Arts based activities going on in the exhibit halls, around Montreal, etc.

I can only speak for the Fine Arts department though, as that is my department. I am sure, without a doubt other departments have activities going on, (I have heard the the engineering parties are fantastic and wild). It is up to the student, though, to look around and find them. They are on notice boards throughout the departments/campuses, you just have to take the time to find them if they are outside your department/you do not allow the newsletter to be forwarded to your email.

Do you think there is a good quality of teaching?

Absolutely, I consider the education which I have obtained at Concordia to be exceptional. The teachers whom I have had are truly passionate about what they are teaching to students, and none of them have missed the chance to give their two sense on a topic when the opportunity arises. Mind you, again, this is the Art History Department I am generally talking about.

Are there teachers who are just there to make a living? Probably, however they are few and far between. University professors teach, most of the time, because they want to teach something which they are passionate about to those who also want to take the time to listen and attend.

Without a doubt, most of the professors are there to teach the students topics which they are equally passionate about and it shows. Yes there are the mandatory courses to each department which professors are preassigned, however, more often than not, they will take the opportunity to add in their two sense about what is being taught/teach in a way so that they are able to integrate their field of interest while still staying on track with the basic curriculum required.

Are there any stories you can share?

None which immediately come to mind which are immediately associated with Concordia. However, if I really deemed it necessary, I can recount the times which the metro has shut down and I have been forced to walk from my building to by bus 15 minutes away. Or the amount of times when the security guards have had to kick out rowdy high school students coming in from the metro whom are disturbing the peace within the building.

There are also the times when the escalators in Hall stop working or change directions and you have to figure out which one goes up and down. The line up for the escalator coming in from the metro. The lineups at the Tim Horton's/Starbucks/Second Cup/McDonald's/anywhere that sells coffee in general surrounding the school. The supposed horror stories of trying to find the 3rd floor of Hall (from what I have been told). Just lineups in general, many many lineups.

These are only the day to day things which could/have happened to me since attending to Concordia. There are many things which can occur besides those I have stated, they all vary from person to person.