Moving to a new city – or country – to study is an educational experience in and of itself. We asked three students who came to McGill from another country or province – Pavithran, Lindsey and Annika – about their experiences, and what advice they might give new arrivals. Here is what Pavithran Pondicherry, a graduate student from India, told us:
Where are you from and why did you choose to study at McGill?
I'm from Chennai, a metropolitan city in the south of India. I have been in Montreal for a year now, enrolled in a master’s program in civil engineering. I chose McGill because of the resources it offers students, in particular the career planning services, Student Wellness Hub and its very efficient libraries. And frankly, I was also drawn by its brand image and tradition.
What were your first impressions of Montreal and of the campus? Was anything surprising to you?
I had already lived in Montreal for about 10 weeks in 2022 during my Mitacs research internship. During my time as an intern, I visited McGill and was astonished by the beauty of the downtown campus and its proximity to shopping and restaurants.
What I found surprising is that the course assessment methods vary at McGill, as each instructor seems to do things a different way. As well, I thought I would require a lot of reference books to prepare for my classes, but the course materials were sufficient in most cases.
What was the hardest thing to adjust to here? What turned out to be easier than expected?
It will surely take some time to comprehend the Canadian way of doing things. For example, almost everything requires an appointment.
It can also be hard at first to network with people and adjust to the socio-cultural atmosphere of Montreal, though I can confidently say that with its mix of cultures, it’s an inclusive city. Not everyone will be open to having conversations or sharing their socials, but in due course you will surely make friends and study partners.
How do you find the food in Montreal? Is it easy to get the ingredients you need to make recipes from home?
Montreal boasts a multitude of restaurants and can easily satisfy your taste buds. I mostly prefer to eat at Indian restaurants and occasionally at Tim Hortons or McDonalds, as they are filling and highly affordable. There are a lot of Indian grocery shops where I buy Indian spices for preparing my meals. It might sound funny, but I had never had pizza or pasta before coming here. Now I love them, as well other discoveries: crème brûlée, Chicken McMuffins and croissants. I’m also a big fan of ice cream, and I have enjoyed many varieties.
Has it been easy to get involved on campus and to meet other students?
As a master’s student I haven't had much time to join or participate in clubs. But, from the very beginning I have been active in my student associations. I served as a Senator (PGSS) in McGill’s Senate and as Secretary General of the Civil Engineering Graduate Students Society. I was able to meet a lot of new people at these places and at other social events.
It was fascinating to see people of different cultures and we often shared and discussed our cultures and traditions. I have been impressed by the diversity of McGill’s student population, which helps me to understand different cultures, ideologies and ways of thinking.
If English is not your first language, have you found it difficult to be studying at a primarily English-speaking university?
English was my medium of instruction in school as well as in university. So, I didn’t face any difficulty.
What advice would you have for someone newly arrived at McGill from elsewhere?
Being an international student anywhere is tough: navigating and overcoming cultural differences while engaging in self-discovery and preparing for a strong and interesting career. This may seem overwhelming; still, it’s doable.
Deciding what to do for the future is always the million-dollar question. Just start slowly and be consistent in your efforts; you will figure it out in the end.
It’s OK to find your studies overwhelming or to feel lonely. Remember, "it’s OK to be not OK,” and get support from the Student Wellness Hub whenever you need it.
Try to make study mates in each course. It will help you to stay on track with the courses. Make new friends while nurturing your old ones. To overcome loneliness, get involved in sports and attend social events. Instead of comparing yourself with others, try to learn something from them.
Concentrate on your degree, which is the main purpose of your stay, but do not forget to travel and explore other places. The must-visit spots include Niagara Falls, Banff (near Calgary) and Quebec City.