The city of Montreal is something to behold, the second largest in Canada, with its mosaic patchworks of streets and cultures, mixing of architecture styles and foods and peoples from across centuries and miles all converging along the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Montreal is in many ways the cultural capital of Quebec, and I was lucky to speak to Champlain College Montreal’s very own director, Genevieve Lord, from that city itself.
First off, how are the current crop of students doing?
GL: They’re doing really well, they’re very happy to be back, and learning very well
How many students do you have with you in Montreal this semester?
GL: Twelve this year, but we are expecting 26 next semester
What kind of challenges do you face in keeping your student population?
GL: While Covid remains a concern, it is significantly more manageable than previous semesters. We are doing all we can to prevent infection such as requiring vaccination and allowing quarantining students hybrid options
How do you help the students feel at home/how do you deal with homesickness?
GL: We have all sorts of activities, during orientation, visits to the shopkeepers around the city, we take them to dinner. Essentially, we keep them so busy with activities they have no time for homesickness.
What kind of trips or events or activities do you typically do in a semester?
GL: Montreal is full of little islands of culture, Little Italy, Morocco, French, English, we take them to all the little enclaves of culture, we take them to the outdoor markets, involve them in local activities, we take them up Mount Royal. We took a trip to Ottawa, even, that was really enjoyed.
What are you most proud of in the Montreal Campus?
GL: Whatever students want out of Montreal, we can provide. Some come for the city, the industry contacts, not only for game majors but for social workers as well. There are so many opportunities for students here, we are proud of them all.
What classes are you most proud of in your department?
GL: Our food writing courses, we have sections for specific ethnic foods
What would you say is the most interesting/attractive aspect of going to Montreal?
GL: The fact that even though the city is so close to Burlington, it’s so different: culturally, socially, mosaic as opposed to a melting pot, French, English, European, American, Moroccan, you are exposed to something completely different while not going far from home.
