During the summer when students are away, McGill University (at least
they used to) rented out the dorm rooms. Only a few short years ago
these were as cheap as $10-$15 CDN per night.
You got your own room. It also had maid service with new
sheets/towels/soap each night. The rooms were small but included the
following:
- a single bed
- a desk
- a chest of drawers
- a closet
so they could accomodate a extended stay.
I was fortunate enough to somehow wind up with a mini-fridge in my
room as well, although I happen to know people staying in neighbouring
rooms weren't so lucky.
You will not get a personal bathroom. Each floor of the building I
was in had two large common bathrooms. Plenty of sinks and facilities
as well as several private shower rooms.
Lastly, I seem to recall a small kitchen on my floor that at least
contained a microwave, stove, and sink.
McGill dorms had an excellent location. A few minutes walk from the
heart of downtown. But beware, they are on the top of a brutal hill
and after a long day walking the streets of Montreal it took quite an
effort to make my way back up! :)
Since you are on the Campus of one of the finest engineering schools
in the world, I would think that internet access would even be
possible. If not in your own room, you could surely find a terminal
(even if in the library).
My girlfriend was staying in the dorms at the University of Montreal
and there was a cafeteria on the main floor that had a few internet
terminals that I made use of when visiting her - so you could always
take a journey out there if all else fails.
If I was to visit Montreal again, I would certainly look into this
option. Be sure to call McGill Residence and see if they still offer
this opportunity during the summers. Also, Montreal is a VERY cheap
city (from shopping to food), the previously stated $50/night seems
expensive. My friend had a nice (and it was surprisingly nice)
centrally located apartment in Montreal for $200 CDN per month!
---
I wanted to add something else to this. My girlfriend spent some time
living in Montreal on some sort of program sponsored by the
government. She attended french classes in the mornings and had the
rest of the day to spend how she saw fit.
She was put up in the dorms at the University of Montreal and given
two meals each day (breakfast and lunch) as well as an allowance to
help with covering dinner costs.
I know there was quite a range ofability amung the 'students' from
knowing little-to-no french at all to being very fluent. I believe
some of those required mornings were also spent on 'field trips' where
the class would tour Montreal as a small group.
I haven't any details about how to enroll in this, but I thought it
was a pretty sweet deal. She literally got PAID to live in Montreal
for a while.
She was 23 years old when she did this and I don't think she was the
oldest, although one would certainly expect quite a few young people.
If this interests you, you'll have to do some digging to figure it all
out. It might be offered exclusivley to Canadian citizens (but I'm
not sure). I do believe she applied to get into the program on very
short notice. I do not believe there are any other special
requirements (i.e. you don't need student status or anything).
Good luck, and have fun in Montreal - it is a great place. |
