Université du Québec à Montréal: student life on campus

The 411

If I wrote the school motto:
“Together we stand, divided we fall!”
Best place for a nap:
Your bed
Best cheap lunch:
Vua Banh Mi
Best hangover breakfast:
Ben & Florentine or Dame Tartine
Best places to study:
Glassed bridge in Pavillon A and nearby BAnQ
Best bar for hanging out:
L’Escalier
Best pizza:
Piazzetta
Best place to live:
There are cool apartments downtown and in the gay village, and affordable ones a few metro stops away in Hochelaga
Best live music venues:
So many: MTelus, Foufounes Électriques, Bar à Jojo, etc.
Best campus food:
Poké bowl at Sushi Shop
What surprised me most about the school:
Its proximity to the local community
Best campus event:
Mid-semester and end-of-semester parties
Weirdest tradition:
Student strikes
If I could change one thing about the school:
The ongoing renovations in Pavillon J

PROFILE: Université du Québec à Montréal | Montreal, Que. | Founded 1969

Université du Québec à Montréal is right in the middle of the city’s lively downtown. It has two main campuses, one in the effervescent Quartier des spectacles (Entertainment District) and the other in the vibrant Latin District. These locations house a wide variety of programs from visual arts, social sciences and sexology, to management and political science.

At UQAM, students become thoughtful citizens as well as successful professionals. The university’s students are known for their social engagement and cultural contributions, both locally and internationally. The university has a significant number of students committed to all kinds of local causes. Here, students can learn through a wide variety of programs and activities aiming at the development, mutual support and co-operation of all ethnic communities.

UQAM has won nine times over the past 11 years at the National Model United Nations competition. It’s also here where director Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) and sculptor David Altmejd, among others, completed their studies.

After Class
We have many student groups and associations nurturing our interests and providing entertainment. There are countless workshops, seminars and conferences as well as social outings. Moreover, at UQAM, we have many opportunities to study abroad. The university is also partnered with important players in the job market, giving us even more chances to eventually make our difference in society. In addition, we have the Bibliothèque des Archives Nationales du Québec (BAnQ), one of Quebec’s largest libraries, just next door. It’s huge, with great areas to study quietly along with an incredible variety of books, documentaries, movies and even CDs (yeah, they still exist) to borrow. You can use the underground tunnels to get around if it’s too cold.

Local Vibe
Montreal is one of the best North American cities to enjoy all kinds of cosmopolitan food. The main campus is surrounded by a great variety of coffee shops, restaurants and bars. Once you’re tired of studying, just walk a few minutes in either direction and you’ll end up in your new favourite spot. Most businesses offer student discounts and promotions to ease our tight budgets. Montreal is known for its happening cultural scene: In the spring and summer, we have the Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs and plenty of music and art festivals, whereas in fall and winter, we have Igloofest, Nuit Blanche (a cultural all-nighter for the entire city when even the metro stays open) and lots of parties to survive the cold months.

More Info
For info on what is happening in Montreal: mtl.org/en and to keep informed about UQAM: evenements.uqam.ca.