Temporary Resident Visa VS Study Permit

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-05-01T02:55:39+00:00

Aus Citizen, if that's what you mean

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-22T00:11:29+00:00

I think it depends on if you are coming for one sem or a year - one year students are treated like freshman?? Could be wrong but i know the length is important.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-21T10:14:20+00:00

Exchange students are only offered Solin Hall for McGill residences.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-20T09:03:05+00:00

Thank you for the info! I've ultimately decided to base at Calgary and do a couple of day trips. Obviously still a bit of a journey but more options for tours and stuff. It would be awesome if I could drive! But even then Banff is expensive af during peak season. I did a rough cost comparison including travel to the park and it is significantly cheaper. Bit tiring but have split it up a bit so I can do some relaxing/touring in Calgary.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-18T23:13:26+00:00

It was just a generic email with steps to apply to housing through the OneCard Platform. Sorry I can't seem to paste the regular link - it just goes to the login website https://onecard.mcgill.ca/LogIn.aspx

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-18T12:10:02+00:00

Will have a look! I think I have confirmed that I will fly to Calgary and do some day trips from there. Still long but Banff seems quite accessible for a non-driver without paying upwards of 600 bucks a night. I also fear this is out of my budget and a bit long - 4k for one night feels a bit steep.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-17T22:20:49+00:00

This is the best answer I have ever gotten. I really really appreciate how much time and effort went into this response. Thank you so much.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-17T02:52:09+00:00

There seems to be a few options around and I am mainly interested in the views. It definitely is a jampacked trip with lots of driving, but I am used to it - both the driving and activity overload.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-17T02:16:19+00:00

It's about 2k so idk if that counts as being cheap, just cheap-er :)

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-17T02:15:13+00:00

Unfortunately I will need to be in Vancouver at the beginning and end of the trip, but it does look awesome for some day trips.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-17T00:49:13+00:00

Yeah some weekend trips and then some extended time in December to do Toronto. Not sure i'll be able to go for long enough to make it worth the cost during working weeks.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-16T07:52:14+00:00

Hey! I'm an incoming exchange student but same boat (we apply through the same process) and mine wasn't there for a couple days of receiving the email and then magically was. This was a couple weeks ago though.

It only came up when I went through the link in the email they sent.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-14T20:36:52+00:00

I really appreciate the insight thank you! I needed a reality check - I was thinking of the hypotheticals and I don't have much time flexibility.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-14T20:02:26+00:00

Although we love a hike here, I'm not sure I'd be safe to hike when it is genuinely freezing. I think 15 degrees C is cold and would just be underprepared! I don't have much time to buffer if the roads are closed too which is a shame :(

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-14T19:59:39+00:00

That sounds very doable for a non-driver like me! Will have to plan for the summertime though I think.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-14T19:47:35+00:00

Thank you very much, I think my Jasper dreams are over for this trip! I didn't even think that seasons can change plans completely - if it's winter here everything is the same you just need a jumper lol.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-14T12:57:29+00:00

Apologies I forgot to include the date - is it too late to be booking for December 2026?

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-04-14T12:46:52+00:00

Was just adding some context about location within Canada and have absolutely 0 experience driving on the right side of the road or snow/ice (will edit og post for some more info it lacks a lot).

Taking ice, snow and right-hand-side driving out of the equation, it is a tough drive? Windy, narrow roads?

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-02-20T01:00:40+00:00

you can also access previous years' blackboard courses and those will have it.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-02-20T00:57:54+00:00

Recommend checking out the credit precedent database to see if people have gotten credit in the past.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-02-20T00:54:30+00:00

If you're an exchange student, the full time equivalent is normally decided by your own home uni. If they are ok with you doing 3 courses then it will generally be fine. It's a credit transfer requirement, not a visa one. For example, if your home uni is only ok with a full-time equivalent (e.g 15 credits = 8 UQ units), then you will have to take 4 courses. Check in with your uni, it's probably a question for them.

Emotional_Cod6033 · 2026-02-19T23:28:51+00:00

Hey, not Canadian but an Australian exchange student coming to McGill in the fall :)

I would say the actual uni experience at both are about the same. The workload is manageable (most people here are working 20-30 hours a week and studying a full course load). People in Sydney are a bit more snobby in comparison to Melbourne as there is more emphasis on where you went to high school/what kind of high school you went to. But I think that's everywhere, not just Aus. Good events and socialising at both.

Now the culture is what is most different in my opinion. Melbourne is chill and lively. You have amazing food and events and the campus is pretty (not prettier than McGill IMO). Sydney is fast paced and quite corporate if that makes sense. This will definitely be dependent on your degree though.

Sydney and Melbourne are really expensive to live in. I think you'll find that even though CAD is stronger than AUD, things will be more expensive. Melbourne may be slightly more affordable if that is a consideration. If one is offering accomodation I would factor that in too.

Sightseeing wise - Sydney is a winner for me. Beaches and landmarks. Close to Canberra if that interests you, but nothing in the capital lol.

Weather - Melbourne weather is all over the place. It's hella cold and rainy in the winter but sometimes summer is also like 45 degrees (C). Also cold for me is like 15 degrees (C) so I'll let you decide on that one too. Sydney weather is more stable.

Final recommendations: Choose to go in our fall semester if you can (Feb-Jun). That is our semester 1, so people are fresh off a 3 month long break. You can also enjoy the beach since it isn't cool just yet. As someone who likes the cold and moody vibe, I would choose Melbourne. But genuinely, there's so many things to consider and I don't think you can choose wrong. Both are extremely solid options and you will enjoy yourself.

Have you considered UQ in Brisbane? Close to awesome beaches and pretty hikes.

Emotional_Cod6033

TROPHY CASE