INTERVIEW | Ilona - McGill: double major in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies

We want to know everything about you!

What is your name?

Ilona

How old are you? 

19 years old

Where do you come from?

Paris, France

What highschool did you go to?

EJM

What kind of a student were you?

I have always worked very hard at school and was at the top of the class in humanities subjects but I had a harder time with math and science

Choose 3 words that best describe you.

Passionate, Hard-worker, Open-minded

What was your number one dream university while in high school?

Oxford University

What about your life there ?

What university do you go to now?

McGill University

Why did you choose this university?

I got rejected from Oxford and realized that my other UCAS choices wouldn’t fit me because the course I applied to was too narrow (Arabic and Spanish). I thus chose McGill because of its flexibility and wide-ranging courses and also for its amazing student life

For how long have you been going to this university?

For 2 years (I am going into my third year)

Was it your first choice university?

Not at all!

What is your favorite thing about it?

The perfect balance between academic excellency and incredible student life

What courses are you taking, what is your major?

I am doing a double major in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies

Is it academically competitive, do you find it stressful, are the classes intense? 

Yes, contrary to what is said in EJM, McGill is very competitive and the workload is quite intense compared to UK universities. However, it is a very rewarding university grade-wise because if you work hard, you will have a good grade

Do people help each other?

YES! So much!! Everyone is very friendly and will send you their notes if you miss a class or if you are preparing an exam. Most of the time, we revise exams all together at the library

For how many hours do you study on a daily basis?

It really depends on the time of the semester. I would say that the first 2-3 weeks of each semester is a lot of partying and not a lot of studying. Then, the midterms come and you start working a lot at the library with all your friends until pretty much the end of the semester.

What's your advice to nail academic and social life?

It’s really easy at McGill to let yourself indulge in too much partying and too little studying. My advice is to remember why you went at McGill, your academic passions and make the most of these too!

Was it easy to meet new people?

YES!!! Everything is done at McGill so that you meet new people and make friends very quickly (frosh, student activities, residences/dorms)

Is it close to your home town, if not how did you manage being so far from home?

It’s really far away from Paris! It is really hard at the beginning to be far from home (you will miss your parents a lot) but then you create ties with your new friends that are so strong that it is like having a new family in Montréal

How often do you leave campus?

Honestly, not much. However, we do organize some weekends in chalets outside of Montreal sometimes and a lot of people have weekend trips in New York (it’s a one-hour flight)

Is it international/ international community? What language is most spoken?

French! McGill is very international but the French community is huge. Other nationalities include but are not limited to: American, Canadian, Turkish, Moroccan, Greek…

Do you often go to your university's library, at what time does it close, are they social or silent?

Yes!! McLennan Library is THE place to be in McGill! It’s where you meet your friends, gossip a lot over coffee and also (sometimes) work a little. And the good thing about McLennan is that it never closes! There are a lot of different libraries in McGill but this one is the biggest one where you will have the most distractions because all your friends will be there. I advise you to go to a smaller one when you really need to work ☺

What's your favorite place to study on campus?

When I really need to study without being distracted, I go to the Islamic Studies Library because it is very calm and in a beautiful, old building, perfect for a maximum concentration

On a scale from 1 to 10 what would you rate your campus?

10 because it is a huge campus in downtown Montreal so you still have the campus

Are you living in your school’s dorm?

McGill students are usually in dorms only in 1st year and then rent an apartment in Montreal with their friends. There is a variety of dorms but the most popular one for French people is New Residence,Hall (aka New Rez), it is basically an old 16-flight hotel that was renovated and put into university dorm – it’s super luxurious compared to most US and UK dorms.

Are you in a sorority? 

No! Sororities are very unpopular in the French community at McGill

On a scale from 1 to 10 what would you rate your school’s parties? 

1000/10 definitely

How often do people go to parties at your school?

4 times a week

Are you a member of a club in your school? If yes which ones?

Yes! I am a writer in the McGill International Review, where I write newspaper articles on current events in international relations. I was just named Editor in Chief of the McGill Journal of Political Studies! I am also part of Junior Peacemakers, where I give weekly classes to Montréal kids from 3rd to 6th grade about peace, conflict resolution, sustainability…

What are you favourites activities at your school?

The clubs I just listed above

Do people in your school tend to have a job at the same time?

Not really, some do babysitting though. The fees for French people are not very high compared to US and UK universities

How athletic is your school from one to ten? 

8/10

Is it popular for a particular sport?

I have no idea haha sorryyy

What’s the nearest city to your school? 

It’s in downtown Montréal!!!

What is the average temperature in this area? (When its cold and warm)

Summer: 30°C

Winter: between -10°C and -30°C

Choose 3 words that best describe your school.

Academic excellency, Friendships, Best decision of my life

Is your life in the university what you expected?

So much better than I expected

Why the student watching should apply to your university?

McGill has: A real campus, but in a huge, cosmopolitan city where there are hundreds of restaurants, clubs…International recognition amongst employers Incredible, motivated students who are ambitious and drag you up Amazing student life, night life, and friendships! Fascinating classes and profs

What would you tell the students who are interested in your university?

Contact me please!!!

What would be something you would’ve like an old student to tell you?

Social/Student life is EQUALLY important as the university’s prestige