Baguette, Camemberts and Mini-Sarkos

I guess it is about time that I finally admit that I’m actually not spending this year at Concordia but abroad. I know, I’m writing this as an international student but during the last year something got me to apply for two semesters abroad. So, right now, I’m sitting in a small “chambre de bonne” in Paris. I choose to go to France in order to improve my French. Now, I know this sounds horrible coming from a Montrealer by choice but at home you can just get by too easily with only English.  

Since most students at Concordia have just recently finalized their course selection, I think the subject of this post might interest some people.

Over the last two years I have never bothered too much with the registration process at Concordia. Simply because it is quite easy, you click, you get the course you want ….maybe not at the perfect time, but oh, well though luck. You also have about three months or more (depending on when you chose them) to drop courses, which makes things really easy.

So, now, FRENCH administration on the other hand….oh, boy……they definitely didn’t invent that. I’m quite used to smooth procedures at Concordia. I’m not trying to make Concordia look super great here but for heaven’s sake…at least registration works!!! So far, I really wonder why Sciences Po (the place I signed up for) is considered such a good school because their administration is quite a mess.

So, back to registration…and this is from the exchange students perspective…there is ONE day of registration. No dropping after, no nothing, zip, finito!!!! Registration starts at 10:00 a.m., sharp, and you better have your fingers on the keyboard already because courses feel up with in five minutes. I got all the courses I wanted except for one. However, I saw people coming out of the help center almost crying because they couldn’t get any of the courses they needed. One person I talked to had to take history of fashion, instead of the businesses courses he needed because nothing else was available.

I seriously have to admit, I miss Concordia!!! If you have questions there, the standard answer is at least NOT “Oh, I don’t know. So, who would know? Oh, no idea.” Even if the person at Concordia doesn’t have the answer to your question, they will at least send you to somebody who will know.

Comments

[Audrey]

Hello Desiree! I've just discovered the blog and it looks pretty interesting. You are SOOOO right about the French administration. You know what? I'm French and I just can't stand it anymore, that's one of the reasons why I'm applying to Concordia. I did my Master's in England and last year I was teaching French at UBC, in Vancouver. And these were the 2 best years of my life. When you experience Canada, I don't know how you can live in France afterwards! I just can't anymore. No more French administration s'il vous plaît...
PS: I'm sure you'll have a great time in Paris (in your chambre de bonne!) though, once everything is settled of course (if it is settled on day!)... Good luck. The only solution : il faut harceler les secrétaires. D'ailleurs, ça me fait penser qu'il faut que j'aille en harceler une moi aussi!!