Update from McGill

Sorry, I appreciarte this update is late, but the lure of midterms, meant that I kept on putting it off. Looking through some of the previous updates, people tend to talk about their life in the country and them furnish this with personal anecdotes, so I'll try and do the same.


I'll start with class. McGill lecturers are fantastic for the most part, and I have to say that I much prefer the class interaction here to Notts. However, I am also being told, that I dress too casually for class. A few times I have come to class in trackies, but this is too casually. These guys haven’t had school uniform for 14 years of their life, I feel this gives me a right to wear what the hell I want.Lecturers here mention Britain a lot, which I really do enjoy. However, they tend to make wild claims about home, which are not so true. This one was less forgiveable. Mostly because the lecturer is from Manchester. His claim that the Bank of Scotland is one of the biggest banks in England, was laughable. I will feel I have made a difference in Canada, if I can clear up this surprisingly common misconception that England and Britain are interchangeable terms.

Obviously, last weekend was remembrance Sunday. Canadians are fairly big on this. The Quebecois are less keen. Interestingly, the Anglophone (English speaking) schools take the day off from conventional classes, and spend the whole day teaching about the horrors of WW1 and WW2. The Francophone (French speaking) sometimes don’t even have a minutes silence. Probably one of the most interesting things that I have learnt about Canadian society. We are missing out in England though. Canadian poppies are off such a superior quality. None of this paper crap, they are made out of felt. These things could last me for years. Perhaps I am missing the point by saving a poppy from last year, to wear the next year, but I have to tell you these things are fantastic. Sturdy and with a fantastic clip mechanism.


If you ever go to Canada, get yourself to Tim Hortons. Its like McDonalds but for coffee, bagels and pastries. Probably the best thing about Canada actually.

Well, that's all from me

Hope everyone is keeping well,

Alastair