Program Overview

JMU Office of International Programs Summer Study Abroad

The Culture of Montreal

The JMU Office of International Programs offers a Summer Study Abroad program in Montreal, Canada. This program is designed to immerse students in the cultural scene of Montreal, with a focus on urban culture and the arts.

Program Highlights

• All meals, room and board, class materials, Bixi Bike and Metro system passes, and group excursions to Quebec City are included in the program fee.
• Extensive orientation to Montreal's many neighborhoods, including the Old Port, the Plateau District, Little Italy, Little India, the Underground City, the Farmer's Market, Chinatown, le Quartier Latin, and Parc du Mont-Royal.
• Attendance at several outdoor festivals, including the Montreal Fringe Festival, the Festival Francofolies, the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, and the Montreal International Fireworks Competition.

Program Fee and Tuition Costs

• Program Fee: $3,500 USD (may be increased or decreased slightly due to student enrollment and exchange rate fluctuation)
• Tuition: six credits of JMU tuition (per-credit amount varies by residency and undergraduate/graduate status)
• Scholarships: JMU's Office of International Programs offers several $1,000 scholarships to help offset expenses

Classes Offered

• HUM 251M Modern Perspectives: Urban Culture and the Arts in Montreal (3 credits): explores Montreal's unique mix of cultures, including class field trips to art museums, cathedrals, club nightlife, jam sessions, festival concerts, soccer matches, and spoken-word performances.
• MUS 206 Introduction to Global Music (3 credits): surveys various world music traditions, including those of Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
• MUS 220M Music in General Culture (3 credits): focuses on live musical performances, with students registering for this class instead of HUM 251M.
• ENG 221M Literature, Culture, and Ideas (3 credits): examines multiple short-form literary texts that engage with a common course theme concerned with the human experience.
• MUS 356M History of Jazz (3 credits): introduces the most notable musicians and recordings in the American jazz genre, with guided listening and historical information provided by the instructor.
• MUS 440M Jazz Improvisation (3 credits): fulfills Jazz Improvisation credits toward the Jazz Studies Concentration and Jazz Studies Minor, with students working with professional jazz players living in Montreal.

Enrollment Procedure

1. Inform the Summer Study in Montreal Session Coordinator of your interest in the session.
2. Complete the required online application form.
3. The initial application deadline is November 1, with a possible extension to March 1 if space exists in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this program for jazz performers or music majors only? No, the program is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the culture of Montreal.
• Is this study abroad course open only to JMU students? No, the program is open to anyone, including students at other universities and non-students.
• Do I need to speak French? No, English is spoken everywhere in the city, but it is great fun to practice speaking French with the locals.
• What is covered in the Session Fee? The session fee covers all housing and subway transportation costs, as well as admission costs to events and activities.
• How will I be reimbursed for concert, museum, or festival admission tickets? OIP regulations stipulate that session money can only be distributed onsite, in local currency.
• How will the food money be distributed? Food money is distributed in increments over the course of the session, with each student receiving $25.00 per day.

More about Montreal and its Neighborhoods

Montreal is Canada's most romantic metropolis, Quebec's largest city, and an important port and financial center. The city is divided into several neighborhoods, including:

• Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal): a center of cultural life and municipal government, with street performers and outdoor cafes.
• Downtown (Centre-ville): a bustling area with boutiques, bars, restaurants, and the famous Underground City.
• Quartier Latin and le Plateau Mont-Royal: a bohemian neighborhood with hundreds of French and ethnic restaurants, charming bistros, and art galleries.
• Boulevard St-Laurent and The Mile End: a trendy area with delis, junk stores, restaurants, and fashionable boutiques.
• Chinatown: an 18-block area with mainly Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants, food stores, and gift shops.
• Chalet du Mont-Royal: a lookout with spectacular views of the city, located in Parc Mont-Royal.