Big Foot said:
Dimsum, having lived a year on that campus, I can assure you that internet and phone service are available there. It is the cell phone service that is sketchy. Basically, all you gotta do is call Bell *shudders* and tell them where you live and the services that you want and go from there. I had DSL and a standard phone line when I was there. The other stuff you asked about, well, I should leave that to people who know about these things more than I do.
Negative. Not in the shacks the SLT pers occupy. No one is willing to pay to have it installed.
I am finishing up at the language school this week and I can offer some advice.
Firstly, live out. The adminstration is reasonably open to the idea. All you need to do is submit a memo. Montreal has been done, and if you are ok with a commute, this is your best bet. You can find a place in St-Jean, as pers on my course did, but you will need to invest in some appliances if the place isnt't furished (few are) as well as furniture. If you can move out with a few roomates this is best.
Next, get off R&Q. Its too expensive here and unless you eat MASS quanities of food (and I mean alot) you will save money even if you purchase every single meal. And, as I recommend you get out of St-Jean every weekend you can, you wont be paying twice for food on Saturday.
If you have a car, this is a big plus. Though you are housed at the Campus, you can not use most of it's facilities (aside from the mess). You will have to take all your meals at the MEGA (even on the weekends, which means 3 trips a day if you want all your meals). Also, the gym at the MEGA is the only one you will have access to. The school runs a bus each from the campus to the MEGA on the weekdays and a few times on the weekend to accomidate those without cars. Long story short, if you have a car, life will be better.
As for living on SLT, its okay for the first bit, but it gets very old, very fast. Many of the instructors here (all civies) are either close to retirement, and I assure you that is reflected in their level of motivation. Classes can be very dull, but you will get out of the course what you put into it... which over time, the level of effort diminishes with just about everyone.
One last word... concerning the adminstration in St-Jean. All I will say is that when you have an issue administratively... try to find the answer or what needs to be done BEFORE you raise the issue with the staff. It will make your life easier.
Thats all I can think of for now.
