July 15, 2005

Curious George, Undergrad Edition: So, on July 31st, I'm breaking my piggy banks and heading up to the University of Montreal for a certain physics conference. It's my first academic conference and I've never been up to Uni of Montreal, so I've got some questions.

Is there anything I should I keep in mind while I'm at the conference? Does anyone have any places up there that I should find myself by the end of the week? And for the Canadian or academicians that have visited: It's Quebec, it's my first time and I'm overly worried about the conference's primary language. The conference has rotated around a variety of Canadian schools, so I assume it wouldn't be taught in French, right? The poorly translated English registration page threw me for a loop. (Did I mention I'm a bit nervous? Heh.)

posted by jmhodges 19 years ago
  • Take advantage of the free booze and pastries.
  • Since only four of the speakers are from Quebec, it's fairly certain that the conference will be in English. As for Montreal itself: English-only speakers can get by with no problems. Many people in hotels, restaurants, and stores will first greet you in French, but if you answer in English, they will switch to English and you'll have no worries. Montreal has some great clubs, amazing food, and unbelievably beautiful women. Enjoy them all!
  • On the French side of the website, the name of the courses are in English on the schedule, so I assume it will be taught in that language. I live near the Université de Montréal. The campus is nice, but there isn't much to do around it. If you have to eat nearby, I recommend Pho Lien or Monsieur Falafel on Côte-des-neiges. If you want to go out or see something interesting besides the block of concrete that is l'Oratoire Saint-Joseph I recommend you take a metro/bus pass (probably weekly) and check out the maps on the STM site to get where you want to. Most probably, you'll take line 51 eastbound to the Plateau Mont-Royal right in front of the University, or the Metro if you want to explore the rest of the city. There are a couple of ask.mefi questions on Montreal, check them out -- I ain't big on going out myself.
  • Richer, are you recommending any places that serve venison stroganoff?
  • kimdog: Now, that's the kind of advice I was looking for. I'll have to watch out, though, I seem to get the most drunk off of free booze. rocket88: Great! I supposedly have 7 years of French in my belt (it feels more like 1 or 2). I'll have to practice my "Pardon, mais je ne parle pas français bien". ;) Ah, I'm so glad I'm single Richer: Thanks a ton! I'll have to start making a short list. :)
  • Just in case you happen to not care for consuming beast flesh, here's a guide to vegetarian restaurants there, by a physicist at McGill, no less. Le Commensal is truly wonderful!
  • I'll have to add those to my list in case I run into some interesting vegheads. Thanks, fish tick!
  • Have fun and soak up the atmosphere. Montreal's a beautiful city with lots to do and some great deals on good food. Also, have fun at the conference! I assume you're going to check out possible grad programs and mentors? Even if you're going just for the physics-y goodness, I'm sure you'll have a great time.
  • I really don't know which I'm going to have more fun at, the conference or the rest of the city. This conf. is on exactly the field I want to research. So, yeah, I'm going to be working the social network hard. :D
  • If you people only knew how much of a smiley addict I truly was.
  • Whatever you do, don't go to the Commensal :P dxlifer: I'm an ignoramus when it comes to restaurants. Too po' to try them.
  • Is there anything I should I keep in mind while I'm at the conference? DON'T reverse the polarity of the neutron inhibitors when they are connected directly to the quark capacitor. Trust me.