For me, the choice of going to Bishop’s University wasn’t a choice per se. My parents have worked here for decades, and I’ve always lived right in Lennoxville, so the University has always been present in my life. As such, the school was the obvious choice for me, and so it was always my destination. This is not to say I was forced to choose it, not by any stretch of the imagination. It just made sense for me.
Your situation may be completely different. You might not be certain about anything in your future. You may be stressed, losing your mind going over the pros and cons of a dozen different schools. And if you’re reading this, I would guess this is part of your research.
The why of Bishop’s
As I said, it wasn’t a hard choice for me, but with that in mind, I’ve always been interested in other people’s reasons for coming here. I would say a lot of my view of Bishop’s University is more observational than most students, and so maybe I can give you a more objective, honest insight into why you may want to study here.
The social life
What people usually look for first in universities are the programs they offer, as they should. Bishop’s University offers a wide array of subjects you can choose from as your field of study. But you should know there’s a lot more to any school than what you’ll be studying.
Bishop’s is known for having an open and welcoming community. Odds are you’ll meet people during orientation week, which is what it’s designed for, as well as other events held during regular semesters. Depending on the occasion, on campus, there will be live music, games, and other activities. These are all great opportunities to meet new people.
If you’re like me and prefer more subdued ways of socializing, you’re also certain to meet people through your classes. There are also smaller, program-specific events held, where you can socialize with students with the same major as you.
The Eastern Townships
Bishop’s is also known for being close to nature. The other two English-language universities in Quebec, McGill and Concordia, are both situated in the middle of Montréal. Meanwhile, Bishop’s University is by a river and is surrounded by forests, farmland, and the small town of Lennoxville. I’ve met students from big cities like Quebec City, Ottawa, New York, and once again, Montréal. A good number of them have mentioned that they like the small-town experience of being at Bishop’s, something they hadn’t known before. So if that’s true for you, you won’t be the only one. The reverse is also true for students from small towns. If the idea of studying in a big city is a little daunting to you, believe me, I know where you’re coming from.
Language opportunities
If you’re coming from outside of Quebec, studying here would also give you the opportunity to learn French. Although Lennoxville, and to an extent the rest of the Eastern Townships, are a more English pocket of Quebec, French is still quite present in everyday life here. Bishop’s University also has a good variety of language courses as well.
All of these factors culminate in the Bishop’s University experience. In one way or another, this is what you’ll get as a student here. Sadly, I think I may be immune to the B.U. experience at this point, but I see it all the time around me. If what I’ve told you sounds good, then you should give it a shot. You’ll have a great time here.
