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Let's go!It’s official! Quebec is awaiting your arrival when the next term starts! Check out the information in the tables below to get ready to embark on this excellent adventure!
The vocabulary that appears in apartment listings is probably going to seem a bit confusing to you at first! Use our handy little glossary to familiarize yourself with the Québécois terms.
Packages and providers vary significantly from one region to the next. You should check with the advisor at your cégep before signing a contract for any telecommunication service.
Stores that sell food are usually called grocery stores (in French, épiceries). Ask your cégep which grocery options there are near your campus. Some grocery chains are known for being more or less expensive, which could make a little detour worth your time. There are also public markets where farmers sell locally-grown produce. This can be great if you want to enjoy seasonal and local food.
Finally, there are convenience stores, called dépanneurs across Quebec, whether you’re speaking English or French. They offer basics, but at inflated prices. Dépanneurs are open longer hours to accommodate those last-minute needs.
Some cégeps and community organisations offer “collective kitchen” workshops (popote collective) where participants can take a few portions of the recipe home. Beyond the financial benefits, it can be a great way to meet other students!
In Quebec the first meal of the day, the breakfast, is called le déjeuner. The noon meal, or lunch, is le diner. The last meal of the day, a supper or dinner usually eaten around 6 pm, is le souper.
You absolutely must have proper outdoor clothing to live comfortably through a Quebec winter. If you want to spend less, you can shop at thift stores (les friperies), where you can buy second-hand clothing at very low prices. Big box stores tend to sell new clothes at more affordable prices than specialty boutiques.
You must, at a minimum, have: a winter coat (well insulated, ideally with down), mittens (or thick gloves), a tuque (warm knitted hat), a scarf, and insulated, winter boots. If you are planning on doing winter sports, you should also get lined, waterproof snow pants.
You might find that adapting to life in Quebec brings up a whole spectrum of emotions: excitement, sadness, homesickness, worries, fatigue, etc. Please know that every cégep in the network offers mental health help. Do not be shy to learn more about these services, and don’t hesitate to use them. These services are free.