Memorial University — Attraction in St. John's

It's a good university and the professors are reasonably good and qualified (It depends on the different departments really). The atmosphere of the campus is relaxing and nice. You can have nice walks around a pond for example. The campus is not narrowed down like in a big city. MUN dining is average. You'll get pretty much the same meal very 2-3 weeks. Residence is on the okay side. If you like parties and are an extrovert, it will work well for you.

The counselling centre is okay if you need help but there's a lack of diversity, so most issues that you'll try to explain will sometimes be waved away or not understood in your context. They're also pretty quick (very) at categorising you and putting a name on your "disease" rather than helping and providing a step by step approach to be and think better in your career and personal life. What was surprising enough was the lack of advice for a blood test to see if the physiology and hormonal balance were good. Because that could affect mental health too and no words were ever said on that. If you get diagnosed with a disorder or a disability, be prepared to do your own research on the subject because the resources won't be handed down to you (which is pretty unfair given that they are the ones who provide the tests). It's not a coaching center.

The bus transit is not the best and a lot of time will be lost unfortunately. It gets worse during winter with all of the snow. The city is not too bad and safe. You can walk alone at night. However, it's not vibrant like Toronto or Montreal so you'll be bored most of the time. Restaurants are expensive and there's not a lot of variety to have a simple cheap snack.

If you're an international student, I have to say, you'll have to carefully weigh the pros and cons of attending university here WISELY. The recruiters from MUN do not prepare you for the cultural differences and all of the barriers you might encounter. NL is a province on its own with its own culture. Let's not sugar coat things. It's very difficult to socialise and make friends who will be supportive enough. It's difficult to adapt to social settings outside of the structured environment that MUN can give e.g. work, group hobby. MUN International Office give the basic help and basic resources/knowledge that you will need to go through your first year but beyond that, you'll have to make it by yourself. People of colour, people with a language barrier, international students, or any person who could potentially be from elsewhere is labelled as being an "international." The difference between locals and internationals is very accentuated. And not toned down like in ON/QB. It's not easy to blend in and there is clearly a lack of inclusiveness from the city and the communities. It may happen very often that you'll get ignored in social settings/clubs or not recognized for participating in an activity (And this will happen many times).

Also, if you find yourself in an unrequited relationship, please for the mother of god, leave and put your own life together. You'll never win and the help services provided by the university/city will never be by your side. You will mostly be judged rather than helped. Let's put it bluntly, you will get very VERY lonely. And I'm not speaking for myself only but for all international students whom I've met along the path. If you're well prepared to live without a family structure and start from scratch in St. John's without knowing anybody, then go for it. But if you're more of a family-type of person and somebody who needs structure, entertainment, a very active social life, think twice. You can attend your semesters here and travel during the summer if need be. Overall, MUN is a good school and give excellent education in some departments but you'll have to be very flexible, have a strong character, a solid mental state and be prepared to adapt to any situation good or bad. And be prepared to come home with no one to talk to 90% of the time.

A wise message from an immigrant to a future/current immigrant: Leave NL if...

My Disheartening Experience with Memorial University

I wanted to express my deeply unpleasant experience with Memorial University. Last year, I applied for both the MER and MA programs. Despite the official deadlines having passed, the university’s application portal allowed me to proceed with submission—charging $150 per application. Naturally, I assumed that if the system accepted late applications and collected a fee, there would at least be a review or communication regarding my application status.

However, I received no updates for months. It was only after I personally followed up that I received a brief, dismissive response stating that late applications are not considered. If that is the case, why are students allowed to submit applications and pay a non-refundable fee after the deadline? Is this simply a mechanism to collect money from hopeful students, only to later deny them without consideration?

What makes this experience even more frustrating is the complete lack of empathy and courtesy in communication. Despite explaining my situation, the individual who replied—Kim Andrew—offered no understanding or professionalism. His response lacked even the most basic respect that one would expect from someone working in education. There was no acknowledgment of the effort, the investment, or the emotional weight students carry when applying for graduate programs.

Institutions like Memorial University should seriously reflect on how they treat applicants. It’s not just about rejecting a late application—it’s about the manner in which it's done. Words carry weight, and how you communicate can either soften a blow or shatter someone’s dream without a second thought.

I sincerely hope Memorial University reviews its policies and rethinks the way it engages with prospective students. No one deserves to be...

I am thoroughly disappointed. Nearly everything is falling apart at this University. Not only the infrastructure (which leaks and falls to the ground) but the quality of the education as well. Professors are not valued at all, which prevent them from giving the proper care to students they would want to give. Everyone, including Profs, are scraping by to survive while the president makes close to half a million dollars a year ($487'000) how is that fair? Not only that but international students are, for lack of better term, being milked for their money at every corner.

Nothing runs smoothly. Be sure that the administration will fail at the simplest task, from printing the wrong questions on an important exam, to planning around world changing events (like COVID). There is way too much to be said in one review. The only redeeming quality is the price (before raise) of the tuition but even that they managed to mess up, Go to Halifax instead. Same price (with new tuition) and way...