I continued to research graduate schools today for a glorious future of library employment. McGill in Montreal is still at the top of my list, followed in no particular order by: U. of Wisconsin, Madison; Simmons, in Boston; Southern Connecticut State University, in New Haven; U. of Washington, in Seattle; and U. of B.C., Vancouver. Aside from quality of the schools, and really they all seem pretty decent (if they suck they don’t last long), I’ve been focusing on location, and where I want to be. One of the main qualifiers is, you might have guessed, the hepness of the swing-dance scene. And so, in searching, I came across this, which seems very hep indeed. Moving to Montreal scares the shit out of me, but without even ever having been there, I’ve already started to really like the city. No matter what works out in the Fall, I’ve a feeling I’ll end up in Montreal regardless, one way or another.
Last night, abandoned by my usual swing cohorts, I drove up to Tacoma by myself, and had nothing less than a rockin’ good time. Taking smoke breaks alone wasn’t half as much fun, but I managed anyway. I worked on my blues styling a tiny bit (though I still feel woefully inadequate during slower songs), danced with three great dancers I’d never danced with before, chatted with some nice people and got an e-mail address (one step down from a phone #, sure, but hey) to see if some girls want to hook up at McCabe’s next Tuesday for some western swing dancing. As I was leaving, I asked Dave about blues dancing classes, of which I guess there is one (only one *sigh*) up at the Dance Underground next Friday. We’re also working on a new performance routine for V-day to “Tainted Love”, which should be smashing, simply smashing. I suspect we’ll be supposing to practice the performance next Friday, but I may sneak away anyway. I wanna learn me some blues.
On a juicier note, I’ve been getting some major vibe from a very dangerous girl on Tuesday nights. She portrays herself as a bit of a player, and though I’ve no doubt that she’s crafty, I still think she talks a bit bigger than she acts. Even so, she’d probably chew me up and spit me out, which remains tempting all the same. Tempting, but not likely. I wouldn’t mind but for a strange sense of morality that keeps getting in my way. Ah well, probably for the best.
3 replies on “Montreal swing”
quick. tell me everything you know about McGill in montreal. now. i am SO SO SO interested in their library program.
Honestly, not too much. It’s in Montreal, which is a major score. One of the largest points in my selection process has been location. You can read the Montreal City Weblog here, or read the Montreal Gazette, or check out the official City of Montreal website. Montreal seems awesome, particularly if, like me, you’re a francophile. Though you seem to be a bit more of a espagnophile.
McGill itself seems like an excellent school, and they have the longest continuously ALA-approved library graduate program on the continent. The college itself seems to be near the center of Montreal, right near the Parc Mont-Royal.
I like that McGill offers an M.L.I.S., as opposed to Simmons in Boston, which orrfers an M.S. Splitting hairs, perhaps, but it’s something to take into account. It seems an affordable school, even as an international student. They estimate $10,000 for a year (2 terms, total of 24 credit hours) in tuition and fees. UW: Madison looks to charge about $1500 a credit ($36,000 for 24 credit hours), whereas Simmons
is $750 a credit ($18,000 for 24 credit hours). That’s non-resident, though. UW: Madison as a resident is only $521 a credit (still $12,504 for 24 credit hours).
Also tempting; Canadian citizenship may be granted after living there for 3 years. With graduate school taking up two years, only another year is required. Canada may not be a perfect country, but they seem a bit more progressive and humane.
Last item of note, the director of the public library in Olympia got her MLIS from McGill. Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to talk to her at any length, but she did mention that she enjoyed it. She landed a pretty nice job, I think, so apparently McGill graduates are looked upon favorably in the library employment world, even here in the States.
That’s all I know, I swear. And what information have you garnered?
bava
i remember talking to you before about montreal. i dont know if you know this, but i am partially from montreal. my parents are from there, i spent a lot of time there growing up, and it is the second to last place i lived for a long time in canada before moving to thailand.
my father, grandfather, extended family, friends, and currently brother, all went to mcgill. it is a damn good school. in fact, if i ever come back, i will move to montreal, and i will be involved with the school.
montreal is a magical city. it is so laid back, and inexpensive, compared to other major cities. the feeling from the west side of the city is wicked…(the east side is quite french, and non-natives have a harder time.) there is always something going on. never a dull moment. the best bookstores in the world, the best croissants outside of paris, public transportation, great pubs, good food, interesting people, and very relaxed…beautiful if you ask me.
as for mcgill, it is in the center of town on sherbrooke and mcgill college. i used to live at 900 sherbrooke, pretty legendary in the area…my window looked out onto the campus. the university is at the bottom of the mountain, right across from a bookstore, near a metro stop, and had so many resources. anyone would be lucky to attend.
that being said, good luck, and try as hard as hell to get in. mcgill is an amazing school with a world-wide amazing reputation. having mcgill on your resume can open many many doors for you.
best of luck, and if you need any more info please let me know. i have lots of friends, and my brother doing his masters there right now
best of luck,
heather