Pre-College Enrichment Montreal - McGill Campus

Business

5 Course Options

Business Entrepreneurship: McGill Morning

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? You will learn the fundamental tools and techniques necessary to launch your own company. After you review all the steps to create and maintain your own business venture, you have the opportunity to try your new skills and will develop and present a professional business plan.

Social Media Marketing: McGill Afternoon

This course looks at the channels of marketing, advertising and communication that make up social media platforms, exploring how these tools fit into a company’s integrated marketing strategy. Using real-world examples from large corporations and small businesses, students explore how marketing professionals embrace online social networks, user-generated content and content sharing to create brand awareness. Learn tips and techniques to successfully leverage your own social media marketing.

Sports Management: McGill Afternoon

This course provides students with an overview of business for professional sports including finance, marketing and technology. Learn about professional sports entities that make billions of dollars entertaining people around the world. Through lectures, case studies and guest speakers, explore topics such as producing live events, broadcasting rights, athlete marketing, sponsorship, the fan experience, and sports law.

Business Intensive Full Day

Combine a morning business course with an afternoon business course for an intensive full-day track.

Stock Market & Investment Analysis: McGill Morning

Before you invest in the stock market, it’s important you understand the basics of finance, the components of an investment portfolio and the underlying mechanics of the markets. This course gives you a detailed overview of investing in the stock market and offers you many tools and techniques needed to invest. Practice by investing in a simulated stock market competition.

Science & Technology

2 Course Options

Crime Scene Investigation: CSI Montreal Afternoon

Experience the world of forensic science through hands-on training exercises and theoretical lessons. Examine CSI procedures along with forensic anthropology, biology and bloodstain pattern analysis. A scenario is staged and you work in investigative teams to identify, collect and interpret the evidence before you act as a forensic expert witness and testify in a mock-court setting.

Exploring the World of STEM Full Day

In our increasingly complex world, gaining literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is more crucial than ever. Through engaging theoretical lectures, hands-on lab sessions, and exciting industry visits, this full-day intensive course will introduce students to a wide range of fields and careers within the STEM disciplines. Topics include: Astronomy, Physics, Nutrition, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, and more! 

Social Sciences

8 Course Options

Montreal Culture: Behind the Scenes Afternoon

A “field trip” around Montreal to learn about the French-Canadian culture that makes this city so unique. Explore the “Place des Festivals”, the historic Old Montreal with its 17th century cobblestone streets, and the city’s Mount Royal Park which was designed by the same designer as New York’s Central Park. Uncover multiple museums and artistic venues. Discover Montreal’s unique culinary experience and indulge in their famous poutine and smoked meat.

Emotional Intelligence & Professional Communication Skills: McGill Afternoon

Tom Peters, leadership author of ‘’In Search of Excellence’’ and nicknamed the ‘’Red Bull’’ of management thinking, wrote ‘’Success in business today is 15% technology and 85% Emotional Intelligence.” If this is true, what better way is there to prepare you for college and a future career than to improve your Emotional Intelligence skills? This course has been designed to increase your understanding of emotional intelligence and will empower you to use E.I. to increase your self-confidence and guide your thinking and behavior. Using experiential exercises, discussions and group collaboration you will learn how to define personal goals and how to leverage your skills, knowledge and experience to create success in new situations both personally and professionally.

Psychology of Human Behavior: McGill Morning

This course introduces basic concepts in psychology including behavioral, cognitive and clinical psychology. Through the use of discussion, film and in-class activities, explore topics such as how to improve emotional intelligence, limitations in perception, cognitive distortions and how to improve memory. Other topics included are mental illness, stereotyping and prejudice.

Digital Journalism & Creative Writing Morning

In a shifting landscape of journalism, find out how to adapt and prepare news to be broadcast in print and through digital outlets. Journalism abides by professional standards for gathering, processing, and disseminating information. Learn about these standards as you analyze selected pieces of news and apply strategies to write powerful stories that capture an audience. Hone your online and interviewing skills, sharpen your ability to write effectively, and deliver messages in your stories that will resonate with your readers.

Mastering Public Speaking Morning

This hands-on course of workshops helps students become comfortable, confident and masterful presenters. The principles presented apply to business settings as well as other activities in daily life. Learn to focus, prepare and deliver a presentation. Students make brief presentations, receive constructive feedback and personal coaching to help them overcome emotional and mental blocks.

Contemporary World Issues & Global Affairs Afternoon

Students learn to understand differing worldviews that stem from varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. You will appreciate the shifting international balance of power; which regions assert hegemony in our time and in the future. Develop your understanding of how conflicts arise and modern issues of global concern.

Community Service: Montreal Afternoon

You can make a real difference to local communities in Montreal. Projects may include working with youth and families, sorting through donations for families in need, as well as serving meals to the homeless. A letter of completion recognizing the hours of service and detailing the projects accomplished will be issued after the summer. Westcoast Connection is a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Social Justice & Human Rights Forum: McGill Morning

Climate change, bans on religious freedoms, racial injustice, gender-based violence… the list of human rights violations, and social and ecological injustices are seemingly endless in the world around us.  Join this forum on social justice and human rights where we will explore a number of topics through a systems-thinking lens to examine why and how unequal distributions of rights and freedoms manifest.  We will also consider our personal identities, positions and power within these systems challenging our ideas of how to make positive social change in the world in which we live. This forum will involve participant discussion.

Language

2 Course Options

French Language Morning

Did you know Montreal is the second largest primarily French-speaking city in the world after Paris? Separate course levels from beginner to advanced are offered. Attention is given to grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing with the primary goal of enhancing your verbal skills. You will have many opportunities to practice French in this incredible city.

English as a Second Language (ESL)Morning

This program is designed to increase your overall fluency through real experiences with American culture. Improve your vocabulary and pronunciation, review proper grammatical structures, and practice your writing skills. Beyond the classroom, guided field trips provide you many opportunities to practice your English in the real world. If attending a university in the USA is one of your future goals, then this is the program for you!

Creative & Applied Arts

3 Course Options

Digital Photography: Montreal Morning

There are few better places to master the art of photography than in the vibrant city of Montreal. With your smartphone or digital camera in hand, this photography course will teach various digital photography techniques including imaging scanning, color digital printing, printing digital negatives, basic darkroom techniques and Adobe Photoshop. Creativity mixes with practical skills and culminates in an individual final photography project completed by the end of the course.

*A DSLR or bridge camera with manual functions having at least a 12.0 megapixel sensor is required.

Cooking with Ateliers & Saveurs Morning - Afternoon

From learning basic knife skills to creating succulent dishes, if you are a foodie, this course is for you! Whether gourmet entrees or delicious desserts, expert chefs in a beautiful, professional kitchen will inspire and help you develop skills in a hands-on culinary experience. You even get a book full of mouth-watering recipes you have helped prepare!

Intro to Modern Art Afternoon

Explore the vibrant city of Montreal through its art scene! Modern artists studied are known for a spirit of political revolt and artistic experimentation and include van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí and Warhol. Students visit the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and a number of modern galleries.

Sports & Wellness

1 Course Option

Independent Workout Morning Afternoon

Plan your workout regimen including weight training and cardio to help meet your fitness goals.

Tools to Prepare for College Admissions Workshops

Workshop 1: Choosing the Right School and College Application Process

Choosing the right college for your academic and personal interests is the first step in the application process. It requires careful research and self-evaluation. This interactive workshop provides you with tools and resources to help you develop a list of criteria integral in choosing appropriate colleges. Explore the basic elements of the college application and learn the ins and outs of the Common Application. Develop your academic/co-curricular profile, learn how to craft a high caliber application and set up your timeline for completion of applications, supplements and essays.

Workshop 2: College Essay Writing

Explore different essay topics and strategies to write a proper admission essay that distinguishes you. As one of the top qualitative measures in the admissions process, your personal essay is an integral part of your application. As a critical aspect of your first impression to an admissions officer, the essay is an opportunity for you to share your stories, adding greater depth and dimension to your application. This workshop includes an overview of fundamental writing skills using real examples of college essays. The focus is on practical tips for writing a great college essay, including finding your voice, brainstorming essay ideas, understanding the prompts, focusing on a theme and the importance of editing and proofreading.

International Jazz Festival
A summer in Montreal is not complete without taking in this premiere event, featuring thousands of artists and hundreds of free outdoor performances. Join the rest of the city (and the world) in the celebration.

Old Montreal
Explore the charming cobblestone streets and unique European flare of the city’s most famous landmark: the Old Port. From street performers and beautiful architecture to local cafes in hidden alleys, you will discover something new every visit.

La Ronde – Six Flags Amusement Park
Enjoy thrilling roller coasters and other exciting rides, including La Ronde’s famous Monster, the world’s tallest wooden double roller coaster. In the evening, you will delight in a breathtaking firework display.

Jet Boating
View the Montreal skyline from your cruise along the St. Lawrence River – and get soaked! This exhilarating ride through the Lachine Rapids is more exciting than you could imagine.

“Just For Laughs” Comedy Festival
Laugh the night away at the world’s largest international comedy festival! This two-week event, featuring hundreds of artists and performances, will be a highlight of your summer.

The Tam-Tams
A weekly impromptu weekly free festival in the middle of the city? Only in Montreal! “The Tams” is a colorful gathering of drummers, dancers, vendors and their admiring audiences that takes place every Sunday at the foot of Mount Royal.

The Food!
Montreal bagels, smoked meat and their famous poutine! Understand for yourself what all the fuss is about. Everything else is just an imitation.

Atwater Market & Lachine Canal
Bike along the water of the Lachine Canal and wind your way through the city’s Old Port until you reach the Atwater Market, a farmers’ market offering the best of Montreal and Quebec delicacies.

Saint-Laurent & Sainte-Catherine
Each with its own personality, discover what makes these streets famous Montreal destinations. From one-of-a-kind shops and funky cafes with streetside terraces to multilevel street art murals, there’s something for everyone!

Mount Royal
The heart and pride of Montreal, Mount Royal comes alive during the summer with the weekly “Tam-Tams”, hiking and biking trails, street vendors and food trucks. Choose to sunbathe, enjoy a picnic lunch or join a beach volleyball game.

Bell Centre Tour
Explore the home of the Montreal Canadiens and discover the ins and outs of the NHL’s most winning team.

Montreal Urban Zipline
Enjoy a thrilling experience as you fly over Bonsecours Island in the Old Port.

Mont-Tremblant Highlights

Located 90 minutes from Montreal, in the Laurentian Mountains, the modern, picturesque Mont-Tremblant village is the sister of its West Coast affiliate, Whis