Since the program's beginning in 2000, over 450 Mount A students have been involved as roommates. In the words of one former roommate, "MASSIE is the best-kept secret at Mount A." If you're interested in Japan and looking for a truly enriching experience that will lead to new friendships and new opportunities, take the time to read more about the program and how you can get involved as a roommate.
* Applications for the MASSIE roommate option are now available on the Housing Department's website. Click on the following link for more details: http://www.mta.ca/administration/das/housing/services_forms/applications/massieapp.htm
To read about other Mt. A students' roommate experiences, see below.
To learn how to fold your sheet of origami paper into a Mt. A Swan, click here
The fall MASSIE students share a room in residence (Bennett, Bigelow, Hunton, Windsor, Bousquet, and Bermuda House) with a Mount A roommate. Fall MASSIE students arrive in Canada at the end of August and return to Japan in the middle of December. Mount A roommates are given the option of keeping the room as a double in the winter semester (no charge) or paying a pro-rated fee to secure it as a single-double (in which case you will not be assigned a new roommate). If you have an interest in Japan, are open to new experiences, and are looking for a different kind of residence experience, consider this option. For more specific details, please contact Susan Springer (resroom@mta.ca) in the Housing Department at (506) 364-2252 - or click on the following link to apply: http://www.mta.ca/administration/das/housing/services_forms/applications/massieapp.htm
As a conversation partner:
MASSIE students are paired with Mount A students who volunteer their time
as English conversation partners. Pairs meet a minimum of once a week
for an hour at time for the duration of the program. Conversation is meant
to be casual and the time spent together is intended to be fun. There
is no pressure on the partner to "teach the language," although there
are certainly opportunities to help the student "expand" his/her vocabulary.
Applications for summer (May-August) and fall (Sept.-Dec.) conversation
partner positions are available on the MASSIE website. Due to application
deadline dates, conversation partner positions are filled almost exclusively
by 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students.
What is MASSIE and what does it
stand for?
MASSIE (Mount Allison Semester Studies in English) offers 2nd-year university
students from Japan the opportunity to experience academic and social
life at Mount A. Students take specialized English classes on campus and
live in residence with a Mount A roommate.
Where do the MASSIE students come from?
Students come from Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU), one of Mount A's partner
universities in Japan. KGU is located halfway between Osaka and Kobe in
the city of Nishinomiya. Approximately 15,000 students attend classes
at KGU's two main campuses.
How long do MASSIE students stay at Mount A?
One semester. The summer program runs from May to August and the fall
program goes from September to December.
How proficient in English are MASSIE students?
Most students have taken at least seven years of classroom English. Many
take additional after-school classes in English while some have traveled
to English-speaking countries. Conversationally, they tend to be a bit
shy at first because they haven't had many opportunities to speak with
native English speakers. By the end of the program, however, they're much
less inhibited and become very enthusiastic speakers of English.
Why should you consider getting involved with
MASSIE?
First - and most importantly - this is a great opportunity to make new
friends from among an incredibly enthusiastic group of visiting students.
Contacts made through MASSIE may also lead to new opportunities on campus.
You may discover that you have an interest in Japan and opt to take a
Japanese language, history, or geography course. You may decide to apply
for one of our Asian study-abroad or exchange programs. Finally, you may
go on to teach English overseas (e.g. Japan) following your graduation
fromMount A. There are so many ways in which the program can be of benefit
to you personally, academically, and even professionally.
She even passed up a trip to New York to come back to Bathurst and spend the weekend with my family again! It was a very sad day when Ayana left, but we still Skype on a regular basis, and she plans on returning to Canada in 2 years, I can not wait to see her again!
-Elyse Thibeault,
Fall 2011
I had great time with my roommate Eri! We always spent time together on talking and hanging out. Eri was very social that she made lots of friends in Mta. During the three and a half month, I can feel that her English improved a lot, especially in speaking.
It is very interesting Tomoko and I have a lot in common, so we agree on many things. At first Tomoko was very shy to express her ideas, but after six weeks in Canada she became more outgoing. Once she told me her life in Mta was like a wonderful dream, and she enjoyed staying here so much!
-Bixin Chen, Fall 2011 and Winter 2012
The four months that Yuka and I shared together were amazing. Not only did we get to learn about each other's language and culture but we became best friends. The day she left was one of the saddest days of my life. I will never forget all of the parties and cooking together and the first time that she saw the Canadian winter. I miss her so much but I know that I will see her again because the bond we have is undeniable. The MASSIE experience is one anyone should feel privileged to be part of and one that I will never forget.
-Marin Burton, Fall 2010
-Jordan Skaarup, Fall 2010
-Randy Despres, Fall 2007
- Greg White, Fall 2006
I was a MASSIE roommate in my first year at MTA, and am
I ever glad I was. It was definitely one of the most fun experiences I've
had in my two years here. In the beginning, it was certainly a bit intimidating,
because we only knew each other through a couple of e-mails, and the language
barrier was a also difficult. But as the year got under way, the communication
opened up, we got to know each other, and ended up getting really close.
The best part was when I took Hanako home for Thanksgiving. It was such
an exciting cultural experience for her, and a real bonding time for both
of us. The day Hanako and the rest of the MASSIEs left was such a sad
day. Luckily, we still keep in touch via email, care packages, and I plan
on visiting her in Japan :)
- Claire Kelly, Fall 2005