Students rate Ottawa as the best place to study
Following Canada's capital in the top 10 list was Prague, Shanghai and Brno
While Montreal took the top spot in the 2017 QS Best Student Cities index that was released yesterday, Ottawa also had a moment in the spotlight after it was voted by students as the best university city in the world.
QS, best known for its annual World University Rankings, introduced a new "student view" category to their fifth edition of the Best Student Cities list.
They were also asked whether they would stay, or had stayed, in the city after graduating, according to QS.
'The best things often come in small packages'
Ottawa got particularly strong ratings for "friendliness and tolerance, as well as (less predictably) nightlife," according to the QS ranking list.
"Proving that the best things often come in small packages ... Survey respondents commend [Ottawa's] student-centered culture, multicultural and bilingual environment, and opportunities to gain experience in government as well as other sectors."
"In our classrooms, we have people from all over the world — from Syria and all these other places we're discussing — and they have their own personal experiences and it really adds value to what we're studying," she said.
Risa Tonita, who graduated from the music program at the University of Ottawa, said the city has become her "home away from home."
She stayed in Ottawa after graduating to build on the connections she had made throughout her degree.
"I love the community vibe here. It's enriching and it's embracing, and Ottawa's nice because there's a lot of things to do but it doesn't seem super busy at the same time — it's comforting," Tonita said.
Following Ottawa in the top 10 "best cities" list was Prague, Shanghai and Brno.