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Accommodations
This section will expand when I have time to write it, but here is just some info. Or, go to class forum, post a message and ask. Getting to Edmonton for dental interview When you receive the interview invitation, the package also includes an info sheet, listing several hotels where you can stay for a cheaper price with a special code given by the UofA Dentistry. The hotels are Tower on the Park, Campus Towers, Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, YMCA, and Youth Hostel. Among these, I like the first one, Tower on the Park. I include its link below; you can find the rest on your own.
Oh, yea, don't forget to visit West Edmonton Mall — the world largest shopping mall. At least, that was what I did when I came here for my interview. First of all, I didn't really care about my interview any more then; just wanted to enjoy my trip. Second, who knows — I might not be coming back, so had better seize this excuse for going to the mall when coming to Edmonton. On the day of my interview, I flew to Edmonton in the morning, went to the mall and took a couple of pix here and there (the dragon, the whale, the pirate ship, the dolphin, the roller coaster, the flame dragon, the fountains [lots of them], ice-skaters, naked swimmers, golfers, and shoppers). I thought I would finish seeing the mall very fast, but the mall is so huge. I had to run all the time, then paid $3 for my lunch inside the mall (cheap, eh?), hurriedly finished my meal, and couldn't help but taking a cab to UofA (originally I planned to take the bus) — I was almost late for the interview! Then after the interview, I had to hurry to the airport and took the flight back home. A totally disastrous trip for me due to my poor calculations! Don't learn from me; plan your trip wisely. Book a hotel if you want to tour the city (see above to get student discounts for a hotel stay). I had to carry my bulky bag with me all the time when I visited the mall; plus I had to run — did I mention that? You don't want to smell sweaty like me. Anyway, now I can go to the mall whenever and however many times I want. Hehee. moving to & living in edmonton The first link below is what I would suggest you to read first. It's very comprehensive; that's how I found an apartment with relatively cheap rent and proximity to LRT (Light Rail Transit - a public transit system). If you have extra $$$ and don't care where to live, then just live by the campus. It's convenient for sure. Or, better yet, buy a house in Edmonton — it's sure cheap, compared to other cosmopolitan cities. If you want to stay in Edmonton forever, you might want to buy an apartment because the rents you'll pay for 4 years can buy you one, but then you'll have extra expenses for property taxes, utilities, and some appliances. If you decide to come to UofA for study, make sure you start
searching for housing early to get a good deal. Always shop
around. If you don't like shopping and/or the hassle of biking
or taking the transit to school, then just apply for the UofA
residence — make sure you apply early because the waiting list is
always long long long! During your housing hunting in
Edmonton, I would suggest you to stay in Tower
on the Park hotel (see above; wouldn't it be great if I can get
commission from them?). This is the only hotel
that will continue to offer you student price after the interview
(at least I got the discounts, but always double check with the
hotel). The room is spacious and equipped with a kitchen
for your cooking addiction, a TV for your relaxation, a phone for
your local chatting, and a laundry for your habitual washing
!!! Plus breakfast, too. Make sure you come during July,
because you don't want to miss out the fun from one of the
Edmonton's largest annual fairs — Klondike
Days Exposition (from 7/21 to 7/30 in year 2005). You can
get freshly prepared hot pancake/sausage breakfast for free EVERYDAY
for
unlimited number of times — basically eat until you're stuffed,
like me.
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Tower on the Park
Go to the exposition ground, and you'll have a chance to do some
gold-panning fun. Get real gold! 100% guaranteed.
Can't find any gold in your pan? Ask for a 2nd pan for
free. Anyway, there is only a
tiny piece of gold per pan — how frustrating after such a long effort. Totally different from the demo I saw!!!