Let me start off by saying I don’t want to paint an excessively rosy picture. There are inevitably going to be some downers to the exchange experience.
You must be prepared…
Firstly, there is no guarantee that you will make friends instantly. In some countries, where the dominant language is not English, you could be faced with serious language barriers that might make you feel distanced, homesick, and lonely. There will be days when you feel like Spongebob…
However, the upside far outweighs the challenges an exchange semester brings with it.
First and foremost, exchange programs are a massive opportunity for travel that you’re probably not likely to get again. Once you graduate from university and become a member of the big, bad (working) world, all you’re going to get is a couple of weeks off in the year. Take this bunny for example…
Apart from the obvious plus of being able to visit dream destinations, when you study abroad, you’re forced to push past your tourist phase (a.k.a. dropping your Big Mac and refraining from tiptoeing around local food).
You’re made to adapt – which translates into a completely different cultural experience. Starting with the people…
…and moving on to things like food, history, language and what have you.
To me, the best part of an exchange program would be making new friends and creating new memories with those friends. When the semester ends and it’s time to go home, the friends you’ve made will be a constant, living reminder of those four amazing months you spent abroad. Inside jokes, all-nighters, wild nights – that’s what will stay with you.
On a more serious note, being away from home and stepping out of your comfort zone teaches you independence. It teaches you how to be alone (and trust me, that isn’t always a bad thing). You learn to stand your own ground. Being in a foreign place means you get to start over and take responsibility for yourself if that’s something you already aren’t accustomed to.
Apart from padding your resume for future employers, the experience and exposure you can gain from being an exchange student are priceless. If in your reach, an exchange is a once in a lifetime opportunity (maybe twice, if you’re lucky) that you would be crazy to pass up.
Now repeat after me (or Gaga, rather)
Visit the University of Toronto’s Center for International Experience for all the information you need and more.
