Havelah C. Exchange Ambassador
What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"Being away from what you're used to for an extended period of time can be hard and lonely at times, but it is so eye-opening, it provides you with amazing opportunities and is absolutely worth it!"
HAVELAH C. 
Exchange student at Aberystwyth University
Winter Semester
Studying Political Science
- What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?
I made some really great life long friends
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
Since drivers in the UK drive on the left side of the road, I always looked the wrong way when crossing the street! And it took some time to adjust to some of the slang words they used.
- What was the coolest place you traveled to during your study abroad experience?
Malta!
- What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
I wish I had known how excluded the University was from the other cities and towns in Wales (traveling in the UK can be expensive and inconvenient)
- What was your best learning moment?
All my classes - I have never been so connected with the profs or the material I was learning! Small class sizes make a world of difference!
- Who was the hardest person to leave from home? How did you deal with that?
I am from Newfoundland so I am already used to not seeing my family all that much. As always the hardest person to leave was my mom but I have learned to cope over the past three years. We spoke on the phone all the time and she came to visit me halfway through the semester.
- Did you live on-campus or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?
On-campus - you still have your independence but you're close to the Uni which is on a large hill. Any off-campus housing is at the bottom of the hill (takes a while to walk to campus) and bus passes are expensive!!
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
I have been saving for a couple of years and applied to lots of scholarships!
- What courses did you get to take while studying abroad?
I loved all of my courses! I am a horseback rider so my favourite course was RD20320-Equitation
- How are you including exchange on your resume?
If I were to include Exchange in my resume I would use it to show I am independent and outgoing.
- Is there any other helpful information you would like to share with future study abroad participants?
Do your research before you go! It really is important to know you'll love where you're going!
