Lydia L. Study Abroad Ambassador
What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"Absolutely do it!! It's the most incredible experience and something I will treasure for the rest of my life."
LYDIA L.
Exchange student at the University of Manchester, UK
Winter semester
Studying Bachelor of Science, majoring in Bio-medical Sciences
- What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?
Being able to meet so many other exchange students from all over the world.
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
Definitely learning the differences in Canadian vs. British driving! Initially, I instinctively looked left first before crossing the road which you shouldn't do in England! British roads are a lot more windy and narrow compared to Canadian roads, and drivers don't necessarily yield to pedestrians.
- Where was the coolest place you travelled to during your study abroad experience?
Reykjavík, Iceland! As we flew over the country, we were able to see the volcanoes actively erupting!
- What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
Do not stress about making friends- you will very quickly find your people. I met my friends almost immediately after landing in Manchester and I still keep in close contact with them!
- What was your best learning moment?
I never travelled without my family prior to this experience, and I learned how to be a frugal traveller, both with friends and by myself! I was so scared to travel to new countries by myself, but by the end of this experience I became a very confident and avid traveller!
- Who was the hardest person to leave that you met while on exchange? How did you deal with that?
My best friend I made in Manchester, who was an exchange student herself from Czechia. Luckily, we have been able to keep in touch and talk everyday, even with the time difference. We are planning to hopefully meet again in Portugal in the near future!
- If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?
Absolutely do it!! It's the most incredible experience and something I will treasure for the rest of my life. You get to meet so many amazing people, visit new places, and the time as an exchange student is so special and unlike anything else. If I could do it again I would say yes in a heartbeat!
- What are your packing recommendations?
Do not overpack!!! I wanted to go backpacking after the semester ended, so I kept it very light, only packing the essentials. I left lots of extra space because I wanted to buy gifts for myself and my family/friends from every country I went to.
- Did you live on-campus or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?
I lived on campus at Dalton-Ellis Hall in Victoria Park campus. I would absolutely recommend it as I met the vast majority of my friends through my residence. Dalton-Ellis is a unique residence, in that you are required to eat your meals all in one cafeteria at the same time as everyone else. I met my core friend group by sitting beside them on the first day!
- What interesting courses did you get to take while studying abroad? What was the title of the course(s)?
Being a bio-medical sciences major, I wanted to explore new subjects that I wouldn't normally enrol in, which I really recommend doing. A few classes I took were Inequalities in Contemporary British Society and The Study of Meaning.
