What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"This is the best time in your life to do something like this and you never know how it could change your life!"
HANNAH W.
Exchange student at the Aberystwyth University, Wales
Winter semester
Studying History
- What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?
Meeting new people and making new friends while being abroad is definitely the highlight of my experience.
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
In the UK, many people will say "you okay/alright" instead of "how are you doing". At first, I was often taken aback because in my experience asking if someone is okay has a more personal tone and sometimes implies that it seems like something is wrong. So when strangers would say this to me, I was confused but soon learned it was just another way of exchanging pleasantries.
- Where was the coolest place you travelled to during your study abroad experience?
Budapest! Originally this was not on my list of places I wanted to visit but while planning our Easter break trip my friends and I decided to go there. I am very happy I ended up going, the city was so fascinating! I was also able to stop in Iceland on my way home which was so incredible. I met my mom there and we did a road trip around the country. By far, it's my favourite trip. If you have the chance to visit Iceland I highly recommend it!
- What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
I wish I knew how hard it can be to open a bank account in the UK while on a visitor visa. Since I was only there for a few months I was able to go on a visitor visa however for many banks I did not have sufficient documentation to open an account. Banks like Monzo and Revolut are much more suited to travellers/short-term visitors.
- What was your best learning moment?
I think the best thing I learned during my exchange was to have more confidence in myself and my capabilities. If you had told me I would be navigating foreign countries, their public transport, airports and so on—by myself at times—I would have laughed. However, the more you explore you will realize that despite some issues arising here and there things will almost always work out.
- Who was the hardest person to leave from home? How did you deal with that?
Leaving my parents and family in general was hard. I spend a lot of time at home and with my grandparents so not being able to see them as often was difficult. However, facetime is great and as long as you make it a priority to communicate talking to friends/family back home is not super hard. Another thing that I did was send home semi-regular emails. I would talk about my classes, the city, new friends, trips I took etc. In these emails, I included photos as well. That was a great way to recap all the things going on in my life but also now post-exchange having those emails and all the memories in one place is really special.
- Who was the hardest person to leave that you met while on exchange? How did you deal with that?
Leaving my friends was hard. It is sad because you may see them again but you won't be living in the same city and may not be able to see each often. Social media is great for keeping up to date on their lives and carving out time to call/facetime makes the separation easier.
- If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?
Don't be afraid to try new things, you won't regret it. Even if at times it is hard you will grow and learn so much about yourself and the world. This is the best time in your life to do something like this and you never know how it could change your life!
- What are your packing recommendations?
Pack on the light side. You will end up acquiring so many different things over there so when you are coming home, picking what to take and what to leave behind is easier.
- Would it be helpful to learn another language for this exchange?
In my case, I did not have to learn a new language since they speak English in the UK. However, since I was going to Wales I wanted to learn a few words in Welsh, especially taking into account the history of the language and the resurgence of Welsh speakers taking place in the country at the moment.
- Did you live on-campus or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?
I lived on-campus. I think it depends on what experience you are hoping for. Aberystwyth is a small town so I didn't feel like I was missing out on experiences because I did not live in the heart of the city. I wanted to live on-campus because I had missed that opportunity in my first year due to COVID so this was a chance to have an experience I thought I might not get to recreate.
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
I have always wanted to Study Abroad so I worked and saved money over several summers. I was also lucky enough to receive a grant from the Welsh government that covered my accommodation fee.
- What interesting courses did you get to take while studying abroad? What was the title of the course(s)?
I was able to take a class called Recounting Racism: Oral History and Modern American Race Relations. This class was super interesting and I learned a lot. I was excited to take this course since we don't have any like it at the University of Guelph.
- Is there any other helpful information you would like to share with future study abroad participants?
Take a chance. This experience was so amazing and I am so grateful I was able to go. I learned a lot about myself and I made some incredible friends. This will be an experience you will look back on for the rest of your life and cherish. Give it your all and you will not regret it. Oh and journal as much as possible! My journal is full of receipts, tickets, photos and other mementoes in addition to so many memories that I may not have remembered if I did not write them down. Having the journal to read and look back on how I felt in the moment, the excitement, the sadness etc. is really special.
