Sierra V. Study Abroad Ambassador
What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"I promise you when you come back home your life will forever be changed! It’s been a year since I returned from exchange and I still think about it everyday!"
SIERRA V.
Exchange student at the University of Dundee, Scotland
Fall semester
Studying Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biomedical Sciences
- What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?
I went to Scotland knowing nobody at the University of Dundee and within just a few days I had formed an international friend group filled with people from all over the world including Scotland, USA, Germany, France, and Canada.
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
I would say the biggest cultural adaption I had to make was the changes in small words such as “trousers” instead of “pants” for example. Learning what everyday objects were called took me a little bit time to get used to!
- In terms of your own cultural self-awareness, were there any instances where you realized that your own behaviours, perspectives, or attitudes were different. Where did those differences stem from?
I would say for the most part I didn’t see much of a difference in my behaviours, perspectives and attitudes compared to Scottish individuals.
- Where was the coolest place you travelled to during your study abroad experience?
The coolest experience I had was traveling to Isle of Skye for a weekend hiking trip. We spent the whole weekend hiking in the highlands, we saw lots of sheeps and highland cows, and I got to climb mountains with some amazing outdoor enthusiasts!
- What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
I wish I knew to save up more money beforehand, as this would have allowed me to explore more of Europe and the UK while I was studying abroad.
- What was your best learning moment?
I definitely loved learning hands on in a hospital while I was studying abroad. This was a great experience that greatly enhanced my learning!
- Who was the hardest person to leave from home? How did you deal with that?
Leaving my boyfriend for my 4 month exchange was definitely difficult. This was the longest we had ever been apart. The time difference of 5 hours made it a bit difficult to stay in contact with each other especially since when I was available to call in the mornings, he was asleep, and when I was available to call in the evenings, he was at school. We worked around this by arranging times to video call and it worked out great!
- Who was the hardest person to leave that you met while on exchange? How did you deal with that?
My friend Jessica who was an exchange student from the University of Alberta was definitely the hardest person to leave. We met on the very first day of school and we pretty much spent every day after that together until the end of the semester. We went to cafés to study together, we were part of the same friend group, and we were both part of the hiking club and went hiking every weekend together. It felt as though we had been friends much longer than 4 months!
- If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?
I would tell my friend to go for it. No matter how apprehensive you are, just know you will have a great time. The experience is unlike any other. It’s incredible. I am forever grateful I went on exchange.
- What are your packing recommendations?
Pack as light as possible! You really don’t need as much clothes as you think you do. The more you bring the harder it is to travel through the airport alone!
- Would it be helpful to learn another language for this exchange?
In Scotland, they speak English so if you can speak English then you will be just fine! Maybe listen to some videos of people speaking with Scottish accents as sometimes they can be hard to understand if you have never heard them before.
- Did you live on-campus or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?
I lived on campus at an all international student residence (Heathfield). I would strongly recommend this residence, as it gave me the opportunity to live with students from multiple different countries. I had roommates from France and the United States.
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
I worked all summer before going on exchange. I had one full time job as well as a part time job. I budgeted throughout the summer before leaving, only purchasing essential things, so that I could have money to enjoy myself while I was abroad.
- How do you see your exchange experiences benefiting your future career?
Going on exchange further developed my independence as I had to live alone for 4 months. It also boosted my confidence more than I ever thought it would. When I came home, there were numerous people that told me that my personality has shifted to being more confident in myself! I think also being brave and curious are good qualities to have in my future career, taking the risk and doing something that most people think is crazy may just end up changing your life for the better!
- Is there any other helpful information you would like to share with future study abroad participants?
I just want to say, be open minded when you go on exchange. Talk to everybody, explore the country, take part in clubs at school, and participate in as many events as possible. Be brave, you can do this! I promise you, when you come home your life will forever be changed! It’s been a year since I returned from exchange and I still think about it everyday!