Queen’s student Andrew Atkinson talks to us through his top five tips for students going on a study exchange.
- Look after yourself It is paramount that you brace yourself for the emotions you will feel once you’ve left your friends & family behind. It’s one thing to think about it, it’s another to experience. The world is smaller than you think, you’re one text away from those you love and they are not going to forget about you while you’re away.
- Be open, experience as much as you can! There ought to be events that are hosted, sports teams you can join, and local events in your town! This is your opportunity to try new things, do not let it pass you by, your study abroad experience will pass in the blink of an eye.
- You deserve to be here! It’s possible to get impostor syndrome as an exchange student, but understand your host institution invited you! Continue your established studying habits whilst engrossing yourself in the culture.
- Travel! You’ll want to travel solo or with friends you’ve made, my personal highlight was travelling from North Carolina up to Niagara Falls and seeing the sights along the way.
- You’ll miss it dearly. I miss my exchange friends, I miss the food. I met my girlfriend studying abroad and she came to Queen’s! We’re currently figuring out how we could all reunite in Europe once this semester is over.
