Stories from Abroad

Considering an Exchange? Do It Scared

Because of all of this, there was a time right before I left where I was utterly terrified of doing...

Embracing Change: My Journey of Growth During Exchange in Marseille

The Initial Adjustment The first few weeks in Marseille were a whirlwind. The language barrier was significant, as the local...

Yambakam, author of "Motherland, Fatherland and New World."

Stories for a global community: “Motherland, Fatherland and New World”

My first home is Nigeria, a juxtaposed hub of wealth and poverty yet amassed with ingenuous citizens and colourful cultures....

Student, Vidhya, author of "The Journey."

Stories for a global community: “The Journey”

It was my university graduation day. The last two years I spent 1,000 miles away from home studying in Bhopal,...

Student and four migrant workers connect their arms to symbolize unity.

Stories for a global community: “We Are Not So Different You & I”

At the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME), I worked as a casework intern helping migrant workers win salary, abuse,...

Creative painting of a young man, half his face in frame, with three hands coming out of his mouth like a spoken word.

Stories for a global community: “Sneeze”

Clouds of dust spring up as we slide to a stop on the side of a major road in a...

Shirley eating ice cream.

Golden Week travels: a new era to explore with friends

Before exchange, I found it difficult to find people I could relate to and found it difficult to even talk...

Arianna near a large body of water

Adjusting abroad

Struggles with transition aren’t only reserved for the beginning of an experience as grand as studying abroad; the end is...

Sarah in Scotland

Familiarity and community: the makings of a second home

For me, knowing my way around an area is what makes me feel at home and less like a tourist,...

Rhea on the beach at sunset in Australia

Learning and exploring Australia’s natural gifts

Exchange is a great way to learn more about your host nation and even have the opportunity to go visit...

Meena in an Ireland landscape

Changing the course of my future through exchange

It was a higher grade level, a subject I had never taken before, and my whole mark depended upon one...

Amy overlooking a green landscape in China

Perspectives from across the Pacific (OJS Summer Research Program)

Now that my research placement has come to an end, I am really thankful that I had this opportunity. Though...

Matthew overlooking a beautiful landscape

Finding a home away from home on exchange

This past semester has meant so much to me because I have built lifelong relationships with people from all over...

Cyra at a petting zoo

An unexpected beginning to my exchange

It was so scary feeling sick and being by myself without any family. You don’t expect to get sick when...

Christy with a landscape in the background

Ontario-Baden-Württemberg Summer Research Program

Under the Department of Infectious Diseases at Heidelberg University Hospital, my lab did work in osteoimmunology. My research project was...

Angela looking out at a body of water

The answer to my dreams: studying abroad

My time studying abroad became its own story, much different than the fictional stories read to me when I was...

Rachelle with her backpack

Embarking on exchange!

As it gets closer and closer to your date of departure, you get more and more of this excited yet...

Jechayni jumping in the air

Three reasons why you should take a course about your host country while you’re there

Being able to learn about such history in class, and then actually visit the places in person, made the experience...

Alison with her medal

When plans don’t work out, do your own thing

My weekend in Austria was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Even though my plan did not work...

Julia with a canon

Top five ways to engage in your host community on exchange

A major pressure during exchange is trying to make the most of this new community that you will be calling...