![Yambakam, author of "Motherland, Fatherland and New World."](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Yambakam-image-1-768x1122.jpg)
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."](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Vidhya-image-1-768x1063.jpg)
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.](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Faris-image-1.png)
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.](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/151350989_451027766090065_3208902992233826258_n-768x544.jpg)
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.](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ice-cream-and-village-scaled-e1591886756639-768x891.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/arianna-1-768x576.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Sarah-3-e1588880875495-768x460.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Rhea-1-e1591192520325-768x806.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/meena-1-768x513.png)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/amy3-768x576.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/matthew-1-768x613.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cyra-1-768x512.jpeg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/christy-3-768x692.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Angela-1-768x941.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/rachelle-7-768x576.jpg)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Jechayni-Khobalakrishnan.png)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/alison-3-e1588791669920.png)
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](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/julia-1-768x574.png)
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...
![Ivy with friends overlooking a scenic view](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ivy-1-768x509.png)
Exchange: my first time travelling on my own
After all, no matter where you are travelling to, the most important goal is to have fun and make the...
![Della with a body of water in the background](https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/della-7-768x766.jpg)
What I learned while studying abroad that had nothing to do with studying
The term "study abroad," I believe, is really about self-discovery and embracing new cultures. I think it is great that...