James P. Exchange Ambassador
What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"Just do it!"
JAMES P. 
Exchange student at the University of Konstanz
Full academic year - fall and winter
Studying Philosophy, minoring in Political Science
- What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?
The people I met!
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
Using the bike lanes correctly.
- Where was the coolest place you travelled to during your exchange?
Berlin
- What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
I wish I did more scholarship research.
- What was your best learning moment?
Discovering my hidden flaws.
- Who was the hardest person to leave that you met while on exchange? How did you deal with that?
My friend Bregje, she left after the first semester to go back to Belgium but we stayed in touch over Facebook and came back to visit; I eventually went to visit her in Belgium.
- If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?
Just do it!
- Would it be helpful to learn another language for this exchange?
All the classes I took were in English but I would recommend learning German to help you with everyday life.
- Did you live on- or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?
Off-campus but in student housing. I would definitely recommend it.
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
A combination: I planted trees during the summers while in my undergrad, OSAP, Ontario / Baden-Württemberg (OBW) Stipendium, parental assistance
- What interesting courses did you get to take while studying abroad? What was the title of the course(s)?
Philosophy of Time. It was a masters course and was incredibly challenging though it helped me reach a higher academic level.
- How are you including exchange on your resume?
I highlight my language skills as well as my academic achievements.
- Is there any other helpful information you would like to provide to future study abroad participants?
For future students wishing to go to Konstanz, definitely take the GO Konstanz orientation program. It was a combination of language classes, help with German bureaucracy, social activities, and trips. I could not recommend it more.
