What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"Do EVERYTHING you can. You don't want regrets on a trip like this."
EMILY K.
Exchange student at the National University of Singapore, Singapore
Winter semester
Studying International Development
- What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?
I went surfing for the first time in Bali.
- Where was the coolest place you travelled to during your study abroad experience?
That's hard! They were all great - but I really LOVED Vietnam
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
I was a racial minority for the first time in my life
- Who was the hardest person to leave that you met while on exchange? How did you deal with that?
I met a great group of friends while on exchange. It was hard to leave them, but we are all still in touch over Snapchat and Facebook.
- What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
You're going to have bad days - don't beat yourself up for having them. They happen on exchange just the same as they happen at home.
- What was your best learning moment?
Learning to speak Mandarin! It was very useful in Singapore.
- If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?
Do EVERYTHING you can. You don't want regrets on a trip like this.
- Would it be helpful to learn another language for this exchange?
All of the classes at NUS were taught in English.
- Did you live on-campus or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?
I lived on campus. I would recommend it in Singapore as housing is very expensive outside of the school, and I met all my friends in res.
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
My own money, scholarships from Guelph and OSAP
- What interesting courses did you get to take while studying abroad? What was the title of the course(s)?
I really liked taking History of the Malay World. It was an interesting course and the prof was awesome.
