Jordan K. Exchange Ambassador

What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:

"The stories you’ll have to share trump any hard parts of exchange! You’ll love it!"

JORDAN K. 

Exchange student at the University of Stirling
Winter semester
Studying Criminal Justice and Public Policy

1. What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?

I got to explore the world at my own pace and I got to make amazing friends that will truly last a lifetime  

2. What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?

As weird as it sounds, the grocery stores. They are so different with different foods, so when you want to make your favourite meals but they don’t have the ingredients it reminds you that you’re far away from home  

3. Where was the coolest place you travelled to during your exchange?

Either the highlands of Scotland or Austria!  

4. What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?

Don’t stress too much; trust me after a week you’ll feel like you’re where you are supposed to be!  

5. What was your best learning moment?

I learned that I am someone who always needs to be doing something and exploring during my exchange helped me not miss home too much  

6. Who was the hardest person to leave from home? How did you deal with that?

My mom - I face timed her but not too much because when I did it often it made me miss her more 

7. Who was the hardest person to leave that you met while on exchange? How did you deal with that?

I made two best friends while I was on exchange, one of them is actually a Guelph student which is so cool and the other lives in the states. It was tough to say goodbye but we all agreed that we would soon see each other and it just gives an excuse to travel more!  

8. If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?

DO IT!!!!  

9. Would it be helpful to learn another language for this exchange?

For my university in Scotland, you just need to ask the Scotts to talk slower sometimes because their accent can be difficult to understand.

10. Did you live on- or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?

On campus - the Stirling’s residence. I would recommend it because you’ll meet other students easier and if you walk outside of your room there will always be somewhere there who is in a similar boat  

11. How did you finance your study abroad experience?

I was lucky to receive some scholarships before I left through the University of Guelph due to my community involvement and grades and LOTS of saving 

12. What interesting courses did you get to take while studying abroad? What was the title of the course(s)?

I enjoyed my course that explored women, crime and justice in the United Kingdom. It was CRMU9TS​​

13. Is there any other helpful information you would like to provide to future study abroad participants?

There were times when I could not wait to come home but as soon as I got home, I could not stop thinking about going back and the stories you’ll have to share trump any hard parts of exchange! You’ll love it. 

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