Samantha V. Study Abroad Ambassador
What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"I learned a lot about specific areas in my degree, and where I can take my studies. One of my courses aided me in choosing my thesis project idea for this year."
SAMANTHA V.
Exchange student at the University of East Anglia (UEA), England
Fall semester
Studying Psychology
- What is the best thing that happened while you were studying abroad?
I made lots of new friends and gained some new life experiences and skills. Furthermore, UEA challenged me in my academic field and helped me choose a career trajectory for post-graduate studies.
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
UEA and Norwich I found to be pretty similar to how I live as a Guelph student. The biggest cultural adaptation I made I believe was the residence lifestyle. I've never lived with that many people, nor in a co-ed dorm before, and had to adapt to sharing a common space with others.
- In terms of your own cultural self-awareness, were there any instances where you realized that your own behaviours, perspectives, or attitudes were different. Where did those differences stem from?
I think in terms of school, I was raised with a different style of teaching/ assessing, therefore coming in, I thought everyone did the same type of schooling (aka midterms, exams, papers etc.). Until I realized there's a lot more of a focus on lectures and lab and less on assessments. So I was able to change my attitude from being very stressed about the next due date to actually learning and understanding information.
- Where was the coolest place you travelled to during your study abroad experience?
I traveled to Venice, Italy.
- What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
The post-study abroad depression hits hard.
- What was your best learning moment?
I learned a lot about specific areas in my degree, and where I can take my studies. One of my courses aided me in choosing my thesis project idea for this year.
- Is there an issue that you can articulate whereby you had the opportunity to view the perspective from a different worldview or cultural lens?
I arrived in the UK after the queen had passed. Being there for that experience (as sad as it was), really opened my eyes as to how culturally significant the monarchy is to so many civilians, and how much she was worshiped. I also got to see the transition of power in the UK government and how it affected England during that time.
- Who was the hardest person to leave from home? How did you deal with that?
My mother was the hardest to leave, because she is a single mother with me as her only child, so leaving her was really difficult. However, I knew she wanted me to have this experience, I knew I had her support, and I was still able to communicate with her when I arrived.
- Who was the hardest person to leave that you met while on exchange? How did you deal with that?
My flatmates, as I made very strong friendships and connections with many people from all over the UK and other exchange students from all around the world. I dealt with that by allowing myself to be sad over missing them, but also acknowledging how grateful I am to have had this experience and to have met these people.
- If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?
Do it. U of G, your family, and your friends will be here for you when you get back. It'll be nerve-racking at first, but the experience is so worth it.
- What are your packing recommendations?
Do bring an extra travel bag in case you want to travel around your country/ other countries around where you are. (depending on where you go), don't fill your suitcase with shampoo, soap etc, as you can buy a lot of that when you arrive.
- Would it be helpful to learn another language for this exchange?
Not for studying in the UK.
- What role did language and communication (both verbal and non-verbal) play in fostering appreciation for a different perspective?
I did not find the language and communication style to be very different than it is here.
- Did you live on-campus or off-campus? Would you recommend it, and why?
I lived on campus, I would 100% recommend that option as you're closer to all your classes, you have people around you to easily make friends with, and you're closer to academic aid/ support through your study abroad experience.
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
I still received a student loan from the Canadian government for my tuition, and I also worked prior to going abroad so I could partake in activities around campus and fully immerse myself in the UK culture.
- What interesting courses did you get to take while studying abroad? What was the title of the course(s)?
I got to take a very interesting psychology course called "Magical Visual World" all about perception. I also took a history course on Tudor England, which I found very novel as we don't go into too much detail about British history in Canada.
- How do you see your exchange experiences benefiting your future career?
My exchange really taught me that there are so many options out there for me and my future. I found a passion for specific areas in my field that I didn't even know was an option. I also think understanding and experiencing UK schooling has prepared me for other cultural changes that might come my way.
