Student Life

Preparing for Exchange: 5 Things You Need to Know

Preparing for Exchange: 5 Things You Need to Know

As exchange and co-operative applications are just around the corner, I am sure many of you are already excited about this new experience! 

Preparing to go abroad on your own can be intimidating at first but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these tips to help you prepare for exchange.

1. Research Your Program
You need to know everything on what you’ll be doing while away on exchange! Find out what the program is really about, what it offers you as a student, and what you can learn from it.

Make sure you start the application process early, allowing ample time to complete your personal profile, motivation letter, interviews, and any other requirements. If you get ahead of this, you could be admitted earlier than other applicants and secure an early spot!

Usually, there are set requirements that you must meet while you’re away, and if you are on a co-op placement and have been offered paid employment make sure you do your research on the impacts of earning money abroad. 

There will be financial as well as immigration-related information that you need to be aware of.

Should you get stuck or if you feel lost, your professors and faculty advisor are great resources. Tell them exactly what you are looking for and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

2. Organize Your Documents
All your documents should be well-done, not medium rare - especially if you’re going abroad! Being denied entry into a country simply because you forgot to apply for a student visa is the end of your exchange trip. Make sure you apply for a student visa (or work visa, if applicable) far in advance if you’re heading to an international destination, for some countries it can even take up to 3 months to process your application!

Your passport must not be expired and should be valid for at least another 6 months or so, it’s also important to know that most countries require your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay.

If you’re on a co-op placement, be sure you read and go through your employment contract and complete all the required documents before you fly out!

3. Plan Your Stay
Make sure you determine what it is you wish to get out of exchange when planning your stay. This will help you plan your budget and manage your time to ensure you have the opportunity to get the most out of your exchange!

When you first arrive, you will need to schedule the time to attend post-arrival sessions, explore your new school, your neighbourhood, furnish your new place, and settle into your new surroundings. Don’t forget to get yourself health insurance, some countries require you to register upon arrival. 

For example, the EU requires you to get a health premium (just like BC’s MSP or OHIP) within four months following your arrival.

4. Secure Housing
Some programs offer you accommodation and some don’t. Even if your program does offer housing you should still check out alternatives and compare costs and amenities!

If you are moving to big cities like London, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai all you have to do is simply search your new home address in Google Maps and check out the facilities your new neighbourhood has got to offer you! 

This can help you to plan where your nearest grocery store, pharmacy, and shopping centers are. You can also begin to plan transportation to understand your options for how you can get around while away.

Finding housing abroad can take a lot of time, patience and tons of research! It can be especially competitive in cities experiencing housing shortages. The key is preparation, begin planning for where you will live early and ensure you have all necessary documents such as bank statements, credit report, passport copies, and study permit. 

You will also need to have a deposit ready, prepare this way ahead of your departure date to reduce stress.

If you need support, work with your faculty or employer. They will do their best to help you out and they may even be able to pair you with a student who has studied abroad in the same city or program.

5. Have Fun!
Most importantly, have fun while you’re abroad!

Being able to spend time abroad is an incredible opportunity. Taste the local dishes, explore the culture, take lots of photos, make new friends, visit a cat cafe, you get the point… whatever you have dreamed of doing, do it!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”  Helen Keller

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