By Lily Sanders (AUC, The Netherlands ) AUC runs an introweek every year to welcome new first-years, and as an exchange student I got to join in too! It was the perfect way to get to know people, explore the city, and settle into life here. Here’s a little recap of how it went: Sunday After a train from London on the Eurostar, followed by a quick taxi ride I arrived at the AUC dorms. I found my way to my new flat and my roommate was there already! She’s from England too, studying at the University of Birmingham. We decided to head out for dinner together to get to…

By Meg Luddington (University of Sydney, Australia) Undoubtedly one of the things that made my semester studying in Sydney so memorable was time spent… not in Sydney. Don’t get me wrong, it is an incredible city, and I do not intent do convince you that you should spend your time there trying to leave, but I made the best memories when seeing what the rest of Australia has to offer on weekend ‘microadventures’ with friends.

All things moving in dorm decor, add/drop period and the fun stuff! On August 19th, I arrived into Newark New Jersey to begin my exchange at Rutgers University. I spent a few days with family and friends in New Jersey, visiting the US Open, collecting some room essentials, and soaking up the sunshine!! Driving down to Rutgers on the 24th of August, I was full of anticipation, excitement, but a lot of nerves. Now I realise, everyone else was feeling the same way, and all these thoughts were normal. When we arrived to the parking deck, we were given bins to put our things in to take them up to…

Call me naïve but, before I moved to Budapest, I expected the cost of living there to be far cheaper than the UK, or at least Manchester. However, having lived here for almost a month now, I can say that this is not the full story. To reconcile my ignorance, and to help prospective students who are thinking of moving here (which you should!), below, I have provided a guide on some tips and tricks I have learnt to save money! Although these are not hard and fast rules, I hope they are of some use. Had I known about these facts before moving, I genuinely think my finances would…

By: Aleksandra Wozniak, University of Calgary After deciding to go on an academic exchange, it’s vital to think hard about the type of institution you’d like to be at. It’s easy to get swept up in the photos of famous cities, or a university’s ranking, but living in a country is vastly different to visiting it as a tourist. Just because you’re interested in a place doesn’t mean it’ll be perfect for an exchange. Here’s how I chose to study at the University of Calgary. When first considering where to go for the exchange I highlighted the key traits that place had to have. Firstly, I looked at my degree…

By Daisy Boxall, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia During my time in Sydney, I was lucky enough to do the East Coast of Aus twice; once in summer time (December) and once in winter (July). After reflecting on these trips, they both have serious perks but also a few things I wish I had know before so I present to you my tips etc. on the East Coast! Firstly, doing the coast in the summer months is obviously going to be slightly more expensive and requires some more in advance planning; its so busy during these months which did unfortunately mean me and my mate did have to skip some…

By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Canada McGill’s Redpath Museum Wow, I have completed my first 2 weeks in Montreal and what an amazing few weeks it has been! If I am being honest, I wasn’t all that excited for my study abroad year when it finally came around to it. I know that is not usually how people feel. It wasn’t nerves or fear that was causing this, it was more the effort of having to reinvent your life – making new friends, finding a new favourite study spot, a new grocery store, or a new café that you love more than the rest of them. I found the thought…