Olivia Babcock, Civil Engineering, on exchange in Winter 2015.

Emily Bartlett, BSE.GE 2013, on exchange in Winter 2012

"I was surprised by how much people asked about Canada, including history, government and society. Before I left I thought I knew a lot about Canada, now I feel like I know hardly anything. I learned a lot about getting along with people of different cultures, and I think that will help with getting along with Canadians as well. I learned about different people’s perspectives of similar situations. I also learned about a lot of different cultures.

I think this has enhanced my degree a lot as engineering in Australia is all about practical experience. At UNB, I sometimes feel like I don’t know how to apply the things I am learning, whereas at UTas, it is all about how and why things are applied. I have also been able to go on site here, which is not common at UNB. I have become a lot more independent. I have learned how to put in the extra effort to keep in contact with friends at home. I have learned how to balance school and fun activities at the same time. I have a much better sense of what opportunities are available to me after I graduate and what I want to do with my life. I have a strong appreciation for the automatic respect I receive for being Canadian, which is not the same for my American friends.

I would definitely recommend the Student Abroad Program to other students, especially from a small town like Fredericton. People often get caught up in Fredericton thinking that that is what life is like everywhere, and now I realize how small Fredericton is in the grand scheme of things, and how many other opportunities are available. Although I recommend the program, students need to realize that there is a huge difficulty in coming back home. You will make many close friends that are very hard to leave behind. Life abroad for me was much more relaxed than at home, and exchange students tend to not take school as seriously abroad. Coming back to reality is a big adjustment, but definitely worth it."

Chris Burt, JD 2014, MBA 2014, on exchange in Fall 2012

“I was shocked at how similar Hobart, Tasmania was to where I’m from; St. John’s, Newfoundland. It was really very hilly, and it wasn’t all that warm. It was beautiful though, with rugged coastlines dotted with sandy beaches. I was surprised at how much of the Asian world was accessible through even this tiny outpost off the south coast of Australia. The culture and customs were very similar to here, although instead of hockey, there was Aussie Rules.

This being my second exchange (my first coming in undergrad), I certainly benefitted from the networking. I now have many contacts in many different destinations globally, which is great because I intend on having an international career. The travel I did also gave me respect and understanding for Asian cultures which I did not expect to have. It also made me appreciate Fredericton, and the nice little routine I get into here every year, unlike the random acts that I was getting up to in Australia.

To students who wish to undertake such an experience:  take your time, no matter where you are, trying to find a place to live. Go on the Facebook group for your school’s incoming international exchange term, and toss out a few lines, because everyone is in the same boat as you. Don’t take the first thing that comes your way; just make sure you have a good hostel (with a good bar!) and you and your friends looking for an apartment/house will be fine.

I was young when I first went on exchange and was rather intimidated by people. They are just as intimidated as you, but love being approached. If you’re shy, use this as the opportunity to get over it; the sooner you make some good friends, the sooner you’ll get over your homesickness, and soon after you’ll wonder if you really have to go home at all.

PS: travel around as much as you can. You never may end up back there!”