Written by Patrick Brown

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

Have you dreamed of exploring the world’s wonders? Picture yourself in a new place, taking in unfamiliar scents, listening to a foreign language, and seeing new faces. A fresh start, the possibilities are endless. How would this experience shape who you are?

The SMU Global Learning Office provides SMU students with the opportunity to study abroad at a wide variety of partner institutions worldwide. From January to May 2023, I studied at University College Cork, in Cork, Ireland, via the SMU Global Learning Office. In this article, I’ll be giving my advice to students interested in or getting ready for their semester abroad.

WHY STUDY ABROAD?

A semester abroad allows students to experience university life in a completely new way. Exploring new places, encountering new people and cultures, overcoming challenges, and building new friendships are all part of the experience of studying abroad. It gives you the chance to become exposed to a new academic institution, meaning you can learn new things, discover new information, and make global connections, all of which could lead to interesting opportunities down the road.

I chose to do a study abroad semester in my 3rd year of university. As the pandemic had impacted my first and second years at Saint Mary’s, I wanted an exciting experience to make up for it. When I heard of the opportunities from the Global Learning Office, I was instantly intrigued, looking at the various places and host schools available for this program. I eventually chose Cork, Ireland.

I believe that any student who can complete a semester abroad should do so, as I grew more mature and independent as a result of my experience, which aided in my growth and self-discovery. The memories and stories I gained will last a lifetime. Not to mention, I had a blast. Are you up for this kind of adventure?

Check out the following resources if you are interested in studying abroad:

List of Partner Institutions for Semester or Year-Long Exchanges: https://studio.smu.ca/semester-or-year-long-exchanges
Study Abroad Application Information: https://studio.smu.ca/apply
Global Skills Opportunity (Government of Canada): https://globalskillsopportunity.ca/

TIPS FOR THE SEMESTER ABROAD

Before you get there:

After being accepted into the study abroad program, students should look into awards through Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) from the Canadian government. The SMU Global Learning Office will provide options to apply for scholarships through this program, which can help with financing your semester.

Before you leave for your destination, connect with others from SMU who are going to the same host institution so you have friends right away. Also, connect with past SMU students who went to the same host school as they can provide tips more specific to the place. The Global Learning Office should be able to connect you with these people.

Know what you need to purchase when you arrive and research where to get these things—bedding, dishes/silverware, etc. At University College Cork, some of these were available from past exchange students, who donated goods through a second-hand program for those studying abroad.

When you arrive:

When you arrive, it is important to be open-minded. The place at which you choose to study will do things differently and have unique characteristics compared to those in Canada. The number and intensity of the differences depends on where you go. I traveled to Ireland, which does not have extreme dissimilarities from Canada; however, there were still many differences to become accustomed to.

In the first couple weeks after arriving, you should meet as many people and be as social as possible to make friends for the term. The friendships made during a semester abroad are one of the factors that makes it so great, and with other exchange students in a similar position, making new friends can be easy if you are willing to put yourself out there and be social early on. In Cork, there was a Facebook and WhatsApp group for exchange and international students for the term, organizing get-togethers and events. Host institutions in other places will also likely hold events for exchange students. Attending the orientation days at your host school is also important, as this is another place to meet new people.

Throughout the semester:

After the initial weeks/first month, you will be more settled in and comfortable with your new environment. There will probably be fewer organized events, and you may have some closer friends as other exchange students split up into tighter-knit friend groups. To expand your friendships and connections to more local students, join societies and clubs, and go to general events hosted by the university. In Cork, I met Irish students through playing basketball and in my classes, but there were plenty of other options for societies and clubs that led to friends of mine meeting more locals.

The most important piece of advice for a semester abroad is not to spend your whole semester locked in your room doing schoolwork. The opportunity is meant for you to experience a new place and travel, so you should manage your time to do well with your schoolwork while prioritizing fun and new experiences. With the friends you have made, you can plan trips within the country you are studying or elsewhere. If you are studying in Europe, take advantage of the cheap flights and transportation to explore elsewhere. I organized trips with friends throughout Ireland and to other places in Europe, like Edinburgh, Prague, Vienna, Madrid, etc. See new places, try new food, learn some phrases in the local language; it’s all part of the fun. The memories and stories you gain make these experiences priceless, and spending your semester abroad stuck in your room restricts you from great adventures. In my personal experience, organizing these trips and maneuvering through new places with different spoken languages made me realize how capable I was of taking on certain challenges. I definitely felt that I matured throughout the semester because of this.

During the term, it can be easy to get so caught up in all the fun that you forget to communicate with your friends and family from home. It is important to keep in touch with your friends and family and keep them updated on your life and travels, so don’t let them think you’ve forgotten about them.

Arriving back home:

Upon returning home, it is common to experience reverse homesickness after such a great adventure abroad. Just know that this is normal and will subside. When you arrive back home, I recommend spending time reconnecting with your friends and family to soften the down period you may have.

Before you leave for home, you may think you’ll stay in touch with all your friends from abroad; however, this is likely not the case. I recommend staying in contact with your closest friends, as these connections could lead to more experiences in the future and potentially lifelong friendships.

Final Thoughts

I encourage all students who are in a capable position to study abroad to do so. The lifelong memories, friendships, connections, and personal growth that can come from it made it worth every penny for me, and I believe the same is true for others as well. I am grateful that Saint Mary’s was able to provide me with such an opportunity.. The deadline to apply for a study abroad term next academic year is approaching in early February. The world is yours, and this is your opportunity to explore it.

How to Make the Most of your Study-Abroad Term