To exchange, or not to exchange? (That is the question)

If you are contemplating whether or not you should study abroad next year for a semester or two, you are definitely not alone. I, too, have been struggling to decide whether I want to go on an exchange, and the reasons for my hesitation are simple: money and time. First, the costs of living in a foreign country sound daunting already, not to mention the price of plane tickets. Second, in regard to time, I thought it would be too late to travel for next September because I’d be in my fourth year. Even though I don’t mind studying for only a semester abroad in the fall, I find it hard to imagine doing that while graduating within the year.

Don’t get me wrong—I love to travel. I like exploring different cultures, trying out various cuisines, and observing the way people live. To me, travelling is a way of broadening our exposure to the world in which we live.

Recently I had a chance to do a test run with a short trip to London, England—the intended destination for my potential exchange. Two weeks in England was a brief stay, but it was an eye-opening experience for me, mostly because I was travelling solo for the first time. I was very anxious at first; I have never been to the UK, I’m awful with directions, and I’m clumsy. One time, I forgot to collect my only baggage after passing customs, and I didn’t realize I was empty-handed until I boarded the plane. Surprisingly, this trip went smoothly, perhaps because being alone makes you a lot more alert. The biggest perk about travelling alone is being able to take all the time you need—whether you want to marvel at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers for five more minutes or savour a cup of Monmouth macchiato while getting lost in the Borough Market. It’s your call.

What was most rewarding about travelling was getting to meet or reunite with people and gain insight from them. When I talked about concerns like the high cost of living in London, they encouraged me to do it because university is a great opportunity to go abroad before you graduate and move on to the working world. “Going for an exchange is expensive,” one of my friends said, “but it’s not like [the costs] would go down in a few years, at least not now…I had that in mind when I was in university, so I didn’t apply for an exchange to Canada…I should have.” Some people also mentioned that many of their friends said they would travel around the world after graduation, but none of them did. “It was costly, and it was competitive to get into the work force, and you would be left behind.”

If you’re still debating whether studying abroad is for you, have no fear; just start early! Below are suggestions that could get you started if you are considering applying for an exchange through the Centre for International Experience (CIE) at UofT:

1. The CIE homepage [email protected] be the firstplace to go. Just browse around; they’ve modified the website and it looks more accessible and friendlier than before, which is pretty neat.

2. The CIE fair is taking place this November 3 from 11 AM to 3 PM at Cumberland House (33 St. George Street, opposite the UofT Bookstore at College and St. George). It’s a good way to get you thinking about schools that might be of interest.

3. Finally, if you have any further questions regarding details and requirements, drop-in hours are available for students from Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 3 PM.

Good luck! And believe me, travel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t forget.