Meet Your International Learning Ambassadors

The best memory I have from exchange is from one of the first days I arrived in Australia. After sleeping for 16 hours because of jetlag, it was New Year’s Eve. My friend and I who both went on exchange from Western (who I officially met at the airport in Australia) met up with a couple other friends from Western (who I also barely knew) to go watch the world-famous fireworks above the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The entire experience on only my second day being in the country with friends I had just met was so surreal and made me feel way more comfortable being so far away from home. Not only were the fireworks one of the most incredible things I have ever seen, but I understood on that night that this exchange was going to be one of the most amazing things I will ever get to experience in my life.

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My best memory from my exchange was when I went to a ski weekend with the exchange student network at my host school. There were about 60 exchange students from all over the world and we got to go skiing together in the Swiss alps for a weekend! This was towards the beginning of my exchange and I made some of the closest friendships of my exchange on that weekend.

During my exchange in Switzerland I went on a solo trip to Greece. It was a bit intimidating for me because I had never done a solo trip before, but it turned out amazingly and helped me build so much confidence doing it by myself. Plus I had such a fun time meeting new people in my hostels! This photo was taken on a hike I did by myself the first evening I arrived in Santorini and it was stunning!

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This picture is from when I went hiking in Wales with a few of my flat mates. None of us were from the same place, but we all bonded early in the semester because of our shared love of nature. The hike was 4.5 hours, and it was the hardest hike I had ever done, making it an incredible achievement for me. The photo symbolizes the memories and the joy I felt throughout the weekend - memories I will never forget. I did a few trips like this, but this one was special because of how challenging it was and how supported I felt by my friends.

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I can never get over the satisfaction when I tried to speak their language and they understood (even just some parts of it)! It made learning the language fun and helps to make connections with the locals. Everyone appreciates it when you try and learn their language!

The experience changes my perspective on traveling to a country versus living there, even for a short period of time. Living in a different country requires a different mindset, and helps you build the skills to adapt to the new environment (communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, etc.).

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I have so many amazing memories from my time abroad, but if I have to choose, it would either be my trip to Ibiza or the two-day music festival in Barcelona! My Ibiza trip was so memorable because 11 of my friends and I were there for Ibiza’s opening weekend. The trip consisted of laying at the beach all day, eating amazing paella, shopping, and exploring the island nightlife. Another memorable part of my experience abroad was when Barcelona had their ‘Primavera Sound,’ which is an amazing music festival at the beginning of June. My friends and I saw so many talented artists perform such as Rosalía, Calvin Harris, and Diplo, and we danced all night till about 5 in the morning - we had the best time!

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My best memory from exchange is the first time my entire house went to the beach together. We had just met and didn't know each other very well yet but we wanted to do something together so we decided to go to the beach. This ended up being the best day ever and these friends I met ended up becoming my lifelong friends. I didn't know anyone when I applied for exchange but after this day on the beach I knew I would have so many incredible friends during my time abroad.

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My favorite memory from my international learning experience (traveling abroad in a faculty-led program in Vienna) was being able to visit exciting new places and meet peers from other universities. Simple yet meaningful things like taking the metro with your friends, walking around the city and visiting the various tourist destinations in Vienna encouraged me to appreciate the culture and people I encountered while this time overseas.

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Don't let your expectations prior to exchange affect your present experience on exchange! While having expectations are great, sometimes our expectations can blind us from what’s happening in the moment. Don't worry too much if things don't go exactly as you expected it or if your experience isn't living up to your expectations. As long as you keep an open mind, everything will fall into place, and you will have more fun experiencing what’s right in front of you!

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This was the last photo I took during my exchange in Singapore. It captures Marina Bay Sands, an iconic landmark that I visited countless times. The first time I visited was with my family the day I arrived in Singapore. I remember being in awe of the city that I was about to spend the next year in. The second time I visited was to celebrate National Day with a group of strangers from all over the world who would soon become some of my lifetime friends. Before I knew it, MBS became a go-to for a bike ride along the coast or a night out in the city. I would not have chosen anywhere else to say goodbye to Singapore and this unforgettable experience.

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My best memory from my International Learning Experience was my week-long ski trip in the French Alps with the University of Leeds Ski & Snowboard Club. Although I had to endure a 24-hour bus ride from Northern England to the South of France, it gave me the opportunity to connect on a deeper level with many of my fellow students, forging lifelong friendships. Once we arrived, the breathtaking scenery of snow-covered peaks, crisp mountain air and exhilarating slopes made for an unforgettable week. I will never forget standing on top of the summit with my friends, as it instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty and the value of shared experience.

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Hi everyone! My name is Kira, and I studied abroad in the Netherlands in Fall 2022. Some of my favourite moments from my semester abroad were the delusion and chaos my friends and I would get up to after a night of no sleep. I guess you could say you don't really know someone until you've gone through a 12-hour overnight bus together. Studying abroad was the highlight of my life, and if I had to give one piece of advice to someone going abroad, it would be to say YES to everything you can!

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This photo is from my first week in Australia. I am sitting with my new roommate Emma, and we are enjoying lunch overlooking the famous Bondi Icebergs at Bondi Beach. Reflecting on this time in my life just six months ago, I am struck by how much I have grown since then. Little did I know that this moment would mark the beginning of incredible friendships, countless life lessons and a profound longing for Australia that I now experience. This photo serves as a reminder of the transformative journey I embarked upon and the unforgettable memories I created along the way.

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My best memory from my international experience was when we booked a wine tasting experience at a vineyard near the town we were staying in. We walked for an hour looking for the vineyard and hiked around the Tuscan countryside only to find out that we had passed the vineyard at the beginning. Despite “wasting” our time for an hour, it was nice to walk around an area that wasn't full of tourists and we took lots of pictures as well. The walk we took beforehand also allowed us to relax even more during our wine tasting.

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My time at the WU campus in Vienna reshaped my perspective and independence by allowing me to step beyond my comfort zone. I learned a lot about myself as an individual as well as a student. WU's meticulous architecture, designed to optimize natural light and foster an outdoorsy ambiance, symbolized thoughtful planning. The provision of free education for local citizens and EU residents echoed an inclusive ethos. Prioritizing student welfare and balance showcased a commendable commitment. This transformed my own learning approach, cultivating newfound appreciation for my education.

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My time studying abroad was truly transformative. Being able to immerse myself in a different culture exposed me to new ways of thinking and living. I not only improved my language abilities, but I also gained a perspective on the world that influences my day-to-day life and decisions. I learned how to adapt and be independent through navigating new situations. Additionally, the relationships I was able to make with people from around the world helped enrich my understanding of diversity. My overall personal development, academic approach and job objectives have all been significantly impacted by my learning experience abroad.

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I think the best memory from going abroad has to be all the people I met from all over the world, not even just The Netherlands. Since the school I went to was known for welcoming a large number of international students, there were individuals from all over the world, some of which I still have contact with today! Learning all about their culture and way of life was certainly so interesting and definitely gave me a more global outlook on school and life in general

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If a student is considering going on exchange I would always say to go for it! Going abroad can be intimidating because it requires you to fully immerse yourself in a new culture and leave behind your friends and family. Despite this, exchange is also extremely rewarding and has truly been the highlight of my university experience. My main tip would be to put yourself out there and try to make as many friends as you can. Having a community when you are studying abroad makes the transition so much easier and the experience overall more enjoyable. They become the people you travel with, share amazing experiences with and can become a lifelong friend.

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This photo is from one of my most memorable days abroad. I woke up that morning at 4 am, put on a $12 outfit, and embarked on a five-hour train ride to make it to a little city called Maastricht. I spent the day participating in the Dutch celebrations of the holiday known as Carnival. It was such a fun day seeing all the colourful traditional costumes and partying with so many generations of Dutch locals. That day made me really appreciate the traditions and culture of my host country and my opportunity to be there and experience it.

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For students planning to study abroad, my top advice is to approach the experience with an open mind. It’s natural to feel scared about entering a new environment but embracing new experiences can greatly enhance your international journey. Take the initiative to introduce yourself to unfamiliar faces, as you never know who may become a lifelong friend. Keep in mind that everyone participating in an exchange program shares the same feelings of fear and nervousness. By embodying the confidence you'd like to see in other exchange students, you can contribute to a positive and fulfilling experience for yourself and those you meet.

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In the spring of 2023, I was fortunate enough to participate in a study abroad opportunity in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Following a collaborative classroom learning experience, we travelled to these Scandinavian countries and applied our classroom learnings. I had the opportunity of working with international partners, students and experts involved in fields related to my program, while simultaneously gaining independent travelilng experience. Now, I have a deeper understanding of cross-cultural competencies, the importance of learning from our international partners, and developing close friendships! This experiential learning opportunity has shaped my academic future and I highly encourage embracing global learning.

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My best memory from my international learning experience was cycling outside Copenhagen to a small coastal town 45 minutes away from the city. My friends and I swam in the ocean and dried off in a nearby meadow full of elderflowers. My friend surprised us with a picnic, and we sat around reading and laughing together. We cycled home playing all our favourite songs while the sun set. This is my favourite memory from my exchange because I was able to explore a different area of Denmark with my friends on a beautiful sunny day

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