Tips from abroad: Smoothing the turbulence of foreign exchange

August 9, 2023

UBC undergrad Siara Less spent her 2018 second term as an exchange student at University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Here's her account of the experience.

As my plane slowly descended, I looked out the window to see where I would be living for the next five months. I saw grey skies, green fields and thought to myself, what did I get myself into? The craziness of moving to a foreign country hit me like a brick.

After 20 hours of travel and no sleep, I collapsed on my new dorm bed. It was 4 pm local time and at 5 pm the residence advisors were taking new students to a welcome event. Rather than sleeping, which maybe would have been the responsible decision, I joined those going to the event. We saw campus, ate haggis, but most memorably, we joined a Ceilidh (Scottish folk music and dancing). It was in this moment that it hit me again: after one year of planning and dreaming, I was actually in Scotland. Yes, it was kind of crazy, but I also felt pure joy in this moment of connection participating in a foreign cultural event with a group of strangers.

Siara Less visiting Eileen Donan Castle on a weekend trip with other international exchange students to the Isle of Skye (photo: Siara Less)

Returning to my dorm at around midnight, I unpacked and prepared to sleep after a very long day. My room was frigid and I could not figure out how to turn on the thermostat. I did not have bedding, so I attempted to sleep in several sweaters, mittens, a hat and my Air Canada pillow. Once again, all I could think was how did I get myself into this situation, and questioned “why am I here”.

Two days later, I began feeling severe cold symptoms and unrelenting ear aches. While I thankfully had purchased bedding and learned how to turn on the thermostat, I had not had the chance to grocery shop. I had to ask my new neighbour if she had any food and she graciously gave me some homemade noodle soup. I managed to get to the grocery store, but all of the medications were brands I had never heard of. I researched how to go to the doctor, and the Internet told me I could only go to the doctor in my neighbourhood and that that required registration. I dragged myself out of bed, but at reception was told the waitlist was six months long. I was upset and stressed that I was missing opportunities to make friends at orientation events. I felt so discouraged and alone, only wanting someone to take care of me. However, I was too stubborn to admit I needed help to those at home because I had spent a year convincing my family I was capable of this move.

A Ceilidh dance at the orientation welcome, held by the University of Edinburgh (photo: Siara Less)

When classes began on Monday, I still felt ill, but I attended because I did not know the repercussions for missing class. I learned that there was a doctor on campus and I was able to get free prescription medication after classes. My symptoms finally dissipated, and by Wednesday I was attending the remaining welcome events. Two weeks later, I went to dinner with two of my flatmates, which launched the beginning of our close friendship that would become one of the highlights of my time abroad.

Landing in Edinburgh, Scotland for the first time (photo: Siara Less)

I don’t tell this story to scare you, incite stress or gain sympathy. This rollercoaster of a first week demonstrates the things I like to pass onto others considering or about to embark on their abroad adventure:

Take advantage of the welcome events and cultural experiences. You can watch Netflix any time, but you might only live in this city once!
No matter how much you research, there will always be new things you encounter that throw you for a loop, thermostats you won’t know how to turn on and bureaucracy you don’t know how to navigate.
It’s OK to reach out for help from friends and family back home. No matter how many miles and time zones away, they are still a valuable support system.
You will encounter challenges and feel a large range of emotions, but you will also learn from them. You will become a strong, experienced traveller from these experiences.
It is never too late to make friends! Even if you miss some welcome events, you could meet your people one week, one month or three months into the program.

Exchange in some ways can feel like a magical dream, but real life is also mixed in. Embrace all of the learning opportunities and come in with an open mind, and you will be able to make the best of this experience. Wishing you the best!