If you鈥檙e looking for some unique learning opportunities, you鈥檒l find them in these 10 lesser-known exchange destinations that students like you have discovered.
1. Chile
Recent graduate Marianne Stintzi says her exchange in Chile helped her land her current job at French university Sciences Po鈥檚 political observatory on Latin America and the Caribbean.
After adding a minor in Spanish to her degree, she decided studying in a Spanish-speaking country would be the best way to hone her language skills. But she never thought it would transform how she saw development in Chile in relation to North America.
鈥淪tudying at a Latin American university gave me access to analyses rooted in the realities of the region,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hese analyses are often overlooked or marginalized in North American curriculums.鈥
Her exchange experience included giving a presentation on human rights alongside two Chilean students, meeting locals in Chile and conducting research in Bolivia.
Outside of class, small moments in day-to-day life also became cherished memories.
鈥淐ooking Chilean dishes, taking part in cultural events like Fiestas Patrias or even taking bachata classes 鈥 these ordinary experiences played a big role in helping me feel like I was a part of community life,鈥 she explains.
- Pontificia Universidad Cat贸lica de Chile, Santiago
2. Switzerland
When you travel in Switzerland, one of the world鈥檚 most multilingual countries, it can feel like you鈥檙e doing several mini-exchanges within your host country! Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh.
It was this diversity at the heart of Geneva that enticed Mukazi Ntagungira to go there.
For her, going to the University of Geneva to complete her fourth year in international development and globalization was the best way to cap off her bachelor鈥檚 degree.
鈥淚鈥檓 entering my post-graduation chapter with a new-found confidence that I will make a positive impact on a global scale, even though I am only at the beginning of my career journey,鈥 she says.
Excursions across Europe, cultural activities and the nature around Geneva are reason enough to do an exchange there according to Mukazi.
鈥淚 would recommend Geneva to anyone looking for a life-changing study-abroad experience that challenges you as much as it rewards you,鈥 she says.
- University of Teacher Education, State of Vaud (HEP Vaud), Lausanne
- University of Geneva, Geneva
- University of Bern, Bern
3. South Korea
From Blackpink to BTS to K-dramas, the Korean Wave seems to be sweeping the world! If you鈥檙e a fan of the culture or you鈥檙e intrigued by its growing influence, why not go to South Korea on exchange?
Computer engineering student Fatimata Abdou Dramane would be the first to support that suggestion.
Her exchange at Kyung Hee University, in Seoul, was eye-opening. Visiting major corporations like Samsung Electronics, discovering their AI-driven tools and learning more about their journey inspired her, especially given her field.
鈥淟iving in Korea felt like a journey into the future, not because of the 14-hour jet lag but because of the immersion in one of the global information and communications technology powerhouses,鈥 she recalls.
What she enjoyed the most was the opportunity to meet new people and forge connections.
鈥淚 was a member of Parl茅, a student club dedicated to cultural exchange between French and Korean language speakers,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 also met other exchange students from all over the world and was a representative of Canadian cultural heritage to them.鈥
- Korea University, Seoul
- Kyung Hee University, Seoul
4. Norway
If there鈥檚 one thing that sticks in Iman Ali鈥檚 mind about her time abroad, it鈥檚 the unsung beauty of the Norwegian landscape. You can get lost in the country鈥檚 fjords and glaciers.
鈥淚 went on a very long road trip to northern Norway with some friends. It was one of the most beautiful trips I鈥檝e ever done 鈥 we did a lot of cold plunges in the beautiful fjords, followed by time in a sauna,鈥 she says.
This exchange gave her a chance to step outside her comfort zone and enjoy affordable solo trips around Sweden, Germany and Spain.
As she puts it, 鈥淚 believed travelling alone wouldn鈥檛 be as fun of an experience as it had been with friends or family. However, it was some of the best times I had during my time abroad. I was able to see things at my own pace and became more comfortable being alone, which was a great learning experience.鈥
Fun fact: Norway has the second-highest coffee consumption per capita in the world. If you consider caffeine a crucial study tool, this may be the place for you!
- University of Agder, Kristiansand
- University Of Oslo, Oslo
- University of Bergen, Bergen
5. Austria
Every year, Vienna becomes the backdrop for world-renowned classical music concerts and festivals. This rich musical and historical offering was what tempted Alicia Harvey to spend a term there.
A third-year civil law student, Alicia especially enjoyed the quality of her courses, which she found much more theoretical and educational.
Beyond the classroom, the opportunity for language immersion was a highlight of her stay. Tackling a whole new language, German, opened doors for her to explore this cultural community. 鈥淚 learned that I can adapt and live fully in a foreign country, even if I鈥檓 far from home,鈥 she explains.
For her, the unique experience Vienna afforded her is one she鈥檇 recommend to anyone looking for a rewarding exchange experience. 鈥淰ienna is an amazing city, and it鈥檚 very safe. The architecture is breathtaking, and it鈥檚 a perfect mix of history and modernity,鈥 she says.
Fun fact: Austria is the birthplace of musical greats like Mozart and Schubert, who were defining figures in classical music history.
- University of Vienna
6. Morocco
When Gift Igbinedion first set foot in Morocco, she wasn鈥檛 expecting to be met with an experience that would transform both her world view and her own sense of independence.
Her exchange at the International University of Rabat provided her a chance to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds.
鈥淚 made many international and local friends in Morocco, which made the experience better than anticipated,鈥 she says. 鈥淏eing able to travel and live by myself was an eye-opening and life-changing experience.鈥
If there鈥檚 one souvenir she carries from her time abroad, it鈥檚 鈥渢he art of independence.鈥 Being able to talk to people in spite of language barriers was a useful skill to acquire, particularly for an international development and globalization student.
If you鈥檙e not sure whether to apply for exchange, Gift鈥檚 advice is to go for it! 鈥淵ou鈥檒l build everlasting relationships and skill sets,鈥 she explains. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l experience unique opportunities and situations that you didn鈥檛 realize you truly needed to build your character.鈥
Fun fact: Morocco has a blue city! Chefchaouen鈥檚 narrow streets awash in blue make it one of the most famous cities in the country.
- International University of Rabat, Sala Al Jadida
7. Japan
For Blake Schillaci, the year he spent in Sendai was more than just an academic experience: it was an opportunity to be fully immersed in a diverse cultural environment. Getting to meet students from around the world and discover their languages profoundly shaped his journey as a world languages and cultures student.
鈥淚 have had more experiences and met more people in one year than in the last five years, without exaggeration,鈥 Blake says.
One of Blake鈥檚 most notable discoveries was his ability to thrive on his own in a new environment while fostering his sense of individuality and motivation. He was also struck by how accessible transportation is in Japan, even in places like Sendai that are more off the beaten path. This made his day-to-day life as a student easier.
鈥淛apanese travel is convenient and inexpensive,鈥 he says. 鈥淭here are numerous sights to see and ways to get around for each destination you could choose to study in.鈥
Fun fact: Japanese vending machines offer 24/7 access to a wide variety of products, from warm beverages to SIM cards to fried oysters!
- Kobe University, Kobe
- Nagoya University, Nagoya
- Tohoku University, Sendai
- Waseda University, Tokyo
8. Germany
Pack your bags and prepare your taste buds: we鈥檙e going to the home country of the hamburger!
Maya Coulombe says her term at the University of Mannheim was an 鈥渦nforgettable human experience,鈥 leaving her transformed as a student and as a person.
Maya studies psychology, but the German courses she took made her more equipped to immerse herself in the local lifestyle, helping to truly open her mind.
鈥淚 realized just how vast and vibrant the world is. And now, I feel more motivated than ever to continue my education, driven by a new and more curious outlook on the world around me,鈥 she explains.
The adaptability, resilience and language skills she built give Maya plenty of reasons to be proud of her journey as she looks back on it.
鈥淭he experience is absolutely worth it,鈥 she says. 鈥淭oday, I can confidently say I have no regrets: I enjoyed every second of my exchange. That term remains the highlight of my academic journey.鈥
- Freie Universit盲t Berlin, Berlin
- University of Mannheim, Mannheim
9. Netherlands
鈥淚t means betting on yourself, and to me, that鈥檚 a winning bet every time. You鈥檒l come out of the experience stronger, having learned valuable lessons that you can only get from this kind of journey.鈥
Thomas Guillemette
鈥 Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Sciences student
If you count the days until the Tulip Festival each spring, here鈥檚 a fact for you: the Netherlands is the world鈥檚 top tulip producer! The flowers also symbolize the country鈥檚 friendship with Canada.
When law student Thomas Guillemette spent four months in the Netherlands, he wasn鈥檛 just exploring its diverse landscapes and cultures 鈥 he was forging friendships of his own that left a lasting impact on him.
The richness of his exchange experience lies in the skills it gave him, including openness to new ways of thinking and the ability to adapt to a completely new environment. 鈥淚 got to see and experience so much in such a short time,鈥 he says.
To anyone who鈥檚 on the fence about going on exchange, Thomas says this: do it. 鈥淚t means betting on yourself, and to me, that鈥檚 a winning bet every time,鈥 he quips. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l come out of the experience stronger, having learned valuable lessons you can only get from this kind of journey.鈥
Fun fact: Law students may be particularly drawn to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, which are located in The Hague.
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam
- Lieden University, Leiden
- Utrecht University, Utrecht
10. Sweden
For Anvesh Jain, going on exchange in Sweden was a true adventure into an inspiring and rewarding environment. While living in Lund, he got to know the many shades of Swedish culture.
The Faculty of Law provided a welcoming intellectual space for Anvesh to grow and develop his autonomy, self-confidence and ability to forge ties in an intercultural environment.
He says the experience was a springboard for boosting his self-knowledge and broadening his horizons.
Anvesh highly recommends an exchange in Sweden: 鈥淵ou will learn so much about yourself and gain confidence. Just make sure you plan carefully around your academic and work commitments back in Canada to make the very best of it.鈥
Fun fact: The 鈥渇ika鈥 in Sweden is a coffee break with friends or colleagues 鈥 and pastries. It鈥檚 an interesting opportunity to socialize and get to know the culture.
- Lund University, Lund
- Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm
- Stockholm University, Stockholm
Helpful hints about international exchanges for 电车无码 students
- The University has partnerships with over 100 universities in around 30 countries worldwide where you can do a one or two-term exchange.
- Check the important dates and deadlines for exchanges in fall 2026 or winter 2027.
- You鈥檒l pay your regular tuition for 电车无码, not your host institution.
- But you鈥檒l need to pay your living expenses and other costs.
That said, you鈥檒l automatically receive a mobility scholarship worth $1,000 per term (for up to two terms) and the Jacques Fr茅mont International Experience Scholarship, a one-time payment of $750, to help you cover those costs.
Discover the scholarships available for the exchange program.
- You need to have completed the minimum number of course units before you can leave.
- Our Student Mobility team will make sure you鈥檙e prepared to head off on your exchange adventure.