µçłµÎŢÂë student exchange stories
Take a moment to read their stories — you might just find the inspiration to go on your own adventure.
Exchange stories
Singapore
I loved that being on exchange meant experiencing something new every day! I met new people, explored unfamiliar streets, tasted delicious foods, saw incredible sights and took interesting courses not offered at µçłµÎŢÂë. I even travelled to four other new countries!
Singapore was especially exciting because, even though its land area is much smaller than Ottawa’s, each new transit stop felt like entering a new world: tall corporate buildings with the coolest architecture, oceanfront beaches, jungle-like forests, vibrant districts like Chinatown and Little India, beautiful gardens and endless shopping malls.
My exchange in Singapore gave me a newfound international outlook on my future. It was fascinating to live in a country with the same legal and parliamentary roots as Canada, yet one that is so culturally and socially distinct. I came to love the diverse ways of life in Singapore and in other countries I visited. I realized that I had been thinking narrowly about my future and am now interested in pursuing further studies and work internationally.
If you’re even slightly considering an exchange, go for it! An exchange is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow as a person and see the world from a different perspective. You won’t know how much you’ll learn and who you’ll meet unless you take that first step and apply!
Grace Liu, BSocSc Sociology
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Japan
The best thing about my exchange was the opportunity to explore the world from a completely different perspective. Everyone knows that different cultural contexts can stem from and lead to different ways of thinking, but knowing about an experience is different from living it.
A lot of people will tell you to just go for it, and that is definitely true. But as with any decision, there will always be upsides and downsides. The best thing you can do in a moment of indecisiveness is to pick the option that will be more interesting. It might not be easy, but you will have a better story to tell once it’s over.
Nikita Serikov, BSocSc International Studies and Modern Languages
Waseda University, Japan
South Korea
If you feel the need to discover more about yourself, maybe it’s time to pack your whole life in a 50-pound suitcase and move.
During my international exchange at Kyung Hee University in South Korea, it felt like life was giving me a blank page again. I had the chance to explore new things and figure out my genuine interests without the influence of anyone else.
What I value the most from my exchange is the incredible connections I built. I was member of Parlé, a student club dedicated to cultural exchange between French and Korean language speakers, which explains how I picked up some Korean vocabulary in just four months.
I also met other exchange students from all over the world and was a representative of Canadian cultural heritage to them.
So if you are thinking about exploring the world, just do it. There is always a flight back.
Fatimata Abdou Dramane, BASc in computer engineering
Kyung Hee University, South Korea
Contact us
InfoService
550 Cumberland Street, Room 129
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 6N5
Canada
Hours of operation
September 1 to May 31:
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
June 1 to August 31:
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please note that the University of Ottawa offices are closed during statutory holidays and during the winter break. Visit the Important academic dates and deadlines page for more information.