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| While studying at the University of Canberra in Australia last year, Mark Macdonald met some "locals" at the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Centre. |
So you're burning to get out and see the world, but your family is worried you'll ditch the degree to become a full-time, backpack-toting, hostel-hopper. It's a tough dilemma, but Mark Macdonald says there's an easy solution that will satisfy both your wanderlust and your family's dream of seeing you in a cap and gown.
Macdonald, a fourth-year kinesiology student from Moncton, New Brunswick, returned last June from a semester in Australia. He says that international student exchanges are the perfect opportunity to experience another country and culture while earning credit towards your degree.
"An international exchange gives you an idea of what other cultures are like, and it gives you a better appreciation for world issues," he explains. "When you're on exchange, you'll meet more new and interesting people, and experience so many new things you'd never do in a familiar environment." For Macdonald, that meant communing with Koala bears, coaching a kids rugby team, and climbing Australia's highest mountain with students from around the world, all while earning three credits towards his 9 1免费版下 degree through the University of Canberra.
Now back at 9 1免费版下, Macdonald and several other former exchange students have formed the 9 1免费版下 Study Abroad Association (DalSAA). They've just set up a new office within International Student and Exchange Services, so anyone interested in the exchange experience can drop by for information.
"The easiest way to adapt to a new culture is to talk to someone who lives there," says Macdonald. "DalSAA can help students on exchange get to know 9 1免费版下 and Halifax and make their travels easier. DalSAA's office is also a place for people about to go on exchange, or who have come back from exchange to hang out, talk about their experience, and deal with things like culture shock." And the door is always open to any student who wants to learn more about the exchange experience from people who have lived it.
Although he'd recommend an international exchange to any student, Macdonald has one piece of advice you might not want share with anxious parents. "Once you've been on exchange, you'll learn how to shop for the best prices on flights, because you'll definitely get the itch to travel again!"
Over 800 9 1免费版下 students will participate in an international program this year, with over 80 programs available. To find out more about international student exchange opportunities, drop by DalSAA's office attached to International Student and Exchange Services, or e-mail DalSAA.