My favourite part of going exchange was…

The memories I made, the people I met, the places I explored, and the souvenirs I brought home. Every single day abroad, I felt happy, grateful, and amazed by everything around me. Even the most mundane things felt magical. Visiting the same coffee shop every morning or walking to school felt just as special as riding a camel in Marrakech or seeing Munch's Scream in real life. Truly, every day of exchange felt like my favourite day ever. I wanted the memories to last forever, so I made it a huge priority to document everything I could. I made tons of videos, took countless photos, wrote journal pages, and collected many souvenirs (magnets, postcards, and just about anything that could be used in my junk journal). Now I have both digital and physical archives that I'll treasure for life. I urge you to find a way to document your time abroad! It will be so special to look back on- because trust me, EVERYTHING about studying abroad will turn out to be your favourite.

I recommend going on exchange because…

You are young, able, and will never have another opportunity quite like it. We hear it all the time but I'll say it again: money comes back- time doesn't. When else will you have the chance to move to your dream destination and start a completely new life for yourself? When else will you be a curious student, ready to meet like-minded people from around the world, further your education, immerse yourself in a new culture, travel every weekend, and grow in ways you never imagined- all with the safety of knowing you'll return home after? Before I left, I kept telling myself: the worst that can happen is I lived in Italy for five months. The best that can happen? That's unimaginable. Find out for yourself what the best-case scenario can be!

A tip I would give to students applying for exchange is…

Don't stress too much about it! I know it's easier said than done, but trust me- everything will work out. I remember feeling overwhelmed trying to choose where to study, which classes to take, where to live... the list goes on. I spent months trying to pick the perfect city. But honestly, I think I could have gone anywhere and still had the most incredible experience. Studying abroad is less about where you go, and more about the people you meet, the memories you make, and the lessons you learn. Even picking my courses stressed me out. I originally planned to take five classes to better follow my progression chart, but I ended up choosing four so I could have more time to enjoy my experience. In hindsight, I'm so glad I did. All the things that seem huge and stressful now really aren't. Everything falls into place. Just follow your gut, listen to your heart, and trust that everything will be okay!

Going on exchange challenged me because…

it was the first time I was given complete independence, full responsibility, and the space to truly find myself (as corny as that sounds). Studying abroad was also my first time living away from home. That meant I was the only one responsible for every task and decision- big or small. Living alone in a new country taught me a lot about time management, as I had to balance school, social life, and all household responsibilities on my own. I also had to learn how to trust myself. For example, while abroad I'd book flights without asking anyone's opinion, whereas at home, I'd probably call my mom just to get her take on my dinner plans! Pushing myself in this way helped me grow more than I ever imagined. I came home feeling much more capable and confident.