Program
BPH, Public Health
Exchange
University of Bristol, England
What made you decide to do your exchange in the UK?
I decided to do my exchange term in the UK, England specifically, because a lot of the books, movies, and art that I like were created there. Think, Downton Abbey, Agatha Christie and Jane Austin. Also, as an artist myself, I was really interested in seeing the different architecture as well as landscapes in England, and having the opportunity to create pieces from those scenes. Additionally, I knew that going to the UK would make it easier and cheaper for me to travel to different European countries while I was studying. I was able to visit Wales, Italy, Denmark, and Norway.
What did you enjoy the most about the exchange?
By far, the best part of my exchange was the people that I met along the way. Before arriving in the UK I was really nervous about making friends and was truly prepared to tackle this adventure on my own but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Within days, I met so many people in my residence building and we all become fast friends.
The funny thing was that we are all completely different in regards to ages, nationality, and program of study, but we got along so well. It was amazing to be able to learn about different cultures and traditions while also sharing some of things we do in Canada with them. During my exchange I spent everyday with these friends, traveling across the country and getting to experience new things together.
Currently I’m in the process of planning trips to visit them across Asia where many of them are from and also back in Bristol this coming Fall. It is safe to say I made lifelong friends while abroad.
What was the process for preparing for an exchange?
The process of setting everything up for my exchange was relatively simple. Once I picked The University of Bristol as my top choice and got matched, I started looking for course equivalents, any visa requirements, right to study documents, and housing. Both universities (Waterloo and Bristol) were involved in the process which definitely made it a lot easier to navigate the things that needed to be done.
What advice do you have for others who are thinking about doing an exchange?
My biggest piece of advice for students wanting to go on exchanges would be to do your research and figure out what kind of experiences you are looking for while abroad. Every destination is different so it’s important to narrow down things you like and things you don’t. There are so many host schools which really makes it easy for students to find a university that suits them. I would also 100% recommend studying in the UK, I had an amazing time.
