Three students took their education abroad and returned with fresh insights, unforgettable experiences and a deeper sense of global connection. Meet Julia, Greg and Halima who ventured to Sweden, Austria and Grenoble for an exchange experience of a lifetime.
Julia Kaminski
Year and program: 5th year of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering (iBioMed)
Exchange institution: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Country: Sweden
Why did you choose to go on an exchange?
Throughout my whole life, I have been extremely passionate about travel, and I have always known I have wanted to go on exchange. I always wanted to try living in another country, see what people’s everyday lives look like, and see if I can imagine myself living in another country long term. Travel can give you a sneak peek of that, but I found that it only highlights the positives of a country. Only by living there for a longer term can you see the difficulties and struggles of a different country. I took exchange as an opportunity to see if I would be able to adapt to these difficulties and how I would approach living in an environment that I wasn’t used to for an extended period of time. I also wanted to learn more about different cultures, travel around Europe and meet new international friends!
What’s one thing you learned on your exchange?
One thing I learned on exchange is that usually, new things are only scary the first time you do them. The first time you put yourself out there or in a situation you’re not used to, whether that be meeting new people or trying new activities, that’s the only time it’s really daunting. Once you get over that initial fear, every successive meeting or situation gets easier and easier.
How did your exchange enhance your Mac Eng experience?
I felt like after coming back from exchange, I was able to appreciate McMaster and the courses I am taking here on a deeper level. I was able to come back and appreciate all the little things I used to dislike about the country I grew up in and feel comfort and security in them, and most of all, view them from a more positive perspective.
What advice do you have for students considering going on exchange?
Be open to new experiences and doing things outside of your comfort zone! Whether that be trying a new activity you’ve never done before, learning a new language or going on a solo trip, having an open mind can help you have so many amazing experiences you would have never imagined. Throughout my exchange, I went by this message I found in a fortune cookie shortly before leaving: “Avoid holding onto ideas just because you are used to them.”
Greg Forster
Year and program: 4th year of Computer Science
Exchange institution: Graz University of Technology
Country: Austria
Why did you choose to go on an exchange?
Going on exchange for me was a great way to meet new people and experience a different culture. Going on exchange while in school is a rare opportunity. You’ll be able to find a community anywhere you decide to go.
What was a highlight of your exchange?
After my 10-month exchange ended in June, I went traveling across Europe visiting friends that I had made. I went up to northern Norway where the sun didn’t set and was able to stay with a friend there.
I travelled down to Amsterdam afterwards and played an Ultimate Frisbee tournament with my Austrian frisbee team (who I had won Austrian nationals with during the exchange). Afterwards I met friends in Berlin, Prague, volunteered in Ukraine (north of Kyiv) for 10 days, and finished my time with another Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Poland.
What’s one thing you learned on your exchange?
To put yourself out there and be open to new experiences. Life comes from within you.
How did your exchange enhance your Mac Eng experience?
During my time away I had to balance a new country, new people, school and traveling. It’s given me new perspectives and allowed me to grow so much as a person.
What advice do you have for students considering going on exchange?
Make the most of your time there. It’s absolutely worth it.
Halima Banuso
Year and program: 5th year of Materials Science & Engineering
Exchange institution: L’Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble
Country: France
Why did you choose to go on an exchange?
I chose to go on exchange because I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone, immerse myself in a new culture and travel.
What’s one thing you learned on your exchange?
While on exchange, I had the opportunity to really improve my French language skills and learn more about French culture through friendships and my French language classes. Through this, I was also able to learn more about other francophone nations, particularly North and West African countries.
How did your exchange enhance your Mac Eng experience?
My exchange enhanced my Mac Eng experience by allowing me to see how my studies in Materials Science & Engineering can be applied in global companies and organizations. Through my courses and my internship in Grenoble, I had the opportunity to meet incredible engineers and engineering students from all over the world and learn about the importance that Materials Engineering serves in their city (e.g. Semiconductor technology, mining, metallurgy, etc.)
What advice do you have for students considering going on exchange?
1. Take the leap! It isn’t always easy to pack-up your life and move to a different country, but exchange makes it possible through support from McMaster and your exchange institution. There are also a lot of scholarships and paid opportunities (part-time roles, internships) that you can apply for.
2. Find comfort in being uncomfortable. Push yourself to speak the language, even if your grammar isn’t perfect. Go to events and make friends from other cultures. I really do believe that the depth of your exchange experience is based on how far you push yourself to see new places, meet new people, try new food and make memories.
Learn more about studying abroad in the webinar linked below and visit the Student Success’s Study Abroad webpage for more details.
