International Exchange Programme

2014-2015 Student Exchange Experiences

International Exchange Programme

Faculty of Business, Economics and Law

CONTENTS

Student Experiences from:

Asia

City University Hong Kong 1

Hong Kong Polytechnic University 3

Nanyang Technological University 5

Singapore Management University 10

Australia and New Zealand

La Trobe University 11

University of Queensland 15

University of Swinburne 18

University of Sydney 19

Victoria University of Wellington 21

Europe

La Rochelle Business School 23

Modul University 25

Stockholm University 29

University of Mannheim 31

North America and Canada

Brock University 33

North Carolina State University 34

Ryerson University 35

University of Central Florida 43

University of Cincinnati 47

City University Hong Kong

When I arrived in Hong Kong everything was so different from

Europe – the time zone, the weather, the food, the language,

the architecture and most importantly – the culture.

At first, I personally did experience a culture shock but later I

met so many people from all around the world – just like me

and we together started to explore this amazing new world as

well as getting to know each other.

I was in City University Of Hong Kong – the campus is a

mixture of modern architecture and nature, which I found

really nice. I lived with a girl, who was from Shanghai, China

and she was very clever although she was quite shy. Most of

the locals there are very nice and kind but it is quite hard to

socialize with them sometimes because they find it hard to

speak English. However, once they start to know you they

invite you to all of their social events and are very keen to

help you or answer all of your questions.

Furthermore, Hong Kong is an amazing place! It is a great

mixture of modern architecture as well as old Chinese temples

and spectacular nature at the same time. The best thing about

Hong Kong in my view is that you can always go and get away

from the busy city life and get fresh air with a breath-taking

view by going on a beautiful hike.

Lilyana Georgieva

BSc Business Management

Taking part in an exchange semester in

Hong Kong was a once in a lifetime

opportunity and an experience I am

incredibly glad to have been a part of.

Everything was very well organised and

whenever I faced any challenges there

was always someone available to

contact. I made many new friends from

all over the world that made it easy to

adjust to life in Asia by exploring Hong

Kong and travelling throughout Asia

too. The academic side of my studies

was very similar to that in Surrey and

involved a lot of group projects. It was

incredible to be able to experience

many new cultures and make

memories that will last forever.

Sophia Devries

BSc International Business

Management

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University

When I first landed in Hong Kong I was submerged by

the humidity and hotness, however after a few weeks I

got used to it and finally really started to enjoy the city,

the only noticeable drawback of this exchange were

the humidity and pollution however they were

overpowered by the excitement of being in a different

culture and the fact that discovering the city and its

surrounding was amazing.

My favourite part of the exchange wasn’t the classes

but the numerous trips I made to local islands and

beaches to discover the local culture and scenery. I

would recommend this exchange because I feel it gave

me a lot in the sense that it allowed me to see

something that I never saw before and experience

something unique.

Cyprien Bernet

BSc International Hospitality and Tourism Management

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From September 2014 to December 2014 I had the opportunity to live and study in

Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Starting from the city, Hong

Kong is a concentrate of modernity and luxury. You can reach any place in the city

within 30 minutes. Even if the city seems smaller in size than London, there is a lot to

discover and to do. You can relax by the seaside until mid-November, go hiking in the

countryside or just go for a walk inside luxurious shopping malls or traditional

markets.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is located in a strategic position, Hung Hom

(Kowloon). The accommodation, a 20-floors skyscraper is located just 10 minutes’

walk from the main campus. All rooms are twin rooms and you share the bathroom

with other two suitemates. The SHTM School is ranked second best in the world for

its researches studies. All students speaks very good English and are very friendly

even though they may seem shy at a first view. From Hong Kong I had the

opportunity to meet a lot of other exchange students and visit other Asian countries

during the weekends. Overall, it was a great experience!!!

Alessandro Conte


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Nanyang Technological University

Four months of being an exchange student in Singapore was indescribable.

Studying abroad was nerve wrecking but it gave me different opportunities

to learn, experience and develop myself as a person to become more

independent, make decisions that will help me in the future. In addition, I

had the chance to meet new people from different countries across the

world and make connections within the hospitality industry particularly in

the events sector where I had the chance to help an events company by

organizing and promoting different parties and social for students like

myself.

As an exchange student it help me widen my knowledge about the industry

by learning from professors with expertise. Studying abroad is not just about

studying but it will also give you the chance to travel different places where

I had the chance to visit Malaysia and Philippines even though my timetable

was full. In terms of academic, I learned to study in advance and never do a

last minute revision as education system in Singapore are very different

here in the UK, everyone are competitive.

Going on exchange gave me the opportunity to do a two months intern in

Fairmont Hotel Philippines, which I learned a lot about the business and

how operations works.

Raphael Bustos


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I spent the first semester of my second year in Singapore for an exchange

program, and it was one of the most valuable experiences I have had to date. I

was continuing my studies in International Hospitality Management at Nanyang

Technological University. My academics comprised of 4 modules, Business

Finance, Accounting, CSR in Tourism and Hospitality and Tourism and

Technology. Although the work was challenging; the classes were engaging and

informative. I found that the university's methods of assessment were useful for

developing skills for the future, for example it's excessive use of group and

individual presentations.

Aside from my studies I also had the opportunity to travel. I went to Hong Kong,

Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. I feel that travelling around Asia

independently allowed me to mature and gain more confidence. Furthermore as

a hospitality student, the experience of staying in different types of

accommodation and observing different cultures was highly relevant to my

studies.

Alongside the travelling my favourite part of exchange was making friends from

all around the world. It was interesting to compare the differences in lifestyles

across the globe.

To conclude, for me exchange was a rare opportunity to make international

relationships, experience wonderful new cultures and develop as a person.

Dede Olatunji

BSc International Hospitality Management

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Campus life: ž Leaving all my friends and family behind, getting on my first international

flight, arriving in an unknown country and moving in a new (shared) accommodation were

unbearable facts for me 6 months ago.. Living on campus while on exchange was the best

experience one can ever get. It helped me establish new friendships, indulge in the

Singaporean cuisine (served at every canteen), step out of my comfort zone while getting

accustomed to new habits and surroundings. You have everything you need starting from

facilities (computer rooms, library, study rooms), canteens, sports and gym areas as well

as entertainment.

Entertainment: ž As an exchanger, finding a good place to enjoy yourself and meet new

people is not hard at all. There are plenty of pubs, clubs, shopping malls, indoor or

outdoor activities suitable for anyone. I took every opportunity of enjoying my time in

Singapore and I do not regret a thing! It is amazing how people from all sorts of countries

and backgrounds can form groups, interact and bond with each other in no time when the

chance arises for them to live it up and be real. As no one knows you beforehand, all you

have to do is be open-minded and create networks.

Food: ž Worth mentioning is my Asian cuisine experience which I found unusually

delicious. I have tried a variety of dishes which are peculiar to some countries or regions

in specific countries and unfortunately the taste of them can hardly be reproduced abroad

as the flavours and recipes are family-based or cultural “secrets”.

Travelling: My exchange semester could not be complete without the travels and the

people that I have met during my time in Asia. I have visited Malaysia (Negeri Sembilan,

Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi), Indonesia (Bali), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), Hong Kong and

Macau and I had an amazing time discovering the traditions and customs that are hidden

in the Asian historical sites and surroundings.

To sum up, the experience exceeded all my expectations and it made me realise how

independent and mature I became over time. Having celebrated my 20th birthday in

Singapore with old and new friends alike and spending an entire weekend at the Marina

Bay Sands were unforgettable bonuses added to a unique adventure.

Delia-Alexandra Bute


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Singapore Management University

Studying in Singapore was an amazing experience and I would definitely

recommend it to anybody! I made friends from all over the world and

learned about many different cultures and how to adapt to a totally new

environment. Most lectures were in a classroom setting and included

group work and activities which was enjoyable. There were many halls

of residence on campus and all rooms are shared, but it was a great

chance to socialise. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in

clubs and societies too!

Singapore is a small island with a lively atmosphere. NTU is a bit further

from the city centre, but transport is cheap. However there is plenty to

do on Campus and the facilities are fantastic such as the outdoor pool

and multiple canteens serving a diverse range of food. There are many

things to do in the city such as visiting Chinatown, Little India or simply

admiring the skyscrapers. There is also Sentosa Island which has a lovely

beach. In terms of nightlife, Singapore has plenty of bars and clubs and

there are many events happening. Singapore is also a great hub for

travelling, but obviously studying should come first!

Charlotte Cheesman


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Adeniran Akindele and Bilal Hussain | BSc Economics and Finance

Pascal Phillips | BSc International Business Management

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Accommodation: During my exchange I lived

at Chisholm College, one of the three

colleges located on campus. While the

college could be quiet at times, I made some

great friends and was involved in social

events throughout the semester.

Academics: I undertook four modules while

at La Trobe, which matched the ones I would

have taken at Surrey. While I found it

difficult initially to adjust to a new way of

approaching academic work, for the most

part my lecturers were helpful in

accommodating these adjustments.

Social: Melbourne provides an excellent

backdrop for social events. While the

university is located 45 minutes from the

city, local bars and restaurants facilitate

most of the social scene. I joined two of the

surfing trips which were great fun and

allowed for me to make new friends.

Laura Anthony

BSc International Hospitality and Tourism

Management

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La Trobe University

When deciding whether to complete an International

Exchange, it seemed very daunting and terrifying to move to

a new country with new cultures. However, now that I have

completed my exchange, I can wholeheartedly say it was the

best experience of my life and the best decision I ever made.

Melbourne was a vibrant city with unique qualities but the

accommodation given to us was around 40 minutes tram

journey from the city centre which wasn’t as accessible as I’d

have hoped. Although the accommodation was comfortable

and right in the campus of the University, it was too far from

the centre which wasn’t ideal. However, campus life was fun

and easy to get to lectures/tutorials, while a night out

consisted of going to small University nights at local pubs and

bars.

I had 2 part-time jobs while studying at University, at a juice

bar on campus and as a waitress in a local restaurant, which

was good for earning money to go travelling at weekends

and term holidays.

The travelling was definitely my favourite part of my

exchange. From making friends from America, Australia, Asia

and Europe, we got groups of us to visit different places. I got

to complete activities I’d never even dreamt of, such as Sky-

diving, Bungy Jumping,Scuba-diving in the Great Barrier Reef

etc.

All of these experiences and the new international friends I

made has really shaped the person I am today. Studying

abroad on exchange is definitely a life-changing opportunity!

Karysca Gill

BSc International Business Management

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I can say that doing an exchange semester at LaTrobe

University in Melbourne, Australia was the best thing I ever

did.

Melbourne was a beautiful city with probably the friendliest

people I have ever met, great nightlife and always something

going on with so many things to see and do. An organised trip

for the exchange students to the Great Ocean Road in the first

week was where I met people from all over the world and

made lifelong friends.

The university itself was very organised and staying on campus

accommodation was really convenient. Being there for 6

months meant that any time we had free from studying and

assignments we made the most of it by going into the city,

going on weekend trips or travelling around Australia.

My favourite aspect of my exchange was the opportunity to

travel to the most incredible destinations, seeing things I

never thought I would see and meeting so many different

people.

All in all, I can’t recommend the exchange programme

enough. It was without a doubt scary and hard at times, but it

in the end all the memories made it worth it.

Lydia Ganotaki


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University of Queensland

Studying in a foreign country and living on the other side of

the world teaches you a lot about yourself and your future

aspirations. Becoming a student at the University of

Queensland in Brisbane, Australia was an exciting challenge

and an experience that I will never forget. Studying abroad

gives you the opportunity to choose modules that are

unavailable anywhere in the UK. During my time at UQ I

studied Maritime and Mining and Petroleum Law, two

extremely topical modules in Queensland. In addition to

this I studied Corporations Law and Private International

Law. These tour modules have lead to me achieving a

placement in a corporate law department and applying for

training contracts in Shipping Law.

Away from the study and the library I was fortunate

enough to see what Australia has to offer as a country.

From Sydney to schooners the country is a travellers

playground and I saw some unbelievable sights. Studying

abroad is certainly an opportunity I would recommend. I

have friends in all corners of the world from Chile to

Chester and have experienced some unforgettable trips.

Kieran Mitchell

LLB Law

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I had an amazing time on exchange at UQ, I was so glad that I had

the opportunity to see apart of the world I had never been to

before. The best part of my exchange was being able to travel a lot

during my time in Australia. I traveled a long the east coast of

Queensland where I camped on Fraser island, slept a night outside

in the outback, sailed the Whitsunday islands and snorkeled in the

great barrier reef . I also got to visit Sydney, Melbourne and New

Zealand. The top things I would recommend doing in Brisbane and

the surrounding area is going to lone pine koala sanctuary, day trip

to Morton island where you can feed wild dolphins, going to the

Gold Coast to surfer paradise beach and visiting the theme parks,

day trip to north stradbroke island and going to the top of mount

Coo-tha for great views of the city.

I was also lucky with where I lived as it was in a central location and

had very good transport connections to both the city centre and

uni. Urbanest is a privately run halls in south bank where he rooms

were very nice, modern and were all ensuite. However it was

expensive at $225 a week and this was a discounted price I

managed to get. For a cheaper option you would probably have to

find a house off campus as on campus accommodation is even more

expensive and had very limited availability.

Sarah Boon

BSc Tourism Management

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University of Swinburne

Having never travelled to Australia, nor to any part of the

Northern Hemisphere, embarking on Surrey’s student exchange

programme to Melbourne was a dramatic learning curve that

without doubt, broadened my horizons in many different ways.

On reflection, I can say that with absolutely no doubt, studying in

Melbourne was one of the best experiences I’ve had; not only on

an academic level but also on a personal level. I believe that the

memories made over in Australia will be ones that will resonate

with me for a lifetime. Whilst away, I met best friends from across

the globe; friends that I would never have met if I without visiting

Melbourne. We studied, travelled the entire East Coast and

created memories that will always be true to my heart. I went to

Australia with the intent to immerse myself in a new culture, not

realising that some of the the friends I made would be friends for

life.

Although studying the same course, attending university in

Australia was much different from studying at Surrey. Earlier starts

and later finishes to the teaching timetable was one aspect that

didn't go down as well. However, the laid-back style of teaching

combined with the great social side of the university were factors

that totally overruled the few flaws studying abroad had to offer.

In conclusion, my time spent studying abroad has had a major

impact me, all of which is positive. Instead of being confined to

one culture in one university, I have now had the experience of

viewing other cultures and university life. My semester exchange

was certainly a big highlight of my university life and has ignited

memories that will never be forgotten.

Katie Gillon


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University of Sydney

In January 2014 I found out that I received the only available place for my

course to do an exchange semester at the University of Sydney, which was my

first choice out of all possible host universities.

In July I was finally on the plane, together with my best friend from Surrey who

also got into Sydney, which made my experience even more special as this

time we spent together so far from home will always be special to our

friendship.

The first month in Sydney was very stressful, not knowing many people, not

knowing the local area very well and being confronted with a big city of 4.5

million people. However, we soon found many friends from all over the world,

whether from Norway, Ireland, Scotland, the U.S. or Canada - and of course

loads of Aussies, who are friendly and open minded people.

In our leisure time we would go to the beach, do some excursions, e.g. we

went to Melbourne over the Melbourne Cup, which was amazing, and would

just chill with our friends, getting to know them and their cultures.

The way the University of Sydney works is quite different to Surrey. Instead of

having one big exam period at the end of the semester, there were many mini

assessment during the semester, which was very time consuming and which

showed that the University of Sydney is one of the top universities in the

world, and that you actually have to work hard to get good grades.

I truly had the time of my life during my semester in Sydney, where I could not

only develop professionally, but especially personally as it opened my eyes to

the world and made me more open minded and self-confident.

Jill Juergensen


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I can easily say that my exchange at The University of Sydney,

Australia was one of the best experiences of my life so far! Having the

opportunity to study and live in a country on the other side of the

world is something that I will never take for granted.

During my time in Australia I was fortunate enough to socialize and

make friends with people from all over the world as my

accommodation primarily included exchange students. The University

campus itself was so grand, beautiful and had impressive views of

Sydney skyline. The University had so much to offer and as a result I

joined the dance and sailing societies. I was very fortunate enough to

be able to do the exchange program with my best friend from

university, which was very beneficial as we helped each other with our

academic studies and travel.

Jill and myself had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand in our mid

semester break which was incredible! We went on a tour where we

had the chance to have our first surfing lessons, go caving and embark

on a 19km hike. At the end of our semester Jill and myself arranged

another tour to travel up the East Coast of Australia. This experience is

one that I will always treasure as we saw so many amazing things that

Australia has to offer.

We travelled to Byron Bay, sailed around the Whitsundays; I skydived

on the beach at Surfers Paradise and went swimming round the Great

Barrier Reef! After two weeks of traveling up the coast we reached

Cain’s where we caught a flight to the outback! This was a completely

different experience where we went on long walks at 4am, slept in

swags and camped under the stars. The exchange was an experience of

a lifetime and I wish I could do it all over again!

Molly Dye


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The City Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, situated to the South of the North Island. The city is fairly compact which makes it easy to travel round. There is always something to get up to Wellington! Have an insight into New Zealand’s cultural history at the Te Papa museum, sample some of the cuisine at the night markets and enjoy a night out in town. Victoria University The University has various campuses throughout the city offering a range of subject options. I studied at the Law school, which is next to the famous Beehive Parliament. Victoria Offers some brilliant facilities, including many libraries and gym facilities on its main campuses. Accommodation The University offers a range of accommodation options to choose from. I stayed at the Stafford House Hall, situated in the centre of town, within a few minutes’ walk from the Law campus. International and exchange students are given priority when it comes to getting accommodation in University halls, so that is one less thing to worry about! Travel! New Zealand is famous for its picturesque landscape so make sure you get a chance to see it!

Melody Wilson

LLB Law

Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

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La Rochelle Business School

Academic studies

Studied 7 modules (group work/assignments and exams)

Choice of English or French track

Integration week for international students: intensive French classes and team

building activities (First week of September)

A business school therefore the institution’s smaller in comparison to Surrey

Strict monitoring of attendance (need to badge ID card for every class)

Accommodation

School offers assistance in finding accommodation

Types of accommodation: host family stay (€350-€570 per month), apartments or

studios/residence (€300-€600 per month)

Stayed in a residence, an 18m² studio with a fully equipped kitchen (€579 a month)

Local area

Varieties of restaurants, shops, nightclubs and bars

Beaches, Mediatheque, Université de La Rochelle, EIGSI

Excursions—Places I visited whilst in France included:

Ile de Re

Rochefort

Paris

Lourdes

Jarnac-Champagne

Jonzac

Cognac

Nicolai Marasigan

BSc Tourism Management

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Modul University

Time spent on my exchange semester

in Vienna was one the best times in

my life. It is not only about new

country, university or even new

friends. It is an opportunity to take

risk and follow your wish to explore

new piece of world. You never know

what to expect but it is about how to

adjust and find yourself in the new

environment, how to deal with issues

and how to be responsible. New life

in Vienna broadened my knowledge

and gave me many answers. I have

presented a little part of my

experience, however I wish everyone

would use this opportunity to

discover a new country and gain their

own experience.

Alesia Martsishonak

BSc International Hospitality and

Tourism Management

Academic studies: Due to the small student population,

we students could express ourselves freely regarding

the subject in class. More attention from the lecturers

could be dedicated to each student. Not only do the

lecturers know the names of almost all the students in

their classes, they are also aware of the individual

academic performances.

Accommodation: The block I lived in WIHAST was clean

and peaceful. The room and shared kitchen were

spacious. The toilet and mini kitchenette are shared

between two adjacent rooms. Managing cleanliness

and functionality of the shared space with my

roommate felt like a “preparation” for my future home

planning.

New Friends: I made friends with some of my

neighbours and hung out with them in several

occasions. Sometimes we would bring our friends along

to the gatherings. Meeting people of different cultural

backgrounds was enriching as we shared about our

own country, customs and traditions.

Sheila Koo


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Summary: Erasmus exchange was definitely a one-of-a-kind experience for me; I

met so many new friends from all over the world (not just Austrians) as well as

getting the opportunity to experience a different culture that is unlike my own.

Of course, things were not smooth sailing in the beginning (as I had to familiarise

myself with the environment, people, language and food). However, I’m happy

to say after 5 months, I did not regret choosing Modul University Vienna as my

student exchange choice. It was truly memorable!

Viennese café culture: Viennese cafés have an extremely long and distinguished

history that dates back centuries, and as such it was a must for us to visit the

coffeehouses there. There are many coffeehouses all over Vienna (and we went

to quite a few in our short 5 months stint there), and some research online

helped us in picking which places to go to. The more popular drinks are the

Wiener Melange (similar to a cappucino) and the more popular desserts include

the Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel) and Sacher Torte (Chocolate cake with apricot

jam)

Food: The food in Vienna was truly amazing! The must-trys are definitely the

soups, Schnitzel and Ribs (most Viennese restaurants sell them). It is also

common to find sausage stands and noodle stands almost everywhere you go.

When it comes to grocery shopping in Vienna, it is advisable to bring your own

bags (as they would charge for plastic bags used). Stores that are more popular

with student include: Hofer (there is one near the student dorms-Wihast),

Merkur, Billa and Spar.

Christmas Markets: As my exchange was in the fall semester, we got a chance to

visit the beautiful Christmas markets in Vienna which are held from mid-

November to Christmas. We also had the chance to try out local Christmas

delicacies such as the punsch (a Christmas drink with rum and brandy in it),

glühwein (mulled wine), different types of sausages, german dumplings, cheeses

and many more.

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Campus on Kahlenberg: Modul University is located on a located on

Kahlenberg, a scenic hill with a spectacular view of Vienna. Compared to

Surrey, it is a much smaller university with a smaller intake which is why I feel

that we get to know each other really well over time (which was great).

Seminars and lectures were also much smaller as compared to Surrey, which is

different but interesting in a way as we got to interact more with the lecturers

and professors.As I got the chance to speak up more, voice my opinions and ask

questions, I feel that I am a more confident person now as compared to before.

Friends: I have met so many friends throughout the course of my exchange. We

met everyone during Orientation Week at first—when everyone was all

tentative and awkward in the beginning, but after time meeting the same

people in lectures and tutorials frequently brought everyone closer together.

Also, we do have dinner and go out together outside of class time. I really think

I’ve made friends for a lifetime and would definitely recommend you to go for

exchange!

Advice: Keep an open mind! Request for a buddy with the Student Services

Centre (SSC), my buddy really helped me when it came to getting my Austrian

phonecard, my transport cards and all the other necessities (such as bank

accounts etc). Be adventurous and travel around Austria! (as well as within

Austria).

Jolene Neo


Stockholm University

I can definitely say that the semester I spent in Sweden was the highlight of my student

life. I had the most amazing time and got the chance to live in a country such as Sweden,

with an interesting culture and a really high standard of living. I was initially really hesitant

and I was not sure about my decision. But within a week of being there, meeting new

people and exploring a new city, those doubts had disappeared. Stockholm is undoubtedly

one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe, and home to a Top 100 European university.

I really enjoyed my modules, and my professors and the exchange team at Stockholm

University had a relaxed attitude while at the same time succeeding in keeping high

academic standards, thus making the transition a lot easier and the exchange experience a

lot more enjoyable.

I was lucky to get student accommodation in Lappkärrsberget, situated 10 minutes from

campus. I had a spacious ensuite room with a view to the adjacent national forest. The

most important part of this experience was the people. I think the friendships I made

during this semester are going to last a lifetime. I will never forget our parties, our songs

around the fire at the beach, our barbeques, our trips to the Swedish countryside and

Stockholm archipelago and our party cruise to Riga. This experience taught me a lot about

myself, and gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures and way of life; I

would therefore recommend it to anybody.

Ioannis Benetatos

LLB Law

Studying in Stockholm has been an unforgettable experience!

I enjoyed studying Human Rights in a Global Perspective and Comparative Law. The

classes were taught in small groups (which I preferred) and found engaging. I have

learnt transferable skills, through the practical staggered assessments and believe

these skills will contribute to studies in my final year at Surrey.

My accommodation was on a student campus which was predominantly for

international students. It was the perfect place to meet and live with other students

also on exchange. This not only gave me an insight into Swedish culture, but also many

others that I never expected to encounter. I even found myself integrating into

Swedish culture by having the traditional Fika (Coffee break) every day!

Experiencing university life in one of Europe’s most cultured cities has allowed me to

expand my horizons, giving me the opportunity to embrace new traditions and make

friends for life. I explored a completely different lifestyle and contributed to things I

perhaps would not have had the opportunity to do in the UK. I plan to return to

Stockholm in April to visit and definitely see myself working/living in Stockholm or a

nearby city in the future!

Masuma Shamsi

LLB Law with Criminology

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University of Mannheim

I took part in a semester exchange at the

University of Mannheim in Germany. Firstly

Mannheim has lots of interesting attractions,

including the university itself as well as the Rhein

River. It is close to other major cities and towns

such as Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Frankfurt and a few

hours from Munich by train. Unfortunately

university owed accommodation was fully booked

almost as soon as the reservation portal opened,

but the university had a private accommodation

service exclusively for students so I ended up

renting in an apartment, with two German

students. When it came to academic studies, half

of my classes started in mid- October/November

which meant I had a lot of free time and could

concentrate on doing well in the language classes

available. Be prepared however, as learning styles

are extremely different. Lots of memorizing was

required which came as a bit of a shock and was

not necessarily easier than how we study at home.

I made lots of friends from around the world and

that was the biggest highlight of my experience, I

was not disappointed!

Kyria Mputu-Mombo

LLB Law

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Brock University

I was lucky enough to study at Brock University

in the Niagara region, Canada. I lived in halls on

campus, sharing a hallway with 55 Canadian

first year students. This was a lot of fun that

came with countless opportunities to socialise

and enjoy myself. Classes were a bit easier than

those taught at Surrey which was great,

although the work load was a fair bit higher.

However, it was very manageable and I still

found I had time to go travelling somewhere

every other weekend. In terms of travel, I

visited a number of Canadian and American

places such as Montreal, Toronto and New York

to name a few. Going on exchange gave me the

chance to learn about and appreciate new

sports like Ice Hockey and American Football,

which was a new insight for me. Furthermore, I

got to try plenty of new food dishes, my

favourite being poutine (chips, covered in

cheese and gravy). I would certainly

recommend doing exchange to anyone and

have no regrets about doing it.

Harry Brickwood


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North Carolina State University

I studied at North Carolina State University for the first semester of my second

year. I was there from beginning of August till the end of December.

Accommodation: During my semester at NCSU I stayed in an apartment on campus.

I shared the apartment with 3 other students, two Americans and one international

student. I had my own room but shared bathrooms and kitchen with the other

student. The room was medium size with double bed and all the basic furniture.

Academic studies: I was enrolled onto four classes for that semester. What I found

different from Surrey was that they had a wide range of different classes to pick

from and the lectures were much shorter. The course load was much more than at

Surrey but if you stay on top of things you should be fine.

Social life: University life at NCSU was incredible. To start with there were 30,000

students, which is half of what we have in Surrey. There are hundreds of student

clubs and organizations at the university which offers different activities and some

are academically focused and others purely social. I attended events such as live

music, football games, basketball games, and Greek initiation ceremonies. I met

amazing people I will never forget and made life long friends.

Traveling: Travelling around the USA has also been once in a lifetime experience.

Not many people can say they have visited 12 states in less than 6 month. USA is a

vast country with lots to explore and doing so has been fascinating and rewarding.

Tsion Gebru


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Ryerson University

Things to know before you go:

No VISA necessary for 1 semester

Flights are quite expensive! Know the best time to buy for best deals

Choosing modules (Ryerson are very flexible and helpful with this)

No need to know French, practically no one speaks it in Toronto

Money – have some cash for initial expenses. I personally took out a credit card

with no overseas fees for easy payments on most things but friends made do

with just taking out large sums of cash every now and then on their regular

debit card (but you need to inform your bank you’ll be away or they will block

it and you’ll be in trouble!)

Would advise a Cab from airport – expensive but you wont get lost/have to lug

your suitcase(s) around the public transport system

Everyone knows Canada to be COLD, but August/Sept is HOT and it is still mild until

around November where it suddenly changes, so be prepared for this!

People are friendly, but you are in a city, so most people have places to be -

imagine a friendlier London

Learning how to get around without a car – mostly public transport, you can get

practically anywhere in the city for $3 using TTC (Subway, Buses and Trams)

Academic studies:

3 hour lectures are the norm – but they are not as bad as they seem!

Fantastic buildings and facilities - Ted Rodgers School of Management. Facilities

similar to SurreyLearn for lecture slides and information etc.

Brilliant Lecturers – engaging and interesting

More work for less– I would do an essay that, here, might be 40% but there is only

10%! They break up the grade more, but it is actually a blessing! Mix of

Homework, Coursework, Group work, Midterms and Finals (not all of them for

each module, obviously!) Lots of multiple choice exams. Exams before

Christmas!

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Accommodation:

On Campus accommodation unavailable for 1 semester, only for a full

year. Early deadlines to apply!

100% advise Neill Wycik (where I stayed) - Cheap, everyone lives there!

lots of events always on. Centre of the city, across the road from

Campus (1 minute walk!), great Facilities – Gym, BBQs on Roof Decks,

Games room, TV Room, Computer Lab, Laundry Rooms, Café, 24/7

Security, own room, shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities.

Top Tips:

Plan and organise before you go! Take every opportunity that arises or

you will regret it!

Take it upon yourself you explore, don’t rely on University trips!

Be a part of Ryerson – go to sports matches and the SU! (Free Hockey

matches to watch Ryerson Rams!)

Explore Toronto but also explore further! (I visited New York, twice! Barrie

and the Lakes – Skydiving! Niagara Falls, twice, once in a helicopter!)

Document your memories!

Briony Clarke

BSc Business and Retail Management

For my semester abroad I studied at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. The 4

months I was there was probably one of the best experiences I have ever had I

would hugely recommend it to anyone thinking about studying abroad. Not only

did studying abroad allow me to learn in a different culture, but it allowed me to

find out so much about myself and overall I believed I have developed so much.

My time in Toronto was amazing, from meeting new people at university or in my

hotel, to partying every week, to going travelling around Canada and USA. There

was so much to do and explore. Also my friend from Surrey University came and

visited me.

My trip was fulfilled with adventures, flying out in first class to staying in a hotel

for 4 months. I went and watched a baseball game, basketball game, ice hockey

game, and had a tour round the stadium and met all the players and a soccer

match and when I flew out to America I watched American football and went to a

boxing match to see my idol Floyd Mayweather.

There was so many things I did in Canada such as go up the CN Tower, NIagra

falls, Go shopping, Go to a fashion show, party in the best clubs, went to concerts,

themeparks, historical places and many more.

This experience was a once in a lifetime and I have made so many new friends

from all over the world and memories that will last a life time.

Adam See


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Preparation

Finances: Student Finance (£300 for the first cost, the rest covered.) Only cover

flights, not accommodation. Robert Earl Scholarship

Flights: Shop around for flights! I found Air Transat the cheapest, if you have a

return date it is even cheaper!

Immigration: Currently, if you're a student for less than 4 months you don't need

a study permit! You need to be able to prove that you can support yourself

financially, and that you are enrolled to your chosen university. (I was

directed to talk to immigration and asked to prove all of the above, however

others were not. Be prepared!)

Transport: TTC! To and from the airport there is a bus and subway route, not

straight forward but a lot cheaper. From the airport by taxi $50, to the

airport by TTC $3 - although TTC is more hassle, its worth it for the price.

Ryerson University

Modules: Equivalents! You have to make sure you choose an equivalent modules

to align with Surrey - be prepared for the modules not to run! Sometimes

they are listed but do not get enough students on the course and cancel it!

Pre Requisites - Check whether their are any! I was caught out on this, I

entered a module that the students all had previous knowledge for - I ended

up changing.

UHIP - University Health Insurance Plan: This is compulsory! Costs approximately

$200.

Lectures: Much more interaction, powerpoints are more of a guide rather than

the teaching material. Be prepared for everyone to turn around when they

hear your accent though!

RISExC: Exchange student group, run by students for students. They organise

trips although not 100% reliable, less than half the planned events went

ahead. Although the events that did run were very good.

Location: Several buildings around downtown Toronto. Ted Rogers

Management School is located next to the Eaton Centre in Dundas Square.

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Hospitality and Tourism: Aspects of Food & Issues and Policies. Incredible

professors! Food = several guest speakers, prepared food in front of

you, tried the food etc. Issues and Policies = British lecturer,

approachable, supportive, has a lot of time for his students,

interactive.

Books: A lot of lecturers refer back to them, but expensive! I paid $400+

for mine. At the end you can resell them in Ryerson Bookstore.

Canada, Toronto

Temperature: When I arrived in Toronto I was prepared for chilly

weather, when I stepped off the plane I walked into 30 degrees. Be

prepared for all weather! Within 3-4 weeks, you couldn't leave

without a coat!

Shopping: Dundas square - huge shopping centre, mostly underground

Fall: Take a walk to see the changing of the leaves. I drove through

Niagara on the Lake in November, although the end of the season,

the colours were amazing!

Baseball: Cheap tickets, slightly boring sport but I personally enjoyed it!

Ice Hockey: The Maple Leaves are Toronto’s hockey team however

tickets are expensive! The Ryerson Rams (Or your university team)

are just as entertaining.

TTC: Subway & Trams..$3 token will take you as far as you need to go!

Passes can be bought, cheap, simple & easy way to travel!

Time difference: +5 hours from London!

Eating Out: Subways are everywhere, you're never more than 10 blocks

from one! Tim Hortons, great coffee. Eaton Eatery = an entire floor

of food; Indian, subway, KFC, McDonalds, Thai, Greek,

Mediterranean, Vegan, New York Fries for Poutine!

Accommodation

Neill Wycik: Exchange students are generally housed together, met lots of students

from around the world. Not luxury, but is very good value for location. As the

building is a co-op, hours! Do not leave them for last minute, get them over

and done with ASAP! ($1900 for September -December)

Primrose Hotel: More expensive, although I didn't visit - better living conditions.

On campus: Not available for semester 1 students!

Excursions

CN Tower: Glass floor on observation deck

Hockey Hall of Fame: Interesting for hardcore hockey fans, interesting but slightly

boring if you do not know the ins and outs of Hockey like myself.

Toronto Island: Everything closes at the end of the summer but the boat offers

some amazing photo opportunities.

Niagara Falls: Wrap up warm! It is freezing but an amazing place. Explore! The

local town has a few shops including a fudge shop, bowling alley and a small

amusement park.

Niagara on the Lake: Visited with my mother, small shops, beautiful scenery

Reptile Centre: If you like reptiles, 100% would recommend. Lots of venomous

animals that cant be found in several UK places.

Toronto Zoo: Incredible place, easy to get to. 100% would recommend, give

yourself plenty of time to walk around, it is huge!

Sky Diving: Incredible experience, cheaper than UK approx 2 hours to destination

Barrie: Not a lot happening but nice to walk around the lake

International Womens Show: Pretty self explanatory, lots of freebies and saw

Patrick Adams from suits.

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New York: Driving 12 hours, not far and you get to tick off one of the best

cities in the world!

Sanata Claus Parade: Every year a huge parade travels through Toronto

with floats from local companies such as Tim Hortons, Toronto

Raptors, Toronto Maple Leaves etc.

Future Students

Call Student Finance: See what they can do for you! Anything they can

offer you is a bonus!

Modules: Check, check and check again. Do not be afraid to change if it is

not right for you.

Accommodation: What I saved on housing I spent on travelling

Transport: TTC is worth it! Bit of a hassle but the saving is well worth it

Temperature: Go prepared for ALL weather!

Explore: Study first, then explore! I did things I never thought I would,

some incredible things. Exploring was the highlight of my time in

Toronto. I had the most incredible time in Toronto, be prepared to be

mature, independent, miss your loved ones, but have the most

amazing time!

Jamie Woodhams


University of Central Florida

Academic Studies: Overall, we were supposed to choose 4 modules, including 3 compulsory

modules, and I had class for only 3 days. I chose Beer class for optional module and it was

amazing experience; students in that class tasted a range of beer from various countries. For

Ethics module which is compulsory to take, we had to take shuttle to the main campus.

Marketing class involved a lot of effort; students in the class have to take pre-quiz before

every class and take another quiz instead of checking attendance. Still, designing a marketing

plan and interviewing concierge was a good practice.

Accommodation/ Local Area: Accommodation in Rosen campus has 4 bed rooms, a living

room and nice kitchen. However, there is only one temperature control in the flat and Florida

students prefer to turn air conditioner down so low even during winter and this was the most

suffering. I wish we could choose accommodation in the main campus, because I had classes

for only two days a week on Rosen and there’s not many things we could do around Rosen

without car. The shuttles to the main campus operate only during weekdays, and public buses

come once in a while.

Travelling/ Excursion: Travelling around the USA was the biggest purpose of going to the

exchange. Before semester starts, I went to Miami and Key West and they were very beautiful

places. During semester I went to Discovery Cove, Sea World, and Universal Studios in

Orlando, and travelled Chicago and Michigan. After semester finished some exchange

students went to trip in California and Las Vegas. We visited national parks including Grand

Canyon and Death Valley and they showed us incredible views. Also, in Las Vegas the hotels

were very creative and diverse. This trip was the most amazing memory in the whole

semester.

Friends: I had great chance to meet other exchange students from different countries, and we

usually hanged out together and went to trip during and after semester. There’s international

buddies to each exchange students, and I and my buddy tried to meet each other but we

could never see each other.

Jinwoo Kang


I went on an exchange for a semester at University of

Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

My entire experience has been absolutely incredible!

10 out of 10. The students at UCF were really helpful,

co-operative and friendly. In my starting days I was a

bit scared but the students and teachers around

made me feel comfortable and gave me an idea about

the school and the locality, which really helped me

throughout the entire semester. I could not have

been more fortunate.

Accomplishing this exchange programme has

impacted on my future in following ways:

Deciding my career goals

New lifelong friendships

Personal growth

The only negative thing I can talk about is the public

transport, it is bad, you have to have a car in Florida.

But, other than that it is a life defining experience.

Anybody who does not do an exchange is so definitely

missing out.

Vishal Yadav


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Accommodation: Rosen College resembles a resort. On the small hospitality campus there is

a swimming pool, a gated community with security, library and a small gym. I share an

apartment with 3 other female students, sharing a kitchen and living room and shared

bathroom facilities with 1 other flat mate.

Local Area: Living in Orlando, you are given the opportunity to visit all the famous local theme

parks at a discounted rate being a UCF student. There are also a range of bars and clubs

around town (If you’re 21+). You can find beaches all around Florida that are short drives

away. There are 2 premium outlets with very cheap designer clothes.

Transport: There is a university shuttle bus that takes you to and from the main campus

Monday to Friday from around 6am-9am. If you have a driving license and you have the funds

to do so, I would highly recommend that you rent a car time to time or buy one for your stay

because getting around can be very hard without one. There are local buses that can take you

to the mall, airport and other places but do not run as regularly as they do in Guildford. Taxis

can be slightly expense if traveling alone as most places are somewhat spread out and not

walkable.

American football: American students are really into football and there are regular games

throughout the semester. Whist being at the games, it was natural for me to get into the UCF

football spirit.

Traveling between studies: During my time in the USA, I was able to Travel to; the Bahamas,

New Orleans, St Augustine, Miami, Key West and Clearwater.

Friends: I met meet many new people whist being at the University of Central Florida. I met

some friends that I will keep in contact with for life. I also got to know many new cultures and

pick up a little Spanish and Chinese from fellow exchange students.

Shakiya Yemoh-Parkes


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University of Cincinnati

Overall the experience exceeded all expectations. It was truly an experience of a

lifetime and I would have stayed there haven’t been given the opportunity. At first like

anything I was hesitant and questioning going, for the simple reason that I feared the

unknown. However after the first day I knew it would be a great trip as I was welcomed

with open arms and strangely my surroundings felt quite familiar.

Academic Studies: In America I studied 4 courses, all worth 3 credits each and all of

which were based around a degree in Business Management. Most of the courses were

examined either by presentation and or a multiple-choice exam both of which were a

lot easier than what I would expect at the University of Surrey. The biggest surprise for

me was how easy and laid back the education was, which enabled me to walk away

with a 90% average.

Accommodation: My assigned accommodation was called ‘Stratford Heights’ which

was mainly home to the international students. it was located across the road from

campus and within walking distance from the bars, restaurants, parties ect. The rooms

were dorm like and very modern and spacious. Overall I feel it was a great place to live.

Relationships: American people are very welcoming therefore it made it easy to build

relationships. Professors at the University of Cincinnati are also very outgoing and

helpful, making education, communication and relationships easy to establish and

maintain. Like me, all other international students were on an adventure, and it takes a

certain personality to leave home alone and travel to another country, which again

made it easy to relate and connect to each other.

Travel: During my time in the states, I travelled to over 20 states, including crossing the

boarder to Canada. The affordable prices and access to travel options made it easy to

get around.

Taylor Inkersole


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FBEL International Exchange facebook.com/surreyexchange

University of Surrey twitter: @uniofsurrey

Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK youtube.com/universityofsurrey

E: [email protected] surrey.ac.uk/fbelexchange

International Exchange Programme

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