Mikaela (Sem 1, 2023)

My Exchange at Simon Fraser University

My exchange was amazing in every way. The best decision I made was to go with a friend from home. This meant that neither of us ever got homesick, and every single thing throughout the exchange, from the pre-departure admin prep, to initial arrival overseas, to the return back home was all experienced with someone else. Because of this, I never felt lonely or isolated, and it made it really easy to try new things because I had someone else to do it all with. I definitely recommend staying on campus, ideally in the townhouses, because SFU Burnaby Campus is up a mountain and not the most accessible place. Its mountain location also means it’s more prone to snow, and you’re often shut off from getting to campus if you live off campus. 100% purchase the food packages (dining packs) as the food is delicious and there are endless 24-hour options. You can buy these at any point during your exchange.

The biggest challenge of my exchange was seeing an enormous piece of “artwork” in one of the central stairwells that was a complete appropriation of Māori tā moko. This was super confronting for both my friend and I as Māori students, and we had to pass this giant piece of art every day we went to class. For us, this was a stark reminder that even halfway across the world, we, as Māori women, were not safe within academia. Finding support for this unique issue was even more challenging, but it was through this that we became connected with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit student group, who ended up becoming some of our closest friends.

Overall, I would 100% recommend an exchange through 360 to anyone who is in the privileged position to do so. I could have easily stayed for two semesters rather than just one. If going on exchange to Canada, it is important to consider the seasons that coincide with your chosen semester, as these seasons vary greatly. We were there during Winter and there were periods when we didn’t see the sun for weeks at a time. The sun rose and set on the same side of the sky because there was so little daylight, and the sun set at 4pm when we arrived in late Dec.

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

Participating in the first ever Powwow held on SFU campus was my biggest highlight.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

Making the most of the snow – head to the mountains (depending on which part of Canada you’re in).

Engage with Indigenous Peoples, take time to listen, and participate in First Nations events when outsiders are welcome (when appropriate) eg. Powwows open to the public such as University Powwows.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

• Apply for campus housing early so you get in! – stay on campus, the townhouses are the best option.

• Purchase the on-campus food/dining package. The food is amazing. Heaps of variety, super modern, open 24 hours, and a really nice (central) area to congregate at uni.

• Join student groups to make friends according to your interests. – find these at the clubs expo.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

Ended up using every single dollar I had – definitely didn’t budget once I got there but was lucky I had saved beforehand for the trip. Apply for scholarships because these made a HUGE difference to my trip. If you are shorter on money, apply for a visa so you can work while you’re there. I didn’t apply for a visa because I didn’t want/need to work but you definitely could do this if you need extra money (apply for work as soon as you arrive if not before). Being eligible to receive my StudyLink payment while overseas also made the BIGGEST difference to maintaining my income while I wasn’t working.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

You can take as many courses as you want to learn about whatever it is you are interested in but, the real, deep, unforgettable learning comes from engaging with local people. For me, there was absolutely no comparision between learning through the Indigenous Studies department and actually engaging and befriending actual Indigenous First Nations Peoples. Be an active learner.

Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?

Canada is super expensive to travel in and so huge that you really need to drive (on the other side of the road) or fly vast distances. It was for that reason that we didn’t travel outside of BC (the state my friend and I were based in), and instead, we travelled to Washington State, in the US and Vancouver Island (still in BC). Without a visa (as a student) you can stay in Canada for a maximum of 6 months, so I maxed this time out. I made the most of being in the Americas and travelled for 2 months after the (4 month) semester ended

Is there anything else you’d like to highlight?

Pack warm clothes if you go for the “Spring” semester. It snows a lot.