Are you going on an exchange soon and have as much doubt as excitement? Don't panic, we've been there and we know how it feels,so today we bring you 5 tips in order to be prepared and most importantly, make the most of the best experience of your student life, because it goes by in the blink of an eye, and once it's over you will want to go back. Trust me.
We know what it feels like to arrive at your destination and have nowhere to stay for the first few days. You'll have too many things to worry about those chaotic first few days, so don't let accommodation be one more on the list. If what you are looking for are shared apartments, check out Facebook groups in your city for ads on available apartments and rooms, browse specialized websites on this matter. Uniplaces operates university accommodation in many European cities and offers a simple booking process that avoids having to visit the properties, which is a great advantage. Take a look and avoid that unnecessary stress of having to find a place in a rush and get your new home (or residence) ready before you get there.
If you are worried about what to expect from your new city and university, search for information before you get there. Talk to people who have already been there on exchange, they can give you the best advice. You can also find very useful information on blogs, such as Erasmusu, where you will find testimonials and advice from current and past Erasmus students of your same university and/or same city. This blog is also very useful to find accommodation as locals will be posting offers regularly.
Don't be shy. You are going to live this experience only once. The first thing an exchange student has to get through is to deal with some tasks that he or she is not used to. Be ready to meet and talk to lots of people from everywhere in the world, go out with strangers that you will later call 'friends', enjoy the feeling of living on your own (and be careful with this as well), learn some cooking skills, managing the money of the month, and be ready to speak up in class in a different language!
Find the joy in the little things, this is what you will remember the most once it's over. Get out of your room and say yes to any plan even if it looks simple. Trips, museums, picnics, whatever. Soon you'll find yourself making plans that you would never make with your friends, that wouldn't even cross your mind. I'm talking about going out on a Monday, organising a cooking competition in your kitchen, or going for a pint at unusual times, even going to the supermarket with your friend will sound like a plan, trust me. You will always have a good story to tell afterwards.
Your exchange period is the best time to travel, either inside your host country or abroad, there are so many beautiful places waiting for you. Visit the tourist attractions that your host country has to offer, and take advantage of the cheap flights to explore new countries that you would not have the opportunity to go to if you were at home. Sign in to the ESN (Erasmus Student Network) of your host university, they offer Ryanair discounts for your year abroad. No excuses, plan as many trips as you possibly can with your exchange friends!