Dal Study Abroad

Our next student Q&A ✨

Q: What advice would you give to future students going on exchange? 🌍

A: Join clubs and societies that interest you while on exchange! It’s a great way to meet new people you wouldn’t otherwise, and to try something new and fun! ✈️

Packing smart can make your time abroad a lot easier 🧳☀️

Research the climate of your destination, plan for the season, and focus on versatile essentials you can wear in different settings. 🧥👟

This week's student takeover is Izzy Ambrose! Izzy is a third-year student studying Psychology at Dal and is currently on exchange at the University of Liverpool.

Here's what she has to say about her exchange experience so far:

It is hard to pick a favourite memory from exchange because the community and life I have built here has made so many amazing memories. Walking in Sefton Park, nights out, the trips I've been on, and even just hanging out in my kitchen with my friends and roommates are all highlights. One thing this experience has taught me is that I am in no rush to figure out the rest of my life; there is so much time.

If you are planning on studying abroad in the upcoming semesters, I highly recommend making sure you have a good balance of travelling and spending time in your host city. I know it can be tempting to go away every weekend and see as much as possible, but the most special part for me has been building a life here and getting to know the city and school properly. I am staying in the residence, and there is such a good community of exchange students from all over the world. I have met some of the best people here, and it really feels like home.

Special delivery from Beijing, China 📬🇨🇳

We’ve received another postcard from abroad, this time from Beijing. Follow along as we continue sharing student snapshots from destinations around the world.

Our next student Q&A ✨

Q: Where did you live during your exchange? 🏠

A: During my exchange in Lausanne, I lived in a building called the Vortex on the University of Lausanne campus. It was originally built for the 2020 Youth Olympics and is now managed by the Foundation pour Étudiants Lausanne (FMEL) as a student residence. It was such a unique place to live and a great way to feel connected to campus life! 🇨🇭

Before you go abroad, make sure you understand how tuition works 📚

For exchange, you will continue paying your regular full-time tuition and applicable student fees to Dal, not to your host university. Study Abroad students will pay tuition directly to their host institution. Keep in mind that costs like residence, meal plans, and other services are usually paid directly to your host school.

This week’s takeover features Aila, a third-year Bachelor of Health Promotion student studying Māori culture in Aotearoa (New Zealand)!

Here’s what Aila shared about studying abroad:

One of my most memorable experiences was renting a campervan and exploring Te Waipounamu (South Island) with friends and my partner. We swam in lakes and the ocean, spent time under stunning stars, and cooked hearty meals together.

Studying abroad has taught me how important it is to engage with the history of the places your feet touch and to show respect to the Indigenous people of that area.

If you’re thinking about studying abroad, believe in your dreams and take action to make it happen. You deserve it!

New mail! A postcard just arrived from Bergen, Norway 📬🇳🇴

This postcard gives us a glimpse into student life abroad. Each postcard brings a new destination, a new perspective, and a new story.

Before you go abroad, make sure your pre-departure activities are complete ✈️🌍

To stay compliant with Dal’s International Travel Policy, students must complete all required steps before departure. This includes the Brightspace Pre-Departure Workshop, downloading International SOS and registering your itinerary, completing the Travel Risk Assessment Plan if required, purchasing Backpack Insurance, and submitting the Emergency Contact Form in MoveON with any required documents.

Completing these steps on time is an important part of preparing for a safe and successful exchange experience.

Please note that these requirements can vary slightly for Departmental Exchanges.

This week’s student takeover is Elizabeth! Elizabeth is a third-year Commerce student spending her term abroad at GEM Alpine Business School in Grenoble, France. 🇫🇷

Here’s what she has to say about her time on exchange:

Favourite Memory: I’m only halfway through my term so I don’t want to choose a favourite just yet, but I love the activities I can do at home too. Things like going to the grocery store, out to bowling or laser tag after class. Spending time with people from so many different backgrounds! Navigating a grocery store or trying to communicate with the employees when there’s a different language and so many other challenges associated with studying abroad makes you realize how capable of hard things you really are!

Tips: Don’t be afraid to reach out to other students, especially ones who went to the same school as you! Most people are more than happy to relive their exchange memories while giving you advice!

Another thing! This is the second time I’ve participated in study abroad at Dal. Between first and second year I did one of the summer short programs offered to the Netherlands, spending 3 weeks earning a certificate. They’re not as well known as full terms but they’re a great option if you want to study abroad but your schedule doesn’t allow it, or your not really sure you’re ready to commit to a full term!