In second year, second semester I first helped out with my university’s exchange program. The experience pushed me to stay with the program to this day. When you go on exchange, everything is new and different, and believe it or not, most international students view Toronto the same way we view Berlin. Whether it be explaining the complicated public transit lines, to suggesting the best pizza place to order from after 3am, these small tips and tricks make all the difference to someone who is new to the city.
I’ve noticed that exchange students are also more comfortable meeting people that I’m used to. For the most part, they’re very outgoing and open to try new things. This makes any Friday night an experience in itself. Perhaps this is driven by the need to integrate with local culture, or perhaps, and this is the opinion I lean towards, students who go on exchange are naturally more at ease and ready to step outside their comfort zones.
The best perks for a local student volunteering with their university’s exchange program is the international friends you make, and in turn, the number of couches and floors you can choose from come time for your adventure oversees. Thanks to my volunteering I now know I have reliable tour guides in just about every corner of Europe.