It’s crunch time. Exchange applications due in T-minus 45 or so hours. Are you stressing? Please don’t. This should be an exciting time. The thought of the adventure you will be embarking on next year – no matter where that is – should supersede any stress about how you are going to get there. It will all work out, I PROMISE. I’ve sent hundreds of students on exchange, I can confidently say that I have never had a student regret it one bit – whether they went to their top choice or 10th.

We have been getting so many questions from students focusing on the tiny details, like “I can’t find the hours of the courses?” or “Do I need to include tuition in my budget?”  We want students to focus on the Big Picture, but use the details to help guide their decisions.  Below are the answers to the top 3 questions we have been receiving:

1.  Proposed Study Plan – The website has been updated with the guidelines on producing and submitting the Proposed Study Plan. Here are some additional tips:

  • The study plan will be not be evaluated, BUT, it will show you’ve sufficiently researched the school and you can confidently say it meets your academic goals if and when asked.
  • There are more resources than just the school’s website to find course offerings.  You can review Exchange Reports from previous students, the school’s fact sheet may list courses or a specific link to course offerings. Remember this is only a proposal. You will (mostly likely) not be enrolling in the courses on your proposed study plan when the time comes.
  • It’s not crucial to state the exact credits or hours of the courses. It is helpful to get a sense of what to expect, but not crazy important at this stage.

2. Budget – Again, the website has been updated with further guidelines on how to submit your budget. To reiterate, only submit ONE budget. If costs vary by school/country state a range. For example: If Accommodation in Paris costs $1000 CDN per month, but in Prague is costs $300 CDN per month, on your budget, state “Accommodation: $300 – $1000 CDN per month.” Again, you will not be evaluated on the budget, but it important for you to know that you can afford to live in the cities/countries you are stating on your application.

3.  Video – Here is your lesson in ambiguity. The instructions are vague purposely. You will not have all the answers or direction or instructions while on exchange. Might as well embrace and get used to it now.  However, the question we are getting most is “Do I have to be in the video?”  My official answer is “The video is about you. Make it obvious that is about you.” Ambiguous enough for you?  Also a reminder that the video is maximum 90 seconds – give or take a few seconds – anything more than that will not be viewed, therefore not evaluated.

Okay, I know you’ve heard and we’ve said that the competition for exchange can be fierce. Not gonna lie, it can be. But doesn’t mean you have to stress about it. This is a positive experience that will, I promise, change you for the better.  Enjoy the ride.

Undergraduate Exchange Website

Best of luck and look forward to meeting you all during interviews.

Tina Fantin, Undergraduate International Program Coordinator