Even though I decided to go onto an exchange semester during the pandemic I learnt quite a lot about myself and about interacting with strangers. In this article I will be reflecting on my time here. Also, I will share with you some things you might want to take into consideration when planning to go abroad yourself .
Importance of Friends
I was fortunate to have relatives in the Netherlands as I am half-Dutch. But for others this may not be the case. Especially traveling to a new city alone can be quite a challenge for some people. I have learnt that it would have been a very good idea to have a study buddy with you on your exchange semester (especially in times of the pandemic). The exchange semester made me appreciate the friends I have at home even more and to be grateful for the many people I met here in the Netherlands as well as my long-term friends at home.
Teamwork is Key
In my semester at BUas I mostly had to carry out group assignments, therefore having to work together with completely new people. Sometimes that in itself can be quite the challenge as motivation, morale and dedication can quite differ from teammate to teammate. Here it’s important to motivate your colleagues when there’s a tough situation or you are stuck. What I have learnt through that was to be able to make compromises and on how to work together with people you didn’t know before. This is a skill that is great when you start your internship and you are working together with your new colleagues.
Handling Stress
The semester was quite stressful in comparison to the four other semesters I already finished at home. The level was higher and the teachers were stricter at grading the work you submitted. This was kind of a wakeup call for me as I learned that I need to perform at a better level than I did back at my school, because if I come into a similar situation in the working world I won’t have the chance to slack off. With COVID rules becoming harsher it was quite difficult to relieve the stress that builds up over time. What helped me in this regard was to call with my friends and girlfriend back at home as they brightened up my mood considerably. Other ways you can help yourself when you are stuck in similar situations is to go outside, try something new like cooking, arts & crafts and sports.
The full potential of an exchange semester
Another thing that became apparent to me was that the exchange semester would definitely have had much more potential if attending the campus, going out and meeting with someone wouldn’t have been limited in the way it was for me. Especially not being able to have real-life conversations with your class colleagues at the university was quite the bummer. Also, a study buddy to go along with you would have enriched the experience quite a lot.
Even though I didn’t have the easiest time, I still encourage you to go onto an exchange semester as I was able to learn a lot about myself and the things that are important to me. Also, you are able to develop a different view on everything that you have at home. I wish for you that there won’t be the restrictions that I had during my time here in the Netherlands and wish you all great success with your studies, as I also will be leaving the HUB Team after this semester.
In two weeks, there will be my last article about Expedition HUB Gameshow that is being produced by the TV team. So, stay tuned for that one!
