By Anneka Sprangers

When people say going on exchange was the best part of their degree, they are not lying! Having just packed my things and left my home for the last few months, I find it hard to properly describe just how special this experience has been. From the people I have met to the places I have explored, every moment has filled me with so much gratitude. Living, studying, and travelling overseas pushed me in ways I did not expect, but it also gave me memories and friendships I will hold onto forever.

The Challenges

Let’s start with the lows of this experience because, unfortunately, it’s not all fairytales and rainbows.

Flatting

Student accommodation is something I had not experienced before, having lived with my family throughout my degree in New Zealand. Exchange students are grouped in with freshers at Cardiff, and for me, this meant I was living with three 18-year-old guys and another girl on exchange. This was not always smooth sailing. The exchange was the final semester of my degree, and my focus was on finishing my studies, exploring new cities, and having a more cultural, authentic experience. Meanwhile, my flatmates were more into late-night hangouts and hosting people at all hours. While it was fun to be around that energy, it sometimes made it tricky to find the quiet moments I needed to focus and recharge my social battery.

Illness

Getting sick sucks, and doing it overseas is even worse. From fresher flu (which everyone seems to get through orientation week) to a fever during mid-semester break, and then pneumonia over Christmas, I had it all. Each time I got sick, it felt like another setback in completing my university work or keeping up with my travel plans. It was tough to keep going and the feeling of being the unluckiest person alive started to creep in. The homesickness hit harder too, and all I wanted was to be back in New Zealand, surrounded by my support network—family, friends, and the comfort of being at home. As frustrating as it was, it also taught me how to look after myself in a way I had not before, and that’s something I can be grateful for.

TIP: For the sake of your wallet or filing a claim with your travel insurer, do not wait to go to the doctor in Switzerland. $1600 NZD later (no joke), I was on the mend from pneumonia, but lowkey suffering at the hands of Cover-More.

Highlights

Travel

Being in the United Kingdom/Europe region made travel so accessible and affordable! One of my favourite experiences was booking weekend trips through the Cardiff Student Union’s “Give it a Go” programme. I would sign up, get whisked to a new destination, and have the freedom to explore with friends. Some of my favourite trips were:

1. Whitby, England
2. Edinburgh, Scotland
3. Jurassic Coast, England
4. Cotswolds, England
5. Hay-on-Wye, Wales

But the adventures did not stop there! I also had some incredible experiences further afield, like exploring Innsbruck, Austria (the mountains, apple strudel, and architecture were unreal!), soaking up the vibes and cool sculptures in Bratislava, Slovakia, wondering through Lucerne, Switzerland (Christmas markets, snow, and breathtaking views!), and of course, getting lost in the endless things to do and see in London, England.

Friends

I could not put a list of highlights together without mentioning the friends I have made on exchange! Strangers one day and sharing this crazy exchange experience the next, I have met some truly amazing people from Switzerland, Germany, Mexico, India, Australia, and the United Kingdom. We have shared laughs, adventures, and even some stressful moments, but it is these friendships that have made this experience truly special. It is crazy how quickly people can go from being randoms to a second family in such a short time.

Personal Growth

The personal growth I have experienced during my exchange is one of the best takeaways from my time overseas. I have learned to be more present and truly enjoy each moment—big and small. I have become better at rolling with the punches (metaphorically) and adapting when things do not go quite as planned. I trust my instincts more and feel greater confidence in my abilities. Being away from the familiar has taught me to embrace uncertainty and view it as an opportunity rather than something to fear. Ultimately, the exchange has shown me I am capable of more than I imagined, and for that, I will always be grateful.