30 days in Frankfurt, Germany

Garbo at a souvenir shop in Frankfurt, Germany.

Garbo Zhu is a fourth-year Architectural Science student at Ryerson. She attended Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences in Germany as part of Frankfurt Studio 2019, a 30-day studio-based architecture and design program. We asked her all about experience during her short-term abroad opportunity.

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Abroad as a Faculty of Science Student

A Q & A with second-year Medical Physics student and Engineers Without Borders 2019 Junior Fellow, Pursod Ramachandran.

Pursod Ramachandran, second from the right, in Kumasi, Ghana.

You probably hear a lot of science and engineering students say “It’s not possible for us to go on exchange” and a lot of the time – with a few exceptions – it’s true. But Pursod Ramachandran, a second-year Medical Physics student at Ryerson, still found a way to take his learning global by participating in the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) program

After six months of preparations, the FOS student headed to Kumasi, Ghana. The four month-long trip would require a lot of work – before, during and after – but would be well worth it. Curious to know more, we asked Pursod a few questions about his time abroad.

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A Typical Week in Lisbon

BY LEAH KOSOWAN, FOURTH YEAR STUDENT IN GLOBAL MANAGEMENT STUDIES, TRSM

Since high school, I knew that exchange would not only be an option for me, it would be an essential part of my university career. Exchange has lived up to everything I hoped it would be, and so much more. 

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How To Make Friends While Studying Abroad

By Valentina PrANJIC, Third year student in professional communication, fcad

Going on exchange has been a dream of mine since I was in high school. I always saw the world as being full of new places to see and experiences to live. So when a friend once suggested that I complete an exchange in Utrecht, Holland I found myself on a seven-hour flight to Amsterdam a year later. 

The weeks prior to my flight, I was ecstatic and ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.  However when I landed, the reality that I was alone in a foreign country with no friends sank in. Continue reading How To Make Friends While Studying Abroad

Living as a Seoulite – My Exchange Experience

By Sophia Chea, Student in Business Management, TRSM

Like many people, studying abroad was always something I’ve dreamed of. After applying, I hesitated many times while contemplating whether studying abroad was right for me. Although there were moments when I didn’t think I was making the right choice, I still stuck with it. Honestly, it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

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The 3 Regrets of Exchange

BY SHANNON TINNING, 4TH YEAR STUDENT IN ENGLISH, FACULTY OF ARTS 

I have never been an impulsive, or a decisive person. Deciding between what colour of sweater to purchase, or mustering up the courage to select a unique menu item, instead of chicken fingers, fills me with immense anxiety. Before departing for my exchange to Edinburgh, Scotland, I came to the realization that I would have to escape my finely crafted comfort zone in order to fully capitalize on this once in a lifetime opportunity, and not return to Canada filled with ‘what if’s’ and ‘I wishes’.

And no, getting a tattoo is not on this list (sorry grandma).

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Perks, Pitfalls and Roller Coasters – Tips for Studying Abroad

By Julia Nitz, Global Management Student in TRSM

Living the exchange student lifestyle in Frankfurt, Germany, was an indescribable experience, saturated with joy, adventures and travels. But along with the blissful, memorable moments came mistakes and chaotic situations that simultaneously turned out to be great learning experiences.After embracing the perks and pitfalls of studying abroad, here are my top recommendations for anyone preparing to venture upon the exchange journey.

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How-to Guide to Having the Best Time Abroad

By Jackie Jabson, 4th year Student in Creative Industries, FCAD

6 months. That sounds like a lot of time, but it goes by faster than you’d think. Time is of the essence. It sneaks up on without you noticing. One day you’ll wake up and it will all be over. The reality of it is that exchange is only a small fragment of your life. That’s why soaking in every bit of the experience will ensure you won’t be left feeling dissatisfied with it.

I traveled to Denmark for my student exchange and  stayed in Copenhagen for 6 months. I discovered that there is always a shortage in time. It is up to you to make the most of it in this foreign and magical place. How long is your stay abroad? 6 months? That is 26 weeks or 4,380 hours. Take note on some of these tips to help make the most out of your exchange.

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Honeymoon Exchange at Ryerson


By Klara Hofman, Exchange Student at Ryerson in Fall 2018

Never in my life would I have pictured to have such intense experiences in just one semester! Traveling is without a doubt in my genes and it is something I wouldn’t want to miss in my life. So, I started looking for opportunities to spend a semester abroad while academically improving and making progress in my studies. Luckily, my home university in Trier (Germany) is partners with Ryerson’s School of Child and Youth Care. I was in a rush – applied – got picked – got accepted and just a blink of an eye later, I arrived at Pearson Airport in August 2018.

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Home Sweet Home – Life After Exchange

By Chelsea Dolan, 4th year Student in Journalism, FCAD

Landing back home in Canada at Pearson Airport felt strange, in the sense that it felt like I never left home in the first place. For the past five months I lived in Europe, constantly experiencing new cultures and cities, with each day being so spontaneously different— yet everything at home remained exactly the same.

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