Farrel Bramantio - University of Waterloo, Canada

My exchange in Canada was an experience I did not take for granted. From exploring multiple cities, showcasing my culture to an international audience, watching my football hero score a goal in front of me, and documenting everything, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment!

As it was my last semester, I wanted to make it one of my most memorable experiences at university (or, as I say, “go out with a bang”). An exchange to a faraway region felt like the perfect opportunity. Before my first academic semester began, I had already planned to set aside electives for one full semester of exchange, so it was already a goal of mine in Monash. I had to grasp the fact that I was going to pursue my studies the furthest out of any member of my family, and I never wanted to take that for granted. I spent my time there trying to make moments last as long as I could. I made sure I brought my camera along with me to create content and relive them later on.

I started by discussing with my family about possible countries I could go to. I didn’t think about America as much, and probably thought about countries such as Japan, Korea, or the UK. However, as I wanted to expand my possible connections and career in the creative field, I knew that Canada or anywhere near America would be a dream come true. I then decided to aim for Canada and shortlisted 3 universities with an Art/Film program. Ultimately, the University of Waterloo excited me the most due to its reputation. I started the application process around May, contacted Waterloo again in August (receiving further instructions for the application from them), and was officially accepted in early September.

One thing that stood out immediately was the 5 units (VCULT101 - Art History and Visual Culture, COMMST235 - Games and Society, HIST 105 - Rock ‘n’ Roll and U.S. History, GEOG207 - Climate Change Fundamentals, and FR220 - French and Francophone Pop Culture) we take in a semester compared to the standard 4 units in Monash. The academic structure was also totally different, as Waterloo operates based on co-op and academic terms, where one student can undergo an internship-based term (co-op) while others have their usual academic term/semester. Due to this nature, the students usually undergo 5 years in the university compared to Monash’s 3 years.

In March 2026, I had the opportunity to represent Indonesia on an international stage at WUSA’s (Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association) Cultural Carnival. It was a proud moment as I led the performance through planning, liaising, practicing, and executing on the day. Definitely a great feeling to be surrounded by people sharing the same sense of passion and belonging, while also showcasing my culture to people across the world! 🇮🇩🇨🇦

At first, it was sometimes a surreal adjustment as I grew up in a tropical country, and arriving in one of Canada's coldest winters was a different experience. Food was one of the biggest things I had to adapt to, as Indonesian food was rare, and eating out itself was expensive. I had to cook almost every day but I still did eat out with friends (mostly Asian food as it’s still common). Through all of this, I found it most comforting to find communities and clubs that were welcoming to the Canadian culture, including the Singaporean exchange students, and the 2 university clubs I was a part of.

My time there was a period during which I grew as a creative person, being exposed to marketing roles in organizations where I utilized my problem-solving and B2C marketing skills. It also broadened my horizon as a global citizen, teaching me how to adapt to new environments, navigate different perspectives, and build meaningful connections across cultures. While there were actually a few tribulations that I went through, such as having my visa delayed for 3 weeks (during which I didn’t know if I would end up going) and originally not having a place to stay for my last week in Canada. However, I was still firm and filled with hope, just doing what I could logistically (preparing documents, studying my courses, etc) and praying for the best. Every time I encountered a problem, I always tried to solve it logically and within my capabilities, and I’m forever grateful that it all worked out in the end.

Being surrounded by ambitious and talented people was a great motivational factor for me. In Waterloo, everyone was just thinking about their next internship or job, and the competitive environment I was in was inspiring. Especially as I was exposed to surrounding arts students, it was a great shift in perspective for me to understand their quality of life and future goals. Not to mention, the city of Toronto and its bustling environment are something I aspire to be in.

Toronto will always be my favourite place and memory of Canada, as it has been a dream to step into the city since I took on this exchange journey. The various cultures, sights, and people you will encounter are a memorable experience! From sports (MLB, NBA, MLS, etc), food, and communities, it’s a place I aim to return to in the future.

Practical Tips:

• Record everything! Our time as an exchange student is so limited, and you might never know when you’ll come back, so treating it like a daily adventure and capturing the moments was always something I looked forward to! Also, one of my biggest regrets was not attending as many events (clubs, gatherings, socials) as I could have. Not only will you get to connect with so many different people and professionals, but they’re usually something you might not experience again.
• For budget management, cooking is non-negotiable, and you should only buy the things you truly need or certain memorabilia. Through saving up and living based on what I need, I had the chance to experience great things during my exchange! This includes going to multiple cities (Quebec City, Montreal, Mississauga, Burlington, Toronto, etc) in the country, watching the NBA and Lionel Messi play in real life, and also buying clothes and souvenirs to bring back home. I searched for housing on a Waterloo Facebook group, as they always have way cheaper rooms (University Housing is always more expensive). For transportation, public transport is always affordable, and cities usually have developed ones. However, I do know a colleague who rented a car for the exchange period and split the cost with his friends, so you can always research your preferences.
• For practical items, it definitely depends on the season you’re traveling to. I was going in Winter, and I had to prepare for puffers and clothes I don’t usually wear (as purchasing them there would be much more expensive). However, no matter the season, a rice cooker will always come in handy! Besides budgeting and cooking skills, I recommend communicating a lot with the people in the country, whether they are local or other exchange students. While you may not see them again in the near future, connecting with them is always a great opportunity to expand your network and share about each other’s life experiences.