Ian - University of Warwick, UK
If I had the chance to go on exchange again, I would 100% go for it!
My name is Ian, a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences student from Monash University Malaysia. I went for an exchange at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. My exchange took place over the first semester of 2024, lasting from early January up until mid-June.
My main motivation was the chance to immerse myself in a culture and lifestyle completely different from what I was used to. This was also an opportunity to try new things, eat new food, and travel to many novel places that I’ve only dreamt of seeing. The fact that I could live these experiences without the expensive costs of being an official student at one of those institutions was an offer that I could not pass up.
Academically, it took quite a bit of planning and meticulous research to find the right university, but I eventually settled on Warwick which matched my personal and academic goals. A helpful piece of advice I got from seniors was to save my elective units for my exchange, which allowed me to complete my study plan without fear of it being rejected. As far as logistics is concerned, I spent much time shopping and packing. I researched which items and foodstuffs were expensive in the UK and made sure to bring those, along with snacks from home, cooking utensils, and appropriate clothing. In hindsight, I definitely overpacked (55 kilos of luggage in total, dragging that across half of England was not fun) and if I had to do it again, I would definitely travel lighter. Emotionally, I’d say I felt rather nervous and slightly anxious during the days leading up to my departure, as it was my first time staying abroad alone. But positive thinking and hyping myself up helped a lot.
The application process was a bit tedious, involving many emails with my course advisors and a deep dive into Warwick’s extensive and sometimes confusing course catalogue. Warwick has some of the least stringent selection criteria, so it was no issue for me. Somewhere along the process, I got my course map or study plan rejected and had to redo it once or twice, but that isn’t unexpected or unusual. Overall, it was manageable so long I started researching early and thoroughly.
I decided to take up a few literature units during my exchange. It was something quite novel, something that I would never have had the chance to explore in Malaysia. For one, there was a greater emphasis on self-study. My classes consisted of only a 1 hour live lecture and a 1-hour seminar per week, but all classes had a sizable amount of pre- and post-class reading to make up for it. The workload definitely felt more relaxing than Monash, though the assessments were all backloaded in the form of essays and assessments due at the end of the semester. It was certainly interesting to experience the difference in academics between two universities.
Attending a circle was definitely one of the highlights of my exchange. In the UK, Wednesday nights were a night dedicated to drinking and clubbing, with many societies and groups in the University organising circles, which are drinking sessions where participants would dress up according to a theme and sit in a circle and play drinking games all night long. Despite being someone who doesn’t drink, I was still graciously allowed to attend my flat’s circle with non-alcoholic beverages and see for myself what the fun was about. It was certainly one of the most unique experiences I’ve had in my life, a fine spring evening under soft grass and gentle wind where we watched the sun slowly set, all while playing the wildest and most astonishing drinking games I have ever encountered. Definitely a night I wouldn’t forget. Honestly, it wasn’t too difficult to adapt to the local culture and lifestyle. Just keep an open mind, stay curious, be willing to try new things and pick up new habits, while staying true to myself and my principles, and you’ll get used to things with time.
Personal growth is inevitable when attending such a program. The experience made me far more mature and allowed me to build resilience. I learnt to face a myriad of emotions, went through ups and downs, and learnt to do so many new things for the first time. It also allowed me to develop a mindset of independence and self-reliance that I would not have gotten otherwise by staying in Malaysia where I have family close at hand. While what I chose to study there did not directly contribute to my career goals, I managed to gain the invaluable experience of working with an entire group of people with a completely different culture from myself during group assessments. The connections I had made and the diverse ranges of opinions and point of views I was exposed to are the true gems that I obtained from this exchange.
Money management was definitely the biggest challenge. My budget was relatively limited, yet I had to make it last for 6 months while having the desire to travel a lot, not to mention Europe is very expensive. I therefore forced myself to religiously use a budgeting app and spending tracker to note down every single transaction and expense that I have accrued. I would review my spending every few days, cook instead of eating out unless absolutely necessary, and only go for good deals on flights, accommodations, and attractions.
The exchange definitely opened up my perspective. All my life, I have always viewed things from a local Malaysian perspective, but going abroad gave me the chance to participate in conversations about issues that I did not even know existed. I saw firsthand just how large the world is, and how many challenges and opportunities there are out there. I definitely don't see the world the same way I used to anymore.
There were too many great places and moments to pick a single favourite. But most memorable would be my last few days in Warwick, when I took a very brief train ride from Warwick to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. There, I got to see some of the oldest styles of English architecture, and the day ended with me watching one of Shakespeare's famous plays in the Royal Shakespearean theatre. To get to watch my first ever live play in such a venue of great historical and cultural significance, it was certainly a one in a lifetime moment for me.
Practical Tips
- Plan well and research your destination properly. Secure accommodation early and be concise with your packing. It’s best to have a bucket list of travel places and a rough plan before going, as it might help reduce spending if you can book trips earlier instead of going at it last-minute. Do make sure to connect with some travel buddies and friends, be it from your home university of new friends you’ve made there. It can get really lonely sometimes.
- Budget well and always have backup funds. It is very easy to overspend, even for the most rigorous of budgeters. Always get additional travel insurance, if certain durations are not covered by the university insurance. Things can go wrong, (speaking from personal experience), so it’s better to be safe than sorry. When choosing a place to stay, do consider the frequency, as well as the financial and time cost, of available public transportation.
- Learn to cook some simple recipes and prepare all the clothes you might possibly need. Check with the list of provided items by your accommodation to know what you don’t need to bring. Consider bringing expensive utensils like pots and pans if they aren't supplied. For those who rarely visit cold countries, bring plenty of lotion. The air is really dry in Winter and can really damage your skin without proper nourishment. If you have space, pack some of your favourite snacks from home. A familiar flavour can be a great comfort when you're far from home.