Are you a UBC undergrad thinking about going on a student exchange? It can be a daunting decision. You might wonder, what's it like spending a year or a semester in another country? How can you prepare? And how do you handle it when things go sideways? We talked with a group of UBC Global Ambassadors who studied abroad with a Go Global program. They spoke with us candidly, sharing their personal impressions, fears and misgivings, best memories, top tips and advice. (This story is part of a series of Global Exchange Insider interviews.)
Meet Shauna Ndoping, a 5th-year UBC Vancouver undergraduate student in Atmospheric Science in the Faculty of Science. She was born and raised in Ottawa.
Shauna standing in front of Royce Hall at UCLA. (photo: Shauna's mother)
Before you go
Why did you pick the University of California for your exchange? How did you hear about it?
I picked the University of California as my exchange school because it suited all of my needs: it was located somewhere sunny, the location was diverse, and multiple UC campuses offered Atmospheric Science. This gave me the opportunity to take courses I was interested in, and also counted towards my degree while I was abroad.
UBC Go Global was a program I vaguely heard about at the beginning of my first year of university. I only got more familiar with all of the opportunities abroad closer to the end of my first year and going into my second year. I initially wanted to do a Global Seminar over the summer, but ended up applying for an exchange instead in my second year, given that it fit better with my schedule as someone who also intended to do co-op.
What was the application process like? Any tips?
The application process was a bit lengthy for me due to the uniqueness of the University of California. The job is not done when getting nominated by Go Global to the University of California. Because there are many UC campuses, after getting accepted into the UC system, I needed to rank the UC schools I wanted to go to. My top three were UCLA, UC San Diego, where I could take courses at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and UC Berkeley. I filled out a whole new application with course planning and a personal statement explaining why I wanted to go to the three schools I selected. Luckily enough, I got my first choice! I was accepted to go to UCLA! My biggest tip for Go Global exchange applications is to plan things out well, but to also be flexible to different outcomes, given that some plans will change!
How did you prepare? Anything to be aware of? (travel, cultural differences, classes, etc.)
Once I was accepted, it was time to secure housing, enroll in my classes, and book my flight to LA. I received my acceptance in early September, giving me about 4 months to prepare. Both UBC Go Global and UCLA made the process very simple. I was sent emails with webinars from UCLA, which walked me through the next steps to prepare for my exchange, and provided necessary resources, such as the UCLA housing application website, health insurance applications, UCLA course enrollment dates and term dates, and contact information for additional support. I also received support from Go Global advisors, who helped me answer any questions I had about course credits, important documentation, etc.
What worries did you have beforehand? How did you overcome the anxiety?
While I was most certainly worried, especially about things like housing and insurance, I was also filled to the brim with excitement. The biggest thing that eased my concerns was knowing that I had multiple lines of support there to ensure that I would embark on my exchange.
During the experience
How was the overall experience? What did you learn?
I had a blast, and I really enjoyed the strong school spirit and outgoing culture promoted by the students who attended the university. The most notable lesson I learned was to put myself out there. By getting out of my comfort zone, I was able to discover things I never would have expected to enjoy, and I was able to make new friends along the way. I never would’ve thought I’d enjoy camping, but I decided to join in on a UCLA Backpacking Club trip to San Simeon. What I was originally nervous about ended up being one of the highlights of my trip! All this to say, you never know what things will pleasantly surprise you, so try new things and see what might stick.
“My experience at UCLA was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire degree.”
Selfie of Shauna and UCLA Backpacking members at Avila Beach on day 2 of camping trip in San Simeon, California. (Shauna, far right) (photo: Shauna Ndoping)
Shauna standing behind Destiny’s Child star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (photo: Shauna's mother)
If you could change something or do it differently, what would you change or do?
If I could change one thing or do anything differently, I would say that I wish I had found more clubs like UCLA Backpacking sooner. Additionally, I wish that I had been able to fit classes with excursions into my schedule without having course conflicts. In a dream world, I would love to go back to LA and the UCLA campus, take more interesting courses, and explore more of what LA has to offer.
How were the academics?
Academics went surprisingly very well! I initially wasn’t fully sure what to expect, given that UCLA is quite a prestigious school with very high-performing students in all areas of education. However, I found that I fit right in, and the structure of courses was not that different from here at UBC. One thing I did need to adjust to was the differences in their academic year. UCLA runs on a quarter system with 10 weeks of instruction each as opposed to our roughly 13 weeks of instruction per semester. Instead of 4-5 classes per semester, I took 3 classes per quarter. In the end, it felt like an easier course load compared to UBC.
How was the social aspect?
As mentioned, the UCLA environment was very outgoing, and I did not have much trouble meeting friendly, welcoming people, from my roommates to students in my classes. I was able to see quite a few of the LA sights: the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Long Beach, and Santa Monica, to name a few. I did quickly realize, however, that LA is not as easy to get around via public transportation, although, to be fair, LA is a lot bigger in size!
Shauna with friends on campus. (Shauna, second from the left) (photo: anonymous)
UCLA Basketball game at the Pauley Pavilion arena on campus. (photo: Shauna Ndoping)
After the experience
Would you recommend this experience to others? What can they look forward to?
I would highly recommend Go Global in any capacity (whether that be a semester exchange, summer abroad, or global seminar) to anyone interested in adding a unique experience to their degree. Not only do you get to explore a new place and meet new people, but it also opens the door for significant self-discovery. Embarking on a Go Global opportunity is an experience you’ll never forget, and I encourage anyone considering it to take the extra leap!
What was the impact on your academic and personal development?
All in all, I believe that my exchange helped me develop both academically and personally. I was able to successfully adapt to a new environment and make great friends along the way.
View of Santa Monica Pier and Beach. (photo: Shauna Ndoping)
Read more Go Global student stories.