The life of VNUK students
Being an exchange student gives you the experience that many students dream of…studying in a different environment outside of Vietnam. Because the exchange the program only lasts from 1 to 2 semesters maximum, your life and study will be very different from that of a full-time international student. However, a short study period does not mean a lack of the enjoyable experience of a long-term student. Even if you are skillful and experienced like exchanged and transferred VNUK students, you would still have an incredible, both new and exciting journey.
This article shares some key points you need to figure out before joining an exchange program.
Life integration
Even as an exchange student, you have to start things off as an international student. You have to go through the admission procedure, register for a GP (health service), make a bank card, rent an apartment or register in a dormitory, and learn about transportation, city centers, supermarkets, and grocery stores. Once settled, you will start to explore the university, and the city you live in.
Gradually, you will end up living like a local. Much different from previous short trips with family and friends, you will gain a deeper insight into a new culture. If you know how to seize every opportunity, you will surely discover a lot of interesting things about the country you are exchanging to.
However, do not be subjective with the new cultural environment, culture shock is something that exchange students have to deal with. The degree of culture shock is more or less dependent on the country the student is moving to and the degree of cultural difference. Moving to a country with a similar culture, where you speak the language, is a lot easier than moving to a country where you don’t speak their local language. In the case of exchanging to a non-English speaking country, you need to prepare some of their languages so that you do not feel lost in a new world. And more importantly, you can survive if you get lost and don’t know the way to the bus stop to get home.
Also, if it’s your first time going abroad, you have to overcome loneliness and homesickness, make new friends, learn about the world, and realize that you can’t rely on anyone other than yourself. That confidence has also grown much stronger over time.
Moving to another country for some students can be an extremely stressful and intimidating experience. Especially if you are not well prepared and do not have a companion. However, if you prepare well, this anxiety may disappear after you step on the plane and then you will just keep moving forward because this is the path you have chosen.
