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"My exchange experience has made me more inclined to try new things"

Human Rights student Denholm talks about her exchange studies in Japan.

During my exchange I was in Kyoto, Japan, where I studied at Ritsumeikan University. I chose Japan as my destination because I was curious about how the teaching methods would differ from those in Sweden. I wanted to understand how attitudes towards topics such as international responsibility, human rights and immigration vary between the two countries. I also felt that I would fit in well with student life in Kyoto and the culture of Ritsumeikan.

My exchange experience has made me more inclined to try new things. Many people go on exchange because they want to experience new perspectives, but you don't always change in the ways you expect. I've tried dawn meditation, learnt to cook new dishes and met people I can't imagine living without now.

What I miss most from my time on the exchange is the people. It was incredibly meaningful to be there with them and together try to solve everything that came our way. I also miss the mountains around Kyoto – it was amazing to be surrounded by beautiful views.

My advice to anyone thinking about going on an exchange semester is to apply for the exchange, scholarships and internships. The administrative side of things can be difficult, but the rest you'll do great! Do the work, have fun and dare to try new things. It may be that the experience or lifestyle you want is just outside your comfort zone.

After my exchange, my life motto has become that you can't be everywhere at once. Dream and aspire to new things, absolutely, but learn to be where your feet are. Appreciate the time you have, where you have it, when you have it.

"Living in a new country teaches you independence"

International Relations student Luca talks about his experience studying in Ireland.

I decided to go on an exchange to Cork University in Ireland. My interest in sustainability and the university's strong reputation in this field drew me there. Additionally, the courses offered at Cork were very appealing to me.

My exchange experience has definitely affected me for the better. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot from the courses, which have been very helpful in my own programme back at Malmö University. Experiencing a new culture was also a highlight, as I had never been to Ireland before, and I really enjoyed it.

Reflecting on my time in Cork, I miss the camaraderie the most. It's a bit trickier to stay in touch with the friends I made there since we're all living our separate lives now. I also miss the atmosphere of the city and the university itself. It had a certain je ne sais quoi that made it very enjoyable.

For anyone thinking about going on an exchange, I would advise going into it with an open mind and being open to the possibilities of what could happen. Especially in the beginning, try to join as many social activities as possible. It's beneficial for your studies and helps you develop social, academic, and life skills. Living in a new country teaches you independence, which was new for me as it was my first time living on my own. You get to experience a new culture, environment, people, language, and food.

One of the most unexpected things that happened during my time in Cork was buying a camera and slowly becoming interested in bird photography, which was completely unrelated to my studies. This led me to challenge myself to explore as much as possible while studying. My new life motto became "exploration, chase after life."

My story is a reminder of the many benefits of exchange studies and how they can shape your life in unexpected ways.