🌎 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Exchange Student

Nhi Nguyen
Oct 12
2 min read

Updated: Oct 29

When I first got my acceptance letter for exchange, I imagined postcard views, new friends from around the world, and endless travel adventures.

And yes, all of that happened! But between homesickness, group projects, and discovering how Canadians live, I also learned a lot of things the brochures never

tell you.

So here it is, my honest list of things I wish I knew before becoming an exchange student.

🌍 1️⃣ Culture shock hits in waves, even when you think you’re fine

At first, everything feels exciting. Then, a few weeks in, you realize people greet differently, joke differently, or even queue differently. That’s culture shock. It doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re adjusting.

💬 Tip: Keep small rituals from home (your coffee, your music) but lean into local experiences. That’s where real understanding happens.

Let's look at common types of cultural shocks you might experience!

👥 Social Etiquette & Communication

Surprises related to customs like greeting, personal space, queuing, directness vs. politeness, public displays of emotion, or body language.

🍽️ Food & Dining

Shocks involving meal times (very late or early), table manners, common ingredients, portion sizes, or the way food is purchased (e.g., getting alcohol/cigarettes at pharmacies).

🤝 Service & Business Culture

Experiences related to customer service (or lack thereof), tipping practices, sales approaches, or general formality in business or public interactions.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Personal Identity & Public Behavior

Being stared at, photographed, or treated differently based on appearance; unexpected nudity in public spaces; or differing views on safety and public surveillance.

What kind of cultural shocks have you encountered in a new country?

Social Etiquette & Communication
Food & Dining
Service & Business Culture
Personal Identity & Public Behavior

You can vote for more than one answer.

💬 2️⃣ Making friends takes effort, but it’s worth every moment

You’ll meet hundreds of people during orientation, but deep friendships take time. The good news? Everyone’s in the same boat, just as nervous as you are.

💬 Tip: Be brave enough to send the “Hey, want to grab coffee?” text. That’s how real friendships start.

💸 3️⃣ Budgeting abroad is harder than you think

Between spontaneous trips, nights out, and that “just one more coffee” habit, money goes fast. Exchange life can feel expensive, but with planning, it doesn’t have to be stressful.

💬 Tip: Track your weekly spending and set a “fun” fund, you’ll thank yourself later when you can afford that last-weekend trip.

Discover Queen's Student Financial Planner

📚 4️⃣ You’ll return home different, and that’s the point

Reverse culture shock is real. You’ll go home with new habits, new perspectives, and stories no one quite understands. It starts as a semester away, but it becomes a chapter that changes how you see the world and yourself.

💬 Tip: Journal your experiences, even short notes. Future-you will love reading them.

Here are some inspiration for you to get started!

💫 Final Thoughts

Becoming an exchange student goes beyond studying abroad, it’s discovering who you are when everything around you changes. You’ll laugh harder, cry deeper, and grow faster than you expect. And one day, you’ll catch yourself calling two places “home.”