By Rosie Patterson

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the admin, deadlines, decision and logistics of organising a year abroad, I get it! Whilst it may seem like an impossible task – I’m currently on my year abroad In France so I can promise you, it is possible! I study languages, and although a year abroad is a compulsory aspect of my degree, I still had to go through the process of choosing, applying and then waiting for responses!

At the start, I had no idea where I wanted to go. Yes, I had the advantage of my languages (French and Spanish) narrowing down my decisions, I still definitely felt overwhelmed. However, my top piece of advice is: go to the Go Abroad Fair! I attended one last autumn and it really helped me to feel as though the ball had started rolling. By talking to students who had already completed their year abroad gave me a clearer and more realistic idea of what to expect. Students are going to share their truthful experiences (positive and negative), something that university websites aren’t often going to reveal.

It was at the Go Abroad Fair that I heard about University Grenoble Alpes – and one year later I am sat in this university’s unbelievable campus surrounded by Alpine scenery writing to give you some advice! So, fairs and the connections that you make there can really help in guiding you in your destination decision.

Another important tip is to reflect on your own interests when choosing where you want to go. Personally, sport played a factor in my decision making. I play water polo both here in France and in Edinburgh, and finding a university that offered a wide range of sports was key. Think about what matters to you: What hobbies or sports do you enjoy? Does the host university offer these? Are you drawn to a big city, or do you need to be able to escape to the countryside? Choosing a destination where you can continue with your interests will really help you to settle in faster, make you feel more at home and give you an immediate way to make friends!

Of course, even though my exchange was compulsory, I had worries about going on a year abroad. I love Edinburgh, I had an established friend group and I was involved in societies. I kept thinking, “What if I miss out on everything happening back home?” But here’s the truth: all of that will still be there when you return in your final year, and in addition you will have just had a once in a lifetime experience! One year is such a short time in the grand scheme of things, and now that my year abroad has started, I’m sad at how quickly it is flying by!

My advice? Go for it! It may feel like a massive step, but you will be surrounded by other internation students who are feeling just as out of place as you. The exchange culture is incredibly unique as you are not only immersing yourself in the culture of your host country, but you are exposed to a huge mix of other cultures, as you end up meeting people from all over the world. I never imaged I’d come to France and end up in a friendship group filled with Australians!

A year abroad, compulsory or not, can be challenging at times, but it is a time filled with unforgettable experiences, new friendships and cultures and fresh perspectives that you can’t develop by just staying in one place. So if you are on the fence, my advice is simple: go for it!