“Living, Learning, and Belonging: My Story of Studying Abroad”

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from studying abroad, it’s that no two experiences are ever the same. I’ve been lucky enough to join two Learning Experience Abroad Programs in Summer (LEAPS) and a semester exchange at Nanyang Technological

University (NTU) in Singapore. Each of these journeys taught me something new, about the world, about people, and about myself. My first LEAPS program was in Paris, France, for a full month after finishing my first year at UNB. It was my first time in Europe and the first time I truly travelled alone (well, except for my flight from Malaysia to Canada). It definitely wasn’t easy at first.

I still remember on my very first day, my luggage somehow went through the subway gate before me, and I got stuck outside even though I’d already paid. There were no staff around, and I had no idea what to do. Thankfully, a friendly French guy came to the rescue by teaching me how to jump over the gate! That moment set the tone for the rest of my trip: full of surprises, challenges, and the kindness of strangers.
Throughout that month, I made incredible friends from Puerto Rico, the U.S., and China. We explored the city together, walking along charming streets with a fresh baguette in hand, soaking up the Parisian summer breeze. One of my favourite memories was reuniting with a close friend who studied in Ireland, we hadn’t seen each other in two years. We went to Disneyland, watched the Eiffel Tower light show at 1 a.m., and even squeezed into a single bed because, well, student budget. Oh, and did I mention I went to a Blackpink concert in Paris too? Oh yeah, that was wild! I can still remember dancing in my seat with strangers I’d just met 15 minutes earlier. We didn’t even speak the same language, but somehow we bonded instantly through music.

Fast forward to my third year’s winter semester, I went on a semester exchange at NTU in Singapore. And yes, I’m from Malaysia—the country right beside Singapore. This exchange was mainly for academic reasons since NTU is ranked among the top 15 universities in the world, which I thought would look great on my transcript—so why not? Plus, I got to visit my family back home. But this experience turned out to be quite different from what I expected. I faced reverse culture shock and went through the discouragement stage of cultural adjustment. As an extrovert, I usually make friends easily, but this time it was harder. Maybe it was because I missed the exchange student orientation or because I was transitioning from an individualistic culture in Canada to a collectivistic one in Singapore. Pretty surprise eh? I thought it’d be an easy adjustment too.

Still, with time—and thanks to my amazing roommate and a UNB peer named Nick who was also at NTU, I overcame those barriers. I learned that not every exchange is perfect, and that’s okay. In fact, the challenging moments are the ones that push you to grow the most. Another highlight was that Singapore’s location made it easy for me to travel around Asia, so I got to visit a few friends I’d met when they were exchange students at UNB. Reuniting with them after years reminded me how valuable those friendships are. The excitement of seeing each other again and the appreciation for spending time together made me realize once more that exchange friendships are truly long-lasting and special.

My most recent and final study abroad experience was in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for a two-week LEAPS program in July. Thanks to the short duration, I managed to make it work with my full-time summer job, and it ended up being such a refreshing and relaxing getaway. The course I took was about emotional regulation, and our class was incredibly diverse, we had people from Estonia, South Africa, Denmark, Hong Kong, the U.S., and more. My favourite part was when everyone shared their perspectives from their different cultural backgrounds. It really broadened my horizons and deepened my love for cross-cultural communication.

Because it was an intense two-week program, everyone was very engaged, and we built close connections quickly. Our professor, Djordje, was one of the most wonderful instructors I’ve ever met, kind, funny, and always open-minded. He even held one of our classes at the VU botanical garden, where we literally got to touch grass while learning. Outside of class, we biked around Amsterdam, ate fresh-made pizza at parks, and enjoyed the scenic canals that run through the busy city. The whole experience felt calm and freeing, and it gave me a chance to slow down from my usual busy schedule while still learning and connecting with people from all over the world.

All these study abroad experiences connect beautifully to what I do now. I currently work as a Student Abroad Assistant in the UNB Global Partnerships department, supporting the Study Abroad Coordinators, Kira and Dave. I’ve been with them for over a year and a half, helping to organize events, assist students in their pre- departure processes, and manage the Global Ambassador team. My passion for building international connections, helping exchange students and international students adjust to life at UNB, and promoting cross-cultural understanding all come from the experiences I had abroad. I’m so grateful for the trust Kira and Dave have in me, and for how much this role has helped me grow both professionally and personally.

If you’re thinking about studying abroad or hesitating to take that step, I’d say go for it. It’s an experience that will change the way you see the world and yourself. You’ll build unforgettable memories, meet incredible people, and discover how capable you are of adapting, connecting, and thriving in new environments. Studying abroad isn’t just about travel—it’s about transformation.