à la Suisse

VISA applications, Health Insurance documentations, housing and accommodations. Okay so there are quite a number of things that have had to be done in the past few months to prepare for my time in Lausanne. Sometimes it can feel like swimming in a sea of to-do lists, phone calls, and appointments, but I think I can finally say that I can see the shore coming up as things start to come together.

Reflecting on the past few months, some of the things I would encourage any future study abroad goers is to start planning and preparing early. As early as you can. Even if it seems like extremely, unnecessarily, and excessively early, just do it. You never know what issues can come up, and as they often do, it’s helpful when you have the time to work through it without a deadline coming up.

Everyone’s experience is different, but here’s what my pre-departure timeline looked like:

 
(click on image to get a readable full sized version)

It’s now December, and for the most part things have come together. My VISA confirmation came in August, and in September I went in to get the shiny sticker put in my passport. I was lucky enough to get a confirmation from my university in May. Usually though, expect to receive an email with the required instructions from your school sometime in October (if not, make sure to get in touch with the GoGlobal office!). I’ve recently received an answer from the office in Switzerland that decides Health Insurance equivalency, and I just have to send in some documents photocopied to them. I’ve contacted the FMEL housing in Lausanne and was able to get a room starting February 1^st. Whoa, that just got real. All that’s left now is plane tickets and to call Fido if I can somehow put my contract on hold. My phone is unlocked, so I’m planning on taking it with me, and getting a chip to put in from a local provider there.

So I guess the exchange is two, wait wait, not even two months away. More like one and a half. Okay, so the exchange is around a month and a half away. And to me, it still feels a bit bizarre. I’m the type of person that doesn’t realize that the exchange is actually happening until I’m on the plane, or already landed. It kinda hits me like a sudden gust of wind, or like a bright sunray after days of rain. Actually the latter would be quite nice right now.

I really started thinking more and more about what my time abroad will actually be like when I started talking with Julia and Isabel (Julia and Isabel are also going on exchange from UBC to University of Lausanne!). Then at the GoGlobal Pre-Departure Conference in October. The workshops I found helpful in getting us to think more about what the experience might be like, things that can help make the transition easier, and some things we can do a quick search on before leaving.

One thing that we talked about in one of the workshops was reverse culture shock. It really wasn’t something I had thought of: the re-adjustment back to life at home. I mean, it seems like the initial adjustment to the new environment abroad would be the biggest challenge. Of course, it’s not an easy transition – new surroundings, new people (though this part is exciting, and can make the initial transition to life abroad less challenging), in some cases new language and unfamiliar culture, etiquette, and traditions. To me, a lot of these things are actually what makes going on exchange such an exciting experience. So then there’s reverse culture shock. You’ve packed your bags and have set out on your way back home. And when you get home, it’s not always like you might have anticipated.

After having thought about it, here’s a list of things I’ll be keeping in mind whilst away on exchange; things to look forward to when coming back home after time abroad:

• My friends in Vancouver:)
• My pup
• My parents, my home, the luxuries of a warm and comfy bed (size that allows to engage in sprawling out)
• Being able to stare at an endless ocean and a towering snow-peaked mountain, at the same time
• Being able to freely and fully understand the language spoken

What are the things that make home for you?

In the coming month and a half I’ll be thinking more about these things. And for now thinking more about what exchange experiences I’m most excited for. I’ve also downloaded the duolingo app on my phone to practice my French. So if you see me making odd sounds at my phone, I’m probably just practicing my French accent on duolingo…

Au rrrrrrrevoir et à bientôt:-)