_{At Campus Fryslân, we strive for interdisciplinarity, open-mindness, and diversity throughout your studies. This is why in the first semester of your third year as a Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL) student, during the “minor” period, you are given the opportunity to embark on a new adventure to complete your studies. You can choose between pursuing a University Minor, an internship or a study abroad program. These choices can be very difficult to make, which is why I, Chiara, will take you on a reading trip exploring the different things our 2025 GRL cohort did during their minor, from internships to studying abroad, so get ready for some transformative experiences written from our student perspective!}

Chiara → Brazil

The first stop of the journey is São Paulo in Brazil where I did a semester abroad at the Universidade de São Paulo, also known as USP. My name is Chiara Matarazzo and I am currently a third year GRL student and my major is Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

I decided to go to Brazil for many different reasons, ranging from wanting to learn more Portuguese skills, to wanting to challenge myself and experiencing a completely different lifestyle. The time of preparing my minor was a very stressful and complicated one as I was one of the only RUG students going there and Brazil is known for its long and tedious bureaucracy.

Pro tip: Please prepare your minor in advance as there are a lot of things you need to do with so little time :)

Obtaining a visa from the Brazilian embassy was incredibly hard and I was therefore left with no other choice than to go there without one, hoping that I would be able to apply for a residence permit over there. Luckily, I was able to apply for a residence permit and got one at the beginning of my minor which was a huge relief. I was then able to focus on my studies which were super interesting and different from what I was used to. I was able to learn more about the country’s culture and politics in the most immersive way possible; by being there. I have beautiful memories from my exchange but the best ones are joining the volleyball team, participating in Feminism seminars with Brazilian experts, solo travelling for the first time and experiencing new year’s eve on the beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Overall, my exchange in Brazil was incredibly transformative and it changed me in the best way possible. I came back with more consciousness on the diversity our world has to offer and how important it is to keep embracing different yet complementary perspectives. 

Helena → Australia 

Following our world journey, we are now going to hear from our second student named Helena Hamera who did a study exchange at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Helena went to Newcastle with another GRL student as well as other UG students, allowing her to have a foundation when trying new things in the beginning. She took courses in psychology, sociology, film studies and criminology which she all found “super interesting as they gave her a perfect overview of the disciplines and something [she] had never studied before.”

Helena discovered that she really likes these types of studies and is grateful to have had the opportunity of taking them as courses on her exchange. When preparing for the minor, she “did a lot of research on the university itself as well as talking to previous exchange GRL students that went there.”

Pro tip: Talk to as many students who did what you're wanting to do as possible, to get a variety of perspectives!

Arriving alone on the other side of the world was something she wasn’t ready to feel so scared about and ironically enough, saying goodbye to her Aussie life was the worst moment of them all.

Helena’s best moment was “the whole routine and lifestyle [she] created when living in Newcastle” and, it’s true: her life sounds ideal! “It’s completely normal to feel like you’re not going to make friends and feel lonely, but the people you will meet are also looking for fellow friends, therefore you will find loads of people.”

I couldn’t agree more with Helena when she says that “the community that you create is so special and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you shouldn’t hold back on.” 

Victoria → Indonesia

Now moving to the Asian continent, we are going to hear from Victoria Calleja who went to the cultural city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia for her study exchange.

The reason why Victoria went to Indonesia is because her uncle had “lived there for quite a few years” and she listened to his advice of exploring the “most cultural city in Indonesia as well as its landscape diversity.” At the University of Yogyakarta, she mainly studied psychology courses as her exchange was a faculty exchange.

On top of academics, Victoria travelled a lot and took “6 trips in her 4 months living in Indonesia”. Since Indonesia is a very popular choice for exchange students, Victoria was able to ask about life there to old students as well as prepare her exchange with classmates who also went with her. “The previous 4 girls who went last year were so helpful in answering our questions and helping us prepare our exchange.” In terms of language course, Victoria didn’t take any and she admits regretting not getting to know the language more prior going there.

Pro tip: Even the easy Duolingo exercises are enough for you to learn the basics of any language and will ensure a smooth transition when moving to your exchange destination!

Since her exchange was also transformative, choosing a single best moment was tough and I couldn’t relate more. But what she is most grateful for is being able to discover an entirely new country and being able to experience different things. She mentions “that travelling is very affordable which is motivating and encouraging to explore more.” Her worst moments consisted of food poisoning (only) once eating non-Indonesian food (so don’t even worry about it!).

Victoria’s view on the world was transformed by her exchange and she “realised how lucky and privileged we are in Europe.” She also realised that the acceptance of diversity here is a lot more tolerated than where I was in Indonesia and therefore restricts people’s rights. “I was also inspired by the different ways people come up with innovative solutions to specific problems” she shares.

Victoria’s exchange was a way for her to explore Indonesia and its whereabouts but also realise how diverse our world is and how “something that’s normal for them isn’t normal for us and vice versa.”

Ruben → Japan

Staying on the Asian continent, Ruben von Twickel went to Tokyo, Japan for his study exchange. His minor started with a month of traveling as classes only start in October, which is rather late compared to other countries. This also gave Ruben the time to “travel with friends and spend time with family before moving to Japan for a semester.” He always wanted to go there since he wanted “to expand his perspective on the world and strived for an Asian point of view.”

Pro Tip: When shortlisting your preferred exchange destinations, don’t only focus on one specific spot, as you are not guaranteed your first choice. Be open to surprises!

In total, Ruben took 9 courses that mostly consisted of politics and history courses which were “incredibly interesting, well taught and very diverse in terms of teaching.” Alongside his academic life, he also tried to travel as much as possible to explore the area and visit some nearby students.

Ruben shares that his best memory was when he “night-skied in a Japanese ski resort with [his] brother and the conditions were perfect.” Imagine skiing in Japan, how wonderful! He deeply misses the luxury and affordability of the food in Japan, which is something I can deeply relate to after living in a country of street foods and markets. Yet, as most of us, the study load towards the end of the semester was overwhelming, but nothing impossible. “Being in Japan, I adapted to a different lifestyle and a more relaxed and spiritual way of seeing the world.” |

Ruben also shares that his “perspective on politics was greatly expanded and it was very interesting and good for him.” He is now writing his thesis on topics he learned back in Japan which motivated him to continue learning about it more. In terms of tips for you students, “be as open-minded as possible and approach people around you! The worst thing that can happen is a simple ‘no’ and you would have at least tried!”

Outside of Europe checklist

• Research about the place you will be living in
• Look for accommodation ASAP
• Learn the basics of the national language 
• Make sure to have official documentation ready (Visa, Contracts, Enrolment, etc) 
• Stay in regular contact with your host university 
• If possible, reach out to past exchange students 
• Don’t plan too much of your exchange, be open to change
• Remember you are on a STUDY exchange :)