Student Adjustment and Survival Strategies

The following hints and tips have been provided by other ECU students who have studied on exchange.

• Take a power adapter and a power board over with you, so much easier then swapping each item with the one adapter you take over.
  

• I'm not sure how much cash is recommended to go with these days; however it's always a good idea to take A LOT MORE than suggested. I understand why you guys do this, to make the whole exchange idea sound more appealing and manageable, however I took double the suggested amount and just made it (although I did go full gear!!)
  

• If going to America , book your visa interview a month and a half at least prior to departing, just in case you need to change something and have to re-apply
  

• Keep an open end plane ticket, e.g. you can easily change the departing date! No doubt you will want to stay longer!!
  

• Google earth is a fantastic tool that you can use to search for your campus. It gives you a bit of an idea as to what the place looks like, how big it is, how close airport/cities/night-life area is to campus before even arriving there.
  

• Contact other people who have been on exchange to that area and ask them any questions you may have
  

• One resource that I decided on getting whilst I was on exchange was a laptop. Even though I was close to campus and the computer labs at uni, having a laptop made searching for things so much easier. For example when in the U.S, mapquest.com was a priceless resource when quick directions were needed, and it were so much easier jumping on the laptop in your resident room. So if you can afford it and are contemplating about purchasing one, I recommend it! (I know this one was a little off topic but still thought it was worth a mention)
  

• Check to see what the weather is like when arriving, don't be caught in an Australian jumper in the middle of France or Canada during their winter, it just won't cut the mustard. Weather websites are a must before arriving
  

• Someone you may know in your area of residence, even if they're through a friend of a friend! Jump onto MySpace before leaving and build up some rapport with people from your prospective area of exchange. They may even be willing to pick you up from the airport, just make sure they sound like legitimate people!!
  

• I think it is vital to know your housing options. I could have stayed on the exchange floor of a student housing complex, but make the time to look at the uni noticeboards for empty rooms in great share houses. I did this around 2 months before I left and was emailing my housemates a lot so that we got to know each other a little. When I arrived they picked me up from the airport with enormous banners covered in kangaroos, and they were very excited to introduce me to hoards of their friends and all the 'places to go'. It was a great way to get involved and these people became my family while I was away. I feel that through this, I got to know the real heart of the city. I even went travelling with one of the girls back to their tiny rural hometown 900km away, and spend Easter with her family. Fantastic!
  

• I think that student going on exchange should live on campus. This is important as it gives you the opportunity to meet so many people. Since the first day, I had met already 30 people. It is also a great way to overcome homesickness. There are always people around to help you if you have any problem or if you feel sad. There are a lot of student who are in the same situation as you are, so they can understand when you don't feel well.