Exchange Program .. Yes or No?

Mount Royal Universities International Exchange Program

Mount Royal, has a wonderful exchange program, where for one semester, a student can choose to study in another part of the world.  Students here can chose to go to twenty four different countries, and pick from seventy nine universities.  Pretty cool, hey?

Photo Taken by OpenCage.  Retrieved October 24, 2012 from http://opencage.info/pics.e/large_3176.asp

The issue I see with exchange programs, are why would you go to another country to study?  I seriously spend a good 60% of each day in my classes, or doing homework  If I went to another country, such as Japan, Brazil, or Australia I would want to be spending my time sight seeing, enjoying myself, and relaxing, not sitting in a classroom, listening to a three hour lecture, like I currently do.

When our school had a club day in the main hallway, I visited the exchange program booth for more information.  I talked to a girl who had gone to Japan for her student exchange, and she had nothing but good things to say about it.  One of the main selling points of the booth was that an exchange to another University allows you to have new experiences, such as meeting new people, who may see the world differently than you do.  This makes sense, yet I found it difficult enough adjusting to MRU this September, as a first year student; if I was studying abroad, my main concern would probably be figuring out where things are, and my teachers expectations for assignments, not meeting new people.  Obviously grades are very important in University, and I wouldn't want to jeopardize my marks by placing myself in an scenario in which there may be too many stressful aspects or distractions or to high of a stress level.  I wouldn't want to add an extra year or semester onto my four year degree. 

Photo Taken by Ian Britton.  Retrieved October 24, 2012 from http://www.freefoto.com/preview/1351-06-2/Books--Shakespeare-and-Company-Bookstore--The-Latin-Quarter--Paris

 

I also feel selecting classes in another University may prove to be difficult.  For example, I am wanting to major in Psychology, and I had a terrible time on the twenty third trying to pick classes for this school.  I waited until twelve o'clock at night, and seriously stayed up until two thirty in the morning, as many classes were closed or had a weight list anywhere from thirteen to twenty three people.  So, what would it be like to pick classes in a University in China?  Difficult, I imagine.

With an international exchange, I would most likely have to quit my job, which I would not want to do.  I need to be making money each week, not spending it.  With an exchange, I realize that I would be paying the same tuition as I currently do, but it's the living expenses that presents an issue.  Currently I live with my parents, and do not pay for groceries or rent.  If I went on an exchange, my parents would no longer help me out with these things.

I'm sure an exchange would be amazing, but it's just not something I could see realistically happening.  For me, there appears to be more negatives then positives.  Although, if I was ever able to conjure up the money, get my parents approval, and felt that my work load for an up-coming semester wasn't too heavy, I would choose to go to Australia.  I would much rather go to Australia on my own time though, when I am not a student.  Five classes is just way to much to balance while being in a totally new environment.

Taken by Suzanne Photography.  Retrieved October 24, 2012 from http://suzanneschechtman.com/Photography/index.htm.

I would love to hear your opinion on international student exchange programs.  Have any of you gone on one or are planning to go on one?  I would love for someone to attempt to change my mind.  In a way, I do see the importance of trying new things, and getting exposure to different places, people, and cultures.