Post-Exchange
We hope you had a fabulous time during your exchange and we look forward to hearing about your experience. Now that you are back there are a few things to do if you have not already done so...
Apply for Exchange Credit
Please visit the Exchange Credit page for instructions on submitting your exchange credit applications.
Write your Exchange Report
Write and submit a 1000-1500 word electronic report to studyabroad@sfu.ca, including a minimum of four images (in the same document) from your exchange, within four weeks of the completion of your exchange. You can begin writing this during your exchange. Please include details for each of the below categories:
- Partner university, country, your major/faculty, dates/term(s) of exchange.
- To keep your posting anonymous, please do not include your name or email address. If you wish to share your name, please only include your first name.
Preparation for exchange
- Include information you would have found valuable when planning your exchange
- Academic details (researching courses)
- Packing, what to bring
- Travel and transportation
- Financial details (i.e. cash/credit card based society, cost of living as compared to Vancouver)
During Exchange
- Arrival and orientation
- Accommodation and living
- Academic details (lecture format, schedules, grading, etc.)
- Country information (culture, weather, places to visit, etc.)
- Social and extra-curricular activities. Please be mindful that your exchange report will be posted publicly online. While it is great to recommend nightlife destinations, be reminded that when on exchange you are an ambassador of SFU and your exchange report should reflect that.
Reflection After Exchange
- What you've learned and the challenges you faced
- What you wish you knew before you left
- Advice/tips for other students
Photos
Please include a minimum of four photos in your exchange report. You may want to consider including photos of some of the following:
- The university campus, classrooms, accommodation and dining (on campus or off campus)
- The closest city or town centre
- Fun or unique activities that you can participate in on campus or nearby
- A photo of you (or you with friends/roommates). Please ensure you ask permission from others if you intend to include photos of them in your exchange report.
Complete an Exchange Participant Questionnaire
In addition to writing your exchange report, please complete our short Exchange Participant Questionnaire about your exchange institution as a reference for future students. Avoid using Apple Preview (desktop app) on a Mac computer to complete the PDF Forms. Please download and fill out the interactive PDF and complete the following:
- Email the completed questionnaire to the Study Abroad Officer for your region as a PDF
- Europe, Middle East, Africa: studyabroad@sfu.ca
- Asia, South Pacific, Americas: saofficer@sfu.ca
- Subject line: 'Questionnaire - [Host Country, Host University]'
- Please include your full name and student number in the email.
How can I fulfill my post-exchange promotional expectations
- Humans of SFU Study Abroad: Share your experience and photos with the SFU community through the Humans of SFU Study Abroad series! The series is posted to our social media accounts. To participate, send 3 photos or a video (30 seconds or less) and a short paragraph about your Exchange experience (roughly 100 words) to intlcmns@sfu.ca. For example, you can talk about your transition to your new university/home, academic/cultural similarities and differences, new food/dining experiences, cost of living, etc. There are endless themes to explore.
- There are various opportunities to assist International Services for Students with events and activities following your exchange (including Orientation for new exchange students to SFU, the Global Opportunities Fair, Pre-Departure Orientation for SFU exchange students etc.). We will notify past participants as these opportunities become available but should you be interested in a specific event, please contact studyabroad@sfu.ca.
- Faculty/department activities or other campus opportunities. If you see other ways to fulfill your post-exchange promotional expectations not on this list, please check in with us at studyabroad@sfu.ca to confirm if we can consider it an activity that will fulfill one of your requirements.