How a crushing disappointment turned out to be… exactly that
The winter semester is typically a buzzing time in the law school. Despite the cold and the release of fall semester grades, Jackman Hall is usually alive with energy. Students are back from exchanges, and with them returns a sense of adventure and worldliness. That was not the case this year.
The halls are empty, the classrooms are bare, and the only buzzing comes from a pack of hornets that invaded during our absence. In an effort to recapture some of that exchange magic (or to cruelly remind us of what might have been), I asked several 3Ls to reflect on their lost exchanges. Unfortunately, most of the answers were along the lines of, “I could have been in X, but I’m stuck here. It sucks.” Instead, here are eight things you can do to replicate the exchange experience.
1. Funky Zoom Backgrounds
Nothing screams worldliness and adventure like putting on a fun Zoom background during class. Favourites include Paris, the New York skyline, or the mountain of Crocker v Sundance fame.
2. Pub Hop Your Apartment
Rather than pub hopping through Dublin, why not get the same experience by drinking in the various corners of your apartment? The drinks are cheaper and no one will judge you when you pass out on the floor.
3. Avoid Going to Class
A fundamental part of moving to another country where you can take interesting classes that broaden your global perspective is to avoid doing that entirely. 3Ls should require no introduction to this tip.
4. Make an International Friend
With social media, we don’t have to travel to meet new people. Stalk Find some people on Instagram and live your best exchange life vicariously through them. There’s also the Tinder Passport option to start an exchange relationship from the comfort of your own couch!
5. Eat International Food
Try spending a week eating only local delicacies of the country you were supposed to visit. My condolences to those who had England as their exchange destination.
6. Learn a New Language
You could try learning — never mind we all know exchange isn’t for learning.
7. Take Weekend Trips to Exotic Destinations
The GTA is actually filled with interesting cultural locations. For example, if you missed out on going to Hong Kong, I would recommend a trip to Pacific Mall for a highly comparable experience.
8. Suffer an Administrative Nightmare
I have heard that course enrollment and management can be a nightmare while on exchange. It’s a good thing we definitely don’t have a similar issue thanks to Cognomos!
