The Secret The Exchange Office Doesn't Want You to Know...

Article Submitted By: Emily Carter, 4th Year Commerce

So you want to ace the exchange interview? There is one thing the exchange office doesn't want you to know.

Be Prepared for What you Can't Prepare For

... that's it.

In my exchange interview the first thing they asked me was, "What did you think about when considering wether you wanted to apply for exchange?".

I was honest, I let them know my sister had loved the experience and my application was heavily influenced by her. When they asked me why I hadn't selected Asia on my interest form I mentioned that I was more comfortable in a country my parents could get to in a few hours should anything ever happen. I told them how close my sister was to the attacks in France when she was away. I told them I was interested in United Kingdom because it felt safe. It felt familiar. It felt manageable.

Interestingly, at the time the United Kingdom also had the highest levels of terrorist threats - Ironic.

One of the interviewers looked at me dead pan serious and goes "Are you sure you actually even wanna go on an exchange? You don't have to go just because your sister did, or because many third years will. It might not be the best option for you, and that's fine."

Wow. I felt like my mom had just given me the "if all your friends jumped off a bridge" speech. My heart sunk. IT WAS OVER.

I was so taken a back that I basically said, I'm not sure. I told the two interviewers I wanted to but it was admittedly out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to stay safe (hello, lameeee).

Exchange Interview = Failed.

I left the office and just felt ripped apart, my grades weren't the best and now my one place to shine went horribly. To my surprise, I got my top choice. The interviewers said they knew my top choice would have been well thought through. That I would have stopped to really think about whats best for me and not just whats the coolest or most popular!

Moral of the story: Understand yourself, let them know you've actually thought about it, and be yourself. The office isn't looking for a big show, they are looking for authenticity and some genuine thought going into your application!

Final Thoughts

1. Know your goals for exchange (can be personal not academic)

2. Know your fears about exchange

3. Know yourself

When upper years tell you, its more of a chat than an interview they mean it. It is not meant to trip you up. There are no wrong answers. Be yourself and you'll ace it!