I am delighted to share this story, written by Krizzia Chelsea Cojuangco Asube, who completed a semester abroad in Scotland.

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone: Choosing to Study Abroad

Hi! I’m Krizzia Chelsea Cojuangco Asube, a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Digital Business Management Student, and currently the Vice President of Marketing at ACE Humber. During the Winter Semester of 2024, I spent a semester abroad at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. I absolutely loved my time abroad. I was born and raised in Canada so when I was given the opportunity to live outside of my comfort zone, I took it. Being in a different timezone across the world from my loved ones was not only exhilarating but a very humbling process, this made me learn things about myself and push my limits and abilities. You learn how to be okay in new environments, and you adapt and learn about the different cultures around you.

Cultural Immersion: Learning About the World Through Friendships

The great thing about being an exchange student is that 9 times out of 10 you are not the only exchange student, RGU Erasmus put in place events for us to network and get to know other international students and to help us explore surrounding cities in Scotland. This gave me the ability to not only immerse myself in Scottish culture, but because of the friends I made, I learnt more about Italian, French and German culture as well. I became more open-minded to barriers between cultures and how to close this gap. I currently speak 6 different languages but my time abroad pushed me to pick up even more languages even if I wasn’t fluent. I was able to pick up common phrases and slang in German, French, Italian and even Doric (Scottish dialect, a common language used in Aberdeen).

Art, History, and Food: A Journey Through Europe’s Rich Heritage

During my time in the UK and Europe, I explored the Highlands of Scotland, as well as London, Glasgow, the ruins of Stonehaven, Loch Ness, and beautiful Edinburgh several times. I even took a two-hour hike up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, biked the streets of Rome, and rode a scooter by the Tower of Belem in Lisbon. Aside from all my outdoor adventures, I was able to indulge myself in art by visiting art galleries all over like the Tate Britain Art Gallery in London and The Louvre in Paris see the art design of Casa Batllo and Sigrada de Familia by Gaudi. I got to eat at random side streets in France, Italy and Portugal and even a Tapas tour in Spain. This whole experience has allowed me to become more culturally adverse to food, art, language, history, traditions and make lifelong friends. If I could do my experience again I’d do it over again and again. Going for a semester abroad was truly life-changing even if that sounds cliche.

If I Could Do It All Again: I would!!