A dream come true

Having always dreamt of experiencing life in The Netherlands, Cléa Bouvier says her exchange to Hanze University of Applied Sciences has changed her life.

Cléa Bouvier

Why I chose my host uni:

For me this was pretty much an easy decision as I always knew I wanted to go somewhere in Europe on exchange due to how close and easy to travel it was, but also my family is from The Netherlands and most of them have spent some time there, so I wanted to do the same. I had always heard great thing from my grandparents, so it was a dream of mine to get to experience this life.

How I found applying to my host uni:

The application process was quite easy and simple for me – you fill out the AUT application form and then get clearance to apply to your host university.

For Hanze University, the application process was as straight forward as any other application process. You’ll need other documents like your transcript, signed and dated by an AUT supervisor, your passport and the Hanze Learning Agreement that you can find online. You also need to be aware at some point that you’ll need to show that you have around 7000 Euros in your bank account to be accepted into Hanze.

How I found learning in a different academic system:

The academic system at Hanze University wasn’t much different from AUT at all. Since I’m an architecture student, my academic life is very different to those doing a business or law degree.

For me it was very easy to adapt to this new academic system as it wasn’t much different from mine back home. Rather than having two projects due a semester, I would have projects/assessments due every two weeks, so this meant I had to stay on top of everything.

What I gained from this experience:

Going on exchange was something I had always dreamt of and it became a dream come true. It gave me a special chance to become fully immersed in a new educational system. My intellectual horizons were expanded, and I was also exposed to a variety of teaching ideas and approaches.

I gained a great deal of independence by living in a foreign nation. I had never lived away from home before. I gained useful life skills from this freedom, including how to cook, take care of the house and manage money. These are crucial for one's personal growth.

Exposure to different cultures is yet another important advantage. My perspective was widened by adjusting to a new culture, which increased my tolerance and appreciation for variety. I enjoyed being involved in such a diverse college life culture and learned how to respect and navigate various social standards.

I'm grateful that the exchange gave me the opportunity to meet people from all around the world with whom I’ll always be friends. It was also the greatest way for me to venture beyond my comfort zone; dealing with the difficulties of adjusting to a new environment bolstered my flexibility and resilience. The exchange experience allowed me to grow personally in a way that can’t be matched. This exchange changed my life both intellectually and personally, and I’d do anything to have the opportunity to do it again.