By Laura Feveile Thrysoe, Theresa Hoerter and Marla Franziska Sass
Studying abroad offers more than just academic enrichment—it provides students the chance to step out of their comfort zones, immerse themselves in new cultures, and develop life skills. At the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB), exchange students from around the world are navigating these experiences in different ways. Niklas from Germany, Hadil from Tunisia, and Salem from Zimbabwe share their stories of cultural adaptation, personal growth, and the challenges they’ve faced during their exchange semesters.
Niklas: A Semester of Personal Growth
Niklas, a 26-year-old exchange student from Germany, spent just one semester at UWGB. Niklas said that he experienced significant personal growth during his short stay. Initially, he was struck by the openness of American culture. “Americans are much more open than Germans, which was strange at first,” he says. “But I quickly realized how valuable that openness is when building relationships.” Despite his initial reservations, Niklas embraced this cultural shift and became more confident and outgoing.
A defining moment for Niklas was giving a presentation on a complex topic in English—something he had never done before. “Before coming here, I would have been terrified to present in English,” he admits. “But when it went well, I realized how much my language skills and confidence had improved.”
Hadil: Two Semesters of Adaptation and Growth
Hadil, who is completing a two-semester exchange at UWGB, had more time to adapt to life in the U.S. than some of her peers. Coming from Tunisia, Hadil faced cultural differences, particularly when it came to food. “I miss the food from back home. There’s a lot of processed food here, and I don’t like it,” she says. However, Hadil quickly learned to adapt by preparing traditional Tunisian meals when she could. “It’s not always easy to find everything, but cooking helps me feel connected to home,” she adds.
Beyond food, Hadil also learned time and money management skills. “Life here is more expensive than I expected, and I had to figure out how to budget my time and money,” she says. These skills, while challenging at first, have become invaluable. Hadil has also noticed how much more independent she has become. “I’ve learned how to manage all aspects of my life—schoolwork, social activities, and personal responsibilities.”
With a longer stay, Hadil has had more time to reflect on her goals and ambitions. “Living here has made me think about what I want for my future. It’s given me a broader perspective,” she explains.
Salem: A Year of Independence and Discovery
Salem, a student from Zimbabwe, has spent an entire year at UWGB and has faced different challenges compared to those with shorter stays. Coming from a close-knit family in Zimbabwe, Salem was initially unprepared for the level of independence required in the U.S. “Back home, everything was done for me. I never had to manage things on my own,” she explains. Moving to the U.S. was a wake-up call, but it also provided Salem with the opportunity to develop vital life skills, such as grocery shopping, meal planning, and budgeting. “It was overwhelming at first, but I soon realized I could handle it all,” she says.
Salem’s experience wasn’t just about managing daily tasks—it was also about pushing her social boundaries. “I was always shy, but here I’ve had to be more outgoing,” she says. This shift has helped her connect with more people and build lasting relationships, both with Americans and other international students.
A further challenge Salem encountered was adapting to the American way of forming relationships. According to Salem, in Zimbabwe, social bonds tend to be more tightly knit, but in the U.S., people often focus on their individual pursuits. “It was difficult to make close connections at first, but over time, I learned how to approach people and form meaningful relationships,” she shares.
A Unified Experience: Challenges, Growth, and Reflection
While each of these students faced different challenges based on the length of their stay, all three agree that their time abroad has been transformative. Niklas’s one-semester exchange helped him gain confidence in his language skills and social interactions. Hadil, spending two semesters in the U.S., had more time to reflect on her future goals and develop key life skills such as budgeting and managing time effectively. Salem, who spent an entire year in the U.S., embraced independence and social growth, learning to navigate life on her own.
For future students considering an exchange program, their advice is clear: take the leap. Niklas encourages students to stop overthinking and embrace the experience. “Just do it,” he says, “It’s an opportunity for growth that you won’t regret,” Salem stresses the importance of connecting with others, even when it feels challenging. “Reach out to others and get involved in your community,” she advises. Hadil’s advice is simple yet profound: “Be brave. This experience will change you in ways you never expected.”
