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<\/p>\nLeah is currently on exchange at Wageningen University, and here are some of her impressions and experiences.<\/p>\n
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Pre-departure: Excitement, anxiety and apprehension<\/b><\/p>\n
Applying to do exchange at Wageningen University was a time consuming process, as the exchange I wanted to do was research based, I had to apply as an exchange student, find a Supervisor, and somehow find a way of fitting my project into their department. However, with the helping hand of various willing parties the process went pretty smoothly and I was finally accepted. Hurdle one conquered! <\/p>\n
Upon acceptance, planning the trip to the Netherlands was the easy part. Luckily I have an EU passport, so it was just a matter of going online and booking the tickets. The International exchange department at Wageningen University are so efficient, that they placed me in a room with no hassles. Easy, all my arrangements sorted!<\/p>\n
Once I had my ticket and accommodation sorted, came the money matters! Regarding money, I was confronted by many options. I had no idea what to do, so I figured when in doubt cover all bases! I exchanged enough rands to euros to last my first few days there (in case my cards didn\u2019t work), I got an American Express world bank card and I took my South African bank card with me. In retrospect I think taking cash was wise, especially for the first few days, but getting a world bank card wasn\u2019t the best option for me, as very few places accept it here in the Netherlands and it became such a mission to constantly find a bank that I could draw money from, and to top it all they charge you every time you want to draw money! In the in, I decided to register with the municipality and open up a Dutch bank account which made life so much easier.<\/p>\n
![\"Building](\"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/files\/2015\/11\/Leah-Bessa-Leah-Bessa-picture-2-240x300.jpg\")
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And then, what to pack??? Heading to European Winter I had no idea what I was facing! South African winters are mild in comparison to what I was about to face, and I didn\u2019t have a clue what to pack. On top of that, winter clothes are heavy and bulky, so I had to pack wisely to not end up being over-weight. And to make it even more complicated, I was heading there at the tail end of summer, so I had to pack semi-summer clothes too\u2026sigh. All I can say is, thank goodness for Emirates, having the luxury of taking 30Kg over was a lifesaver!!<\/p>\n
It only hit me the night before that I was leaving home for 3 month to a foreign country, where I knew no one. I felt terrified for the first time, so I did what any reasonable person would do, I stalked my future home. I sat on google maps, virtual walking through the streets of Wageningen, \u2018standing\u2019 in front of my future student house and I felt at peace. It looked so incredibly beautiful and I felt at home already! I awoke the next morning with this mounting excitement and I couldn\u2019t wait to get on the plane and leave! Of course there was a tearful goodbye, but I sat on the plane leaving Cape Town International filled with excitement and I couldn\u2019t wait to get there.<\/p>\n
At Wageningen University:<\/strong><\/p>\n I came to Wageningen University eager to begin my research in the labs. I went to see my exchange co-ordinator upon arrival and she had everything sorted out for me, so registering and getting my student card was a breeze. I had found a willing supervisor before arriving who approved my project \u2018Insects as food\u2019, and was allowing me to do a part of my Masters research under her supervision. However, upon arrival I was told she had had a severe concussion and would not be returning to work for the rest of the year. That left me in a quite a complicated position, as no one else had the experience and expertise she did in that field. Additionally, the head of department was away so I had to wait for his return before I could figure out my next move.<\/p>\n In the meantime, I got settled down in Wageningen, bought myself a second hand bike, joined a buddy group and kept myself busy by cycling around the beautiful towns surrounding Wageningen and attending international student events. Wageningen is a small student town, much like Stellenbosch, and they are both beautiful in their own way. Stellenbosch is surrounded by majestic mountains and vineyards, whereas Wageningen is amid lush, green forests.<\/p>\n![\"Leah](\"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/files\/2015\/11\/Leah-Bessa-Picture-2_Leah-Bessa.jpg\")
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