I hardly think that a single one of us here in Shanghai has escaped the ceaseless reminders that we are in fact a “Global Network University,” but many of us have no clue just how far that network extends. Perhaps one of NYU’s best-kept secrets is the existence of its International Exchange Program, hidden away in the deepest, darkest parts of the Internet… Okay, well, perhaps a simple Google search will do, but the fact remains that NYU certainly doesn’t advertise its exchange program as much as its Global Sites, and, sadly, the application process is much longer and more involved. Despite the extra paperwork and the nerve-wracking wait for admissions decisions reminiscent of high school senior year anxiety, the exchange program is absolutely the right choice for those passionate enough to pursue it.I began applying to study abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan around a year in advance of actually going in Spring 2016. This was the perfect amount of time, as coordinating documents between Paris (my first study abroad site) New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo was no easy feat, especially because Waseda in particular is a stickler for original documents. Now that the long-awaited semester has come to a close and I’m back in the motherland, I can say that every headache was 100% worth it. (Although I’m not sure the two incredible, incessantly bothered professors who wrote my recommendation letters feel the same, I am eternally grateful for their patience.) A semester outside of NYU’s Global Network is something of a wakeup call: once I was outside the bubble, I could see how comfortable and padded our school environment truly is. NYU’s global sites provide everything under the sun: housing, help with administrative issues, lifestyle tips and recommendations, and even tickets for local cultural events. Waseda was completely to the contrary. They ran out of space in the dorms and thus left me on my own to find housing; I had to journey solo to the ward office to register my address, which would have been much less intimidating if I could actually speak Japanese; phone plans and bank accounts were entirely up to individuals to sort out, and bless you if you think you’ll be getting a guide to the subtle differences between grocery store chains. It was like living with one foot in the adult world and one foot swathed in the comfort of college life. Had I not already been living abroad for two and a half years, I would have been simply terrified. I don’t wish to give the impression that there is no support whatsoever for international students, for Waseda boasts an excellent International Community Center that offers valuable events and volunteer opportunities open to everyone; however, they don’t cater to our needs quite as much as NYU does. Once I jumped over the first hurdles, studying at Waseda turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my university career. As far as I’m concerned, the number one advantage to studying outside of the Global Network is that being an exchange student allows you immense contact with the locals. While in Paris, I only got to know a few local Parisians because NYU Paris was so self-contained; one need not speak to anyone outside of the school. But at Waseda, it would have been almost impossible to go without chatting with the local students, although it was often an exercise in self-confidence to constantly be in friend-making mode! One need not look far for plenty of new acquaintances: in the School of International Liberal Studies, where I took my classes, English-speaking Japanese students are in the classroom with you, and there are many opportunities for exchange students to participate in club activities with Waseda students. Personally, one of the most defining aspects of the semester was my involvement in a club called Niji no Kai. Literally translated as “rainbow meeting,” it is a club specifically geared toward fostering community between exchange students and local students. There were unending events, from sleep-away camps at traditional Japanese lodges to cooking competitions, and even a two-day, 100-kilometer hike (done in costume, of course!). Not only was I able to meet a huge number of incredible people, it was also excellent Japanese practice: my language skills improved immensely because I could apply what I learned in class everyday, as many members of Niji no Kai spoke little to no English. Academically, the course load was consistently a bit lighter than we’re used to here in Shanghai, barring the hellish rush to write research papers at the end of the semester. Depending on the course, homework was often not terribly time-consuming. The language program was appropriately intense, as well. Although I was only in level two out of six, I had friends who took higher-level classes, and it seemed that the workload was comparable to NYUSH’s Chinese curriculum, especially in the more advanced classes. While you may cry over the unit tests and having to memorize fifty-some words every other day, you will thank yourself later. One should choose classes with care, however: you need special permission to count anything as a major requirement or core curriculum class because all credits transfer as electives. While this may be no problem for humanities majors like myself, who have a comparatively large number of elective credits, it could create problems for those with other curricula. So, while I cannot speak for every exchange site, I can definitely recommend a semester or even a year at Waseda. Not only will you enjoy a local, authentic experience, you’ll get to live in one of the most beautiful, clean, safe, and exciting cities in the world. From the crowds in Shibuya and Shinjuku to the wacky fashion in Harajuku; from the tranquil, landscaped parks to the rush to catch your last train home, it will be an unforgettable semester full of new experiences and precious memories. Even if your destination is not Japan, the International Exchange Program will lend an even deeper level of richness to your already unique education. This article was written by Sabrina Greene. Please send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Sabrina Greene