Exchange Student Finds a Home Away from Home
For University of Kentucky students, January marks the start of the spring semester and a return to campus after winter break. But for Giuliana Jaramillo, this past January meant a journey to a new country and a new home at UK.
A student at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, located in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, Jaramillo is completing a semester exchange at the University of Kentucky, where she is studying marketing and business.
“I’ve always wanted to push myself and explore different countries and cultures,” said Jaramillo. “A semester abroad felt like the perfect way to do that.”
Jaramillo was inspired by her sister before her who just completed a semester as an exchange student at Western Kentucky University. Her sister was so enamored with the commonwealth that Jaramillo began researching programs that made sense for her and found just what she was looking for at UK.
“Seeing my sister do this before me was reassuring,” said Jaramillo. “When I found UK, I liked the university, the campus, and I felt that Lexington was the perfect place to continue my college journey. It’s a bit urban but not too urban. I felt that it would be just a completely different experience from back home.”
Each semester, students like Giuliana come to the University of Kentucky for an exchange program, often seeking a new culture and a different experience to their college or university at home.
“Exchanges provide a great insight into what UK and Lexington have to offer,” said Laurence Tuccori, Exchanges Coordinator in Education Abroad and Exchanges. “Students on an exchange at UK are integrated into the campus community, taking classes, living on campus and being a UK student for that set period of time. They are fully immersed here.”
Jaramillo’s arrival in Lexington, while filled with excitement, came with its share of culture shock. She immediately had to adjust to weather she was not used to back in Ecuador.
“I arrived on campus, and it immediately snowed and iced,” she said. “I just wasn’t used to that kind of weather. Obviously, we don’t see that back in Ecuador. I felt like I was immediately in a new environment. It was so exciting, though.”
Jaramillo has also adjusted to how classes are taught in a new country. “The courses are weighted differently here than back home in Ecuador,” she said. “It varies depending on the course, but I’ve found there to be more of an emphasis on larger projects or exams or papers here. It was something I had to get used to pretty quickly, but my professors and fellow classmates definitely helped me make that adjustment.”
One of the biggest surprises for Jaramillo this semester has been the opportunities for students on campus. “There are always events on campus, so many,” she said. “And there are so many resources for students beyond academics. There are wellness opportunities, social events, clubs and organizations. There’s just always something to do and different ways to get involved.”
The community formed by living on campus has also inspired her and made her adjustment to a new culture that much easier. “The community formed here, especially living on campus, is so new to me,” she said. “It’s about so much more than just academics, that’s the main thing I’ve taken away so far.”
One thing the experience has already cemented for Jaramillo is her desire to continue her studies abroad after finishing her bachelor’s degree in Ecuador.
“For me, this experience has been so beneficial so far,” she said. “I’ve always thought about going abroad to do a master’s degree or continuing my education in some way. I’m hoping to pursue that once I finish my degree. It’s another chance to keep exploring the world.”