Exchange Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Program Name: Youth Empowerment Program 2.0

             
Internship Duration: 6 weeks

A typical day on your internship:

 

(During the first few weeks)
8:00-8:30am: Wake up and prepare for the day. Eat a quick breakfast
9:00am: Meet up with the group to prepare session material
12:00-1:00pm: Go to local shops and restaurants for lunch
2:00-6:00pm: Continue preparing session material and practice presenting
6:00-7:00pm: Eat dinner
7:00pm onwards: Grocery shopping and free time or continue preparing sessions.
11:00pm-12:00am: Sleep

(After the first few weeks)
8:00-9:00am: Wake up and prepare for the day
9:00-10:00am: Find a nearby restaurant and eat breakfast
10:00am onwards: Travel, go to the beach/tourist destination, shopping, etc.
8:00pm: Find a nearby restaurant and eat dinner, then free time

 

What did you enjoy most about your exchange?

 

I enjoyed challenging myself to embrace a new culture and lifestyle and being completely out of my comfort zone. It was the most amazing feeling to be independent – alone and not knowing anyone at first – and having to rely on my own abilities to make friends and adapt to the new environment. I think having this experience really bolstered my confidence and faith in my own abilities, and encouraged me to continue challenging myself. I really enjoyed the feeling and notion of being able to experience something new every day. It was through these things that I underwent the cliché journey of “finding myself” and came to many self-realisations.

Any words of advice for future exchange participants?

I would encourage future exchange participants to really push themselves and do the same – to try something different every day and see how far they can go. For me, remembering that the exchange was for only six weeks and that my time there would be limited really helped me get over being scared of being in a new environment. I’m a rather flexible person which made it easier for me to get over culture shock, so I think being open-minded to cultural differences and trying to adapt to the different circumstances will enable you to have a smoother transition into the new country.