Sarah went to Canada on her own: ‘What have I gotten myself into?’, I thought.
When Sarah Munck Christensen arrived in Toronto, all alone, she had a moment’s doubt about her decision. Four months later, she returned home with new friends, greater self-confidence and a clear message for other students: do an exchange programme.
When Sarah Munck Christensen landed at Toronto Airport in August 2025, there was no one there to meet her.
After a 12-hour journey, she found herself alone in a town far away from home.
'I remember thinking: shit, what have I gotten myself into? Have I made the right decision?'
The 24-year-old finance student from Business Academy Aarhus was about to spend four months in Canada, with classes taught in English, in new surroundings and with new people from all over the world.
A few days later, she started classes at Centennial College, just outside Toronto. Here, doubt quickly began to give way to something else.
'You realise you’re capable of much more than you think. That's probably the most important thing I'm taking away from this. experience.'
Wanted to challenge herself
Sarah had known for a long time that she wanted to go on an exchange programme.
Even before she started her Financial Management bachelor’s degree, she was looking into the possibility of spending a semester abroad. She had previously worked as an au pair in England and knows how rewarding it is to stand on your own two feet in a foreign country.
'It pushes your boundaries,' she says.
This time, she chose Canada.
Sarah wanted to go far away, but she preferred to go to an English-speaking country where she knew she would be able to understand the lecturers.
New friends in record time
During her stay, Sarah lived with three international students from Ukraine and Mexico in a dormitory close to the campus.
'We were all far from home and in the same boat. That meant we became very close in a short space of time.'
Once classes were over, we spent our time at ice hockey matches, Christmas markets, sightseeing, trips to the cinema and cooking together.
'Everyone wanted to make the most of their stay. So we really went through a lot together,' she says.
Student life was also different from back home in Denmark.
Marks were determined throughout the semester on the basis of quizzes, tests and assignments.
'You had to keep up all the time. But the level was just right.'
A new perspective on the world
One of the things that made the biggest impression on Sarah was meeting people from all over the world.
'Toronto is extremely multicultural. I learnt a great deal from meeting people with completely different backgrounds and world views.'
At the same time, she was reminded of just how privileged Danish students are.
'Many of my fellow students had to work almost full-time or rely on financial support from home to cover both their tuition fees and their everyday living expenses. It gave me a new perspective on just how lucky we are in Denmark to get SU.'
FOMO
Shortly before setting off, Sarah wasn’t just excited.
She was also worried that she might miss out on something back home in Aarhus.
Her class started a new term without her, and she was worried she would fall behind both academically and socially.
'In my mind, I was very much at home and a bit stressed about whether I was falling behind. I thought long and hard about whether I’d made the right decision.'
When she got home, her worries turned out to be unfounded.
'Actually, not much had changed at home over the four months. Time really flies when you're out and about. That’s why you have to remember to enjoy it while it lasts.'
An experience of a lifetime
Today, Sarah does not doubt that she would do it all again.
For her, a semester abroad is about much more than just subjects and marks.
'You really learn a lot about yourself. And you realise that things are often not as bad as you imagine them to be back home.'
She is still in touch with several of the friends she made in Canada and is already planning to meet up with some of them in Europe.
She recommends that other students go on a semester abroad.
'Of course, you have to take responsibility for a lot of practical matters yourself, and it can seem a bit overwhelming at first. But it’s an experience of a lifetime, and well worth it.'
Facts: this is what the stay cost
Sarah spent a total of 62,000 DKK on her semester abroad. Student grants and scholarships covered most of the costs, so she only spent 7,000 DKK of her own savings.
With a trip to New York during her stay and a stopover in London on the way home, the total travel costs came to 74,000 DKK, of which only 19,000 DKK came out of her own pocket.
Read all about your internationalisation possibilities: GoAbroad