Kelyn’s Secret Recipe for Studying Abroad
Semester Abroad: Exchange at Penn
Kelyn, one of the Exchange at Penn Correspondents, shares her experience here at Penn during the Fall 2025 semester. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
Every exchange starts like a recipe you’ve never tried before, equal parts excitement and uncertainty. It might be your first time living abroad alone, and that can feel daunting. But fret not, here’s my eight-step exchange recipe to help ease your nerves and share a few lessons from my own first adventure overseas.
We begin with the basics: A visa, a plane ticket, an open mind, and a genuine eagerness to explore something new. While this recipe may seem complex at first, take it slow, trust the process and most importantly, savour every moment.
Ingredients
- 1 plane ticket & visa: ensure you have these before proceeding.
- 2 cups of adaptation: patience required; this ingredient takes time to develop flavour fully
- 1 stick of independence: melt slowly; it tends to harden if unused
- A heaping tablespoon of spontaneity: for those unplanned detours and sudden dinner plans
- A generous sprinkle of friendship: added gradually as bonds form
- 1 teaspoon of adventures: added alongside friendship to strengthen its flavour
- 1 cup of readings: add cautiously, may be dense or may be delightful
- 1 cup of moments of learning: very sweet; best enjoyed when you least expect it
- A pinch of homesickness (optional)
Method:
Step 1: Preheat the ‘Plane Ticket & Visa’ to 375°F
Remember to book your visa interviews early and double-check that you have all the documents with you before you proceed! I remembered leaving one of my important visa documents at home mid-flight (thank goodness I was able to print it at the airport while transiting!)
Step 2: Let ‘Adaptation’ simmer on low heat.
When I first arrived, everything felt slightly “undercooked’. The streets felt unfamiliar, and moving in was tough! My first night was absolutely exhausting as I had to adjust to jet lag while I navigated my new routine. I realised that it was important to give myself space and time to explore. As I settled in, I took the time to explore the Penn campus with my friends and set aside time to call home, to ease my homesickness.
Step 3: Combine your ‘Adventure’ ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together generous portions of Exploration and Friendship. Alongside my NUS exchange friends, I connected with some full-time Singaporean students, and we had many amazing adventures! From running a 5km in New York City to exploring Vermont and its beautiful fall foliage, I’ve enjoyed every moment exploring the states.
Step 4: Mix the ‘Academics’ Ingredients.
In a smaller bowl, mix equal parts of Readings and Moments of Learning. To be honest, the workload here is higher than at my home university. Surprisingly, I’ve found myself learning more deeply and genuinely enjoying the materials I’m engaging with. Classes are conducted differently, too, with strong emphasis on participation and discussion (very Socratic style!), which I’ve come to really appreciate. I love the lively exchange of ideas with professors and classmates, and if you asked me to pick a favourite class, I honestly couldn’t, because each one has challenged and inspired me in its own way.
Step 5: Fold ‘Academics’ into ‘Adventure’
Gently pour your Academic mixture into the large mixing bowl. The key is balance! In the first quarter of exchange, you’d often find me in my room, trying to complete my readings and prepare for lessons. I even found myself turning down dinner invitations to focus on my studies. My friends often reminded me to strike a balance and make the most of my time here, gently reminding me that exchange is as much learning outside the classroom as it is within it.
Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out the balance, and that’s okay! I’m grateful to have friends who gently pull me out of my readings and remind me to look up, slow down, and enjoy the moments happening around me.
Step 6: Stir in ‘Adaptation’
Add it back into the mixture once it’s thickened. You’ll notice it blends better this time! What I once felt foreign now tastes familiar. I’ve made my space feel like home, spending quiet afternoons cooking simple meals and keeping up my little ritual of making matcha. It’s comforting to see how these small routines have slowly turned a new place into something that feels my own.
Step 7: Expect a few cooking mishaps
It’s normal to burn a few things along the way! I’ve ever forgotten to book my train to Washington for class and have felt overwhelmed whenever I overcommit. I even fell really sick with the flu in the first week of school (I KNOW SAD.)
Don’t worry if things don’t turn out like what you’d expect, I promise it gets better!
Step 8: Bake until golden.
Let everything come together naturally. You’ll know it’s done when you stop counting days and live in the moment. I’ve learnt to embrace my newfound independence and, in doing so, discovered just how much I’ve grown along the way!
Now that I’m halfway there, I’ll definitely try to maximise my exchange and keep you updated if there are any changes in the recipe~
That’s all from me! Enjoy your warm, freshly baked exchange experience.