For Tom Northcott, studying abroad for a term in Dresden, Germany has changed the way he thinks about education.

“I started thinking more about education outside of the classroom,” says the Bachelor of Commerce student. “Much of what I learned came from meeting others and learning about their experiences – both locals and internationals.”

Northcott chose Dresden partly because the courses fit with his academic requirements and partly because of conversations he had with German exchange students studying at MacEwan. 

“When I talked to them about their experiences, they had nothing but positive things to say,” he says. 

During his time in Dresden he was also able to satisfy a few other passions. “I am a big soccer fan,” he admits. “We all travelled three hours to watch the final match of the European Championship in the fan zone. It was amazing to see the passionate fans.” 

Side trips to destinations including Berlin, Munich, Prague, Budapest, Cologne, Zagreb and Sarajevo brought history to life for him.

“In class, I learned about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, a key catalyst of World War I,” says Northcott. “Then I actually went to the place where it happened.”

He also visited the site of the Nuremberg rallies. “It was a chilling but informative experience, standing in the box that Hitler would have stood in to address the crowds,” he explains – adding context to events he then learned about in his modern European history class back at MacEwan. 

While Northcott admits he had to push himself outside his comfort zone, he says it was definitely worth it. “It was my first time living on my own and that meant figuring out rental agreements, having to grocery shop multiple times a week and getting a residence permit,” he says. “Before, I was an introverted homebody (and, to some extent, still am), but I realized that in order to survive and thrive, I would need to make friends.” 

He says immersing himself in the local culture and the cultures of his fellow exchange students helped him gain insight into the norms, customs and traditions of others. 

“Some of my best memories involve spending time with my friends – people I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” he says. “These memories are so pivotal and the best part of the exchange.”

Though he originally had doubts about going, he now encourages anyone thinking of studying abroad to go for it. 

“You will learn a lot about yourself and, just as importantly, a lot about others and their cultures.”