ICMS Student’s American Exchange Adventure

If ICMS student Billy MacGregor was offered the chance to go on Exchange to America again, he would jump at it.

Because he can’t – having already gone on exchange in 2022 – he is urging any eligible ICMS student to take the leap and have the experience of a lifetime.

“If you are an ICMS student thinking of going on exchange, without a doubt, do it.”

Billy, a third year ICMS Bachelor of Property (Investment, Development and Valuation) student, went on exchange to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, for 16 weeks, ending in December 2022.

“I have met a wide range of friends from all over the globe that I still currently communicate with, and I feel I will for a long time. I went over to JWU with an expectation of what it would be like, and that expectation  was blown out of the water ten-fold.”

The Attraction of an American Exchange

Billy heard about the Exchange Program opportunities available at ICMS in his first year and decided to look into the exchange offered for his degree, which was the JWU program offered during the Fall semester of 2022. The lockdown over COVID made him even more determined to experience what was offered.

“Personally, I have always wanted to visit the US for an extended period of time and experience the US college system. Having this opportunity offered to me by ICMS was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t refuse,” he said.

JWU in Providence is located just a 45 minute drive from Boston, and is three hours away from New York City by train. Students across all majors at ICMS, if eligible, are able to study a semester at JWU and have four classes credit towards their ICMS degree.

The other ICMS American exchange opportunity is to take a semester of study in the US springtime at San Francisco State University (SFSU). This is open to business and hospitality management students, subject to eligibility conditions.

Some highlights of the JWU Exchange

There is so much that can be packed into 16 weeks on exchange, and Billy made the most of his time at  JWU.

“I have a plethora of highlights from my time on exchange, but a few of my most memorable ones  I feel many others would enjoy too,” Billy said.

“My first memorable highlight was the close-knit group of exchange students that I was a part of during my time at JWU. These students were from all over the globe, from countries including Germany, South Korea, Japan, and The Netherlands. We shared dorm rooms, bathrooms and food halls as well as the ups and downs of being away from home.

“The second memorable highlight I had was watching the different JWU sporting teams play games against other Colleges in the New England area.

“The JWU men’s and women’s teams included Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Field hockey, and Lacrosse. These games were played every Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon. These times were great as I was able to spend time with my friends and even make new friends that were on different sporting teams.

“My third and final memorable highlight on exchange was the social life that JWU and the city of Providence had to offer. If you are sociable like me, there are plenty of opportunities to meet people. Your experience is what you want it to be.”

No regrets

“Whether it be to JWU like I did, or any other program that is offered to you at the time, I assure you, you will not regret it,” Billy tells ICMS students.

“If I had the opportunity to do it again, with the good, the bad and the ugly times, I would do it all over again. Unfortunately, I cannot. So I hope you do.”

For more information on the ICMS Exchange Program, click here.