Conclusions, questions and so forth...

It's 2 years since I began my exchange and I still get lots of questions from people about the whole experience. It's great because I never get tired of telling people about it. I would also still encourage others to go ahead wholeheartedly with similar opportunities.

I've been able to answer questions from many other people considering an exchange - and thought it was about time I put some of these on the blog to help others. Information is also contained in my exchange reports (see link on right).

If you have any further questions, please do contact me.

1. How did it happen? - We had both previously signed up to LIBEX http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobscareers/libex/and Kathy contacted me through the database. After this initial email contact we organised the exchange. It worked because we both were employed in similar roles in College libraries and we both wanted an exchange for 4 months.


2. Length of time - 4 months. Any shorter & I wouldn't have been able to fully contribute to the Library in Canada, any longer would have made a huge impact on my Library. Ideally I would recommend 4-6 months.


3. Accommodation - With us both having families at home we couldn't exchange housing. I was able to stay in student accommodation at the College (paying rent with my visa card since I had no Canadian bank account). I assisted Kathy in finding a room to rent in a nearby house (once again paying just one rent which included all bills - electricity, water, etc).


4. Money - myself and Kathy remained on our home payrolls and were paid as usual. This meant that our different salaries could be accounted for and there was no loss of benefits, etc. I do not think HR would've agreed to the exchange otherwise. HR treated us as though we were 'visiting lecturers,' this meant we did not need to consider/invite other applications for the 'post.' If I was ill and had a day off work I had to email my HR at home so it could be marked off on my records as usual.


5. Visas - since we were not paid in our host countries this was not a problem. For easiness, I got a young persons visa through BUNAC - although this was probably overkill.


6. Insurance - through BUNAC I had gap year insurance for the whole time I was away, covering my holiday before and after the exchange. I did have to go to see a doctor once and, on advice from my colleagues, went to a drop in medical centre. I had to pay for this, but the amount was so little it didn't go over my insurance excess.


7. Timing - couldn't have been more perfect for me! I left in June and had holidays prior to the beginning of my exchange, this enabled me to make the most of being somewhere new and get over any jetlage / culture shock. I had July and Aug to get used to the library during the quieter summer months & enjoyed working summer hours with a long weekend each fortnight. By Sept I was fully prepared to contribute to the team during the hectic enrolment & induction weeks. During Oct I got the experience of working a more 'ordinary' few weeks. I also got to experience summer, 'fall' and the snow so got to see Lethbridge in all occasions. I also had a week after the exchange for more holidays, packing up and goodbyes to everyone.


8. Recommendations to others - · Be honest – give each other a clear and accurate picture of what is expected.
   · Get the support of all relevant managers and support staff.
   · Get family and co-workers involved in welcoming exchange partner.
   · Prepare step-by-step guides of all duties.
   · Prepare weekly lists of duties that must be performed / completed.
   · Determine an action plan that may be put in place if either partner is unhappy or in case of emergency.