My name is Kabir Ansari, and I am studying Business Information Systems at the University of Westminster. I recently just completed my second year and the second half of it (semester 2) was spent at Seton Hall University, which is in South Orange, New Jersey.

The steps I had taken to get into the United States had been indubitably challenging. Firstly, I was hesitant in even going abroad due to the factor of affordability, as well as leaving my family behind as this was my first time ever moving out of the house. Secondly, getting a visa interview within the US embassy was strenuous and the number of documents I had to provide was copious. Housing had also been stressful as I wanted to live off campus and since the university accommodation was expensive.

However, with all these things I have mentioned, my simple advice would be to go on exchange and enjoy it, you are a young student, and you should travel and see the world to get that different exposure and experience. We only live once. We should have fun and make the most of it! I am very grateful for the university’s help in making this dream come true!

Let’s get right to it!

I stayed off campus in New Jersey and I had gained my housing in November 2024 via Facebook, where a former Seton Hall graduate listed his room within the Facebook group. He had initially rejected me in October, but we last minute reached to an agreement!

A huge thing I enjoyed being in the USA was meeting my roommates. They are one the nicest people I have ever met as they warmly welcomed me in and helped me adjust into the new environment. I had bonded with them immediately! Additionally, one of my roommates was so helpful in ensuring I received the best cell phone plan possible as an international student.

New Jersey’s temperature was -17 degrees; it was the coldest winter yet. However, that did not stop me from exploring the South Orange town and having a feel of American life.

In the subsequent week, I met a British friend, who I met online that goes to Seton Hall, and another British Westminster exchange student at Seton Hall’s involvement fair. I had a really good time meeting a diverse set of people within the university.

In the fair I also recall conversing with the Islamic Organisation. They were excited to get to know me as I had messaged them on Instagram prior regarding my arrival into the USA. The organisation was enthusiastic to have a first British member.

The most resonating aspect of the fair, however, was when I met one of Seton Hall’s biggest societies, the Consult Your Community (CYC) Organisation. They were promoting Business Analyst roles. This caught my intention as this is my intended career goal and my field of Business. Therefore, with the encouragement of my roommate who had friends there, I went to the organisation’s Monday general meetings. I was nervous and excited to be a part of this community. To put myself out there, I decided to apply as a Business Analyst. Majority of my friends came from CYC, and I had established professional connections as well!

Within the first 2 weeks of me settling in the USA and getting familiar with my classes, I was off to a great start and ready to continue into February.

I also saw the greatest basketball game ever played by Seton Hall. The university this year did not do well overall in their respective league and were up against a strong team. However, they equalised in the last second of the game and then scored the last second winner in overtime. The whole stadium went insane, and I was rejoicing in the celebrations. That day was fantastic! I really immersed myself in American college life.

To get the ground running, I did my Business Analyst interview with 3 panellists of CYC. Since I was inexperienced, the anxiety was kicking in! However, with the skills and experiences I mentioned, I successfully received the role and was part of the Market Research/Data Analytics Division, where I was providing pro-bono consulting services to a local antique store in South Orange. Working with my friends was a fun experience as we had joked around, but we were also serious with our work simultaneously. It was a lovely balance!

I also had the privilege to attend my first networking event amongst the Muslim community in New Jersey. I received an insightful talk from a stockbroker in Wall Street, who I am still in touch with till this day. Another wonderful thing that month was on 14^th Feb, it was my birthday. My mum’s friend took me out to a New Jersey town called Edison, to treat me with food and just celebrate.

I supplemented my university experience by finally heading to New York City. There, I visited Central Park, Grand Central, Times Square and collected vast amounts of comic books in Times Square’s Midtown Comics. But the most significant aspect was when I watched the sunset of the Brooklyn Bridge and captured the orange glistening of the sky. It felt like a once in a lifetime experience!

In the beginning of March, Ramadan began, and I was observing it for the first time alone without family. It was an experience, and I had eaten some nice food in restaurants in New Jersey. Alongside that, I was coping with the stress of midterms that took over the entire Spring Break. Amidst all that however, I attended the Muslim Organisation’s biggest event yet, which was the Iftar Event. There, I ate a lot of food and met so many lovely people within Seton Hall. It was a lovely night to remember.

A week later, I had once again visited NYC to buy more comic books of the popular Invincible series, as well as general souvenirs. I also had my first experience of American parties, which was fantastic. Roaming around NYC with a group of friends late at night is an incredible experience that I would recommend others to have a go at. Furthermore, in that week, I also took a trip to Philadelphia and saw the beautiful city of Pennsylvania at night.

Later in the month, I also had the privilege as part of my Business Analyst work, to visit an EY office in Iselin, where I gained career insight and valuable advice by real-life industrial professionals that will stick with me forever.

Further adding to my Business Analyst work, I did the biggest midterm presentation to the local South Orange business client, driving recommendations to improve his business. Although I was apprehensive, it went well and to celebrate, I had pizzas with friends and had the best time ever!

April, I would state it to be the greatest month of my life since I really felt like I was a Seton Hall student fully. With the end of the painful and dark winter, the sunshine and blossoming spring signified the start of a fun rollercoaster in New Jersey.

To start the month, The Middle Eastern organisation was hosting this mock wedding, and to celebrate with my Muslim friends there, I had worn my best free suit I got from Seton Hall. That was an incredible night full of singing and dancing.

The subsequent weeks were ones to remember. I attended a Supply Chain Business Event and earned $100 by getting the most questions right and contributing heavily to the event. I established great connections, and this led me to having an Easter Sunday dinner with a huge Seton Hall employee. I met her lovely and welcoming funny and had some wonderful food.

Continuing from that, I had participated in the trendy return of the Ice Bucket Challenge, that was organised by the University of South Carolina’s MIND club, which promoted the Speak Your Mind Mental Health Awareness. It was fun to participate for a good cause.

The conclusion of April I would argue was amazing! In the last couple weeks, Seton Hall was hosting its annual Spring Carnival, which my roommate forced my other roommate and I to go to. I am genuinely grateful for him because I would have greatly missed out! In that event, I met my friends and had the greatest time ever going on the rides and generally I was enjoying the ambience.

To top it all off in the last 2 days of April, our Business Analyst team was having its final presentation to CYC and the overall faculty of the Business School. The presentations were a success, and I received a watch as a gift by my American friends. I still stay in touch, and I dearly miss them!

The final 2 weeks of my exchange was a sad time for me because it is never easy saying goodbye. Being swamped with finals week was also not helpful! However, I still tried to have fun. With American culture, there is a trend of slapping pies, full of shaving cream, on people’s faces. To end the semester, I participated in this by pieing my friends! Sadly, I also fell victim to this hilarious stunt, as my roommate volunteered to slap a pie on my face!

I also did a final presentation to the business client and in the following day, my friend and I decided to take a tour of his antique shop, where we went through all the vintage collections he owned. It was mesmerising!

After my finals ended on May 9^th, the last few days were filled with fun, where I revisited Edison again to have Indian food, watched the Thunderbolts* with my roommate in the big AMC theatre and took a nice walk in the South Mountain Reservation 2 days before my departure.

On the day I officially moved out of my apartment, I spent one night in my mum’s friend’s lovely house in Bedminster. A day later, I eventually flew back home and was emotionally reunited with my family after nearly half a year. In the end, I knew it was all worth it and it was quite the  journey.

Saint Augustine stated that, ‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page’. This quote is something I cannot argue more with! When you are in a different environment with all kinds of people, you start to appreciate diversity and understand people’s various backgrounds and experiences. I also had learnt how to live independently and take care of myself as an adult. I am glad the exchange program taught me necessary life skills and how to generally adapt in a different place.  

Whilst developing personally, I also helped increase my career growth by working as a Business Analyst. I even mention my exchange abroad with prospective employers. This is because it is attractive to companies, if you have gone out of your comfort zone to work and study internationally! Think about your career prospects too!

My advice is to simply just go for exchange. Say yes to the beneficial opportunities that will help you grow and develop. Do not miss out on what life provides you, it is worth every second. We only live once, so we must make the most out of it!

I remember I had originally cancelled my plans to go the United States, since I was worried of leaving my mother and sister behind following my father’s passing from cancer in 2023. When my mother learned of this, she was perplexed and wondered why I had done that. She pushed me and encouraged me to go to the USA; I needed a mental break from my personal life, and she stated that I needed to take this opportunity. My father wanted me to study in the USA; I know he would have been proud of me for being on exchange and living independently.

I get emotional even thinking about my journey! If I ignored this chance, I would not have been writing this. My outlook on life has revolutionised and I express my full gratitude to the University of Westminster and Seton Hall University for providing me this unbelievable experience.

Thank You For Reading This! I hope my experience can inspire you to take this exchange opportunity! Do not be afraid to take a leap of faith; be open-minded and face any fear or challenge head-on. I can guarantee you, IT IS WORTH IT!