Since I haven't personally been on an exchange year, I can only imagine based on the experiences of other exchange students. However, one difference many students report is the approach to group work and participation in class.

For example, in Portugal, students tend to be more reserved in class discussions, especially with professors. Questioning a professor's point might feel uncomfortable, as it can be seen as challenging their authority, and many students wait until after class to ask questions or clarify doubts. In contrast, exchange students often observe that in countries like the Netherlands, students are more comfortable speaking up, debating ideas openly, and disagreeing with professors during class discussions. This difference can feel quite surprising initially, as it gives the classroom a more informal atmosphere where everyone's input is valued equally.​