Semester and summer school opportunities

“In 2018, SU International placed 286 students on semester exchanges and in summer schools. We are still busy finalising placements for 2019, but all indications are that we will be sending even more students this year,” Sarah says. SU’s Study Abroad participants come from all faculties at the University, and their destinations are equally varied (see sidebar).

Summer school and semester exchange applications have two deadlines per year: the first in mid-March and the second in mid-August. “Students need to complete our internal application, and if their application succeeds, they are nominated to the respective institution. When the nomination is complete, the student is normally required to follow certain processes at the host institution, and also to initiate their visa applications, where applicable,” explains Sarah.

The placement process can be daunting, she says. “For example, one must weigh up students’ preferences against what is institutionally possible in terms of the respective partnerships and available funding. With certain summer schools, for instance, our agreement with the host university allows us to send only two students with funding. So, even if we receive 40 applications, we can only nominate two.” This is why they ask students to list more than one preferred destination and, if neither of those destinations are available, also recommend other open options to applicants. “Students should think strategically about their choice of institution. In general, institutions in cities such as Amsterdam, London and Berlin are normally oversubscribed,” she advises. 

Selected students go through an extensive pre-departure process to help them prepare for their international study experience. This includes a pre-departure workshop for semester exchange students. And apart from the material provided by the host institution, participants also have various other resources available to consult, including the #matiesabroad guidebook, the #matiesabroad blog and the SUNLearn module 102 Study Abroad.

On their return, all Study Abroad participants are required to provide feedback. Says Sarah: “Our feedback consists of a survey and a collection of blog postings. The postings are placed on our #matiesabroad blog and are a very useful resource for students. We are currently reviewing our support processes and structures, and hope to implement a system whereby returning students can become volunteer student Study Abroad advisors. One of our partner universities, Waseda University in Japan, has already implemented such a system, and it seems to be working quite well.”

In addition, the coordinators have identified a need to help students “translate” the value of the Study Abroad experience, recounting their experiences in such a way that potential employers can see how students’ participation in the programme has added to their employability. For this reason, SU International’s debriefing processes will be refined. “It is also important that students should be able to extract value from each stage of the Study Abroad life cycle. The overarching goal is to ensure that our student mobility opportunities help instil SU’s graduate attributes in our students,” explains Sarah. 

When asked to share some tips with prospective applicants, Sarah is quick to list the following:

• “With every application process, there will always be specific instructions, terms and conditions. Make sure you read these carefully and do your homework before submitting your application.”
• “Spend time making sure you write a good motivational letter. Steer away from generalities – rather focus on the opportunity you are applying for. State your reason for applying for that particular opportunity, the immediate (academic) benefits you will derive from it, and specific features of the opportunity that interest you. This shows that you did your research. And do ask someone reliable to proofread your letter!”
• “Take a good look at the structure of your CV, and how you present your personal information. There are many online resources and tools for this purpose – don’t just use the first template you can find. Most importantly, include only relevant information. Having been rugby captain in Grade 8 is not relevant to a semester exchange in your second year.”
• “Many university students do not have proper references, specifically academic references. Engage with your lecturers and build a relationship with them. Request a reference letter well in advance and brief your lecturers properly about the opportunity you are applying for. It is also a good idea to share your CV and motivational letter with them, as that will give them more context. And remember, Facebook friends are not references.”
• “Finally, don’t exclude yourself. Many students qualify to apply, but convince themselves that they will never succeed, thereby taking themselves out of the running without even trying. Don’t be your own biggest enemy. Give yourself a chance. Perhaps you don’t succeed on your first or second try, but with every application you submit, you will get better. See it as a learning experience.”