HOW TO CHOOSE MY EXCHANGE DESTINATION? INFO International Exchange Services of the University of Helsinki Additional application period for Erasmus, Norplus and Nordlys student exchange destinations Autumn 2017 07/09/2017 1
TODAY S AGENDA Why go on an exchange and when? What to study there? Exchange destinations Selection criteria, application dates, funding for exchange studies Application process and clinic 4/9/2017 2
Student exchange Traineeship abroad Career Services A MORE INTERNATIONAL DEGREE Erasmus grant for traineeships Cimo, Centre for International Mobility Short-term study abroad such as intensive courses (summer and winter schools) Internationalisation at Home Courses in English (International) student organisations International tutoring Language Centre: ALICE programme, Language Buddy 4/9/2017 3
HOW WILL AN EXCHANGE BENEFIT ME? Different perspectives on studying, working and life Intercultural competences Multilingual/-cultural teams Understanding people from different backgrounds Language skills Leaving your comfort zone, becoming more independent, navigating different environments Networking and making friends Sometimes you have to travel a long way to find what is near Paulo Coelho 4
WHEN TO GO? Not during the first study year of your Bachelor s Get to know the degree structure of your study programme Include exchange in your personal study plan (HOPS) The most common times to go are the last year of the Bachelor s or first year of the Master s. Other years may be good as well check with your programme s coordinator. Check how the semesters run at your planned destination Check whether host university has limitations on the degree level of a student. 5
WHAT CAN I STUDY THERE? Courses in your major, optional studies, elective studies, language studies There are exceptions Read instructions for credit transfer when planning your studies Check the intended destination s web site for their course offer (and contact their international coordinator if necessary) You must complete at least 5 ECTS/month. 7/12/2016 6
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY LEFT OVER PLACES? Presentation Name / Firstname Lastname 07/09/2017 7
DESTINATION: EUROPE Erasmus is the largest programme at UH with most students and destinations Includes EU and EEA countries and Turkey NB. Switzerland is an exception, not real Erasmus: They pay the grant for your exchange. Application period for non EU/EEA places in Europe is in October (not Erasmus) 12 is the maximum number of Erasmus grant months per degree study level (Bachelor, Master, PhD), both for studies and traineeship. Students of all faculties can apply. Major students of the unit that has the agreement take precedence in the selection. Placements can also be offered to students of other fields with discretion. The decisions are made case by case. Read more: https://guide.student.helsinki.fi/fi/artikkeli/euroopan-vaihtokohteet Vaihtoinfo / liikkuvuuspalvelut 7/12/2016 8
DESTINATION: NORDIC AND BALTIC COUNTRIES Nordplus networks concern a particular field and its students. You can find the networks that UH is part of in the Mobility Online - portal. The networks determine the grant amounts, which are often not confirmed before June. Read more: Flamma: https://flamma.helsinki.fi/en/hy321 219 9
NORDLYS NETWORK Nordlys is a part of Nordplus open for all UH degree students and is not connected to any particular field. There are 37 multidisciplinary partner universities in the Nordic countries. 1) For students who can t go to a Nordplus or Erasmus exchange through their major. 2) For students who wish to study a minor during their exchange. 3) For students whose intended destination is not in their major s Nordplus network. Check Flamma for partners who limit the fields they take students from. https://flamma.helsinki.fi/en/hy360561 10
OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD UNIVERSITY BILATERAL AGREEMENTS Destinations in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Russia, Oceania, the Middle East and China. For Bachelor- and Master-level students from all faculties. Typically you need to apply further in advance than for other programmes. Check Flamma for destination-specific restrictions and credit conversion. 11
OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD FACULTY AND UNIT BILATERAL -EXCHANGES Faculty s/department s unit specific agreements outside the Erasmus area The number of the agreements varies depending on the department/unit (most students go on exchange via university bilateral exchanges) Priority will be given to students with the subject as their major subject but also students who have the subject as their minor subject can apply for exchange. More information on the agreements and destinations can be found in Flamma: https://flamma.helsinki.fi/en/hy360386 12
SHORT COURSES ABROAD FOR 2017-2018 Grants available for short courses Apply independently for short courses and then for a grant Applications for a grant can be submitted throughout the year (1.9.-31.5), for courses 1 week - 3 months Short courses in partner universities in summer 2018, apply for a grant during the application round in February Destinations available in the call for applications in February 2018. For examble Aarhus, Linneaus, King s College, Fudan, India Learn more about the different courses on host universities homepages and in Flamma: https://flamma.helsinki.fi/en/hy281597 13
GOING ABROAD INDEPENDENTLY FREE MOVER It is possible to arrange a study period abroad independently Notice the possible tuition fees International Exchange Services at the University of Helsinki may award a Free mover grant to those who have arranged a study period abroad independently and have not received scholarship via any other exchange programme Applications for a Free mover grant can be submitted throughout the year More information in Flamma: https://flamma.helsinki.fi/en/hy273572 14
HOW TO CHOOSE AN EXCHANGE DESTINATION? Think about your studies and skills (e.g. language skills) Talk to the Education Coordinator See what is offered, based on your Interest Take a closer look to 2 3 options Meet International Exchange Services or ask advice from your fellow students and teachers Read exchange blogs and reports: http://blogs.helsinki.fi/vaihtokertomuksiamaailmalta/ 15
SHORT BREAK Now you have been listening to us for a while. Please present yourself to the student sitting next to you and share your thoughts about exchange studies. You have 5 minutes to discuss. 16
WHO CAN GO ON AN EXCHANGE? You must be a degree students at the University of Helsinki and enrolled as attending (also during your exchange) When you apply, you must have successfully completed at least 30 credits Exchange has to last between 3 and 12 months, and take place during the same study year Exception: Nordplus express mobility and short courses Credits from your exchange need to be used as a part of your degree at the University of Helsinki. 17
LANGUAGE SKILLS 1/2 Usually good skills in the teaching language required. Start studying the language early enough. The Language Center offers a multitude of courses in various languages. Many universities use the native language as their teaching language, but sometimes (especially on Master s level) it s also possible to take courses in English. In the University of Helsinki application, a degree study right is sufficient proof of your English proficiency. However, if you are selected to apply to your destination, be prepared to prove your level of English to them according to their instructions. 18
LANGUAGE SKILLS 2/2 To study in Swedish: You do not need to prove your level of Swedish, if your are studying in a Swedish/bilingual degree programme at the University of Helsinki. Other study languages (e.g. French/ German/ Spanish): The minimum requirement for the University of Helsinki application is B1 level (intermediate level) Please note that some exchange partners require a higher level Studying the local language during your exchange, e.g. Russian You must, already at the application stage, have at least 10 ECTS of completed studies at the University of Helsinki in the language, or an equivalent proficiency. 19
30.8-13.9.2017 Erasmus, Nordlys and Nordplus: additional application round for spring 2018 exchanges 26.10-9.11.2017 University Bilateral Agreements (Asia, Middle East, Russia, Serbia, Canada, Mexico, United States) ISEP, MAUI, North2North (academic year 2018 2019) APPLICATION DEADLINES 1.-15.2.2018 Academic year 2018-2019 Europe (Erasmus, Nordplus, Nordlys) Additional application round for the destinations of the Oct- November round) Summer Schools with University of Helsinki quotas (summer 2018) For the calender year 2019 Australia, New Zealand and Latin America Africa 20
FUNDING FOR EXCHANGE STUDIES Erasmus exchange: 240-300 /month Nordplus exchange: 200 /month + travel grant University bilateral agreements: 1000-2500 /semester Short courses 500-900 Freemover scholarship: 300 or 900 /exchange Study grant from KELA, see: http://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-aid-forstudents-if-you-study-abroad You can try to find other scholarships or travel grants for example from foundations or organisations, which grant scholarships for students 21
HOW TO APPLY FOR STUDENT EXCHANGE? Two application stages for student exchange: 1) First you apply at the university of Helsinki 2) Then you apply to the host university as an exchange student Read always first carefully the application instructions and requirements in the application information published by the International Exchange Services in Instructions for students https://guide.student.helsinki.fi/en/article/application-process Apply by filling in the application in the Mobility Online system during announced application period: https://kvl.it.helsinki.fi/mobility/mobilitysearchservlet?sprache=en&iden tifier=helsink01 With one application you can apply at the most for three (3) exchange universities. You can make more than one application, you can however apply for six (6) universities at the most 22
APPLICATION PROCESS 1(2) Return all compulsory application documents online. Upload to the Mobility online the following enclosures: Study Plan (Learning agreement): most important enclosure, in the study plan there must be studies for 5 ECTS credits / month, the target is to complete 30 ECTS credits / semester Motivation Letter max. 400 words in English, if you apply to several universities write anyway one motivation letter, but tell the reasons why you apply to these destinations. Prioritize the universities. Transcript of the University of Helsinki (unofficial transcript from Weboodi is accepted in this application round) Language certificate if needed More information: https://guide.student.helsinki.fi/en/article/applicationprocess 23
APPLICATION PROCESS 2(2) In autumn you will receive information on the selections from the International Exchange Services by email 15.10.2017 at the latest If you are selected, the International Exchange Services nominates you to the host university and then you apply to the host university Documents uploaded to the Mobility Online will not be transferred to other universities The applicant is responsible to find out the deadlines and application information of the host university The host university makes the final decision on the acceptance of the exchange student. The host university has the right to reject the applicant. 24
MOBILITY ONLINE 25
SELECTION CRITERIA Exchange decisions are made on the basis of learning agreement, motivation letter and grade point average and progress of studies pay special attention to consistency and relevancy to your studies as well as the host university s requirements and possibile special criteria make sure you fulfil the language requiremements exchange should not delay the completion of your studies Exchange decisions are made on the basis of equal distribution of candidates amongst faculties / subject areas With interdepartmental agreements (Erasmus+, Nordplus, Faculty and unit bilateral agreements) preference is given to students of the pertinent department. More information: https://guide.student.helsinki.fi/fi/artikkeli/haku-jahakeminen 26
APPLICATION CLINICS Come and join us for Application Clinic! We will assist you in your Mobility Online Application and related questions as follows: Thursday September 7th at 13-15 Svenska social- och kommunal Högskolan, IT-room (Snellmaninkatu 12, please note, entrance at Yrjö Koskinen street) 27
QUESTIONS? COME AND VISIT US! STUDENT EXCHANGE SERVICES STUDENTEXCHANGE@HELSINKI.FI ON MONDAYS BETWEEN 13-15 AND THURSDAYS 10-12 AT STUDENT SERVICE LOCATIONS ON EACH CAMPUS TEL: +358 2941 22401, PHONE HOURS ON WEEKDAYS10-15 MORE INFORMATION AT INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS: HTTPS://GUIDE.STUDENT.HELSINKI.FI/EN/STUDY-ABROAD