University Exchanges

If you are at university, you’ve probably heard other students on campus talk about exchanges. More and more universities are developing exchange programs, signing formal agreements with institutions overseas.

Students who go on exchange are selected by their home universities, and then enrolled at the overseas university. Usually, schools must balance incoming and outgoing student numbers with each partner university. Exchange agreements may be open to students from any faculty, or may be faulty-specific. Many universities offer both types, and it is often possible to apply for both.

1. Benefits

There are a few important features of university exchange agreements, which can help to make this form of study abroad attractive to students.

(i) You pay the same tuition

Exchange participants continue to pay their regular tuition to their home university while they are on exchange. So, while there may be other costs associated with studying abroad, tuition payments will not increase.
Paying the same tuition, of course, is only attractive if the cost of tuition at your university is cheaper than the partner university’s tuition rates for international students. Paying home tuition fees may not benefit students at private universities in the US, for example, who pay the highest tuition rates in the world. However, even students who pay relatively modest tuition might want to investigate rates; universities in some countries offer free tuition to international students. The relative tuition costs are always worth investigating when considering exchange versus direct enrollment study abroad.
In general, students who go on exchange through their university are entitled to keep their financial assistance throughout their period abroad. However, be sure to check any conditions of your funding beforehand.

(ii) Credit transfer is easier

Exchange agreements are designed to make it easier for students to transfer credits for courses abroad towards their degrees at home. As long as courses are approved in advance by faculty, then a student on exchange should receive credit for courses completed satisfactorily. Studying abroad through an exchange should not, therefore, extend the length of a degree.

(iii) University support

Because exchanges are organized through your university, there is generally good support available for applications and pre-departure preparation. Your international or exchange office should be able to help you identify exchange options, and assist with the exchange application process. They can also advise you about the steps involved to ensure you receive academic credit: it is very important to get approval of your proposed courses abroad before you leave your home campus. In addition, for students going far away from home for the first time, having university support in place can ease your and your parents’ minds.

2. 
The application process

At most North American institutions, students go on exchange in their third year. Some universities are more flexible with this than others, depending on the number of exchange agreements in place and the level of interest in exchanges. It may be possible to go in your fourth year, but many universities prefer that you complete your university studies, and therefore graduate, at your home institution.
Students can apply for an exchange for either one semester or for the whole academic year. Generally, you apply up to one year in advance of your intended exchange. It is important to keep in mind that academic dates can differ greatly from one country to another, so, as you narrow down your choices, you will have to find an opportunity that works for your specific academic and personal needs.

Applying for Exchange

At some universities, placements are limited and gaining a spot on exchange can be very competitive. Institutions are forced to accept only high academic achievers, and those with proven adaptability, independence and coping skills—for example, those who have previous travel experience, or have shown academic and personal independence. You therefore need to put together the strongest application you possibly can, be realistic about your chances of being chosen, and have other options in mind in the event that you are not selected for an exchange place.

Most exchange applications require a completed application form with your preferred host institutions listed, a letter of motivation, a resume and recommendation letters. When you are putting together your application, consider the following:

• Choice of university matters
  It’s really important that you do as much research as possible about the partner universities you are interested in. Make sure that you choose options that are academically appropriate for you, and that there are courses that fit with your studies at home. Take your list of proposed courses and meet with an academic advisor to verify that your potential course options abroad make sense. If your academic advisor gives the green light, then mention this in your letter of motivation. That way, the exchange committee, who are mostly interested in whether this is a good academic fit for you, will know that you have done your research and that you are academically prepared.
  
  
• Consider a less popular destination
  If you can list more than one choice of preferred exchange destination on your form, make sure that you list as many options as possible. While trends vary from year to year, there tends to be consistency in terms of most popular destinations for Canadian and American students—generally the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and Spain. Be strategic with your choices. If your grades are not the very best, then listing only Australian universities on your application form may not be particularly wise. Look at all the options, widen your scope, and consider destinations that you haven’t thought about before. Remember that future employers may look favourably on someone who has gone on exchange to a lesser-known destination in terms of the skills that go hand-in-hand with giving oneself greater challenges. Have a look at narrowing down your options to help with your personal decision-making process.
  
  
• Show why you are a good fit for an exchange
  Many exchange committees ask specific questions to be answered in a letter of motivation. Make sure you answer them, and keep within stated word limits. Depending on the specifications, the letter should focus on your top host institution choice and country. You should concentrate on why this university would be a good academic match for you, and name some courses of particular interest.
  
  If there are other reasons why the university interests you, for example that they have a good sports team you’d like to play on, or particular research being done that you could possibly participate in, make sure you mention these secondary interests. If you have particular reasons for wanting to study in that area, make sure you mention all of this. It is key that you come across as keen, engaged, having done your research, and prepared for the challenge ahead. Imagine the exchange committee reading possibly hundreds of these letters: they need to come away with a clear sense of your motivations, and a certainty that you are the right academic and personal fit.

Once you have been accepted for an exchange, the adventure really begins! At this point, your home university nominates you for an exchange—however, the university that they have nominated you for must also agree to accept you. For this, you are required to apply to that university, using a specific online form that your home university should be able to provide you with. While this is usually just a formality, as it is rare that a host institution denies a candidate that their exchange partner has agreed to, it is still a necessary step in the process, a first insight into the academic environment you will be entering, and important to do in an expeditious and careful way.