SU students prepare for studies in Europe

SU's Erasmus Mundus grantees at the PGIO predeparture orientation.

Eighteen students and one staff member from Stellenbosch University (SU) have been selected to further their postgraduate studies at leading Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Europe, after applying for one of the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 scholarship programmes*.

The nineteen Erasmus Mundus grantees from SU, who will be leaving for their various European destinations as of  late August this year, were celebrated and given predeparture orientation on 8 June by Stellenbosch University’s Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO).

_____

Carol Edson, currently a lecturer at Unisa and an academic author, will be pursuing her sixth degree, only this time at the Universidad de Grenada and through the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. In anticipation of her 22-month study in Spain, Carol says that two of the benefits, aside from specialising in Educational Psychology, are brushing up on her Spanish and learning to cook the traditional cuisine. Upon return, Carol hopes to again plough back her knowledge in the form of providing psychological support in an Educational context to schools.

Also leaving South Africa for an extended period is Aimee Wesso, a practicing biokineticist getting ready to pursue her MBA at Ljubljana in Slovenia. Aimee recently completed her studies at Stellenbosch University and is looking forward to return to South Africa and apply the business degree in a management position in biokinetics.

The PGIO predeparture orientation on 8 June started off by introducing grantees to the ever-present reality of experiencing “culture shock” and how to effectively deal with it. Joe Warren, speaking on culture shock, explains that it is often misunderstood and underestimated, and can contribute to a great deal of anxiety when travelling and studying abroad (and returning to your country), possibly ruining what could’ve been an exceptional experience.

Ms Huba Boshoff, the coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus programme at Stellenbosch University, explained their visa applications, provided advice on health and travel insurance and will continue to offer standby support in the ensuing months before departure. The grantees will receive further orientation from the European Commission one month before their intended international studies.

For more information, contact Ms Huba Boshoff, coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus programme and global exchanges at the Postgraduate and International Office. 021 808 2606 | huba@sun.ac.za

_____

* Erasmus Mundus Action 2 Programme offers short term as well as long term academic opportunities for South African citizens.

Article by Christopher Muller.