A Blog about Education Abroad

Author: elanaryklief

  • Lize Victor at University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Lize Victor at University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Pre-departure:


    Here you should focus on your preparations for your trip abroad. It should include information about the visa application, as well as suggestions or “tips” regarding what works well and/or areas for improvement.

    At first glance, the pre-departure process for this exchange seemed quite daunting and complicated. Everything was actually very straight forward once you started the process. Learning agreements had to be completed and the complexity of this largely depended on how easily courses at our host universities could be found. Some course catalogues were simple to follow while others were slightly more intricate. The upside of this was that it really encouraged an in depth look into the courses we wanted to do at each university, allowing for a much clearer picture of which universities we preferred. Personally, once I knew which university offered the courses most in line with my interests, I felt much more comfortable and at peace with my top 3 choices. UvA had a good mix of softer business subjects that I wanted to take such as Retail Marketing, Human Resources Management, and Strategic Management.

    In terms of the visa process, much of the brunt work was handled by the university when we filled in the online application on SunLearn. All that was required from us was to make the appointment at our nearest embassy and to provide the documents outlined on their websites. Due to the routine nature of sending students abroad on exchange and the online SU application (I was already in their system), my visa appointment took a total of five minutes. Important to note is that these appointments need to be made with a safe window of time before you leave on exchange. My visa only took 3 days to be approved, but sometimes it can take much longer. Furthermore, when you go to the appointment, they will take possession of your passport while your visa is getting approved (usually not longer than 2 to 3 weeks), so do not plan any trips where you will need your passport while this is taking place. Your visa will only be valid for 3 months once it is placed in your passport. After this, you will get your temporary (6 month) residence permit at your host university. This is generally the most important document to carry once you are on exchange, though you will always need your passport to cross any border, even in Europe. Additionally, remember not to compare or equate your process with the processes of others going to different universities – every situation is different. Do thorough research (websites, past experiences, call the embassies), make clear lists of tasks that need to be completed and documents that need to be completed before your appointment.

    Areas for improvement include more clarity of what is expected of students and the illumination of certain warnings since not all students have the same background knowledge of visa processes. Having someone to individually give advice (mentorship program for International Business) will definitely be helpful with regard to the visa processes.

    Experience at the Host University:


    This section should include information about the academic programme, as well as other activities done during your stay abroad. Describe the academic programme in detail and more importantly compare your experience with what you have experienced at Stellenbosch University.

    The Dutch grading system works on a scale of 1 to 10, one being the worst and 10 the best. Six is the minimum passing grade (this may vary module to module), with most students attaining grades from 6 to 8. Nine is rarer and ten is very rarely attained. There are three blocks in a semester, the first two consisting of eight weeks, and the last one consisting of four weeks. We have to attain 30 ECTS, which generally means five subjects. In my experience, it was much easier to do 3 in the first block and 2 in the second. There tends to be a lot going on in Amsterdam/Europe over Christmas time so focusing on 3 instead of 2 subjects later on in the semester would have been more difficult. In the first block I took Human Resource Management, Retail Marketing, and Cultural Industries, and in the second I took Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management.

    Compared to Stellenbosch, actual contact hours each week for classes are quite low since there are so few subjects being taken at a time. In my subjects, lecture slides were organized per week. During lectures, I would take notes as the lecturer went along with their slides, and then whatever I did not finish I would go back over later and complete. I found that this helped me keep up with the general content, which I would then go and fill in with more detail with the textbook before the exam. The workload for my subjects was very manageable if they were kept up with in this way. For some subjects there were weekly group assignments and presentations, but generally most of the pressure came the week before the exam. Many of the tutorials are compulsory but will allow you to miss one, so coordinate travels with those dates/timetables before booking anything. The final grade of my subjects was usually made up of a group project/assignment and then an exam (some other subjects will have midterms during week four of the block). Exams were mostly multiple choice.

    In my opinion, setting goals before going on exchange is very important. I went into exchange with two focuses in mind: doing well in my studies but also leaving enough time to travel in between. Going away almost every weekend, travelling to Germany, Sweden, Czechia, Italy, Spain, Ireland, France, and Belgium, I went to many more places than I had intended. Realistically, the only way to do this is to work hard during the week, keep up to date with the work, so that you can travel during weekends. It was exhausting at times, but I do not regret anything regarding my travels and how I found the balance between academics and fun. I adored Amsterdam and don’t doubt that it was the best setting for my incredible exchange experience.


    Return to Stellenbosch:

    Write about the process of returning to life in Stellenbosch / South Africa, and how your experience abroad changed your perspective on certain things in South Africa. Also refer to how your trip possibly influenced your future plans and if you are planning to go abroad again.

    Amsterdam will always hold a special place in my heart. The people are blunt but friendly, the public transport is simple, the outskirts are wholesome, and the city center is exciting and fun; there is something for everyone. Amsterdam is extremely liberal/egalitarian and exceptionally diverse. The first time you venture into the city is somewhat of a baptism of fire: with its coffee shops and red-light districts. South Africa was a lot more conservative than I had previously realized, and returning home highlighted that fact even more. In terms of navigating the city, it must be one of the simplest cities for South Africans, especially Afrikaans South Africans. While everyone speaks excellent English, much of the administrative side of exchange is in Dutch (e.g. banking). Having a handle on the language gives you an instant advantage and makes everything go smoother.

    The contrasts between a first world country like the Netherlands and a third would country like South Africa really came into focus. Safety, efficiency, progressiveness, education, all these things are starkly different between the two countries, but both have upsides and downsides. The Netherlands, while being beautiful and technologically advanced, was very expensive and still lacked a sense of warmth that South Africa has. South Africa is dangerous and has problems like load shedding and draught, but in the end, it is home.

    After I flew back on the 27th of January, having spent a month in Amsterdam without actually having class (I got a job during that month), I only had a few days to get my things together and catch up with my family before coming back to Stellenbosch. The readjustment process was easier than I had thought, considering many people had previously discussed how surprisingly difficult it was. I attribute that to the fact that my three best friends in Stellenbosch are also studying International Business, had gone on exchange, and therefore had gone through similar experiences as me. It helps to talk about it. That being said, it was also just so nice seeing everyone and being back where things made sense and you had the support of your people. I do find myself missing the feeling of Amsterdam sometimes. There was something freeing (though sometimes isolating) about the anonymity of the city.

    Having friends back in South Africa who understand what you went through on exchange is a huge advantage. Stick close to your International business group because they can help make your transition back into South African university life a lot more seamless. Exchange was such a massive learning experience, housing tough times and good times equally well. It teaches you to shoulder the weight and responsibility of being an adult on your own, because that’s difficult to simulate in your own country, in your own comfort zone. Being abroad for six months really opens your eyes to the possibility of more beyond South Africa. Everything feels less far away than it did before. I would love to do a masters abroad or become an expatriate for a portion of my life at some point. However, I mostly grew up in Europe and the USA (living in Belgium, Czechia, and Arkansas), so for now I want to stay here and make a life for myself in South Africa.

  • Lauren Ryley at Science Po, France

    Lauren Ryley at Science Po, France

    My Parisian Exchange

    By Lauren Ryley

    Preparation

    When I found out that I’d been nominated for the Sciences Po (Paris) exchange and the ERASMUS + scholarship, I was thrilled. It’s a natural choice for any politics student, but perhaps also for those pursuing their degree in economics, journalism, or law. The value of the scholarship amounts to just over 800 euros per month, but there is also a once-off payment that will cover the cost of your plane ticket and visa (it can be stretched a little more if you get a good deal – hello 10-hour layover). You will only receive these funds once you have opened a French bank account (which you cannot do remotely). This means that you should plan to have enough money to cover your first few weeks in the country, including the first month’s rental and deposit. As I had handed in all my documents timeously, I was paid slightly earlier than ERASMUS had stated in their communications. The last month of the exchange is quite a stretch financially, as ERASMUS will only pay you once you have finished your exams, by which time you are likely to be on your way out of France.

    ERASMUS is an academic scholarship, and as such, you’ll be required to take at least 7 courses (plus an extra two credits, which can be made up by doing an extra-curricular activity or attending the welcome programme). In terms of signing up for courses, it’s important to be prepared in your course selection and have back-up options for these. Courses can become full within a few seconds, and you may not get the courses that you want. For the sign-up, you need fast internet and to be on the portal the second that it opens. Course options include those taught in either English or French.

    As I hold dual-nationality, I didn’t need a visa to study in France. For me, the biggest struggle in the preparation for my exchange was finding accommodation. I was studying at the Paris campus, which meant that most accommodation was restrictively expensive. I found my accommodation through the Sciences Po housing website – a homestay with an older French couple (and their dog), as well as another Sciences Po student, situated about 10-minute walk away from the university. It cost me 600 euros, which was cheap for Paris. A hot tip is to check if your apartment can be registered for APL – as the French welfare system can give you money back on your monthly lease if this is the case. Some people use the Sciences Po ‘logements’ Facebook page to find accommodation, but you need to be wary of scams – never pay a deposit before you’ve seen the place. I stayed clear of the more traditional housing pages, as for the most part, they were looking for longer contracts, and a French guarantor (property owner) was required to stand surety for your lease. Another good option is Cite Universitaire, or a foyer – if you’re looking for residence-type, shared student rooms.


    In regards to health insurance (required by Sciences Po), I bought a Discovery overseas health insurance package, as I had a complex case, which made getting onto the French Social Security system quite complex. This was sufficient for Sciences Po, as long as you’re only doing the semester abroad and not the year abroad.

    Paris

    I arrived in Paris a few days before the exchange student welcome programme began. This programme is quite expensive (250 euros), but it’s a really good way to meet people, and see Paris in a way that you do not really have the time to when your workload gets tough. If you can afford it, I would really recommend taking part, as it’s the easiest way to make friends in a city like Paris. When I arrived, the first thing I did was to set up a cell-phone account with FreeMobile – this deal is 50GB of data and unlimited calling within France for 9 euros per month. The catch is that cancellation is via post, and if you’re travelling within Europe, you need to check if the country has an arrangement with FreeMobile to avoid a hefty bill.


    My next task – to open a bank account – was far more bureaucratic. It took me about 10 days from when I applied for the bank account to have it active and functioning. I used BNP Paribas, as they give you 90 euros if you open an account as a Sciences Po student. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend BNP, as I was blocked out of my bank account for a number of weeks during the exchange, and they were not very helpful in rectifying the situation. For transport, I would recommend the NaviGo travel card, especially if you don’t live within walking distance of Sciences Po – it gives you access to all public transport within the Paris region for 75 euros per month. Bring an ID size photo with you, which they will use for the card. I did most of my shopping for groceries at Carrefour (a Spar equivalent). Monoprix is also good for groceries, and if you need to look for homeware when you arrive in Paris, this is going to be your best bet on a student budget

    To talk more generally on the Parisian experience, I had the most wonderful time. I met people from all over the world, and made my own little life there. Paris, itself, is magnificent. The wonderful thing is that if you’re under 26 and can show your passport and student visa, you have access to all the main art galleries for free. The Pompidou also has a really cool library, which is one of the few in Paris that’s open on a Sunday. See some jazz, walk along the Seine with your book, check out Luxembourg Gardens, go thrifting in the Marais, see the most ornate graves at Pere Lachaise, spend a day in Disneyland, amble around Montmartre. Every place in Paris has something significant about it, and it’s important to try to get orientated early on.

    At Sciences Po, my experience, too, was great. It doesn’t have that same campus feel that you might get in South Africa, as its buildings are dotted around Paris’ busy 6th and 7th arrondissements. I was in the Paris School of International Affairs Masters programme, which gave me access to a lot of cool events, including a talk by the head of the New York Times. In terms of courses and work load, I found that Sciences Po was not necessarily more difficult than at home, but the number of courses that are required for the ERASMUS scholarship means that time management will be incredibly important. I mostly took seminar courses, which are smaller than lecture courses, and usually consist of an essay, presentation, and perhaps a debate. In lecture courses, you’ll be more likely to be tested in exam format. Courses can be at odd times – I had some classes that finished at 21:15, and many people had Saturday class. You’re only allowed to miss two sessions (sick note or no sick note), so it’s important to choose wisely.

    On a more personal level, I had moments of homesickness, especially when my courses got intense and I was spending most of my time in the library. These, however, passed and I felt that I had a really strong support system in Paris with the friendships that I had developed. I still made sure that I stayed connected to home, and spoke often to my family and my boyfriend back in SA. I was able to meet my family in the UK over one weekend, and my boyfriend came to visit me for the mid-term break, during which we travelled Italy together. After my courses ended, I also did an adventure with some of the friends I had met at Sciences Po to Chamonix in the French Alps. If you book in advance, you can get around Europe for relatively cheap – especially if you use Easyjet or Ryanair. Flixbus is even better.

    Back to South Africa

    This section will be the shortest, as I have left the Western Cape to start a job in Johannesburg, and therefore, I believe that my experience will not be particularly generalizable. Arriving home was bittersweet – you’ve had a life-changing experience abroad and it’s so sad to close the chapter. On the other hand, there’s also something familiar and wonderful about being back – you’re reunited with the people who’ve known you for years, and the surroundings that really do feel like home. All-in-all, the memories of my semester abroad will be some of those that I most treasure. During my exchange, I learnt things about academics, politics, art, and culture, and I also learnt what true independence means. Merci et au revoir, Paris.

  • Jordyn Dreyer at Pforzheim University, Germany

    Jordyn Dreyer at Pforzheim University, Germany

    I had always considered study abroad to be an amazing experience I had dreamt to partake in some day, but had never thought it would materialize. After befriending Julia, the exchange student from Pforzheim University, hearing about her daily life, and witnessing her design prowess – my resolve strengthened. Thus, when an exchange programme to Pforzheim University in Germany that previously did not exist, materialized, it seemed natural that I would apply.

    Pre-departure:

    The application process was overwhelming at the start. Being a Visual Communication and Design student, I had the added obstacle of compiling a portfolio of my work. However, once getting through that initial obstacle, with the acceptance email fresh in my inbox, the real work began.

    A memorable experience was choosing from the long list of exciting subjects on offer as well as obtaining a letter from Pforzheim that all of my subjects would be taken in English. At this point I spoke to my humanities lecturer and after deciding that nothing I could take would match the course material of my Sociology module, it was decided that I would take the module next year, and I would complete an online exam while on exchange.

    Unperturbed I, waded through the mountain of admin that needed to be completed for visa applications. A crucial component necessary in the process was finding a German health insurance. The difference between public and private health insurance was confusing and hard to navigate but in the end I chose AOK health insurance which covered everything that could go wrong, and proved a good choice. Another component was setting up a blocked account. The function of this is to prove you have the means to live in Germany. This is calculated by the average amount of money it costs to live in Germany (which changes frequently) multiplied by the number of months of your stay. This resulted in an upfront payment, which would have been a huge financial burden if not for the scholarship I was awarded by the Barden Wurtemburg Stipendium, leaving my co-payment at a low 400 euros. With this information and the many copies specified in my plastic folder, I headed to the German embassy in Cape Town. On the way I made a new friend, Liam, a Stellenbosch student passionate about travel who drove me to the embassy free of charge, thanks to the exchange office.

    After swiftly receiving my visa, financial aid from Stellenbosch University arrived in the form of financing my flights. At this point I began searching for accommodation and after desperately scouring studeierendenwerk websites for student housing, applying to every place I could, and incessantly emailing the Pforzheim exchange office and hostel coordinators, I finally got offered a sublet in a student house of 6, 2 minutes from the university- Holzgartenstrasse 31. This proved to be one of the secrets of success to this exchange as the short commute on the cold winter days was vital, the local grocery store- Penny was right next door, and my closest friends were my housemates.

    During Exchange:

    Upon arriving in Germany my first few days were spent in an Airbnb, doing more paperwork, exploring the city and sourcing supplies for my room. One notable expense was a new matrass, which is never provided in student accommodation. But, with a quick trip to Ikea, I furnished my room (and dented my mom’s credit card) with minimal stress as it was delivered to my apartment soon after.

    Upon arrival, I excitedly toured the campus in the welcoming tour, became acquainted with the university social clubs, Cameo and Asta, and signed up for extra-curiculars. I chose to do hip hop dance and yoga ( the latter being a huge mistake as yoga instruction at a fast pace entirely in German although humorous, proved to be the opposite of relaxing). It then became time to attend classes and it became clear that the subjects I had chosen were not in English, despite the official assurance letter. My new subject choice was based solely on English instruction but thanks to some dedicated lecturers willing to teach exchange students in English in their lunch breaks and some classes taken in English, as well as others being pretty self-explanatory, all was not lost. I ended up taking User Interface Design, Drawing, IT Pre-Press, and Business and Advertising.

    Attending class was nothing short of pure joy, as the subjects were engaging, lecturers passionate, classes small, and schedule was sparse. The free time in my schedule allowed me to fully develop passion projects with the guidance of experts and the top technology, resulting in app interfaces, IOT products, AR designs, and a view of design far broader than my previous visions of arranging a few elements on a poster. The semester work was exciting, but very different from what I was used to, which resulted in hours of YouTube tutorials learning 4 new design programmes which the other students already knew, which lecturers expected us to catch up on in our own time.

    A semester of work fueled by inspiration resulted in a final exhibition showcasing fashion, industrial design, transportation design and innovation. The general atmosphere, celebratory beer on the veranda, and interacting with other students made this one of the highlights of my exchange. This was heightened by subsequent internship offers that I received, and profitable sales of artwork produced on my exchange (in euros!).

    Another roadblock encountered was arranging to write my Stellenbosch online exam. Arranging an invigilator, time change due to daylight saving hours, and technical difficulties resulted in a lot learnt by all parties involved, and I would advise completing all exams before leaving, if at all possible.

    The small town of Pforzheim which I was perpetually told by German students was ugly- was beautiful in my eyes. Sure, the grey concrete merging with the grey sky was less encouraging at times, but the close proximity to the Black Forest, free bus transportation and great location in relation to Stuttgart and other vibey towns made it magical. My experience of the city was characterized by Berliner buns at the local market on Saturday mornings, watching the ducks swim in the river crossing the town, salads at Dean and David, Korean food at Seoul, and coffee at Caphe en der Ends. However, do not think Sunday brunch is an option as it is customary in Germany for all stores to close on Sundays for families to enjoy time together (remember to get groceries before this time!).

    The university events took place on main campus, a 20-minute bus-ride away, so when I made it to them I had a great time, and fondly remember proudly bringing my melktert to exchange dinners to showcase South Africa in the best light. However, most of my friends were from the design campus, and were exchange students from Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Slovenia. We bonded through late nights in the well-stocked cafeteria, exchanging stories and standing in the cold waiting when our train home got cancelled late at night in Frankfurt.

    However, my best friends were undoubtedly my German housemates. Their initial reception was a bit frosty, as with most first German encounters, but after producing my Amarula soaked malva pudding at a house dinner, and recounting my stories of home, they agreed to speak English with me (as my German was clearly hopeless). Living with a fashion design student, a Jewelry design student, a Product designer, a business major and a sustainability master’s student resulted in riveting conversation and fruitful collaboration. A few house parties ensued as well, however the German way of frowning upon raucous drunk behavior, created a calm yet jolly atmosphere, and fostered deep interpersonal connections. Additionally, I was lucky enough to be adopted into a German friend group, which allowed for invitations to student parties and meeting new people, although these interactions were often tiring, as only German was spoken, and I strained to understand.

    Other highlights included attending the Barden Württemberg Stipendium annual meeting in a converted abandoned powerplant, A life-changing trip to Berlin with a housemate, sampling Butter-pretzels and Kinderchocofresh, seeing Banksy artworks in museums in Stuttgart, Black Friday shopping deals, touring every Christmas market I could find and gaining a new found sense of independence that was encouraged by the safety and (relative) efficiency of German life.

    Return:

    Upon returning, I struggled to reintegrate into the Stellenbosch community. The heavy course load was exacerbated by the 2 weeks of work I had to catch up upon returning, and the unexplained magnitude of the change I had undergone was hard to sum up in the response to the standard “So how was exchange?”. Things seemed louder and dustier than I had previously remembered, but the Pulp coffee was sorely missed.

    I am very grateful for the funding that made this trip possible and thanks goes to the tireless work from the exchange office, the Barden Württemberg Stipendium programme, as well as my parents in that regard. I am uncertain what lies next in my journey, but after exchange I cannot rule out a revisit. At the conclusion of my degree, I would love to pursue an internship opportunity I received in Frankfurt, and possibly complete my masters degree in Future Making at the University of Pforzheim, Strasbourg, or Berlin. But perhaps this time I’ll learn some German first…