A Blog about Education Abroad

Author: Sarah-J

  • Monique at NC State University, USA

    Monique at NC State University, USA

    Pre-departure:

    During the pre-departure period there is a lot of paperwork and admin that needs to be done which may seem overwhelming when you are still trying to study in between. However, I ensure you that it is completely worth it as it ensures that your exchange goes as smoothly as possible and that you have no unnecessary worries while you are abroad.

    SU International is very informative and helpful with answering any questions; therefore, I would recommend scheduling a meeting in person if you have any uncertainties.

    During this period NC State University sent me an acceptance package which contained all the necessary information about the university, getting your DS-2019 (which is a document that is needed to study abroad), expected fees and expenses and other general information about the university and its opportunities.

    (more…)

  • Carike at Reutlingen University, Germany

    Carike at Reutlingen University, Germany

    Pre-Departure:

    My exchange preparation was somewhat different, since it was the first time someone was doing the Engineering Gap Year in Germany – a whole academic year in Germany, one semester studying at a host university and one semester doing an internship at a German company. I do recommend really putting thought into your motivation letter – it really helped me sort out what I wanted to gain from this experience, and these goals served as a reminder at times when I doubted my decision.

    (And those moments will come – moments where you think “What on earth am I thinking, extending my studies by a whole year to go to a strange country all by myself?” Rest assured that this is normal and, at least in my experience, once you’re there and in the thick of things, you won’t believe that you ever doubted that it was the right decision.)

    (more…)

  • Ross at North Carolina State University, USA

    Ross at North Carolina State University, USA

    Pre Departure:

    Leaving for exchange can seem extremely daunting because of the numerous application processes, meetings and email chains with faculty from Stellenbosch and the overseas university as well obtaining a visa and booking flights, but I can assure you that it is all worth it in the end.

    The biggest problem that we encountered before leaving was finding subjects that were similar to the modules we would be doing in Stellenbosch in order to be able to transfer the credits. This involved vigorous searching of the NCSU course catalog and many emails to Stellenbosch professors and faculty at NCSU. In the end most of the big decisions with regards to subjects were done in the US at a meeting with an NCSU academic advisor. We were able to do four out of our required five modules at NCSU, which has pushed out degree out by one semester. With the updated ECSA outcomes a mechanical engineer should be able to still finish their degree in the prescribed four years, it is also possible for a mechatronic engineer, however it will involve a very tough final year at Stellenbosch. Even with this slight extension of my degree I would still highly recommend going on exchange.

    (more…)