A Blog about Education Abroad

Category: BCom International Business

  • Taegan Van Zyl at University of Bologna, Italy

    Taegan Van Zyl at University of Bologna, Italy

    Taegan Van Zyl 

    BCom International Business

    Semester Exchange in the Second Semester, 2023 at University of Bologna

     

    Pre-departure:

    Exchange in Italy can seem very daunting (but also exciting) before you embark on the journey. The Italian bureaucracy is infamous for its tricky and non-user-friendly processes, but the exchange semester is a transformative, enriching period which I found to be invaluable. There are going to be a lot of admin-related hurdles, but living in Italy was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I can wholeheartedly recommend if you are looking for a country to spend your exchange semester, or just looking to eat tasty pizza and pasta for 6 months.  

     

    If you have a South African passport, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa.  Personally, I followed the instruction guide provided by the International Business committee in order to get to the correct webpage to apply for a study visa for Italy. In addition to the study visa, Italy will require you to apply for a student ‘permit’ (also provided by IB communication) which goes hand-in-hand with your visa. This ‘permit’ is required by the Italian Consulate in order to verify your visa, and my study permit was approved first – followed a week later by my visa. It is a great idea to apply for your study visa as soon as you have received the acceptance letter from UniBo as my own visa took about four weeks and I only received it a few days before I flew to Italy. UniBo will provide a rough date for the start of your exchange semester and this can guide you when booking your flight. However, a more accurate starting date can be found by looking at your module timetables on UniBo’s website as this will prevent you from arriving too early.  

     

    Finding accommodation in Bologna is a touchy subject as it tends to be 1) very expensive and 2) very difficult to find. I stayed at Beyoo Laude Living Bologna, but I must make a disclaimer that the monthly rent was very pricy and was mostly paid out-of-pocket. The application process was very easy and painless, and the actual facilities at Laude Living were absolutely amazing (even had its own gym and study areas). I do recommend doing some very thorough searching for apartments and making use of Facebook Groups or Erasmus Student WhatsApp groups to find available flats.  

    ESN WhatsApp group: https://www.esnbologna.org/?q=whatsapp-group  

    Laude Living Bologna: https://www.beyoo.it/residenza-universitaria/bologna/laude-living-bologna/?gclid=CjwKCAiA8YyuBhBSEiwA5R3-E1ZmMm0anJflFp6T0fp3kIxtblLsIK-6ISseBzhJmlT8XTspHOKunRoCoawQAvD_BwE  

     

    The Permesso di Soggiorno (the residence permit) is only applied for and completed once you arrive in Italy. The permit is temporary, and the process is quite long, complicated and technical. You have to obtain this permit within 8 DAYS of arrival in Italy, and so it’s best to go to your nearest Poste Italian (post office) as soon as possible to fill out the paperwork in order to apply for your permit. The documents are all in Italian (no English and no explanation will be provided by the person who hands you your Kit), and so it is easiest to find instructions on a website to make sure you do it correctly. About a month later, you will also need to go to Bologna’s Questura (police station) to do fingerprints and to complete the final steps of the application. Personally, I never received the hard copy of my permit – so it is recommended that you keep the receipt that the Questura will give you after your appointment so that there is proof of your permit application process.  

    This website can be used to help you for when you arrive in Bologna, and you need to fill out The Kit: (this is not the only website: there are a LOT of websites that you can look at if you do some research)

    https://www.yesmilano.it/system/files/articolo/allegati/3429/9684/Guide%20to%20Completing%20the%20Permesso%20di%20Soggiorno%20Application%20Kit%20-%20Moduli%201%20and%202.pdf  

     

    As you can probably see from the Residence Permit above (which is purely only available in Italian), speaking Italian in Italy is a major advantage. UniBo does offer a language course before classes start, but since it required a level of existing Italian knowledge, I could not take them. I do definitely recommend learning a bit of conversational Italian (at LEAST) before flying to Bologna. Whether that is through Duolingo or YouTube channels, it doesn’t matter: really any knowledge will help! 

    I highly recommend packing a very thick winter puffer jacket as late December & early January can be very, very cold & icy. Also pack a few of your favourite snacks from home – you will miss those Ouma rusks when you’ve been in Italy for a few months. Also, when booking your accommodation, go onto Google Maps and see how far it is between your flat and the Economics campus to see how far you will be walking each day. Don’t be afraid to use the bus system! It is only 1,5 euros per ticket.  

     

    Experience at the Host University:

    Do not get too attached to your LA before you get to Bologna… it is likely that it will change (more than once). My own Learning Agreement changed about 11 times. Make sure to read about the specific modules to see if there are limited spaces for a module you would like to take, which just means that you will need to check in as soon as possible. The final list of modules that I took were: Innovative Retailing, Introduction to Italian Culture, International Politics and Global Connections. When classes start, you can speak to or email your professors to see when exam dates are in case you want to leave before January (if you need to get back to do Honours, etc.). Some modules have an exam opportunity in December, whilst others only have one in January or February. I emailed my professors about a week before class to ask about the provisional exam dates.  

     

    Bologna

     

    Unfortunately, there is no orientation or welcoming programme hosted by UniBo for the Economics and BusMan students. In all honesty, this does make the process a bit more daunting as it is entirely up to you to find the lecture venues across town and meet people. You will have to make sure you download the lecture timetable on the My UniBo app and then the venues for each lecture will be there. You will be able to do this after you check in (the university does provide more information about check-in via email).  

    Groceries in Italy are not that expensive! There is a local LIDL on Sebastiano Serlio road where I bought weekly groceries for less than R400 each week. Unfortunately, eating out is quite expensive: the average pizza is between 7 and 10 euros, and a bowl of pasta ranges from 13 to 20 euros. Make sure to look at the regional dish wherever you go in Italy, as some regions specialize in certain pasta types and dishes – which will be the most authentic version of that dish you will find! For example, the regional dish in Bologna is tortellini and tagliatelle al ragu (Bolognese pasta).  

     

     

    An example of the delicious pizza in Italy!

     

    It is also very, very easy to travel across Italy. There are many trains that you can use to travel around the country, and Bologna is a very central town in Italy. These trains are not that expensive, ranging from 20 to 40 euros. Perfect for a day trip! If you book in advance, flights will also not be very expensive. You can find flights for under R1 000 to places such as Berlin, Brussels and Amsterdam if you plan well and book about 2-3 months in advance. Make sure to insure your flights! Sometimes they do get cancelled.  

     

    Venice

     

    Return to Stellenbosch:

    Returning to Stellies has been an interesting experience. On one hand, you grow so much during exchange and you come back a completely different person. On the other hand, it is really heartwarming to be home and back with loved ones. I checked out from UniBo about a week after I returned to South Africa, and exchange has made me really appreciative of our beautiful country and her people.  

  • Paula Duggan at West Virginia University, USA

    Paula Duggan at West Virginia University, USA

    Paula Duggan 

    BCom International Business

    Semester Exchange in the Second Semester, 2022 at West Virginia University 

    Pre-departure:

    The semester abroad is a huge part of Stellenbosch University’s International Business degree, and something that we have all been dreaming of and anticipating since first year. The long list of partner universities provides something that appeals to everyone. A lot of time and research went into deciding which university I wanted to attend, and I confidently landed on West Virginia University. There were several reasons why I chose WVU. The university has a rich history, it is located in a small “student town” and its academic record is pretty impressive – especially its business college. I have always been interested in traveling to the United States, and as West Virginia is not a typical tourist destination, I knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience something totally new.

     

    The pre-departure planning of the semester abroad process was probably the most daunting part of the whole experience. Applying to a new university was a confusing process and often times difficult to understand. However, West Virginia University has a brilliant international student programme, so there was always someone available to help with admin processes and to answer any questions I had. I would recommend getting all of your documents ready before university applications open. These may include: a certified bank statement proving your ability to support yourself financially, copy of your transcript and certified copy of passport etc. And start the application as soon as it comes out.

     

    After receiving my acceptance letter, it all started to feel real, and I could finally start to get excited about leaving. Flights to the US were expensive, so it was important to try book well in advance. The US embassy is incredibly inundated with people applying for visas, so getting a timely visa appointment date took a bit of work. Therefore, try to book a visa appointment ASAP. When I booked mine, the earliest appointment I could get was two months into my exchange, so I had to find someone who stays on the embassy website and books appointments as other people cancel theirs. I know you can also expedite an appointment, but I am not sure how easy it is to do that. However, once I had my interview date, everything went smoothly, and I soon had my visa. Finally, I would advise you to pack light because you’ll definitely be shopping while you’re there. Also don’t forget to pack for winter, I mostly brought summer clothes so had to spend a bit on some warmer pieces there.

     

     

    Upon my arrival at West Virginia University, all the anxieties I had coming into the semester disappeared. After meeting my roommate, a really nice girl from Russia, we were thrown into several international student events where we met all the other internationals. Despite the language and cultural barriers, it was easy to make friends and our differences gave us all so much to talk about. It wasn’t long before I formed a great group of friends from all over the world, including Germany, Mexico, Haiti, Belgium, Iceland and Morocco.

     

    Paula with exchange friends

     

    The academic programme at WVU was a totally new system of learning. Stellenbosch’s high academic standard stood me in good stead when trying to navigate the US system. I took an array of mostly business modules, as well as a history and English module. The lectures were brilliant, and it was clear how passionate the professors were about their subjects. The content was really stimulating and interesting, and the only major difference I noted was the university’s methods of testing. We did not do one major test and one exam as we do in Stellenbosch, but WVU lecturers preferred smaller, more frequent tests and assignments on smaller chunks of the content. This meant that it was important to attend lectures and keep up with the work, but it also took the stress off when it came to tests.

     

    West Virginia University campus​

     

    I was so impressed by the opportunities available to students on the campus. The university organized so many free events for students, including a festival that featured Polo G, Tay Money and some country singers who everyone seemed to recognize except for me. There were also so many clubs that we could join, and I chose to join the Women in Business organization, where I got to attend informative talks by several female entrepreneurs. The career services at WVU were also amazing and I was able to have several practice sessions for job interviews I had coming up. Overall, I felt that the university really catered to the students in so many ways, be that socially, academically and professionally.

     

    I definitely underestimated how expensive the USA would be. Not only was a cappuccino R80, but I was shocked to find out the huge amounts that students there pay for school fees and accommodation. Furthermore, everything is before-tax, fast-food costs the same as one big meal at Craft and in some airports, you even have to pay $7 to use a luggage trolley. It took some time to adapt to this extreme capitalist culture, but I learnt to budget effectively and only spend where necessary. One of my favourite parts of my experience, was the opportunity to travel the United States. I went to Pittsburgh, San Francisco, New York and Colorado, where I saw snow for the first time. It was so interesting to see how the cultures of each place differed, despite all being in the same country.

     

     

    By the time the semester came to a close, I was really sad to be leaving such a beautiful place and all of the amazing friends I had made along the way. However, I was also eager to see my family and friends and return to South Africa after 5 months away. Returning during the slow December holiday period was the biggest adjustment, after having come from such a fast-paced environment of traveling and meeting new people. However, it was great to share about my experience with all of my old friends.

     

    I loved every minute of my time in the United States, but it gave me a new appreciation for the beauty of South Africa and my life here. I began to see the beauty of South Africa through the eyes of the Americans. Upon first arriving in the USA, all I could see was the stark contrasts; to me, the United States was a country where everything worked, you could get anything at just the click of a button, and you didn’t have to worry so much about locking your doors at night. However, by the end of my trip, I realized that there are some amazing things in South Africa that the US does not have. South Africa’s natural environment is unlike anything else in the world, and it is clear that in a lot of ways, South Africans are far more conscious of conserving the environment. I was surprised to find that recycling and sustainability was not really prioritized in many parts the USA, and I am proud that South Africa has a greater awareness. Through the Women in Business organization, the career centre, as well as the people I met along the way, I had the opportunity to get an array of perspectives when it comes to my career and my future after my degree. During my time abroad, I really solidified my plans for my future, and I am eager to go to the UK to launch my career after studying. I believe that this semester has really helped to develop my business skills in an international context.

     

    Upon returning home, I realized just how much personal growth I had made over the last five months. Change was not something I used to like, but I was surprised how easy it was to adapt to life in another country. Putting myself out there to make new friends and experience new experiences was so important in the adapting process. The biggest piece of advice I can give to those who are embarking on a semester abroad is to not sweat the small stuff. In the end, I think it all comes down to your mindset, and just how willing you are to make the most of your experience.

  • Marco Kruger at ESSEC Business School, France

    Marco Kruger at ESSEC Business School, France

    Marco Kruger

    BCom International Business

    Semester Exchange in the Second Semester, 2022 at ESSEC Business School

     

    Pre-departure:

     

    Preparing to study in France was quite a stressful time for me. First one has to go through Campus France to get a certificate confirming that you will study in France (EEF certificate) which is amended to the visa application. Then you have the visa application itself which is stressful because by the time you get to this step, it will be very close to your departure date. So, my biggest advice would be to read up on the whole process very early and have a visa appointment scheduled at least four weeks before your estimated departure date, even if you haven’t started the process yet!

    As a general rule, many administrative processes will from there onward be done in French. Don’t use travel agents for your airplane tickets rather go to the airline’s site to get the best prices, but I would suggest doing it on a private browser so that they don’t use your cookies to manipulate prices. I would also suggest getting a global account at whichever bank you currently bank with, so that you don’t pay huge transaction fees when spending abroad. Even if you plan on opening a French Bank Account (it will take a while before you can use it) I would also recommend getting an eSIM before you get to Europe, which allows you data plans all across Europe and can be really affordable. This will keep you in touch with the world, but also allow you enough time to make the right decision regarding a more permanent prepaid SIM and provider.

    Don’t pack too many summer clothes if you are doing a fall semester abroad, trust me you will not wear all of it. When winter comes you end up wearing one or two coats every day (which you might as well buy that side too as a souvenir) and a scarf, thermals and gloves (trust me on the gloves). Finally, registering for modules is a massive headache. ESSEC only provides a limited number of seats for all their elective courses, which you will have to choose from. So, before going to France they have two registration rounds where it is first-come-first-serve for getting a seat for a module you want to take. Be ready to put in all your module codes at once or else you’ll have to compromise like most of us ended up having to do.

     

    Marco on the Seine

     

    Coming back to Stellenbosch, I was extremely excited to see all my friends and peers again. Since most graduated and luckily many got in for honors, the fact that IB is four years and not three, really gets to you. But I think that having done the exchange in third year and not deferring it to fourth year gave me a lot of clarity on what I want to do after graduating. Having chosen the very specialized modules relating to sustainability and CSR, I discovered a passion to workout strategies of becoming more sustainable, circular and responsible. Thus, I have decided to go back to France for a Masters in either of those fields. And having found out about some bursaries on offer from the French Embassy I have become all the more intrigued.
    On a more cultural level, coming back to Stellenbosch has also shown me how the university life and all its doings create a type of bubble that most students are trapped in. They get so focused on minor residence leadership or faculty leadership and activities, etc. that they miss out on some international opportunities that I was able to see more clearly while abroad. It also feels like students have less of an actual awareness of what the labour market will require of them and many think that simply their degree will be enough. But as a student of business that has been abroad, I have realized that we can in no way compete with international students at universities abroad, because most have at least four months of experience when they finish their undergrad studies, while we have none. But all in all, I still think that Stellenbosch University is the best university in South Africa and that its beauty can’t even be outweighed by European landscapes. And so, coming back has made me expectant and excited to make the best of my final year.