A Blog about Education Abroad

Category: Semester Exchange Postings

Blog Postings by Returning Stellenbosch University Students

  • Connie at PUC-Rio, Brazil

    Connie at PUC-Rio, Brazil

    Pre-departure to PUC-Rio, Brazil :

    Before departing for Brazil, you have to apply for a student visa at the Brazilian embassy in your country. It is important to do this well in advance as it can take a few trips there and back to get everything in order. It is important to know that the application for a student visa to Brazil has two phases, one in your own country and one in Brazil. Once in Brazil you have to register with the federal police within 30days or you will pay a fine, PUC-Rio will assist you with this. In order to register in Brazil you need your visa and TWO documents from the Brazilian embassy in your country (South Africa). The need to give you these forms signed and stamped before your departure for Brazil! Then, at the registration at the federal police in Brazil you need to present these documents, your visa and pay two more fees.

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  • Dimitar at the University of Zurich

    Dimitar at the University of Zurich

    Updated: 11 May 2016

    Having only been to Europe once before and five years prior, in times lacking economic and political tensions, I was a little apprehensive to travel to a continent I had heard and read much about but clearly lacked practical experience in. I remember the first moments, starting out from the bulkhead windows, seeing the snow-capped Alps, frozen runway and subsequently the express tram into the heart of Zürich airport as critical in falling in love with this “small” European city.

    Switzerland Exchange

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  • Evaggelos Pelekis at KU Leuven

    Evaggelos Pelekis at KU Leuven

    Pre-departure:

    From the moment of confirmation of acceptance for exchange a flush of euphoria streams through your body as you realise exactly the magnitude of the adventure that lies ahead. Suddenly studying acquires several more dimensions as very soon you will fly to a distant corner of the earth. There awaits a whole new chapter of your life that still remains mysteriously unbeknownst to you.

    As I am a Greek citizen it was not required of me to undergo any formal procedures, my luck was such that I did not even need to visit an Embassy for a visa. What luck, considering the worrisome experiences in the process of acquiring a visa others have had! I had to complete a Learning Agreement in order to get my course selection approved. The mere range and variety of the courses on offer excited me very much.

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