There has always been a long lead time in applying to go for one or more exchange terms at one of our world-wide partners, but with new rules in place, it may take even longer. The application process has now been unified across all faculties. This includes the establishment of two deadline dates which must be met if you want to be assured your first choice of exchange location.
The most important deadline for engineers now on campus is January 22, 2014. If you are contemplating exchange in the Fall 2014 or Winter 2015 terms, you have to get your application complete with approval signatures from your department, CECA, the Engineering Exchange office, and the Associate Dean by that date.
January 22, 2014 may seem a long time away, but it is only in the second week of the Winter term. You will be busy getting accustomed to your living space and getting started on all the term’s activities, the people who have to approve your application will be busy with their new year’s work and teaching responsibilities, and even my office in Exchange will be busy with a new influx of foreign students on exchange. Therefore it’s highly advisable to get the exchange application done before you leave campus THIS TERM!!
You may not yet have fully made up your mind about this glorious opportunity. Don’t let it slip by. Exchange is generally available for your 3A and/or 3B terms but this varies from department to department. You only get to do them once, so if you miss it, you miss something exceptional.
My advice is, as soon as midterms are over, get started on the application process. We welcome applications well in advance. Your parents will feel reassured after you give them plenty of notice that you’ll be on another continent for four or more months. You will have lots of time to get advance knowledge of your destination.
Don’t know enough about exchange? Drop in to the Exchange office, CPH1320 and see Cindy Howe, who knows which of our 70+ partners is suitable for you and where there are still openings.
You need to plan. You need to make sure there is a space for you. The sooner you get your name on the list, the better. Again, see Cindy, who keeps the lists. Also, some of our partners teach in a foreign language. You will need to have time to sharpen your language skills for exchange in countries like France, Germany, and Japan.
Exchange is something that benefits everyone who does it. Those who go and come back rave about their experience. It’s fun. It broadens your outlook on the world. It gives you new lifelong friends. It makes you more marketable as an engineer. In short, it’s a great supplement to your education and creates in you a modern renaissance citizen of the world. Don’t miss out!
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