Students join the Exchange Student Sharing Session
Taking a one-dollar mega-bus ride during a backpacking trip from Baltimore to New York City was a dream come true for Year Four International Journalism student Liang Yuan.
Through exchange programmes offered by UIC’s International Development Office (IDO), students have overseas exchange opportunities in universities such as Concordia College in the US, the University of Kent in the UK, St Mary’s University in Canada, Science Po in France, Pforzheim University in Germany and Kyunghee University in South Korea.
"Being an exchange student at Towson University was a valuable experience," said Liang at the Exchange Student Sharing Session on 18 September. “This has many aspects, such as a taste of loneliness and fulfilment on the road, and the good time spent in hitting the books at school.”
Though choosing courses relevant to majors in the exchange programme is recommended, Liang insisted on exploring new fields. “I chose courses I loved and as a result was only able to transfer 9 out of 22 credits back. But I don’t regret it.”
Guo Ruiyan shares her experience
For Year Four Teaching English as a Second Language student Guo Ruiyan, the study journey at Hamline University enabled her to take enjoyable classes alongside her US classmates and partake in a number of local celebrations and activities on campus.
“As long as you make your first step in hope of making new friends,” said Guo, “it opens the door to making more.”
UIC offers students opportunities to study in UIC overseas partner institutions for one semester. Listed are the programmes available for 2014-2015 Spring Semester.
1) Université Catholique de Lille, France, 5 seats
2) University of Kent, Wales, UK, 3 seats
3) St Mary’s University, Canada, 3 seats
4) Worcester State University, MA, US, 3 seats
5) Concordia College, MN, US, 3 seats
6) Georgia Southern University, GA, US, 4 seats
7) St Catherine University, US, 5 seats
8) Augsburg College, US, 2 seats
9) Kyunghee University, South Korea, 3 seats
10) Pforzheim University, Germany, 5 seats
11) Science Po, Paris, France (For Y3 only, French language background is preferred), 3 seats
Reporter: Chiu Wen Chin (IJ, Year Four)
Photographer: Wei Xiao (IJ, Year Three)
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
