EU Exchange Program Information Session

1
EU Exchange Program Information Session

• Nathan Funk, nfunk_at_uwaterloo.ca
• 1 April 2008
• 400 530 p.m.
• CGUC 1110

2
Background Partners

• Conflict analysis and resolution consortium
• University of Manitoba (Project lead Canada)
• University of Waterloo
• Saint Paul University
• University of Ulster, United Kingdom (Project
  lead EU)
• http//prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id5512
• Trinity College, Ireland
• http//www.tcd.ie/ise/postgraduate/peace.php
• University of Primorska, Slovenia
• http//www.upr.si/en/
• Funded by Human Resources and Social Development
  Canada (HRSDC)

3
Background Exchange program

• For the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years, three
  students from each Canadian university will
  participate in a one-term exchange to a European
  Union (EU) university and vice versa
• Students pay regular tuition fees to their home
  university
• A small stipend (approximately 4500) is provided
  by HRSDC to help cover travel and living costs
  abroad

4
HRSDC eligibility criteria

• Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee
  (as defined by Refugee Protection Act in Canada)
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• Aged 15-30, inclusive
• Valid social insurance number
• Not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI)
  benefits

5
USP eligibility criteria

• Student in a PACS degree plan
• Completed at least one year of study at UW
• Will be a UW student at the time of exchange
  (graduated or graduating students not eligible)
• Excellent academic standing (A-/B or better)
• Personal suitability
• Cross-cultural skills
• Good ambassador for UW and Canada
• Excellent written and oral English language
  skills (plus willingness to learn basic Slovenian
  for exchange to University of Primorska)

6
Application process

• Download and complete application form
• http//www.ustpaul.ca/HumanSciences/index_e.asp
• Write a short (500-750 word) essay in which you
• Introduce yourself
• Explain your motivation for participating in the
  exchange
• Explain how the exchange will contribute to your
  future career and academic goals
• Explain how you will share your experience with
  other USP students upon your return
• Obtain academic transcripts from UW
• Obtain 2 academic letters of reference
• Application deadline 14 March 2008

7
Selection process

• Week of 14 April 2008 UW selection committee
  reviews applications
• Week of 28 April 2008 UW selection committee
  nominates three candidates and forwards their
  applications to partner EU institutions
• EU partner institutions confirm acceptance of UW
  nominees (could take 3-4 weeks)
• Formal exchange offer made (hopefully by late May
  2008)

8
Exchange students rights and responsibilities (1)

• Students have same privileges provided to regular
  full-time students of host institution while on
  exchange
• Students are subject to the rules, regulations
  and discipline of home and host institutions
  while on exchange
• Host institution has right to terminate exchange
  for any student who violates its policies or
  rules
• Students must have adequate medical coverage in
  the host country for the duration of the exchange
• Students are responsible for all arrangements and
  costs (access to stipend) relating to travel to
  and from the host institution

9
Exchange students rights and responsibilities (2)

• Students are responsible for conforming to
  immigration requirements of host country and
  obtaining required visas for their stay
• Students must arrange for their own accommodation
  and cover their own living costs while on
  exchange (access to stipend)
• Students are responsible for spending stipend for
  purposes for which it is intended
• Students must pay normal tuition fees to home
  institution and any specialized fees (ex. student
  union, membership) to host institution
• Students must participate in UWs mandatory
  pre-departure briefings and post-exchange
  debriefing sessions, as well as an information
  session with prospective exchange students

10
UW responsibilities

• Recruit and select students for exchange
• Send nominations to host institution
• Provide pre-departure orientation to exchange
  students
• Ensure students have obtained adequate health
  insurance coverage
• Ensure students have obtained stipends from lead
  institution (University of Manitoba)
• Facilitate communication with host institution
• Approve UW exchange students course selection
  and agree on equivalence

11
Host institutions responsibilities

• Review nominations received from UW if the host
  institution does not admit a nominated student,
  reasons will be provided to the student in a
  timely manner
• Ensure adequate reception and orientation of
  exchange students
• Provide on-going support and advice to exchange
  students
• Assist in arranging accommodation for exchange
  students by directing them to institution-sponsore
  d residences and to appropriate off-campus
  housing
• Upon request, provide academic record for
  exchange student