Studying the world

With its status among the top 50 universities around the world, the University of Melbourne has an enviable list of partnerships for exchange with some of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Whether it’s generalist studies at the University of Bologna in Italy, or specialist programs such as law at Duke University in the USA, fine arts at China’s Tianjin Academy, or engineering at Imperial College London there are options in 37 different countries for semester and year long study.

At the University of Melbourne study abroad and exchange is organised by the Melbourne Global Mobility Program which provides advice and assistance to current students on how to maximise the benefits of their University of Melbourne degrees through international experiences, as well as looking after incoming students from overseas destinations.

According to the Manager of Melbourne Global Mobility, Nigel Cossar, with international travel these days a key ingredient to a well-rounded education, the chance to spend time experiencing a new education system or style, develop foreign language skills, meet people in your field from all over the world, gain independence and self-confidence, and get an understanding of another culture, adds greater depth to that travel.

“Students can also get access to subjects that we don’t offer here, people who write the textbooks used, excursions as part of their study to places like the International Court of Justice in the Hague, hear people who don’t often come to Australia, visit places you only read about, and experience all sorts of interesting new food,” Mr Cossar says.

“There are also more serendipitous opportunities, with some students arranging or stumbling across work or internships through their new contacts that would not be available to them in Australia. For example, one recent exchange student to Lithuania ended up getting an internship at the UNHCR as a result.”

And overall numbers are steadily growing, with in 2009, 546 outgoing, 460 incoming exchange and another 430 or so incoming study abroad students.

“At the moment the US is the most popular country destination with the UK and Canada next,” explains Mr Cossar.

“Clearly the attraction is that they are Anglophone. The most popular non-Anglophone countries are France, Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands. The single most popular institution is the University of California across all its campuses and then McGill University in Montreal.”

There are three ways for Melbourne students to study overseas, each with its own advantages.

The exchange program allows students to enrol at an overseas institution with which the University has an exchange agreement, and in return a student from overseas studies here at Melbourne. Under the exchange program, students remain enrolled at Melbourne, and continue to pay their CSP or international tuition fees, as well as gaining credit for their University of Melbourne degree or diploma.

Study abroad allows students to study at an overseas institution that does not have an exchange agreement with the University of Melbourne. The student applies directly, and pays tuition fees to the host institution. On return, an application is made for completed studies to be credited to the University of Melbourne degree.

The third option is for students to take other short-term programs, such as summer or winter schools, internships, placements or take a University of Melbourne Overseas Subject.

Mr Cossar says it is important for students to base their choice of institution on subject availability and suitability as well as academic reputation and location.

“The best way for students to choose a destination is to ask lecturers and tutors for their opinions about the universities on the partner list in relation to their subject area. It’s also great if students can speak to other students returning from exchange to discover any pitfalls and attend relevant information sessions. There’s a lot to learn before departure and planning ideally should start six to 12 months before you intend to leave.”

Wherever a student decides to go, there will be application procedures particular to the university, and student visas and passports will be required.

More information about the opportunities, application dates and procedures for University of Melbourne students is at:

http://www.mobility.unimelb.edu.au/