Study Abroad And Student Exchange: Explained

Studying abroad opens up your mind. You get to experience a different culture, make new friends and even learn a new language. It also takes you out of your comfort zone and gives you a new perspective on your degree.

Abroad study programs are mainly of two types: a year-long student exchange and short study tours that last for a few weeks. In this post, you’ll learn more about study abroad and student exchange in Australia.

1. What is Study Abroad and Student Exchange in Australia?

The Australian study abroad and exchange programs give ample opportunities to students who are already studying in a university overseas. This helps international students to gain new educational experience and continue their studies. Eligible study abroad and exchange students can enrol in short-term programs or semester-long programs.

Most study abroad and exchange programs run through an agreement between the Australian university and a student's home country institution. Sometimes a course provider also facilitates these programs.

2. Who Provides Study Abroad and Exchange Programs in Australia?

Many universities and some tertiary institutions in Australia provide study abroad and exchange programs. So, if you are planning to study overseas through an exchange program, then you can choose from various universities in Australia for international students that offer such programs.

In order to complete an exchange program with Australian institutions, your home institution needs to be in an exchange partnership with the Australian university.

3. Study Abroad or Exchange: What’s the Difference?

There are a few key differences between ‘study abroad’ and ‘exchange’ programs in Australia. Let’s have a look:

• Study Abroad: If you are a study abroad student, your home institution doesn’t have a partnership with any of the Australian institutions. Study Abroad students can either study for a full academic year or a trimester. They are usually required to pay fees directly to the university they’ve chosen.

• Exchange: If you are an exchange student and studying in one of the Australian universities, your home institution has a formal exchange agreement with the Australian university. Exchange students can study for a full academic year or one trimester.

It allows you to pay activity and tuition fees at your home institution, rather than paying fees to the Australian Institute. To be eligible for an exchange program, you’ll need to be nominated by your home country’s institution.

4. Study Areas

Study abroad and exchange students can select from a variety of study areas. Some of them are as follows:

• Law

• Arts

• Sport

• Health

• Science

• Nursing

• Business

• Education

• Psychology

• Engineering

• Information Technology

• Humanities and Social Sciences

• Architecture and Built Environment

5. Advantages of Studying Abroad

If you are an international student interested in coming to Australia, studying abroad will assure you an amazing life-changing experience.

Here’s why you should participate in a study abroad or student exchange program:

Experience life in another country

• An Exchange program is the best way to live and learn in a different country. For many international students, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime and eye-opening experience. In addition, you also get to travel during summer breaks, this gives you an opportunity to explore the world before completing your degree.

Educational benefits

• Australian study abroad and exchange programs enable you to gain knowledge in the subject that you are learning. You can also try learning new specialisations in a different cultural background.

Improve your language skills

• While most of the international students choose countries where they can attend classes in English, study abroad and exchange provide students with an additional opportunity to learn another language and enhance their skills in a different study environment.

Looks great on your resume

• The new cultural perspective, attributes, skills and the international experience that you’ve gained studying abroad will look great on your resume and will serve you in various other areas of your life.

6. Entry Requirements

You can easily apply for study abroad and exchange programs in Australia through your faculty of Australian university or international exchange office and your overseas institution respectively. The eligibility criteria for a study abroad and exchange program is as follows:

• You have to complete a full-time study or a minimum of two semesters at an Australian Institution.

• You need to fulfil the academic requirements of the Australian university.

• You also have to meet the essential subject requirements.

• You need to comply with the English language requirements of the Australian university.

• You must satisfy all the additional requirements to study in Australia  which are set by Australian institutions.

Australian international students also need to meet the requirements of an overseas visa and fulfil academic requirements like providing an academic transcript, character references, and financial statement. It’s important to note that entry requirements may vary, depending on the institution and the type of overseas exchange program.

7. Study Abroad and Exchange Programs Costs

If you are coming to Australia on a student exchange program, then you pay your tuition fees at your home institution. And if you need to inquire about any additional costs associated with moving to Australia, you can take advice from your home country institution. Whereas, for a study abroad program, you’ll have to pay fees directly to the Australian institution.

Tuition fees for study abroad programs generally do not include the cost of accommodation, books, travel or other living costs. For more information, you can contact an academic advisor at the Australian institution.

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