International Relations & Study-abroad Office Information for outgoing students

International Relations & Study-abroad Staff

A study semester abroad offers the following advantages: To get to know a different culture; To improve the knowledge of another language; To benefit from a broader selection of courses; To establish new contacts; To acquire different skills, a definite plus in the job market. Why study abroad?

Characteristics: 1. An agreement between Swiss Universities assures the mutual recognition of the study plan, exams, and semester of the student involved in the Swiss Mobility Programme. 2. There is no limitation of places. 3. The USI tuition fee is reduces by 50% but there is no scholarship available. Typology of exchanges: Swiss mobility

Characteristics: 1.The full list of agreement between USI and European partner universities is available on pages of the Study-abroad guide (please check the website for updates). 2.The number of places available for each university is limited, therefore students will go through a selection process based on merit. 3.The USI tuition fee is reduces by 50% and students benefit from a monthly scholarship of CHF No tuition fees have to be paid to the host institution. 5.The SEMP student remains matriculated in the home university. Typology of exchanges: SEMP

Characteristics: 1.Bilateral agreements between USI and extra European partner universities include: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (US), University of Technology Sydney (AU), University of Western Australia, Perth (AU), Nanyang Technological University (only Faculty of Communication)(SG), Universidade de São Paulo (only Faculty of Informatics)(BR) 2.The number of places available for each university is limited, therefore students will go through a selection process based on merit. 3.The USI tuition fee is reduces by 50% but there is no scholarship available. 4.No tuition fees have to be paid to the host institution. 5.The student remains matriculated in the home university. Typology of exchanges: International agreements

How long and when can I study abroad? Bachelor students Up to 1 year (Faculty of Economics and Informatics only), during the 5th and/or 6th semester Master students Maximum 1 semester, during the 3rd semester (except for Master in International Tourism students, who are advised to study abroad during the 4th semester) Mobility regulations (for all faculties):

Consult our website: Carefully read our «Study-abroad guide» Read the Study regulations of the relevant faculty usi/link-utili-usi.htmwww.relint.usi.ch/en/studenti- usi/link-utili-usi.htm Participate in the International student fair set the 10 th of November, Aula Magna, Check the websites and the fact-sheets of our partner universities: Read the experience reports written by former exchange students Contact former USI students who have studied at the host institution you are interested in (you find the contacts in the reports). Sources of information

To be eligible for a mobility programme you must: be duly registered in a degree programme at USI; have obtained the required number of ECTS points as defined in the Faculty’s Study Regulations (see Guide); be in good academic standing; be reasonably proficient in the language of the host country (some partner universities require an official certificate). Admission criteria

In countries where the national language is less widely used (for example Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, The Netherlands), courses for exchange students are normally offered in English, whereas in countries where a widely used language is spoken (for example France, Spain, Germany, Italy), the choice of courses in the national language is usually broader than the choice of courses taught in English suitable knowledge of the host university official language of instruction is highly recommended (usually, a B2) in order to profit of the full offer. Language of instruction

Fill in the internal application form available at With your application you must submit the following documents: Most recent transcript (available in Italian and/or English under “Grade consultation” at: Photocopy of language certificates Signed learning agreement Motivation letter in the language in which you will study Deadline: Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 Internal application procedure

Where no agreement is in place, students may nonetheless seek admission to a university of their choice. During the application process, free movers may ask for assistance at the International Relations Office or from the Master’s director. The student must be prepared to invest even more time and energy into the preparation as all contact to the host institution must be made by him/herself. The student remains matriculated in the home university (a discount is possible), and a fee has to be paid to the host university. Free mobility

… Financial aspect: what happens to tuition fees payment when you are on a study abroad semester? >During your time away (one, maximum two semesters), your fee is reduced by half. (A further discount is possible with free-mover status, as that may entail higher costs.) … Whichever route you decide to take -- Switzerland, Europe, extra-European country -- first consult the International Relations and Study-abroad Office, or your departmental coordinator. >For the sake of accurate information, all students are expected to register as mobility students with our Office. … The organisation of an exchange takes several months and the student is supposed to play an active role. All organizational aspects such as travel, VISA request, health insurance, accommodation, etc. are under the student’s responsibility. … International Fair: on November 10 th 2014 from 12:30, in the Foyer of the Conference Hall (Aula Magna), exchange students spending a semester at USI will represent their home university. … Finally, for more details please consult our website: Mobility in a nutshell….

Grants for Placement The USI Career Service, in order to promote the internationalization of your career, offers you the opportunity to get a scholarship for your internship abroad. 1)SEMP Internships in a European Country 2)INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT Internships in the rest of the World USI Career Service - Office 303, Main Building Silvia Invrea – Service’s Director Vlasta Re – Coordinator for SEMP Grants Anna Giovanetti – Coordinator for International Placement Grants

Grants for Placement - SEMP SEMP - Main requirements: -Students regularly enrolled in one of USI’s Study Programmes when applying; -Full-time internship; -Min. duration 2 months, max. 12 months; -Country of internship ≠ Country of residence; -Internship carried out within 12 months from graduation. Monthly grant: CHF

Grants for Placement – International Placement International Placement - Main requirements: -Students enrolled in one of USI’s Master Programmes when applying; -Full-time internship; -Min. duration 1 month, max. 6 months; -Internship content in line with study programme; -Internship carried out within 12 months from graduation. Monthly grant: CHF

How to request a grant? -Check the USI Career Service’s website. For any doubts: -Fill out the internship registration form; -If eligible, you will receive the documents for the funding.