International Relations & Study-abroad Office Information for outgoing students

1. International Relations & Study-abroad Office Information for outgoingstudents

2. International Relations & Study-abroad Staff • TeamArianna Imberti Dosi Sara Fedele • Stéphanie Savary (internshipuntilJune 2015) • Room 229 • Consulting hours: Mondays and Thursdays 09:30-11:30, or by appointment • e-mailrelint@usi.ch • Websitewww.relint.usi.ch

3. Whystudyabroad? • 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.

4. Typology of exchanges: Swissmobility Characteristics:1. An agreementbetweenSwissUniversitiesassures the mutualrecognition of the studyplan, exams, and semester of the studentinvolved in the SwissMobilityProgramme. 2. Thereis no limitation of places. 3. The USI tuitionfeeisreduces by 50% butthereis no scholarshipavailable.

5. Typology of exchanges: SEMP Characteristics: • The full list of agreementbetweenUSI and European partner universitiesisavailable on pages 33-36 of the Study-abroad guide (pleasecheck the website for updates). • The number of placesavailable for eachuniversityislimited, thereforestudentswill go through a selectionprocessbased on merit. • The USI tuitionfeeisreduces by 50% and students benefit from a monthlyscholarship of CHF 300. • No tuitionfeeshaveto be paid to the hostinstitution. • The SEMP studentremainsmatriculated in the home university.

6. Typology of exchanges: International agreements Characteristics: • Bilateralagreementsbetween 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), Universidadede São Paulo (onlyFaculty of Informatics)(BR) • The number of placesavailable for eachuniversityislimited, thereforestudentswill go through a selectionprocessbased on merit. • The USI tuitionfeeisreduces by 50% butthereis no scholarshipavailable. • No tuitionfeeshaveto be paid to the hostinstitution. • The studentremainsmatriculated in the home university.

7. How long and when can I studyabroad? BachelorstudentsUp to 1 year (Faculty of Economics and Informaticsonly), during the 5th and/or 6th semester Master studentsMaximum 1 semester, during the 3rd semester (except for Master in International Tourismstudents, who are advised to studyabroadduring the 4th semester) Mobilityregulations (for allfaculties): www.relint.usi.ch/en/studenti-usi/link-utili-usi.htm

8. Sources of information • Consult our website: www.relint.usi.ch • Carefullyreadour «Study-abroad guide» • Read the Study regulations of the relevant faculty www.relint.usi.ch/en/studenti-usi/link-utili-usi.htm • Participate in the International student fair set the 10th of November, Aula Magna, 12.30-14.00. • Check the websites and the fact-sheets of our partner universities: http://www.relint.usi.ch/en/universita.htm • Read the experience reports written by former exchange students http://www.relint.usi.ch/en/studenti-usi/rapporti-soggiorno-usi.htm • Contact former USI students who have studied at the host institution you are interested in (you find the contacts in the reports).

9. Admissioncriteria • To beeligible for a mobility programme you must: • bedulyregistered in a degree programme at USI; • have obtained the requirednumber of ECTS points as defined in the Faculty’sStudyRegulations (see Guide); • be in good academic standing; • bereasonablyproficient in the language of the host country (somepartneruniversitiesrequire an official certificate).

10. Language of instruction • 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.

11. Internalapplication procedure • Fillin the internal application form available at http://www.relint.usi.ch/en/studenti-usi/aspetti-organizzativi.htm • With your application you must submit the following documents: • Most recent transcript (available in Italian and/or English under “Grade consultation” at: www.esami.lu.usi.ch) • Photocopy of language certificates • Signed learning agreement • Motivation letter in the language in which you will study • Deadline: Tuesday, February 24th, 2015

12. Free mobility Where no agreementis in place, studentsmaynonethelessseekadmission to a university of theirchoice. During the applicationprocess, free moversmayask for assistanceat the International Relations Office or from the Master’sdirector. 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 studentremainsmatriculated in the home university (a discount ispossible), and a feehas to be paid to the hostuniversity.

13. Mobility in a nutshell…. • … 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’sresponsibility. • … International Fair: on November 10th 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: www.relint.usi.ch

14. 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. • SEMP • Internships in a European Country • 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

15. 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; • Internshipcarried out within 12 monthsfrom graduation. • Monthly grant: 420.00 CHF

16. 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; • Internshipcarried out within 12 monthsfrom graduation. • Monthly grant: 420.00 CHF SEMP

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