How Foreign Sister Universities Support Exchange Students
  
 
By Kim Kyeong-eun, Cub-Reporter
Kim Su-yeon, Cub-Reporter
 
 
Chonnam National University (CNU) offers many opportunities for students to study abroad. The most well-known study abroad program is the Student Exchange Program (SEP), through which CNU students can study at its sister universities for one or two semester(s) and transfer the credits of what they receive at a foreign university. However, adjusting in a totally new environment is not an easy task. The Chonnam Tribune interviewed five students who have studied abroad as an exchange student and asked how they were supported at their visiting universities.
Most universities greet their exchange students by holding events. Chun Hae-jin (Senior, Dept. of German Language and Literature) who studied at Jena University in Germany, said, “The University holds at least one or two event(s) a month for exchange students, who can participate in the events with a small fee. They usually go sightseeing.” “Winnipeg University in Canada opens events for exchange students every week, which has a particular subject,” recalled Cho Jee-young (Senior, Dept. of English Language and Literature). She added, “The University offers a one week long orientation for exchange students, and it was really helpful for adapting to unfamiliar conditions.” Universities’ official aids are crucial as well as events. At University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the International Office (IO) helps with applying for visas and registering for courses for all exchange students. “The IO staff keeps in touch with foreign students effectively,” says Choi Gang-hyun (Senior, School of Business Administration).
Campus clubs or even dormitories can be helpful for foreign students. “There is an orientation for explaining university clubs for foreign students at Osaka University,” said Jung Song-yi (Senior, Dept. of Japanese Language and Literature). Kim Go-eun (Senior, Dept. of Law) appealed, “At Curtin University, Australia, the student union—they call it ‘Guild’—is active and it has parties in a dormitory frequently which helps foreigners to make friends.” Like these, CNU officials and diverse communities have to understand the difficulties of inbound international and exchange students and make efforts to help them adjust to their new environment at the university.
저작권자 © Chonnam Tribune 무단전재 및 재배포 금지