USM Exchange Programme

Last Wednesday, I went for a gathering of sort organized by the USM International Office regarding the Exchange Programme made available for USM students. It's a programme ran by an agreement between USM and the partner universities where USM will send and receive students for the duration of one to two semesters per exchange. The students will be enrolled in an overseas partner university, taking courses and sitting for exams with regularly enrolled students, meaning, it's just like any other semester except for the fact that you're in a foreign university.

Besides, the great thing about this programme, for me at least, is that I would only have to pay the normal USM tuition fee, which is only about RM600+, and not the host university's tuition fee, should I join the programme. Of course, it does not include all the expenditures I'm gonna spend on when I'm there like foods, accommodation, and so on but according to the data provided by the International Office, the average expenditure is roughly between RM15k to RM35k.

Honestly, I'm tempted to join the programme mainly because I want to experience the world. I really don't want to be trapped inside Malaysia for the rest of my life. Not that I'm saying Malaysia ain't great (it's your own opinion...) but I really want to see the world, to be as far away from here as I can. I wanna feel the four season for myself, visit the famous places through my own eyes and not other medium.

Of course, there's always a down side to everything. The only setback for me is that I have to extend my study year for another year to do my final year project. It means that I have to see my fellow friends and coursemates graduated a year earlier than me. It also means that I have to do my last year alone since none of my coursemates are interested in it (there's one but I'm not sure of her decision yet...).

I'm not really discouraged by it. I don't really mind extending another year but I kinda already plan to do my master overseas. The main reason to do master overseas is almost the same as joining the exchange programme. Since I'm already set my mind to it, why would I want to do this programme anyway? Some more, I have yet to discuss it with my parents. Hmm, don't think they will against it gua. Just the financial matter that worries me if I were to join it.

OK, let's just assume I took part in the programme and was selected (there's a selection, by the way). Of all the countries offered, I would choose either Canada, US, Australia or Singapore, Singapore being the lowest rank among the four. I choose these countries mainly for one reason, it's English speaking countries. I can't choose Japan or Korea since I don't know their languages and it's hard to survive if you can't communicate with the locals. Dah lah my English not that strong, some more want me to speak Japanese/Korean? At least with Canada, US and Australia, I can cut off the language barrier. But I need to take IELTS/TOEFL should I applied for universities from these countries as they don't accept MUET. Stupid MUET, wonders why we have to take it? Why can't they just integrated IELTS/TOEFL into our educational system?

I most likely would not take up courses that have anything related to what I'm studying at all when I'm there. Most likely I'm gonna take English or creative writing or something I wanted to do for fun.

Don't think too far first. Consult with my parents first.