Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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.

http://www.canurb.com/media/images/globe_in_hand.jpg

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.

21 comments:

manglish said...

go for it! like you said those are english speaking countries and you will blend in better than when you have communication problem like wat i am having now...go for it if you think you really want the experience and also dont forget if you are there, you already establish a connection and may get to study master there easily....:)

~eRiC~ said...

well, since you dont mind to defer ur studies, and if your parents has no objection over this, why not... if i were you, $ would be my num 1 int he list to worry.

fufu said...

well i strongly encourage people to at least spend a semester in foreign university =p if the money is not the problem...go ahead!! i am sure you would come back with no regret... btw where are you going to huuh?? if europe... we may meet up there though...

Pike-chan said...

Let's go for it.... European countries will be nice... u can visit so many countries along the way in yr break and do part time job.

成亿 said...

manglish: yea hor, i can start networking and it makes things much easier when i wanna do master...

eric: yea, finance is also one of the main issue...and parents...

fufu: haha, yea, the experience is priceless or so i'm told...the partner universities of USM in Europe are not really of places i wanna go...still not yet confirm...

pikey: yea, Europe is like one stop centre for all European countries...XD

qifanG said...

u can d.ur english so good and i so admire...my english poor till......

kpy said...

OoOo...I wanted to apply for it too once upon a time, but then I don't wanna extend another year, so...I think I'm gonna travel after I graduate? IF got money lar lol

Hey if you get to go, hehehe...tumpang buy some stuff yea? :D :D :D and maybe a souvenir or two?PRETTY PLEAAAAAAAAASE???

Torres Looi said...

just go for it la...i wish i can join u too...but really cant..If u really make it,it is great n i m waiting u to share wat u experience in new country...

KyuubiPandoraChan said...

Me also tumpang you buy some stuff for me XD Hehe.

成亿 said...

chifang: aiyor...my english not really that good nia...yours also not bad mah...go try la...you can go Taiwan or Hong Kong 1 ma if you like...

kpy: haha, just a year only...what difference does it make?

torres: why can't leh???

annli: you people realize i'm still in penang right???

kpy said...

Then you'd have to make friends all over again with strangers. Expensive also leh... =S

Yess we DO realize you're still in Penang haha...hehe think of it as an um early reminder for souvenirs XD

成亿 said...

not like you make a lot of friends anyway...XD

meiling said...

go for it la since u have chance..it could be a wonderful experience..if i have chance, surely will go for it..

Torres Looi said...

i cant put down my things n left for two months lo...but i still hv d chance to go oversea lo,is just different path nia lo..haha

kpy said...

Oh liddat lar now???????? Hmmph!!!

成亿 said...

meiling: why you dont have chance wo??? go apply la...XD

torres: yea lo, so syok, you can go australia and thailand...jealousnya

kpy: im only being truthful...XD

Torres Looi said...

u oso can de la...i go there not enjoy pun..anyway,c u in ipoh la.hehe

kpy said...

=_=" I don't hang around a huge group of people if that's what you're implying. And I'm fine with that. You are such a meanie...

成亿 said...

torres: haha...if got money lo...XD

kpy: i mean, you won't really miss a lot even if you extend another year...

Pui Yee said...

Final year project leh? Got some course papers also...huhu 3rd year isn't really honeymoon T.T

成亿 said...

that's why you extend another year la...for you to finish your FYP...