The Study Abroad Fair is part of an outreach regime to make Stellenbosch University (SU) students more aware of studying and exchange opportunities abroad. This is according to Elana Ryklief (23), a student intern for Semester Mobility and Exchanges representing SU International at the event on 12 April.
The Study Abroad Fair, in collaboration with the South African International Networks Association, hosted an open day in the Neelsie Student Centre, where approximately 40 booths housed representatives from SU partner institutions all over the world.
“What we’re trying to do here is to make SU students aware that studying abroad is possible. Usually from an African perspective we think that all of these things are out of reach because it would cost a lot of money,” Ryklief said.
She went on to explain that the gathering was in the interest of promoting conversations around internationalisation and global education at SU.
The Neelsie hosted an array of international delegates and representatives from various educational institutions. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
Located within the Wilcocks building on Victoria Street, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor takes responsibility for SU International under the Strategy and Internationalisation portfolio. It serves all faculties and facilitates, various cross-national programmes between SU and its partners.
Scholarship and Erasmus [+] Coordinator for Maastricht University (MU) in the Netherlands, Fjaere van der Stok, spoke about the exchange programmes that are exclusively available to SU students at MU.
“For potential students coming in, it’s very important to look at what kind of programmes they would be interested in taking at [MU’s] various faculties.
“They should then talk to SU International to see what the credit transfer process would look like, before being cleared and getting in contact with the relevant person at the respective MU department.”
Brent Morris, the principal advisor for Imfundo Abroad, an advisory company representing over 150 institutions abroad and specialising in overseas study opportunities, spoke of the increasing trend for South African students to seek placement in universities abroad.
40 booths, set up in the Neelsie, saw many students engaging with various international representatives from partner educational institutions to explore their options abroad. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
When asked whether studying abroad bolstered a student’s education, Ryklief responded by referring to globalised competency.
“It’s adding an edge to your education. It does give you a reference that you are highly flexible and versatile within the working environment [and] you are able to deal with a lot of personalities, specifically on a global platform. That will definitely aid to your job-seeking ventures.”
SU International is currently working for the acknowledgement of international exchange programmes on SU academic transcripts.