Looking forward to going on exchange? Tips and insights

In December 2023, I got the opportunity to go on an exchange study at the University of Pavia in Pavia, Italy as a part of the EC2U short mobility exchange. This article will present how my exchange experience went as an exchange student and the application process for exchange studies from the University of Turku.

University of Pavia, one of the oldest universities in Italy, which is a part of the European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) Alliance, facilitated this winter exchange programme. It was held in English, and it was organized as part of the activities of the Alliance​. There were participants from EC2U partner universities like University of Turku, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena (Germany), University of Alexandru Ioan Cuza of Iasi (Romania) etc. More about the EC2U Alliance and its partner universities can be found on this website. The event continued for five days from 11th of December to 15th of December 2023 and revolved around the theme of how different aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) be used to find solutions for pressing concerns in healthcare.

We were not just stuck in lecture halls. The programme included fun trips around Pavia, like a guided tour around the city of Pavia, a visit to the local museum at Castello Visconteo. These short excursions were a nice break from the continued learning and an opportunity to hang out with new colleagues from different universities and fields, all of whom were as excited about AI as I was.

The last day was all about presenting and discussing what we had learned. We were divided into groups and then we picked a problem in healthcare and presented AI based solutions to overcome it. It was awesome to share our solutions and discuss them with everyone.

Throughout the week, every meal and meeting were filled with chatter about what we learned and our dreams for the future. It was not just about learning from the talks but also from each individual.

Looking back, the Winter School was more than just classes and lectures. It was a key part of my studies that really showed me the potential of AI in healthcare. I left Pavia inspired and excited for what’s next in healthcare and AI. The blend of learning, exploring, and making friends was what made this exchange experience at Pavia special.

In the next section, I will explain a bit more into practicalities associated with applying to exchange opportunities including some useful links.

The University of Turku provides a wide range of exchange opportunities. I applied and received three different exchange opportunities, but I chose to go for only one due to placement conflicts with ongoing studies. Therefore, I will be explaining the different practices associated with exchange at UTU in terms of those experiences I had. You can also refer university’s intranet to get more detailed information.

First, and foremost you are required to be a student at the University of Turku to apply for an exchange to go to another partner university. Some exchange programmes are 3-6 months long while some other programmes are shorter than a month. The University of Turku uses Solemove portal to handle exchange applications of students. For short-term mobility via the EC2U Alliance, students can apply via a Webropol form in most cases.  (Doctoral) researchers can also apply to a researcher exchange on a continuous basis via the EC2U Alliance.

Next, the student will apply for an exchange programme during the specified application periods through the particular channel. After the application period ends, the student will receive a decision if the University of Turku accepts your application for exchange based on grounds of application mentioned in the application package.

Type of student exchange programmes

There are different types of exchange programmes the University of Turku is partnered with. The courses can range from Humanities, Social Sciences, Technology, Mathematics and Natural Sciences or Medicine. You can select what fits your interests best during the application period. Here is a list of exchange programmes available at the University of Turku.

1. Bilateral Exchange Places Outside Europe
2. Coimbra to Europe
3. EC2U to Europe
4. ELAN to Europe
5. Erasmus to Europe
6. Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility Outside EU
7. ISEP Programmeme Outside Europe
8. Nordplus to Nordic Countries
9. North2North to Arctic Areas

Check the latest availability of this programme through Solemove portal and university’s intranet.

Also, as per my own research, the exchange programmes mainly differ in duration:

1. Exchange studies
   1. You will spend your 3 to more months in the destination university participating in the courses in your study plan (or more if you prefer and the destination university agrees!) while living as a student in that university.
2. Summer Schools and Short-Term Mobilities
   1. The exchange that I went on is a short-term mobility programme by EC2U Alliance. Students can apply to these short courses, which can vary from 3 days to weeks of time, by following the specific instructions provided by each partner university.

Based on the type of the programme, you will receive a financial stipend to cover the costs related to exchange, like renting an apartment, food, etc. However, this stipend might not be enough depending on the cost of living in the destination country. Therefore, it is safer to have some own savings or find other means of external funding.

Different exchange universities

The application periods, requirements, and type of studies offered during the period can vary based on the destination university. There is a rich list of universities that offer exchange opportunities within (e.g.: Sweden, Norway, Italy) and out of the European region (e.g.: Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom). You can check the complete list of destinations on SoleMove portal.

Application requirements

Generally, it requires you to provide several documents at certain levels of your exchange application. For example, you need a study plan when applying for full-length exchange (3-6 months) and once accepted, a learning agreement must be signed between the host university and the university. Some programmes can require a letter of motivation also for the application.  All such requirements are available in the SoleMove and on the university’s intranet page during the application period.

1. Keep in mind the academic calendar at University of Turku and your course plan to align your application and exchange study plan accordingly. The autumn semester runs from September to December, and the spring semester from January to May. I had to cancel two exchange opportunities due to the ‘bad timing’ with courses at UTU and destination university.
2. Also, throughout this process, it’s important to stay in close communication with both your destination university and UTU’s international office. It will help you meet all requirements in terms of the exchange application and to facilitate a smooth transition to studying abroad.
3. Generally, the destination university will provide a tutor to help you in getting to know the city and the university. However, tutor support may vary from university.

Going on student exchange will challenge you in the best ways possible. It is a unique opportunity to learn something new, make friends and explore new regions. And these connections can open doors for you in both personal and professional spheres.