The Eight E’s of Studying Abroad

A short stint abroad as a part of one’s academic career may have significant impact on the overall process of learning of a student. Researchers have confirmed the view that the study abroad programs influence the perspectives, personalities, and academic life of the students positively. 

LIST OF PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

2022- MoU with University of Florida, US

2023 Jan-MoU with University of Cranfield, UK

June 2022- MoU with NTU, UK

Dec 2023- MoU with MIT AOE, Pune

March 2024- MoU with University of Agder, Norway

Feb 2024- MoU with DADB German Academy

Oct 2023- MoU with CGI, Canada

Procedure for SAP

•  Steps to be taken to avail the benefits of SAP

1.     The program may be availed by B.Tech. Students of MIT, Manipal, when they are studying in the fifth, sixth and seventh semester.

2.     Program may be availed by M.Tech students of MIT, Manipal, studying in their  second year.

3.     B.Tech and M.Tech students with consistent academic performance and CGPA ≥ 7 (without any backlogs and having no disciplinary action) can credit the courses.

a)      Students can earn credits from Foreign Universities / Institutions with which MAHE/MIT has a MoU for the above purpose or from any other Foreign University where the student has obtained approval for SAP.

b) List of the Partner Universities with MAHE/MIT is listed in above table.

4.     An application and an undertaking have to be completed & signed by the student and his/her parent.

5.     Completed application to be submitted to Associate Director (Alumni, Public& International Relations) indicating interest in a/multiple Foreign Universities.

6.     On receipt of application, Associate Director (Alumni P & International Relations) will obtain syllabus/curriculum from the host University.

7.     On receipt of the curriculum/syllabus, the “Committee for curriculum match at MIT” will scrutinize and approve the SAP.

8.     Once the Foreign University for SAP has been identified and approval from committee for curriculum match has been received, a learning agreement will be signed with both MAHE and host University.

9.     Credit transfer will be based on the successful completion of all the courses mapped in Learning Agreement. Failing which, the student have to complete the backlog credits at MIT in subsequent semester as per MAHE rules and regulations.

10.     The tuition fees, and course fee at MIT is to be paid by the student during the study period abroad.

11.  The students have to apply 6 months in advance for the Semester Abroad program.

12.  Credit transferred will not be used for GPA/CGPA computation. However credit transferred will be considered for the overall credit requirements of the program.

13.  Visa, Travel, Accommodation, logistics is to be arranged by the student with appropriate Parental consent.

14. Tuition fee (if any) to be paid to host university by the student.

15.  Credit transfer availed by a student shall be recorded on the academic records/transcript of the student.

• Credit Transfer procedure

The courses credited elsewhere (Foreign University /Institutions) by students during their study period at MIT Manipal may count towards the credit requirements for the award of degree. The credit transferred will reduce the number of courses to be registered by the student at MIT. The guidelines of such transfer of credits are as follows:

Under Graduate and Post Graduate students with consistent academic performance and GPA/CGPA ≥ 7 can credit the courses that are approved by Board of Studies (BOS), MAHE during fifth, sixth and seventh semester of UG and second semester or second year of PG at Partner Universities.

Following this, a learning agreement will be prepared and approved for the subjects to be considered for credit requirement and transfer for the exchange semester with acceptance from both universities.

Respective Head of Department will find equivalence of subjects from Partner University, map to MIT courses, scrutinize and accept the subjects for credit transfer.

Credit transferred will not be used for GPA/CGPA computation. However credit transferred will be considered for the overall credit requirements of the program.

Credits that can be accepted by MIT for a student has to be mapped for entire credits for the exchange semester at MIT.

Credit transfer will be based on the successful completion of all the courses mapped in Learning Agreement. Failing which, the student have to complete the backlog credits at MIT in subsequent semester as per MAHE rules and regulations.

Credit transfer availed by a student shall be recorded on the academic records of the student.

The Eight E’s of Studying Abroad

A short stint abroad as a part of one’s academic career may have a significant impact on the overall process of learning of a student. Researchers have confirmed the view that the study abroad programs influence the perspectives, personalities, and academic life of the students positively.  A glimpse of the merits of study abroad programs is listed below.

• Expand your horizon

Studying abroad opens your eyes to the world that that may not have been looked into. As an international student, you have plethora of academic programs to choose from: some immerse you directly in a foreign culture and language, while others ease you into a culture shock with support services designed specifically for study abroad students. It is an ideal opportunity to expose yourself to the world, branch out and learn about different places, different cultures and people. Opening yourself to the new may help you understand how you, as an individual, fit into this world. Travelling to place, learning from diverse cultures, and adapting to newer life styles help you to grow as an individual. It provides you an opportunity to expand your worldview and helps one to understand and analyze problems and phenomena from a multiple perspective.

•  Explore a new interest

Studying in a different country offers many new activities and you may discover newer interests, which you may not venture into otherwise. You might find that you have an undiscovered talent for hiking, water sports, snow skiing, golf, or various other new sports you may never have tried back home. Further, you may realize there are a number of activities that excite you such as visiting a museum, attending a concert, or learning a new language. When you study overseas, you can take courses you do not have the opportunity to take at home. In addition to university classes, you can explore new hobbies or sports that are not possible to practice at your home country.

• Establish a relationship across the borders    

Your stay abroad as a student allows you to build bonds with people across the borders. While studying abroad, you interact and live with students from diverse countries. This provides you an opportunity to know and establish a lifelong relationship with people who interests you. In addition to rewarding personal relationships, these friends can also be important networking tools later down the road. Further, being part of an internationally diverse academic community can also enhance the quality of your learning, providing a wider spectrum of opinions and expertise.

• Encounter and engagement with new cultures

Cultural differences that one finds in a study abroad program provide a significant learning experience. When a student lives away from home and tries to understand the ways of the host country, it leads to fascinating cultural encounters and engagement. The variation in every aspect of life such as cuisine, customs, traditions, and social atmospheres teach valuable life lessons about the beliefs and life in itself. You will find that you have a better understanding and appreciation for the nation’s people and history. You will have the opportunity to witness a completely new way of life. This expertise in cross-cultural and interpersonal communication may become an asset when you work in any multi-cultural team in the professional world.

• Expand language Skills

A studying abroad program offers you an excellent opportunity to add to your language skills. Studying abroad grants you the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in a new language, and there is no better way to learn than to dive right in. In addition to the considerable language practice you will get in day to day life, your host university is likely to offer language courses to provide you with a more formal education.

Further, being surrounded by native speakers affords you the chance to learn the language in real life situation. Language skills obtained while studying abroad will always be beneficial to the student in the longer run in terms academic and professional career.

• Enhance Career opportunities

On completing the study abroad program, you will return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, education, and a willingness to learn. Certainly, these features would make you a very attractive prospect for future employers. An exposure to the education and cultural practices of a foreign country enhances your potential as a candidate with wider knowledge not just on academics but life’s experience. Students that study abroad display diversity and perceived as people who are not afraid to seek out new challenges or put themselves in difficult situations. Further, the Graduate schools often consider the study abroad experience as a significant factor in their selection process of candidates. Your cross-cultural and international skills on your resume and cover letter would provide you a strong edge in relation to others.

• Ensure Personal Development

A benefit to studying abroad is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Being in a new place by yourself can be overwhelming at times, and it tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to respond to the unexpected in a constructive manner. Many students learn the lessons in being independent during their study abroad program. It allows you discover the strengths you have within and turns you into a confident individual who is sensitive to the views of others. Any stay abroad throws its own set of problems to you: homesickness, spending and planning your expenses, and living in a new, unfamiliar place. These little things of life teach you invaluable lessons for life. You are most likely return home a wiser individual and ready to face any future challenges head on.

• Enjoy the experience

 Importantly, you would remember the experience of being abroad for life because while studying abroad you will not just be tied to the university or city you are studying in. There will plenty of opportunities to travel around and travelling brings with it its own share of knowledge. You will also have the time and opportunity to travel within and around that country. As a student, you will be able to travel extensively using student discounts in most of the places. You would enjoy this experience to the hilt.