Curious about the exchange possibility for our students?
This page will be a general explanation to the exchange program, the price and requirements including the comments of Katja (Webmaster 2022-2023-2024).
GENERAL:
As mentioned in the Education page, there is a possibility to go on an exchange. This tab will give you an explanation so you have a decent idea of what is expected of you when applying for an exchange program for either destinations.
First of all, exchange programs are not obligatory although our Professors may phrase it like that, they can’t physically make you go on an exchange.
As mentioned before there are different time periods for the Undergraduate and Master students which for the undergraduate you cannot choose, unless you give a valid reason as to why you prefer going in the autumn-winter semester rather than the spring-summer semester. For the master students they are mostly required to go during the autumn-winter semester which is opposite of the undergraduates, however they too could request to go during spring-summer. A yearlong exchange is only for master students!
The locations are provided in the list given before: here. It also indicates the master priority locations (see the pdf). However, do note that some locations may indicate BA-MA. In those cases both may apply, but you’ll have to look into further details about the requirements for each of those universities and the possibilities for either BA or MA. You will be required to choose the universities you’d like to attend, however in the end UGhent chooses where you will go based off on the list you made.
Once you’ve received all the information from UGhent, you will be asked to make a portfolio with your information and reasons to why you are willing to go on exchange, how you would finance it in case you don’t get a scholarship and why you’d need a scholarship and so on. This you will have to do on your own. UGhent will provide you all the details, deadlines and so on once needed. This will happen the year before you leave on exchange.
Further, you are required to follow the deadlines and rules from your destination university. Please communicate with them yourself. This is where UGhent will not guide you. They will help when asked. However, you will be required to do most of it yourself and keeping up with your own deadlines. We understand that this is a very stressful period. A lot of students have gone on exchange and you’ll be able to ask them questions too. But you will get through this! We are here to help each other!
Once all the administration is over. You board the plane, land somewhere in Japan (where you are destined to be) and follow the classes there this includes: Japanese language courses, other (likely English) classes that fit in your schedule/program.
You may wonder now. How much would this cost? What are the requirments to go on an exchange program? What do I need?
PRICE:
Depends on the region/dorm/food/travel expenses and so on. Overall around 5000 euro for about 5 months would be a safe bet (plane ticket not included). This gives you 1000 euro a month for your dorm expenses, food and possible trip. (Calculation by Katja in 2023). Some may suggest 4000 euro is good too. It just depends on how much you want to spend too and how much you have to spend.
*** Katja @ Kyushu University spring-summer 2023: I had about 5500 euro for my exchange. I did a few short trips, had lots of good food, was able to pay my rent, and buy souvernirs allover the place and send a box home within the range as well. (Had no scholarship other than transportation scholarship for my plane ticket). I also kept some money on the side for when I returned to Belgium.
You can get a scholarship but there is a process to it. Of course it is best to just go through that process and hopefully you will get one. Of course those that are already scholarship students, just by doing that process you will get the scholarship because that is how the system is. Others may have to “fight” for it and hope they get it by explaining their situation in the best way possible.
*** Katja: I didn’t get one. I am not a scholarship student. I pay my education myself and therefore had to pay my exchange myself. I did work for it so I got the opportunity to go. But, because of that process, I will not go on a second exchange in my master program. (I want to be able to save up for my future too and will definitely return to Japan in other ways). Don’t feel discouraged by this. I decided to go through with it. I could’ve also just cancelled and decided to go in my masters instead. It’s all up to you! And I have no regrets of deciding to go when I had the opportunity.
UGENT REQUIREMENTS:
Must have passed all BA1 courses.
Must have passed all Japanese courses up to Modern Japanese 4. (MJ 1-4, 5 too so you don’t have to do any exams for that in august while you’re in Japan).
Must have passed all Bungo courses up to Bungo 4. (idem).
Must have acquired at least 105 credits before starting your third year! (Meaning passed classes for 105 credits total up to the retake exams of BA2). One academic year is 60 credits. Basically, pass everything up to BA2 and you are safe to go.
*** Katja: I took an extra year in my undergraduate to make my years lighter and be able to pass my exams. I had finished Bungo 1-6, BA1, BA2 (minus 3 minor courses), the summer before my exchange. This had put me at around 110 credits. Then I finished semester 1 of BA3 including Modern Japanese 5. I know this sounds complicated, but once you’re in BA2 you will understand the system better.
So that’s about it for the content on what the exchange is and what the requirements are. It may sound like a lot, but it’s doable. As you see, there is a possibility to add another year to ease your program and be able to give yourself time as well. There are many ways to do things. You will get there!
By your Webmaster Katja 2022-2023(-2024)