Study abroad - How does it work

dillo2k10

Hi,
I will want to do a year abroad as part of a BA in maynooth,

Just some questions:
Do you have to study the same subjects while abroad eg If I was to study Business and Geography in Ireland then can I study just geography or geography and business.

And if I was to show that I had €20k in the bank + Flights + Tuition for me to spend while there(Support my self) how likely would I be to get a visa

Thanks

dillo2k10

Oh and the visa is for Canada or Australia or USA, any

pow wow

My answer is very general because I didn't go to Maynooth and I'm sure each college has different arrangements and setups.

For the USA you'll qualify for a visa as an exchange student, there's not necessarily an onus on you to have 20k in the bank to get the visa (though you do need to prove you can afford to feed yourself!).

As regards the subjects, I was told to study stuff that was 'broadly' related to my degree so I did. I also deviated where I wanted because classes filled up really quickly and so what was left wasn't always related to what I was enrolled for at home. I kinda flipped majors while I was away so my minor in Ireland became my prime subject in the States.

On my home transcript the year just shows up as 'intercalary year' with my average grade for the whole year (so in that respect the modules I took aren't documented anywhere) though I do have a transcript from the American college to say what the modules actually were.

dillo2k10

Oh thanks and what I meant for the 20k was that they require you to show that you need to have the money to support yourself. So I meant would having 20k be enough for them or if they needed to see that I would be getting money from someone else while Im over there

pow wow

I only had to prove I had a couple of thousand (nowhere near 20 anyway!) but my programme was a straight swap so my tuition and housing was paid by the American kid I was trading places with. It may be if you have to pay full fees that they'd need you to have that much cash in the bank.

dillo2k10

pow wow wrote: »

I only had to prove I had a couple of thousand (nowhere near 20 anyway!) but my programme was a straight swap so my tuition and housing was paid by the American kid I was trading places with. It may be if you have to pay full fees that they'd need you to have that much cash in the bank.

I dont have to pay any fees while there but I do have to organise my accommodation. I have added it up myself what I think I will spend and I totaled at 19k including flights, accommodation, etc

That seems very good deal that you got ha, what University did you got to in Ireland

Michellenman

dillo2k10 wrote: »

Hi,
I will want to do a year abroad as part of a BA in maynooth,

Just some questions:
Do you have to study the same subjects while abroad eg If I was to study Business and Geography in Ireland then can I study just geography or geography and business.

And if I was to show that I had €20k in the bank + Flights + Tuition for me to spend while there(Support my self) how likely would I be to get a visa

Thanks

I'm doing a BA in maynooth and preparing for erasmus, not sure what the craic would be for studying outside Europe though.

Unless you're doing a language, you can do pretty much any subject you want, you just need to clear it with the department in Maynooth first, although this is generally just a formality and out of courtesy. If you are taking a language, you have to take at least 30 credits over the course of the year in that language.
Be careful when dealing with the international office. I found there was a lot of hassle and problems on their behalf. Make sure you do a lot of your own research and double check the college is suitable before you apply (eg, it's undergrad courses available, not postgrad. Yes. We did have this problem as a result of the IO).
If you have more questions feel free to pm me.