Help with deciding where to go on an Erasmus / international

edgal

When deciding on preference for an erasmus / international exchange, should one be more influenced by the University's reputation or where you think would be the best experience / time ?

I'm in UCD and am looking at law schools in Canada and Australia.

One of the Unis I was looking at is ranked among the world top 20 law schools, but I think Id have a better time elsewhere ? I would take the better uni if it actually made a difference when seeking employment, but if my degree is from UCD would studying there for a year be a help ?

For the former is an 'erasmus' beneficial for an undergraduate degree ?



Additionally with a GPA of 3.9 would this generally be good enough to get first preference ?

Maldesu

Don't forget to look at cost. If you plan to go to the US you will have to prove that you can fund your stay. I'd expect that Aussie and Canada would be the same. Both are beneficial as they show a great deal of independence but if you go on Erasmus check to see what language the lectures will be in.

Applications don't just take the GPA into consideration. I think they also look at your previous semesters and look for a personal statement. In saying that, the low in is around 3.0 or 3.08 for California, but if you have 3.9 I don't see why they'd pass you over.

edgal

Maldesu wrote: »

Don't forget to look at cost. If you plan to go to the US you will have to prove that you can fund your stay. ...

Would plans to earn a wage whilst living abroad be suffice for showing that you will have sufficient funds ? Or does that generally involve someone signing that they will support you over there etc ?

Maldesu wrote: »

...Applications don't just take the GPA into consideration...

Is involvement in UCD clubs and societies necessary too ?

Thanks for your response.

Maldesu

edgal wrote: »

Would plans to earn a wage whilst living abroad be suffice for showing that you will have sufficient funds ? Or does that generally involve someone signing that they will support you over there etc ?



Is involvement in UCD clubs and societies necessary too ?

Thanks for your response.

I only looked briefly at some of the US stuff, but I'm fairly certain that you can't work on the type of visa you would be on. You might need someone to sign for you (they go through it with you if you are successful).

Don't think club and socs are necessary. I never heard anything about it but in the personal statement try sound somewhat sociable.

Offside

edgal wrote: »

Would plans to earn a wage whilst living abroad be suffice for showing that you will have sufficient funds ? Or does that generally involve someone signing that they will support you over there etc ?



Is involvement in UCD clubs and societies necessary too ?

Thanks for your response.

In the US you'll be allowed to work on campus and that's it. On campus jobs where I was (North Carolina) generally paid about $6-7 an hour and other exchange friends who I knew who worked them found it severely restricted their exchange experience in terms of travel etc. because they were always rostered, and earning very little money - time drain. I worked my ass off before I left and saved up the money to allow me to live without work over there and it really makes a difference.

Obviously in Europe you will be able to work (and you receive an Erasmus grant), and from friends who went to Australia I think you are able to work there too on your visa.

To show you have sufficient funds you need a letter from your bank saying you have enough funds, or a letter from parents bank saying they have enough funds with parents signing to say they will support you.

While UCD ask you to write a personal statement, the primary mode of selection is your GPA, and as long as you have a decent personal statement, with a 3.9 I'm sure you'll get your first choice.

It was the best year of my life and I'd really recommend that you go for it. I loved the US, and I also have not heard a bad word from any friends who went to different places all around the world, whether Canada, Europe, Australia or Asia, almost all describing it as the best experience of their lives. Hope this helps and if you have any questions about the US feel free to ask.

edgal

Offside wrote: »

In the US you'll be allowed to work on campus and that's it. On campus jobs where I was (North Carolina) generally paid about $6-7 an hour and other exchange friends who I knew who worked them found it severely restricted their exchange experience in terms of travel etc. because they were always rostered, and earning very little money - time drain. I worked my ass off before I left and saved up the money to allow me to live without work over there and it really makes a difference.

Obviously in Europe you will be able to work (and you receive an Erasmus grant), and from friends who went to Australia I think you are able to work there too on your visa.

To show you have sufficient funds you need a letter from your bank saying you have enough funds, or a letter from parents bank saying they have enough funds with parents signing to say they will support you.

While UCD ask you to write a personal statement, the primary mode of selection is your GPA, and as long as you have a decent personal statement, with a 3.9 I'm sure you'll get your first choice.

It was the best year of my life and I'd really recommend that you go for it. I loved the US, and I also have not heard a bad word from any friends who went to different places all around the world, whether Canada, Europe, Australia or Asia, almost all describing it as the best experience of their lives. Hope this helps and if you have any questions about the US feel free to ask.

Theres only an option to study in Uni of Minnesota but that's about it for the US, I'd say your right it'll be a great experience wherever you go. What kind of money would one need to save to comfortably support themselves..?
Thanks so much for your response!

unknown13

If you go outside of the EU expect to be paying double than you would for the EU. The EU grant is also available to everyone and requires very little paper work aswell.

You would probably have to work if you went international but may not if you went to EU depending on your finances. Also, there are places that you can learn through English in continental Europe.

edgal

unknown13 wrote: »

If you go outside of the EU expect to be paying double than you would for the EU. The EU grant is also available to everyone and requires very little paper work aswell.

You would probably have to work if you went international but may not if you went to EU depending on your finances. Also, there are places that you can learn through English in continental Europe.

I wasn't aware that there would be substantial extra costs to travel internationally rather than in Europe. Are fees not the same as what a third year student staying in Ireland would be ?
Are the extra cost just rent, flights etc or is the EU grant regarding fees ?
Thanks for your info.!

Maldesu

You know I think that the EU grant was scrapped very recently. Something to look up.

If you are travelling internationally you are going to have to look at visa fees, insurance, cost of flights, accommodation costs, meal plans (US anyway). Look up work restrictions too.

unknown13

edgal wrote: »

I wasn't aware that there would be substantial extra costs to travel internationally rather than in Europe. Are fees not the same as what a third year student staying in Ireland would be ?
Are the extra cost just rent, flights etc or is the EU grant regarding fees ?
Thanks for your info.!

Fees is the Irish registration fee. Its actually more expensive than some of the course fees on the continent of some of the countries.

The cost of living is high in Australia. Apparently Australia to live in is becoming very expensive.

Maldesu wrote: »

You know I think that the EU grant was scrapped very recently. Something to look up.

If you are travelling internationally you are going to have to look at visa fees, insurance, cost of flights, accommodation costs, meal plans (US anyway). Look up work restrictions too.

Scrapping the EU grant was proposed by a minority party in the European Parliament. Didn't happen though, it appeared they ran out of money to pay the second instalments and found a way to pay it. The grant was saved anyway to the best of my knowledge. Its hard to see it getting scrapped anyway since it is to encourage European integration. A core EU principle.

Maldesu

unknown13 wrote: »

Scrapping the EU grant was proposed by a minority party in the European Parliament. Didn't happen though, they ran out of money to pay the second instalments but the grant was saved anyway.

Ah good. Friend of mine is on Erasmus and I heard him talking about it.

[Jackass]

I can just comment on one possible location, I don't know about the rest, but University of Toronto is very highly regarded (top 20 or 50 in the world or whatever) and has a great city campus down town in Toronto, and Toronto it's self is an amazing city. Just a point of interest, you wont go wrong if you end up there. (if it's even one of the options!)