Application Procedure for Student Exchange, Academic Year 2008-2009

You need to start planning and preparing for your student exchange well in advance. You can get detailed information about the student exchange and the partner institutions from the Student Exchange Coordinators.

Up-to-date information is usually available on the home pages of the student exchange institution.

Travel reports from former exchange students are available through the weblink available at the section Travel Reports. These travel reports give you important and useful information about various exchange destinations from an exchange student`s viewpoint. You need to keep in mind however that these reports are about personal experiences and therefore subjective. Old travel reports can also be found at the EVTEK libraries. Majority of the travel reports are in Finnish, however there is also few report in English as well.

The Directors of Degree Programmes (Institute of Technology) or the Principal Lecturers (School of Business Administration and Institute of Art and Design) will be able to advise you in relation to the course subjects abroad. After researching the courses available at various partner institutions you need to discuss with the Director of Degree Programme / the Principal Lecturer if the credits for these courses can be transferred towards your degree. You need to also discuss what would be the best time for you to go on exchange.

You can get useful and interesting information about student exchange and about student exchange institutions by asking directly from former exchange students of EVTEK or exchange students currently studying at EVTEK.

Who Can Apply for Student Exchange?

To be eligible for student exchange a sufficient number of ECTS credits is required (please see the requirements of KELA - The Social Insurance Institution of Finland). Normally students go on student exchange during the third year of study. A student who has taken at least one year of study prior to the studen exchange period can, in principle, apply for student exchange. One cannot apply for student exchange during the fourth year of study. The students in adult education can also apply for student exchange.

When Can I Apply for Student Exchange?

The application period for the student exchange abroad during the academic year 2008–2009:

PRINCIPAL APPLICATION PERIOD:
from January 15th to February 29th, 2008 (Technology, Business)
from January 15th to February 15th, 2008 (Culture)

During this period student exchange places for the following academic year are available which means that you can apply for the whole year or just the autumn or spring semester.

SECOND APPLICATION PERIOD:
from September 1st to September 30th, 2008

During the second application period exchange places for the following spring semester, not filled during the principal application period or which were later cancelled, are available.

Application Forms

The instuctions below only apply to the Principal Application Period. New application instructions and forms will be given by the start of the Second Application Period; please follow OVIportal messages on the matter.

One can apply for student exchange by completing an electronic application form. One need to attach a digital photo of oneself to the application form. In the application form student will be asked to explain his purpose for going on student exchange and therefore one should consider these reasons in advance. Transcript of academic records will be attached to the application form at the International Office after the application closing date.

Student Exchange Information Events

Student exchange information events are organised for each field of study at the start of the principal application period. These events cover the application procedure, how to complete the application form and which attachments to include. In addition, the events include presentations on exchange destinations and presentations by former exchange students about their experiences. Students selected for exchange will also receive additional guidance at a later stage.

Selection Criteria

The selection procedure for exchange students emphasises academic records, language skills, motivation and preparedness to study abroad; goal-focused and proactive attitude towards studying as well as an active role in the international activities at the home institution. Students who apply for student exchange to Asia need to have taken Asia studies (please see the course selection of School of Business Administration). We are not only looking to select only "star students" but try to offer the opportunity for student exchange to as many students as possible.

Institute of Art and Design

All students who apply for student exchange study or for practical training abroad are required to have passed the “Portfolio in English” course. The course serves as an opportunity to create a portfolio which is a compulsory attachment to the application. It contains reports and visual material about the work related to the applicant`s studies, a CV and a letter of introduction by the student explaining the reasons why he wants to go on exchange. The Portfolio is written in English and if the student wishes, also in Finnish. The “Portfolio in English” course is organised three times a year. The Director of the Design Degree Programme, Ms. Päivi Fredriksson, is the artistic supervisor for the course while lecturer Kaija Koskinen is responsible for teaching English. The course contains lectures, group and personal guidance. The student prepares two portfolios, one for the student exchange institution and one for the Design Institute (three ECTS credits). The dates and times for the courses will be notified on the OVI Portal at the start of each academic year and also on the Info TV before the start date of the course.

Application Results

EVTEK’s internal application results are notified directly to the students selected for student exchange. The list of the students chosen for student exchange is announced on the notice board at the International Office. The selection results will be conditional until confirmed by the host institutions.

What Happens after You Have Been Selected?

The students selected for student exchange in the internal application procedure of EVTEK will be invited to an orientation event in April 16-17, 2008. This event is obligatory for all the students chosen for student exchange. Student exchange related topics such as studying abroad, course subjects, financial aid to students, grants, insurances, forms to be completed and adapting to a foreign culture are discussed in detail.

As soon as the selection results have been confirmed the International Office will send the names and application forms of the nominated students to the host institution. Each exchange institution has its own student exchange application form which should be completed by the student. You can ask for the application forms at the International Office.