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What is a post-graduate academic exchange?
A post-graduate academic exchange is, typically, where a post-graduate
student from one country swaps places with a student from another
country for an agreed period of time. Students undertake exchanges
for a variety of reasons: for adventure; to meet new people; to
work in a specialised area; to work with specific research staff;
as part of a world holiday. Academic exchanges are initiated and
organised by the participating students.
An exchange can take many forms, but, in the end, the arrangements
are up to the two students to agree upon. The institution (University
or College) usually plays a minimal role, for example, by granting
supervision, short term library and/or computing privileges, or
perhaps shared office space, as requested. Some institutions can
provide financial assistance for formal exchanges, but it is up
to individual students to find out what is on offer and where. It
is up to students to make the necessary arrangements and to assist
an exchange partner with the same.
Example 1:
Kerry is a 3rd year postgraduate studying politics at the University
of Tasmania, Australia. She would like to spend a short time studying
under the supervision of Professor X at the University of California,
USA. Kerry contacts Professor X to request a period of supervision,
and Professor X agrees. Although Kerry has some funding, it is no
enough to cover all the costs of accommodation, transport and tuition.
Kerry posts a notice on the post-graduate exchange website to see
if there is a student at the University of California, or living
close by who is interested in studying at the University of Melbourne,
and who might be prepared to swap houses for a few weeks. Bob, a
2nd year post-graduate student studying architecture at the University
of California replies. Bob, his wife and their 2 year old child
come and live in Kerry’s flat for 10 weeks while Kerry lives
in their suburban house. Each continues to pay the rent/mortgage
on their own homes while they are living in the other’s home,
but each pay for their own electricity, food etc. Each assists the
other by contacting the necessary people at their institution to
arrange the use of the library and academic supervision.
Example 2:
Steve is a post-graduate student at Sydney’s Conservatorium
who wants to get to Europe to hear some cutting-edge music. He posts
a message on the post-graduate exchange website to see if there
is a student in London, Paris, Berlin, or Dublin who wants to study/holiday
in his flat at Coogee Beach in Sydney for a couple of months. He
is contacted by Gina, who is studying marine biology in Ireland.
She wants to come to Australia, but only for 1 month. They agree
to a house swap for one month, after which Steve has to find his
own accommodation. Gina makes her own institutional arrangements
at the University of New South Wales. Steve goes out to see lots
of bands.
Example 3:
Jan is a post-graduate student in philosophy at the University of
Essex. He would like to study with the staff and students at the
Free University in Berlin. After contacting the Free University,
he posts a message on the post-graduate exchange website. He is
contacted by Cathy, a student in Berlin who wants to study with
the philosophy staff at Essex. Neither wants to have a stranger
living in their home, so they help each other find alternative accommodation
instead. They also assist each other by contacting the necessary
people at their institution to arrange the use of the library and
academic supervision.
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