I am currently in my first week of exchange semester in South Korea. Enrolled in Seoul National University, this experience is beyond my imagination. The process of achieving this is not easy, and it requires one full willingness and readiness to go through the process and show that you really want this, and you really deserve this.
This post will be more suitable to be read by Universitas Indonesia (UI) student, but just keep on scrolling if you want to have a glance on the application process.
1. Take a TOEFL test
If you want to be in any university for an exchange program, TOEFL test is a must. Be confident. Be prepared. Be ready to pay the amount of money for this test. If you really want to go exchange, this is only a small step that you need to take. Achieving high score is great, super great but no specific score will guarantee the success/failure of your application to certain university. It depends on the competitors that apply to that particular program. Your TOEFL score will be compared, along with other elements that we will be talking about.
For UI student, you can have a test in LBI in FIB UI for Rp. 350.000,- It takes a week to have your result, so check the test schedule (it's once in two weeks in Depok) and nail it!
2. Check your home university international office website frequently
International Office will receive offer from other universities to send exchange student, after IO get one, they will post the details and the deadline of submission on the website. It is crucial to keep informed about the program that you would like to enroll in.
For UI student, check up www.international.ui.ac.id or you can go directly to the office at Rektorat Building. I went frequently to ask them if a particular program was opened for scholarship or not. They are nice and helpful!
3. Prepare your documents
In any program, the required documents are: motivation letter, CV, and recommendation letter from your faculty. Your university is going to choose some best candidates to be interviewed. Make sure that your CV stands out and it has a tidy and informative format. Your motivation letter should be concise, but point out what you want to do in the exchange program, what experience that exchange program will contribute to you, or why you deserve to be chosen for that particular program. So anything about WHY you apply for this exchange program.
4. Check the availability of the scholarship.
In some programs, they will offer scholarships that you can request. There are AUN-ACTS program (exchange to Asia countries), JASSO Scholarships (to Japan), GKS (to South Korea), and others from Europe countries. Try hard to get one with scholarship so you can feel less burdened when you go to the exchange program.
5. Submit all your documents and frequently check your email for announcement
Don't ever miss any announcement that international office made. They will send you an email if the result of the selection of particular program - whether you need to be interviewed or you get it directly or you fail to have it. Be ready to be interviewed by Head of International Office, Pak Jun. Be ready with your answers because he likes to twist it up a bit hahahhaha but relax, and be honest.
Those are practically all of the steps that you need to complete if you want to apply for an exchange program. If you are admitted as one of the exchange student, then you will go to another different set of steps that will almost take your breath away but will result in a sweet and unforgettable moments in life.
P.S: I had missed many opportunities because I didn't check the website frequently. The good ones are usually popped out sooner than others. So, check the website now and feel free to ask anything to me. Goodluck! :)
