My Six-Month Exchange Program: An Insider’s Guide

Amid the applications, waiting for the administration’s approval, and finally boarding a plane, exchange programs might present a daunting, but attractive, opportunity for many university students. Unfortunately, the two-year-long COVID-19 pandemic had a noticeable impact on Yonsei University’s exchange programs, with some exchange partners temporarily refusing exchange requests. Recently, with this increasingly global inclination towards “living with COVID” policies, the dissemination of relevant information about student programs is in high demand. Being a UIC-exclusive exchange student myself, I have received a myriad of questions regarding Yonsei’s study-abroad process. Sympathetic to such inquiries, I want to collectively answer said questions by introducing Yonsei’s exchange programs and their procedures, given my personal experience.

I find that one of the main concerns regarding Yonsei’s exchange programs is the application process. In most cases, students can participate in an exchange program for one or two semesters. Interested students must apply two semesters before their desired exchange semester or year. Through an announcement given by Yonsei’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), students can check available universities and the requirements needed for exchange approval, which generally include details about academic eligibility and submission of certain documents. Generally, the documents include students’ transcripts and answers to a number of questions addressing their motivation for a given program. For documents proving language aptitude, students can submit an official test proving their English-speaking skills, or for programs in other foreign languages, students take a brief language evaluation and receive confirmation of their language skills from Yonsei. When all the required documents are submitted, the OIA selects and confirms the list of students eligible for exchange programs. Selected students then communicate directly with their exchange universities to receive detailed information regarding their confirmed exchange semester or year.

In addition to the general application process, UIC students can also apply for exchange programs that are UIC-exclusive programs. As its name suggests, only UIC students are eligible to apply to these separate exchange programs. Separate from the general exchange procedures for all Yonsei students, UIC-exclusive exchange programs offer UIC students a chance to apply to selective, high-ranking colleges. As such, UIC students can take advantage of these programs offering a different application route and requirements, which narrows the pool of competitors. To secure my chances of getting admitted to an exchange program, I personally went to Switzerland for the 2022-1 semester by applying for a UIC-exclusive exchange program.

Another frequently asked question about such programs is regarding the “ideal” number of semesters for studying abroad. There is no simple answer to this question as studying abroad for one or two semesters has advantages and disadvantages. What is certain, though, is that a one-semester exchange can be explained as a short dip into another culture. When students study abroad, they have the unique opportunity to take exclusive classes not offered at Yonsei, meet a diverse group of people, and experience another culture. 

My six-month exchange program had all of these aspects. At my exchange university, I could attend classes about European Union (EU) foreign policy and international institutions, which were unavailable at Yonsei. Furthermore, during my time abroad, I met and befriended so many people that I had difficulty memorizing their names. Most of them were eager to help me during the semester and invited me to indulge in local experiences, such as market picnics. My six months in Switzerland were filled with me experiencing the beauty of another culture. By hanging out with friends of diverse backgrounds and participating in university events, I experienced Switzerland as an international student who benefited from the culture, which broadened my life perspective and widened my reach in terms of future career opportunities.

Professors and advisors alike strongly recommend that students participate in Yonsei University’s exchange programs. UIC students should especially take advantage of the UIC-exclusive exchange programs as such programs cater to them personally by offering them exclusive application opportunities to certain colleges and, therefore, a high chance of being selected to said colleges. Initially, the application process, requirements, and submission process might give the impression that exchange programs are convoluted and not worth it; however, I can personally attest that being an exchange student is a memorable experience that is worth all the potential complications that may arise during the application process.