Exotic countries are most preferred by exchange students
A fifth more undergraduate students of the ISM University of Management and Economics wish to study abroad in the spring semester under exchange programmes than last year.
A fifth more undergraduate students of the ISM University of Management and Economics wish to study abroad in the spring semester under exchange programmes than last year. This higher interest is associated with the growing number of partner universities on offer and the possibility to visit exotic countries, such as Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Peru, and Argentina. These are the most preferred host countries among Lithuanian exchange students.
“Students want to get the maximum benefit from exchange programmes, seeking not only to deepen their knowledge at a foreign university but also to taste cultural life of a foreign country, learn new foreign languages, meet new people, travel and have fun. The most faraway countries are most intriguing for them. Both our home students who have left to study abroad and our visiting foreign students share their experiences and impressions of other countries and studies there, thus inspiring their fellow students. The number of those who want to participate in exchange programmes is growing year after year,” Dr. Rūta Kazlauskaitė, ISM International Development and Exchange Programme Manager, says.
According to Rūta, students may spend up to 2 years abroad, if they make use of student exchange, double diploma and internship programmes. “Many young people look for studies abroad ignoring the fact that they have perfect opportunities to try them out as students of Lithuanian universities. Our position is that those who want the most efficient studies should spend at least one semester at another university. This expands their horizon, fosters ability to think and judge from a wider perspective, develops social and linguistic skills, improves adaptability to changes, and builds new contacts,” Dr. R. Kazlauskaitė says.
ISM student Algirdas Zabarauskas, fresh back from studies in Japan, says he has experienced an absolutely different culture there. “In Japan, a university is an institution helping young people to become full-fledged members of the society and teaching them to integrate smoothly into it. Provision of professional knowledge is not a priority in universities; this is taken care of during employment. Participation in exchange programmes is undoubtedly an investment in oneself. Knowledge and understanding of other cultures enrich our outlook and make us more open and perceptive,” the student says.
Under Erasmus and cooperation programmes ISM students go to almost 80 universities in 40 countries of the world. The hosting university does not charge visiting students the tuition fee. The period spent for such studies abroad is fully recognised back at the ISM.
Currently, 26 ISM students seeking to earn a double diploma study at the Norwegian School of Management BI and at the Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Abertay Dundee, UK. 5 students do internships under the Erasmus Programme in Germany, Scotland, France, and Malta.
