Hey you all wonderful people!
I’m gladly to tell you that tomorrow is the day when my exchange year begins. But before I leave, I want to share my opinion of applying and getting ready- process that I have been through for these last six months. I decided that I wanted to apply to Northumbria University in Newcastle because I really wanted to learn to speak fluent English. Also England as a country and culture has always inspired me. Northumbria University gave me good first impression and I was thrilled when I got my unconditional offer letter in October 2018. Overall I felt applying to Northumbria University very easy and clear, and for that I want to give huge respect for the school.
APPLYING When applying to exchange in Metropolia, you need to apply twice- first in your own school’s inner applying process and after that directly to your partner institution (your exchange destination), to where you have been selected earlier in inner applying process. The second application that you send to your exchange destination is in most cases just formality, but it has happened when student haven’t been selected in destination school applying process. Make sure your both applications are really good to get in.
AFTER OFFER LETTER
After you get your offer letter from your exchange destination, you need to start doing all kind of paper work to study legally in other country. Metropolia was very helpful for this part, and my advice is that read and listen everything your teachers say that you have done everything correctly. You have to do Learning agreement to get your credits after the exchange, send papers and documents to your destination school, inform KELA that you’re leaving the country, find a way to fund your exchange year and decide what courses you want to study abroad.
ACCOMMODATION
Most stressful part for whole applying and preparing myself for leaving- process was finding a good accommodation. I chose to stay in destination school’s accommodation, where you live with other students. I thought is would be best way to get to know new people. You also need to figure out how much you’re ready to pay for your accommodation, United Kingdom is not very cheap country- the rents are somewhere round same as Finland in student accommodations, but it doesn’t include water or heating. In UK they also may charge you weekly, the rent is announced as for example £99 for a week as my accommodation costs. I pay about £2500 for six months.
DESTINATION SCHOOL
I think that Northumbria University was more than helpful for me when applying and when trying to send right papers and documents to them. They also helped me with stupid questions and small things which made me feel welcomed and supported. In matter of fact they helped me more than any other when preparing myself for exchange. I highly appreciate their customer service- thank you!
I’m honestly really confused right now. I have spent the past two weeks with my family and best friends in my old hometown, and trying to show my affection to people who I have been so distanced last year. I have spent many happy days and finally “getting my shit together” when at the same time trying to prepare myself for leaving. But I’m astonished how sad this leaving makes me, I don’t know if this is only because it’s that time of the month or am I truly sad for the fact that I won’t see these people for such a long time. Sure I will cry when saying my family goodbye, but at the same time I’m more excited than I have been in my entire life. I feel this is something that is going to grow me more than anything before.
So follow me and let’s go- I’m ready!
L xx
Comments