uq a broad next steps. t he uq a broad team jan mccreary - manager heidi benjaminson - team leader,...
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UQ ABROADNext Steps
THE UQ ABROAD TEAM
Jan McCreary - Manager
Heidi Benjaminson - Team leader, Asia, Scandinavia,
USA
Danni Patterson– - Europe, Latin America
Irene Hui - UK, Ireland, NZ, South Africa,
Canada
COMMUNICATION WITH UQ ABROAD
Write to relevant adviser through [email protected]
UQ email – check it frequently Subject line
Subject of inquiry / HOST UNI / Student # / LAST NAME First name
Leaving phone messages – be clear Please do not communicate directly with Host
University at this time Join UQ Abroad’s face book
DOCUMENTS RELATED TO EXCHANGE
• Get a document wallet
• Make a copy of everything you submit related to your exchange a keep a copy in your wallet or electronically
• UQ Abroad cannot provide copies of previously submitted documents (eg, study plans)
SOME STATS FOR SEMESTER 1, 2014
• Over 400 students have applied
• 36.5% applying for Europe & Scandinavia
• 22% applying for the US• 21% applying for the UK
& Ireland• 13% applying for Asia
NEXT STEP: UQ ABROAD APPLICATION ASSESSMENT
1. Applications assessed once grades have been released Eligibility criteria
2. Assign host university placements based on first preference
Cumulative GPA in current program Prior UQ Abroad experience
3. Students notified by mid/late July4. UQ Abroad to notify faculties and request
study plans
CAN I CHANGE MY FIRST PREFERENCE AT THIS TIME? NO, unless . . . . You want a guaranteed travel grant of $1000:
KAIST Chinese University of Hong Kong Nanyang Technological University National Taiwan University Chulalongkorn University Sun Yat-sen University
You have concerns about prior convictions (eg DUI) – make appointment to discuss with UQ Abroad
Change must be made in writing prior to June 28, 2013.
WHAT IF I DON’T GET MY 1ST PREFERENCE? You will be considered for your 2nd preference
and, if necessary your 3rd preference If all three preferences are full, you will be
contacted to discuss your options Once you have been told by UQ Abroad
which host university you will be nominated for, you will need to submit a new study plan to your faculty if not your first preference
NEXT STEP: APPLICATION TO HOST UNIVERSITY
Due dates varyEnd of July (UC) –
SeptemberAdviser will contact you
regarding the application processPlease do not start the
process until advisedMostly on line
STUDENTS APPLYING TO THE USA
Some applications due at end of July Stay for 15 minutes at end of session for
more information Check your UQ email for information
STUDENTS APPLYING TO JAPAN . . .
Cannot defer their studies the semester
prior to going on exchange
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Official UQ transcript (apply through My
Advisor: http://www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/academic-record-transcript
Proof of Finances US universities – at time of host application
Original documents only Others – usually at time of student visa
application Personal statement
Focus on academic reasons for studying at host university
Valid passport for US application
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Letters of reference Usually needs to be academic unless otherwise
stated Ask your tutors If you need further guidance, contact UQ Abroad
CV/Resume If you do not know how to write a CV/resume,
find out and write one over the break Medical check
Mainly Asia and US partners You will be advised as to the requirements
ACCOMMODATION
Host university required to provide information Part of host university application or the acceptance
packet Read testimonials from returned students for advice Write to students on facebook for advice
SELECTING COURSES AT THE HOST UNIVERSITY No guarantee that courses pre-approved by
your faculty will be available. May have to select new courses Flexibility is key! Must be enrolled in equivalent full time
load/semester UQ = 8 units (usually 4 courses) US/Canadian unis – 15 credits (usually 5 courses) UK – 60 credits (4-6 courses) Europe – 30 ECTS (2-8 courses) Japan – 8-14 credits (8-10 courses)
NEXT STEP: HOST UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCE
Response time from host university varies
UQ Abroad has no control over host university processes
Do not plan any travel prior to your exchange until you have received your acceptance
WHAT IF I DON’T GET ACCEPTED?
UQ Abroad tries to identify any issues prior to host university application
No guarantees UQ Abroad will try to get you a place, but
flexibility is essential.
NEXT STEP: FUNDING YOUR EXCHANGE
Scholarships – notification in late September Host university acceptance and completion of UQ
Travel Form required for payment Centrelink
Payments can continue while on exchange Centrelink requires written confirmation from UQ
that you are enrolled in a full time study load at the host institution.
We will provide you with this letter once you're accepted by your host university.
Sort it out BEFORE going on exchange
FUNDING YOUR EXCHANGE: OS-HELP
Students may receive up to $6,051 per six-month study period (in 2013) for one or two overseas study periods
A student must be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa;
Students cannot receive an OS-HELP loan for the first year (equivalent full-time) or last semester of their course of study.
The loan is subject to the same repayment arrangements as HECS.
If you are unsure whether you will need the loan, apply – you can always withdraw your application.
You can receive a scholarship and a loan.
Apply through UQ Abroad office. Deadline August 31
FUNDING YOUR EXCHANGE: OS-HELP
Students must have at least 8 units to complete on return to UQ
If you have only 22 units left in your degree Semester 2, 2013 – 6 units Semester 1, 2014 – 8 units (on exchange) Semester 2, 2014 – 8 units (on return from
exchange) OS-HELP and Diplomas
Cannot receive credit towards Diplomas while on exchange and receive an OS-HELP loan
For more information: http://www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/os-help-21170
NEXT STEP: GETTING READY TO GO
Meet and greets Held throughout the semester Get to know other students going to your region Meet returned students and international
exchange students Mandatory pre-departure session held in
November
NEXT STEP: GETTING READY TO GO
Student Visa requirements Your responsibility to investigate whether you require
a visa and the requirements for obtaining a visa. See links on UQ Abroad website.
Ask the relevant consulate or embassy, not UQ Abroad. Travel agents may be provide assistance for a small fee.
Convictions – eg, DUI – may affect USA and Canadian visas
Getting a visa takes time. Do not leave it until the last minute!
NEXT STEP: GETTING READY TO GOPassport Must have at least 6 month
validity after your return to Australia
If not, apply for a new passport
Travel insurance Covered by UQ’s corporate
insurance - limitations Some host universities have
mandatory policies
TRAVELLING BEFORE YOUR EXCHANGE
Primary purpose of UQ Abroad is STUDY! UQ Abroad does not recommend that you
travel prior to receiving your acceptance documents and visa.
UQ Abroad has no control over the response time of the host university or the time it will take to process your student visa.
Do not plan to travel before going on exchange unless you have received your university acceptance and student visa.
Do not purchase air tickets unless deposit is refundable
GOING ON EXCHANGE IN YOUR LAST SEMESTER
Will probably delay your graduation by one semester
Host university must send transcript Faculty has to transfer credit Official confirmation of your degree Graduation takes place only twice a year
WITHDRAWING FROM EXCHANGE
If you decide to withdraw, please do so early so that your place can be allocated to another student.
Can withdraw at any stage No penalty (UQ Abroad); BUT host
university may require payment Let us know in writing We are here to help – contact us if you
have any concerns Do not leave your withdrawal to the last
minute!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GOING ON EXCHANGE!
Read student testimonials
Contact returned students
Become a UQ Abroad friend on Facebook
Join QUEST [email protected]
Research the place you are going to on exchange
ATTEND THE WELCOME BBQ FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Tuesday16 July, 2013 An opportunity to meet students from the
university you may be going to on exchange Watch your UQ email for more information
FINAL WORDS OF ADVICE
Print out check list from UQ Abroad home page
Take responsibility Be patient Ask for help
USA SPECIFIC: DEADLINES
Late July deadline Cal State University of California University of Washington University of Wisconsin-Madison Kansas State – post-graduate
If you plan to travel over the break, it is strongly recommended that you organise a Power of Attorney to act on your behalf
USA SPECIFIC: APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Proof of finances (liquid funds) US university indicates how much you will need
for the semester Verification of funds as a self-supported student
Official bank statement- signed and dated by bank Sponsored or supported by your family
Certificate of financial support Recent bank statement shoring sponsor’s name
STUDENT VISA
Host university provides the DS-2019 form Must make an appointment with the
consulate in Sydney for a face-to-face interview AFTER you have received the form and acceptance letter
Convictions/ arrests:http://canberra.usembassy.gov/arrests_convictions.html
USA SPECIFIC: PRE-REQUISITES
Higher level UG courses require pre-requisites and the student must show proof of completion
Especially stringent for UC students http://
www.eap.ucop.edu/Documents/ReciprocalExchanges/Prerequisites.pdf
STUDENT VISA Canada/US – arrest/conviction of DUI Thank you for your email. Information about arrests and convictions is available at our website. The website will not tell
applicants whether or not their specific circumstances make them ineligible for visas. That would occur at the interview. Unfortunately, should they be found ineligible, it is unlikely they would have five spare months to wait for a determination on a waiver.
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/arrests_convictions.html Regarding your question about visa interviews, applicants’ fingerprints are registered at the Consulate before their interview.
As this fingerprinting technology is not mobile, visa interviews are only performed at Consulates. As to which consulate an applicant should choose for their interview, they should use the one responsible for their place of residence. For most of your students, that would be Sydney, which is responsible for Queensland. However, if they have a residence in Victoria, NT, or SA, they should apply in Melbourne.
That being said, if the applicant is Australian, we have not turned away someone who lives in Darwin and chooses to apply
in Sydney. We understand a flight is involved, and the applicant has to fly somewhere. They’d likely choose the most cost-effective choice in their circumstances.
International students studying at UQ or QUT can consider themselves as residents of Queensland for visa application
purposes. They are not required to return home to interview. That being said, one of the things an officer must determine is whether we believe an applicant will leave the U.S. at the end of their program. An international student has a higher threshold to prove they have somewhere to go after the exchange program, be it Australia or their country of citizenship.
Hope that helps guide you. Best, Ryan Ryan Ingrassia - Consular Officer - US Consulate General Sydney Office: +61 (0)2 9373 9173 Mobile: +61 (0)402 956 075