International Student Exchange Policy
I. Introduction
KIMEP’s exchange programs offer students the opportunity to spend a semester at one of the partner universities abroad. The programs enable students to gain valuable international experience, make new friends all over the world, improve English skills and study other languages. Current program is administered by the International Relations Office with the limited involvement of colleges and academic departments. The choice of the partner university and the courses is often left at the discretion of the student.
College of Social Sciences in collaboration with International Relations office initiates the college/programs international student exchange program. The program will provide students with distinctive experience of spending a full-time semester studying, doing research, or internship abroad. A key component of internationalization is student mobility and students will be encouraged to participate in an international study experience as part of their academic program.
The college exchange program is aiming to
- increase attractiveness of academic degrees among the potential candidates,
- stimulate students’ personal and academic growth,
- make CSS students more attractive to employers,
- achieve a solid internationalization of the college and programs and
- enable students to gain an appreciation of cultures others than their own.
II. International Partners
The college is currently working on establishing links and partnerships with seven recognized European universities. International student exchange agreement will be at the CSS-to university level. College of Social Science will
- establish and maintain student exchange relationships with high quality institutional partners where active exchange is readily achievable.
- ensure that agreement will be sustainable over long period of time.
- ensure healthy number of outgoing and incoming students
III. Eligibility Criteria
All full time CSS undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they have:
- Completed at least 2-3 college/program required
- Achieved cumulative GPA of 3.5 and above
- Overseas study plan approved by the dean or his/her delegate
- A financial plan and evidence of their ability to support an overseas study.
- The capacity to serve as a ‘good ambassador’ for the KIMEP.
IV. Selection Criteria and Conditions
Students applying for an international exchange are required to submit:
- A Statement of purpose
- A CV
- The most recent official transcript
- Two reference letters (one letter must be from faculty adviser, another from the College instructor)
- Study, research, or internship plan approved by the CSS Study Abroad committee, CSS dean or his delegate, and exchange coordinator.
Students will be selected based on their academic achievements, motivation, and seriousness of purpose, social maturity, and ability to adapt to changing environment.
Students must be enrolled as full time students at the time of application and remain enrolled at KIMEP as a full time student for the duration of the exchange.
International students must meet visa requirements of the country of the exchange institution.
Semester fees and any other associated costs must be paid to KIMEP prior to enrolment at the host institution.
Students participating in the international student exchange program are required to pay for their own:
- Accommodation and daily living expenses including books
- Travel Expenses
- Passport and visa costs
- Any additional insurance cover
- Any other incidental costs
VI. Application Procedure
Students wishing to seek approval for an exchange should to
- Make an appointment to see a Student Exchange Coordinator, who will guide then through the approval of the student’s proposed study, research, or internship program.
- Complete and submit to the Student Exchange Coordinator exchange application form including supporting documentation for approval.
Applications will be assessed by the Chair of Department, Exchange Coordinator, and College Dean. Successful applicants ill be notified by the Exchange Coordinator and will be asked to complete the overseas university’s application form and submit it with other relevant documentation as required by that university.
VI. Credits and Grades transfer
On return from exchange, students in order to ensure that their exchange study can be credited to their college/program requirements must provide
- their academic transcript from the host institution,
- a completed application form for credit and grade transfer with the relevant course information including the course syllabus, total number of learning hours, coursework requirements, credit weighting at the host university, and any other information that may be requested by the department.
Credits and grades transferred will be shown on the transcript. The grades of courses for which student has transferred credits will be counted in the GPA.
Grades of courses approved for credit transfer will be included in the calculation of honors.
