When somebody says that he will be an exchange student, most people will envy him.  Exchange students programs are not just going abroad as a tourist. The University supports many things druing the expirience and the tuition fee is cheaper than going to an abroad school individually. Soon, the 2006 2nd semester Chung Ang University exchange student will depart to their chosen universities.


First, CAU has exchange agreements with 145 universities in the world(America-42, Canada-3, Asia-61, Europe-30, Pacific Rim-7, and South America). Among these universities, San Diego State University, California State University, East Bay, San Francisco State Unversity,  and UC Davis are the most popular among CAU students. Those are all US Universities. The requirements to become an exchange student in any of these schools are:aTOEFL test score, level of credit and interview score conduted by  the International center. In order to  become an exchange student, they  must have three things, First, if you want to go to an American college, a TOFEL score is needed, It is different for each university, but basically, it must be over 197~213 by CBT. From May 2006, CBT had change the old IBT test so student must prepare for it. To  go to another country, such as Japan, student must get JTP scores or the resective language test. The second requiered is language study skill. To study abroad, you must understand the language. Therefore, you must study steadily.  Third is, “will of study”. It is very important thing. Student must search the information and you should decide why do you want to go that university. Scores are no use, if you have no reason to go there. The  International center have a prearrangement notice in July, December, And decision notice in March and September.

Second, CAH met with student Jeong Ri-na, (English Language & Literature, 04) who will go to UC Davis to know how prepare become a exchange student. 

CAH: How long did you prepare to become an exchange students.
Jeong: I thought of it during my junior summer vacation.

CAH: To become an exchange student, at least how much sould you  score  in the TOFEL.  
Jeong: I do not know exactly. However, my senior said thatt just last semester, it was 220~230 point and the highest score was 270. this It is just for UC Davis. This University has higher standars than other university. Therefore, other universities are not as high as this.

CAH: Is there a something you prepare except TOFEL?
Jeong: To become an exchange student, I go  to an interview and write study plan. to check if I am ready for the life in the other country. Therefore, I plan my life in UC Davis to pass it.

CAH: What were the question in your interview?            
Jeong: In my case, there were two professors. They asked me about five questions. They asked, “If your roommate ignore you because your Asian, how do you deal with it?” So I said, “It is my pleasure. Because, I study Advertising & Public Relation, I learned communication. Everyday I think how to use it in common life. It is very good chance to use it. In that case, I will analyze why he or she ignore me and solve it” I said it by English. In addition, the others questions were about my major.

CAH: Where did you get information about the exchange student program?
Jeong: I check brochures which got from the International Center and I read “Exchange Students: Story of Their Experiences”, to find the university most suitable to me. I also asked many students who were exchange students before. 

CAH: what will you study in UC Davis?
Jeong: My major is English Language & Literature and education. Many English Language & Literature students apply for exchange student however. In UC Davis, it is very hard thing to study syntax and phonology, so I will learn not only subjets of my major but also other special cultural studies.

CAH: Do you have anything to say to the students who are preparing to become an exchange student?
Jeong: To become an exchange student, you should get a lot of information and choose the appropiate university for you. I recommend “Cyworld club”. There are many clubs, which operate by the people who are preparing to become a exchange student. The clubs are form with students from each university. An example, ”The students who prepare to become an exchange student in UC Davis”, many people in that club, came back from that university. So you can get information from that club. Of course, you must find more information by yourself from other people and sites. It is your work so it must be choosen by yourself. After you choose the university, prepare for it using that information.

Third, CAH met a student who was exchange student and ask about the host university. Especially, from non-American countries.

College of Business Administration 01 Lee Min-ji
<Finland> Thrku School of Economics and Business Administration.
-Last year TOFEL cut line: About 220~240points Tuition fee charge in CAU fee. In addition, dormitory fee is about three hundred thousand won. If you go trip while you study in this university, train fare is half of normal. This university treat exchange student like their own university students. Also  numerous other university students in Thrku city live in the same dormitory. So you can met many other university students. In Finland, all lectures are given in English and all the people can speak English. So you do not have to worry about the language. If you want experience various Europe culture, I recommend this university.       
 
Russian 03 Park Chan-mi
<Russia> Pushkin university.
-The dormitory and university building are connected so it is very convenience. Also the transportation is very convenience. In this university, there is no race problem. Tuition fee is free and the life expanse is about three hundred thousand won. In Russia, their food fair very cheap. Cause of dormitory and university building connected, people can become lazy. So, be aware of.

College of Business Administration 99 Choi Min-hyeok.
<Indonesia> Duta Wacana Christian University
-This university’s tuition fee is cheap. It is about 40% of common tuition fee. There are many popular sites. Therefore, you can see many cultural properties. In this university, also the lectures are in English. In addition, you can learn Indonesian language. Indonesian has good feeling about the Korea, so you will think Korean culture again in that country.

English Language & Literature 02 Kim Ga-ram
<China> Yanbian-university
- Many Korean tribes in China students are in this university so Club activity is free. Also life fare is for the first month 7 hundred thousand won and from next month on  the university, give monthly one hundred thousand won to the students. with this money, student can get their food and snack. The strange thing is if you apply for a lecture, you must go to professor one by one, And you must talk with him whether you can join his lecture. Dormitory is clean but hot water can use regular time.   

These days, the International center is trying to expand the exchange student programs. When students go to an American university, they must pay a foreign university tuition fee, which is more expensive than CAUs. So the International center is trying to make a contracts, so students can enter American universities with the same tuition amount as CAU. In addition, the International center is trying to expend “Double degree program”.  By this program, junior student can study in a foreign university during the next two years, and the student can get two university degrees. right now only Illinois institute of technology university has a contract like this.

Some people are afraid to apply as an exchange student, because they are not good at foreign language. However, a Coordinator for International Exchanges Mok Ki-hyun said “Actually, most students can go to their applied university. China is hard, because there is a limit of students we can have exchange with. However, in that case we support them to go to other universities in China. The important thing is the will of study  abroad and the reason for it” With strong will, language problem can be solved. Many students try to go America, because it is popular. However, look around at other countries, as the students who were non-American university exchange students, other country’s universities have many merits- so think wisely and find your exchangeuniversity.  

By Lee Jeong-hoon
News Reporter

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