Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Welcome, this is your opportunity to apply for and go abroad on exchange studies! You are about to do something that you won't regret, and experience things that will give you memories for life. Please begin to plan your exchange studies by reading the information under Study Abroad. To the left you will find more information on how to apply, when to apply etc.

If you have questions you can contact the International Programme Coordinator at the Centre for Research and International Affairs. You can also visit the Coordinator during office hours.

Office hours in Helsinki:
Monday 13-15
Wednesday 10-12
Thursday 13-15
Friday 10-12

Office hours in Vaasa:
A few times per semester. Exact dates are posted on the information board.

More information on office hours is found under Contact information .
The International Programme Co-ordinator is best reached by e-mail or by phone 040-3521 391.

Good luck with your application! Don't let this great opportunity pass you by. We look forward to receiving your application.

Best regards,

The Centre for Research and International Affairs

What are Exchange Studies All About?

The duration of exchange studies vary from a minimum of three months to a maximum of four to six months depending on the length of the semester at the partner university. The possibility to go on an exchange and the scholarships offered are primarily intended for students who can include them in their degree at Hanken. The exchange program at Hanken requires that your studies abroad correspond to a full course load and full-time studies at the receiving university. Approximately 30 credits (ECTS) out of the 120 credits (ECTS) in your Master's degree can be completed abroad. If you fail to meet what can be considered to be a full course load for a semester or if you do not complete your stay, you may be obliged to partly or completely reimburse Hanken for the scholarships you've received. You can check the required course load (credits) for each partner university in the Mobility Online portal under Partner Universities.

Learning goals of the exchange programme

Course description for the exchange programme:

Learning goal: Graduates can act in an international context and have an understanding of social responsibility

Learning objective: Students can draw on their international experiences and new perspectives as analytical tools in their studies at Hanken and further on their working lives

Where measured: Semester abroad at Hanken partner university

When measured: 3rd year of studies

Examiner: International Co-ordinator for outgoing students

All student admitted to the Bachelor's degree programme are required to conduct studies or an internship abroad. However, all students within the Master's degree programmes are encouraged to spend a semester abroad. Within the Hanken exchange programme the students study during one semester at one of Hanken's partner universities. The duration of exchange studies vary from 3-6 months depending on the length of the semester at the partner university. Hanken requires that the studies abroad correspond to a full course load: 30 ECTS out of the 180 ECTS in the Bachelor's degree can be completed abroad.

Through the exchange experience students should develop intercultural awareness and respect for difference that goes beyond simplistic comparisons, evaluations and stereotypes. By participating in courses in an international environment and, through a different course offer that introduces different perspectives to them, students should also develop broader and more nuanced knowledge of business-related disciplines and how they relate to society.

The exchange includes a pre-exchange workshop and post-exchange report. The three first questions in the report are used for the AoL assessments:

1.Reflect upon how the intercultural experiences (postitive and/or negative) during your exchange semester have helped you develop your self-understanding, ability to relate to others, and respect for difference.

2. How has your knowledge of business-related disciplines and how they relate to society developed during the exchange?· E.g. have you gained new insights or perspectives?·How has the international environment contributed to the insights?

3. Reflect upon how you could make use of your intercultural experiences in your studies at Hanken and at future workplaces.

When the report has been handed in, the credits gained during your exchange will be transferred. More specifically, the post-exchange report is a mandatory part of the exchange programme but students do not receive a separate grade or credits for the report.

Assessment criteria

Please reply carefully to the questions. The answers to the three questions above will not be made public, but they will be used for Hanken's Assurance of Learning process. The process is based on Hanken's mission and the learning goals of the exchange programme. To see how you have achieved the learning goals your report will be analysed according to the assessment criteria. The analysis of the reports will be used as support in developing the student's learning outcome.

How to Choose which Partner University to Attend

Take time to acquaint yourself with the available alternatives well in advance before you apply. You can choose among 100 partner universities. In your application you have to select 15 alternatives.

To get an overview of Hanken's partner universities:

1. Contact students who have already spent one semester abroad (contact details are provided by the the International Programme Co-ordinator).

2. Discuss with our incoming exchange students about their home universities (contact details are provided by the the International Programme Co-ordinator).

3. Read the reports written by former exchange students from Hanken (to date these are, however, only to a limited extent available in English). These are found in blue folders next to the partner university brochures in the learning lab in Helsinki and in red folders in the reading hall in Vaasa. In addition, from Spring 2012 they will also be published online. It will, however, take some time before there are reports in English for every destination.

4. Become thoroughly acquainted with the information found on the partner universities' websites. Links to their web sites are found under the heading Partner universities.
Please note that the course choice in English can be limited.

5. Check the universities fact sheets which are often published on their websites under the information for the incoming exchange students.

6. Study the brochures and leaflets with information on the partner universities available in the learning lab in Helsinki and in the reading hall in Vaasa.

Most universities have direct links on their web sites to the courses open to exchange students. Unfortunately it is not always easy to find more detailed information on courses and actual course descriptions. In most cases you can get a better idea of what is on offer by going through courses given the current year. Since there rarely are any course descriptions as such available on the web, exchange students are in general faced with making their preliminary choice of courses based solely on course titles.

The final choice of courses is made once you have been granted an exchange student position and the receiving university asks you to choose your courses (during spring/summer/autumn). Sometimes the actual final choice of courses isn't made until you have arrived at your destination. Some universities require that you choose and follow a set track/programme of courses. Hence, you may not be allowed to choose your courses freely. It is highly recommended that you study closely the different courses and tracks offered by the partner universities before deciding where to go.

Check the following information in the Mobility Online Portal:

• Language of instruction
  
• Level of studies. Please note that some universities are open only for bachelor students
  
• Is an English language proficiency test required?
  
• Semester dates. It is very important that you check the exact semester dates at the respective universities websites. This is often found under Academic Calendar. The beginning and duration of semesters at the partner universities are not always the same as at Hanken. At some of Hanken's partner universities the autumn semester starts in October and ends in January/February/March. This means that students need to go back in January-February to take their exams. The spring semester may start in February to April and ends in June-July. Please take this into account when planning your exchange studies.

More information on different educational systems and structures of university studies in different countries is found in CIMO's country guides (only in Finnish) available on http://maailmalle.net/ (please choose maatieto.net).

Be open to any possibility. Every student cannot unfortunately get his/her first choise of partner university. Luckily there are many universities to choose among.

Requirements for Exchange Studies

In order to be able to apply for exchange you have to fullfill certain requirements. The requirements can be found to the left under Requirements In addition the partner universities may have their own requirements. Information regarding potential requirements can be found under the respective university in the Mobility Online Portal.

The selection process is administered by the Centre for research and international affairs. The international programme coordinator for international affairs presents the applications to the Student Mobility Group. The Committee consists of one representative from each department, the international programme coordinator and the exchange programme and partnerships manager and two student representatives (one from Helsinki and the other from Vaasa). The Committee's recommendations are presented before the Rector who makes the final decision. The Rector makes her decision based on the selection criteria. The Rector's decision is final and no complaints can be made. The justification for the decision is not made public.

How are the students selected?

The selection process is administered by the Centre for research and international affairs. The international programme coordinator for international affairs presents the applications to the Student Mobility Group. The Committee consists of one representative from each department, the international programme coordinator and the exchange programme and partnerships manager and two student representatives (one from Helsinki and the other from Vaasa). The Committee's recommendations are presented before the Rector who makes the final decision. The Rector makes her decision based on the selection criteria. The Rector's decision is final and no complaints can be made. The justification for the decision is not made public.

Language Tests

English
There are two main English language tests; TOEFL and IELTS.

TOEFL-test:

More information on the TOEFL-test: www.premeria.fi, www.toefl.org.

Premeria's office is located at
Meritullinkatu 1 C (4th floor).
00170 Helsinki
e-mail: info|at|premeria.fi
tel: +358 50 551 9644

IELTS-test:

More information on the IELTS-test: www.finnbrit.fi, www.ielts.org

Finnish British Society, FINNBRIT Language Centre
tel: +358 (0)9 687 70230, Fax: +358 (0)9 687 70 210
e-mail: ielts(at)finnbrit.fi

NB! Take the test well in advance of the application deadline.

French
The required French language test is called DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française). The test can be taken at Centre Culturel Francais:

Kaapelitehdas
Tallbergin katu 1 C 135
00180 Helsinki

More information: www.edufrance.fr, tel: +358 9 2510210

NB! Take the test well in advance of the application dead line.

German
The German language test is called TestDaf. The test can be taken at Hanken. Price: 120 euros

More information here.

NB! Take the test well in advance of the application deadline.

Spanish
The Spanish language test is called DELE (Diploma de Español como lengua Extranjera) The test can be taken at University of Helsinki, Kielikeskus and University of Tampere, Kielikeskus. Price: 95 euros

More information visit www.cervantes.es/portada_b.htm and www.helsinki.fi/kksc/language.services/kielikoulutus

NB! Take the test well in advance of the application deadline.

Language requirements

Studies abroad are usually carried out in the native language of the host university. Hence, excellent language skills are necessary. An exchange student should be able to follow lectures and complete both written and oral tasks in the receiving country's native language. Moreover, the student has to be able to take exams in the language in question.

Please note that many universities offer courses also in English. For more information, please consult the Mobility Online Portal. In this table you can also check if the host university requires a language test.

Previous language courses completed at Hanken are not a prerequisite for exchange studies. The necessary language proficiency can also be demonstrated through taking official language tests (such as TOEFL, DALF, TestDaf). Please note that some partner universities require a language test. If you have to take a lanugage test, please take it in good advance before the application deadline. If you have not been required to submit a language test result when applying to Hanken, please note that if a partner university requires a test score result you shall take the langauge test.

If you complete language courses at Hanken, the language requirements are:

Nordic countries: The courses are offered in English.

Studies in French
Good knowledge of French or English
Requirements: DALF-test or French V at Hanken or equivalent level

NB! When applying you should either have completed or currently be enrolled in the course French V. You need to have passed the course before leaving.

NB! Most partner universities in France offer programmes in English.
Requirements: Good knowledge of English, TOEFL or IELTS or CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English) or equivalent level i.e. If you have not been required to submit a language test result when applying to Hanken, please note that if a partner university requires a test score result you shall take the langauge test. Please take the test well in advance before the application deadline.
For informaton on in what language you can study at different universities, please check the Mobility Online Portal .

Studies in German
Good knowledge of German
Requirements: TestDaf , German V at Hanken or equivalent level NB! When applying you should either have completed or currently be enrolled in the course German V. You need to have passed the course before leaving. NB! Many German universities offer programmes in English.
Requirements: Good knowledge of English, TOEFL or IELTS or CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English) or equivalent level i.e. If you have not been required to submit a language test result when applying to Hanken, please note that if a partner university requires a test score result you shall take the langauge test.
For informaton on in what language you can study at different universities, please check the Mobility Online Portal .

Studies in Spanish
Good knowledge of Spanish
Requirements: DELE-test or Spanish I (A and B), Spanish II (A and B) and one optional course at Hanken. NB! When applying you may be enrolled in the optional course and then pass the course before leaving. NB! Tec de Monterrey, campus Monterrey, also offers courses in English. A TOEFL or IELTS test is required. Basic knowledge in Spanish is recommended.Please check the Mobility Online Portal .

Studies in English
Good knowledge of English
Requirements: Good knowledge of English, TOEFL or IELTS or CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English) or equivalent level i.e. Please take the test well in advance before the application deadline.

If you have not been required to submit a language test result when applying to Hanken, please note that if a partner university requires a test score result you shall take the langauge test.
Please check the Mobility Online Portal .

Studies in Italy; All exchange students should be able to complete courses in Italian. (Requirement: A language certificate from your language teacher)

Hanken´s code for completing a TOEFL test

When completing a TOEFL test you can have the test results sent directly to Hanken by filling in the code 8433 (institution code). At this stage it is not needed to send the test score to your potential host university.

When can I go on exchange?

You need to apply for exchange the semester before your planned exchange semester. Plan your exchange well in advance and discuss with the professor responsible for your programme at Hanken when to go. It is very important that you also discuss your choise of courses.

Hanken has application rounds for exchange studies at the partner universities twice a year (in January and June). Please see When can I apply? for information on application deadlines.

Funding of Exchange Studies

The expenses for going abroad on an exchange vary from country to country. Some expenses that everyone has to cover include: the trip to and from the partner university, accommodation and food, public transport, insurance and possible fees to be paid to the university. Tuition fees are not required of students going abroad on an exchange within Hanken's exchange programme.

All students going on an exchange within the framework of Hanken's exchange programme are entitled to a scholarship. Scholarships are not automatically given to students who have already been abroad once within the Hanken exchange program. The scholarships are intended to function as partial financing of the exchange. The amount of the scholarship can be found in the Mobility Online Portal.

Finnish citizens can apply for financial aid for students for the exchange semester. All students who aren't Finnish citizens should read more on www.kela.fi→english or contact the Secretary of Student Financial Aid at the Office for Study Affairs at Hanken.

It may be worthwhile checking daily newspapers and other possible sources for other funding opportunities.
You can also visit the following websites: http://fyrk.luckan.fi (only in Swedish) to find information about available scholarships.

Remember that you have nothing to lose by applying for additional scholarships for your exchange studies, but you have everything to gain! You can apply well in advance, even before you know whether you have been accepted or not.

If you choose to study abroad as a freemover (at a university that is not a partner university of Hanken) you will not be entitled to a scholarship from Hanken.

Exchange place only for one semester

The duration of your exchange is one term only. The exchange term cannot be extended. Hanken has agreed with the host university regarding the number of exchange students per term. Students are selected through the application round for either fall or spring term. Even if the host university would agree to prolonging your stay this is unfortunately not possible. Hanken makes the exchange agreements and allocates the available positions, not the student.

Erasmus exchange only once

According to regualtions of the European Commission a student can go on Erasmus exchange only once.. This means that students who have already been on Erasmus exchange through Hanken or through another university cannot not get an exchange place at an Erasmus university or an Erasmus scholarship.

How are Credits Transferred at Hanken Upon Return?

Courses completed during exchange studies should be transferred towards your degree at Hanken. Please find more information on the pages on credit transfer.

You can also read more about how to proceed regarding the credit transfer under How do I report?

Accommodation

All Hanken's partner universities have agreed to help incoming exchange students to find accommodation for their exchange period. This agreement is, however, interpreted in many ways. At best you are handed a key upon arrival. It may, however, also mean that you are simply handed a list of contacts. Usually exchange students stay in the campus dorms, but in some cases you may have to rent an apartment/room on the open market. In these cases you may be handed a list of organizations or people whom you are to contact yourself. You are always responsible for your own accommodation expenses regardless of where you stay. Be prepared to pay a deposit for your accommodation. Please inform the International Programme Co-ordinator at Hanken and the receiving university if you intend to make accommodation arrangements independently. The receiving university must be informed about this before the deadline they have set for the need for accommodation.

What Information Should the Application Contain?

The application is made online and you have to upload certain documents. Take your time to acquaint yourself with the application under How do I apply?