Service and support for outbound students

1. The role of the officer vs that of the nominated student
2. Before departure
3. Scholarships for international student mobility 
4. Student ambassador abroad
5. On return 
6. The work of exchange ambassadors
7. Crisis management 
8. Insurance for students

The role of the officer vs that of the nominated student

The role of the officer

• Provide the student with correct information so that the student submits a correct application to the host university 
• Be available to the student for questions and support 
• Function as a link between the student and the host university 
• Manage issues concerning study support for students with disabilities
• If necessary, guide students in choosing an exchange destination. For example, inform about useful information on sexual orientation laws in all parts of the world. 
  Read more at ILGA World – International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association

The responsibilities of the nominated student

• Find suitable courses at the appropriate level on the host university’s website 
• Ensure that there is a dialogue about the transfer of credits from the courses (before the exchange, in case of any changes and on return)
• Stay informed via SoleMove about e.g. course restrictions, additional costs and language tests.
• Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA) if required by the host university.
• Book and undergo the language test in cases where it is required 
• Search for information and apply for a visa
• Read information before departure about e.g. vaccination requirements, insurance conditions (see ”Before departure” below)
• Be reachable via email (also monitor the spam section of your email inbox)
• Be a good ambassador for Lund University during your exchange studies
• Write a travel report on your return (according to the faculty’s instructions)

Before departure 

Information about preparations for departure for outgoing exchange students can be found on the website "Before your departure" on lunduniversity.lu.se. The web information replaces the previous Time to Go event. The information is updated twice a year (April and November). Here the student gets information about:

• The Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency’s insurance Student OUT
• Erasmus scholarships
• The Student Health Centre 
• Ambassadors for Lund University abroad 

See web information "Practical information for students going abroad" on lunduniversity.lu.se

Time to Go – Students currently on exchange tell their stories 

Twice a year (May/December), outbound exchange students are invited to a webinar where four to six panelists, students who are currently on an exchange, tell about their experiences and share tips and advice. Participants are given the opportunity to ask questions via Q&A. The questions are answered by the panelists and staff from External Relations. The event is called Time to Go. Invitations via email are sent to outbound students from External Relations.

Scholarships for international student mobility 

University-wide scholarships managed by External Relations:  

• Erasmus+ for mobility within Europe
• Nordplus for mobility within the Nordic Area
• The Crafoord Foundation travel scholarship for exchange studies, internships outside the EU and data collection
• Erasmus+ traineeship grant within Europe
• Additional international opportunities through networks

Other scholarships 

Read more about the Scholarships for current students on lunduniversity.lu.se

Student ambassador abroad 

During their exchange studies, students have an important role as representatives of Lund University. The student’s marketing initiatives at e.g. Study Abroad Fairs contribute to increasing knowledge about Lund University and increasing interest in exchange studies at Lund University. Read more and find material that can be used by the students:

Information for students about being a Student Ambassador abroad on lunduniversity.lu.se

On return 

Returning to Sweden after exchange studies entails an adjustment that can sometimes feel painful. Here is a list of events that can be carried through:

• Pick up on students who want to talk about their exchange experience – invite them to informal workshops where they get an opportunity to swap experiences with others. The workshop needs supervision and a clear purpose. Can the students’ experiences be used to improve the service to exchange students? Examples of discussion topics: ”Why should you go on exchange studies?”, ”Challenges of being an exchange student?”, ”How do you grow as a person?”, ”What support/information do returning students need?”. The workshop can be run as a Zoom meeting with the possibility of using break-out-rooms. 
• Students who want to talk about their exchange studies can usefully also be engaged for marketing, for example through online profiles, short videos that the students can produce themselves.
• Encourage the students to continue to build on their international involvement as international mentors.
• If the student needs support and someone to talk to about readjusting and adapting after returning from abroad, encourage them to contact the Student Health Centre.

The work of exchange ambassadors

External Relations has 2 employed exchange ambassadors. The exchange ambassadors are students at Lund University with personal experience of international mobility. Their main task is to increase students’ interest in and awareness of the international opportunities offered at Lund University and to contribute to inspiring them. The project was launched in spring 2019.

Instagram

The exchange ambassadors’ main channel is @lund_university_abroad. The Instagram account aims to be inspiring, to arouse interest and contribute increasing the number of students who gain international experience during their studies at Lund University. The target group is all students at Lund University.

The aim of the Instagram account:

• To be a platform to disseminate information about international opportunities.
• To highlight various types of international opportunities and inspire people to make the most of them.
• To enable students to inspire other students.
• To be a channel for outbound students before, during and after their mobility.
• To contribute to increasing the number of outbound students from Lund University.

Examples of content:

• Guest hosts – students on exchange studies take over the account for a week with images, videos and "stories" from their everyday life abroad.
• Marketing of application deadlines for e.g. exchange studies and scholarships. 
• Creating engagement and interactivity through e.g. competitions, stories with Q&A.
• Target group-adapted videos e.g. for students about to apply, before they leave, on their return.

Supervisor of the exchange ambassadors: Ida Thelander ida [dot] thelander [at] er [dot] lu [dot] se

Draw your students’ attention to @lund_university_abroad

Help to disseminate information on @lund_university_abroad through your faculty channels with the following suggested text and image:

Download image for infobox on the web

If you need images in different formats, please contact ida [dot] thelander [at] er [dot] lu [dot] se