OUTGOING STUDENT

The most important aspect is to have a look at the course offer at the partner institution and to find information about the contents: you’re not going abroad as a tourist, you’re going to be a full-time student. Which are the courses that will complete best your personal portfolio of competences? Which country does intrigue you most about design? Do you have internship projects following your exchange semester? You’ll need to ask yourself the right questions, in order to establish this unique experience. At The SDS you’ll receive personalised coaching with the goal to meet your needs.

There is no extra cost of tuition fee for an exchange semester. Only travel expenses, housing and living costs will have to be beard by yourself.

You’ll study abroad just like any other local student, being amidst many other international students, who live the same experience.

Once you’re back from the partner school, the academic credits (ECTS) that you have achieved there, will be integrated into your transcript of records at The SDS. Which means that your study experience has a full academic value.

The agreements between partner schools and The SDS stipulate precisely a calendar and the necessary administrative steps to take.

In the beginning of each semester The SDS organises an information workshop about international mobility. This will allow you to make your choice and send a wish list with a list of partner schools in order of priority to inken.krevet@the-sds.com.

Once your choice has been accepted by the pedagogical responsible at The SDS, you’ll receive help in order to complete the administrative requirements of the chosen school.

From one institution to the other the check list may vary. But generally these are the documents needed for application:
– Copy of your valid passport (if the partner school is in Europe, ID card is sufficient)
– Portfolio
– CV
– Cover letter addressed to the partner school
– Application form with your signature
– Transcript of records of the last academic year
– Two photos (passport size)

When your application has been accepted by the partner institution, you’ll receive an official letter of acceptance. From this moment on you may start visa application if necessary and you may book your flight. The letter of acceptance does mention the exact dates when you have to be present at the partner school.

Some schools offer on-campus housing, some don’t. In any case you’ll receive sufficient help in order to find an appropriate place to stay. Housing has to be paid by your own means.

Academic officers from the host institution will give you guidance to make your choice of courses. You’ll have to complete an official document called “learning agreement” where you will note down every single course of your choice. The agreement will be signed by yourself, by the pedagogical head of The SDS and by the person in charge at the partner school. However, in the beginning of the semester you’ll have two weeks’ time to change your mind and to change your courses, in case the content or the level is not according to your needs. In this case the “learning agreement” has to be modified and re-signed by all three signatories.

The SDS supplies large help in order to guide you with all the different steps leading to your international mobility period. It is also very helpful and important that you do your own research about the country and the institution in order to get familiarised with the new environment. And it is of major importance to be reactive and to collect all the required documents way ahead of the announced deadlines, in order to enhance your chances to be accepted.

You’re going to be the ambassador of The SDS abroad. This is why you are requested to be sincere, serious and implicated during your stay.