The Opportunities and Challenges of Studying in Asia

Nowadays, an increasing number of students are interested in studying abroad at Asian universities. In addition to academics, Asia offers an interesting environment for experiencing different cultures and a possibility to get to know the structures and operations of one of the world’s fastest growing economic regions.

Despite the increasing demand for places of study, it may be challenging and expensive to find a suitable study program and place of study in Asia. This is the reason why many students choose more traditional exchange locations, or decide not to go on exchange at all. However, it’s in the best interest of everyone to make it possible for students to study in countries and cities, which will have an ever-increasing political and cultural role in the future.

The options for students wishing to study in Asia have mainly been bilateral agreements between universities (which answer to most of the need) or finding a study place independently as free movers. However, there are not enough available options to enable all students interested in Asia to study abroad and unless the student’s home university has a bilateral agreement with the host university, finding a study place on one’s own is very troublesome and the tuition fees are high.

Traditionally, it has been very difficult for a free mover student interested in Asia to find a suitable university and gather information about the available courses, the application procedure, the eligibility requirements, the semesters and their lengths, the costs etc. Students have also had to find information, for example, about traveling, vaccinations, scholarships and visas on their own, or ask their home institution's exchange coordinator to make enquiries on their behalf. Many students would like to go study abroad with a friend, but the strict student quotas have sometimes made it impossible to do so. AE rises to these challenges.

Asia Exchange's Concept

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Autumn semester started in Bali with an orientation event.

02.09.2010, AE

Autumn 2010 semester at Udayana University, Bali started today with the first part of the two-day orientation event.  For example Finnish, Swedish, German, Chinese and local students gathered together to the great hall to watch the ceremonial dance performance, and to hear academic information. 

Udayana University went through the history of the University and the current state of the Indonesian higher education.  In turn, Asia Exchange considered the importance of Asia to the Western nations and encouraged students to participate during their free time not only in surfing, but also to charity work. 

This year Asia Exchange has started to support the Balinese children´s home which provides for example education to indigent children. Exchange students have the opportunity to visit at children´s home. Asia Exchange will donate 3060 $ to support the children´s home activities.


The orientation event continues on Thursday, and the lectures are beginning on Monday 6.9. 
 

Students raise 1,2 million ruphias to an orphanage

12.04.2010, Olli

Asia Exchange and Seeds of Hope orphanage start their co-operation

Seeds of Hope orphanage, located in Dalung village in Bali, has now worked few decades for the benefit of children of Bali and was officially registered in 2002. The orphanage is runned by an elderly couple who concider the orphanage as their own big family, where everybody take care of each other. Orphanage offers the basic education for the children and has made even university studies later on possible. "We are extremely happy to team up with such a organisation as Seeds of Hope and we hope to have a long and fruitful relationship with our new partner. In addition to charity we would like students to open their eyes for another reality during their exchange in this paradise island. " AE's office comments.

Exchange student's visited  the orphanage first hand and got to know better the day-to-day life of the house. After the children's performances students donated total of 1,2 million ruphia. It might be a small sum for us, but it helps to maintain their current operations for some time.

The student's were engouraged to do their own part of helping the children by e.g. teaching them english. Asia Exchange donates $30 to the orphanage for every exchange student.

Learn more about Seeds of Hope from their blog and their parent organisation Children of Bali.

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