Instructions
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a ”free mover”?

If you’re not able to find a suitable study abroad place from your home institution’s exchange programs, or if you apply for a place, but do not receive it, you can find a study abroad placement on your own. Finding it on your own without the help of your home institution makes you a free mover. Free movers must follow the same rules as all other exchange students about making study plans and meeting their home institution’s requirements about the quality and quantity of the studies completed abroad. The studies completed at the host university can be included in your degree in the same way as with traditional exchange programs like Erasmus, or when going on exchange through bilateral agreements. Talk with your exchange coordinator beforehand about transferring credits to avoid any surprises after you return home from your exchange. You can ask about scholarships for free mover students from your home institution as well as from private organizations and foundations. 

At what point in my studies should I go on exchange?

Most students go on exchange during their third year of study, but it varies depending on the field of study. Anyone with a completed high school certificate or similar is eligible to apply for the study abroad programs represented by AE, and we recommend studying abroad as early on as possible, even though it’s never too late to go. AE study abroad programs last one or two semesters. Students should have mastered basic study techniques before going on exchange to ensure they benefit the most from their time abroad. However, the most important aspect of having a successful study abroad period is eagerness for going abroad and many students go on exchange during their second year of study.

Do I have to be enrolled at an institution of higher education to be able to participate in a study abroad program in Asia?

Study abroad programs represented by Asia Exchange are also meant for students who are not currently enrolled at an institution of higher education. AE study programs are open to anyone, who is at least 18 years old and has completed high school or similar. (The only exception is Kasetsart University in Bangkok, which requires students to be enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of the exchange.) The study abroad programs represented by AE are perfect for students who are taking a year off before continuing their studies, because it gives them a chance to see what studying at university is like and to plan their future according to their interests. The courses completed abroad can be added to a degree once students begin their studies at an institution of higher education.

What subject should I be majoring in to be able to participate in study abroad programs represented by AE?

The study programs represented by AE are suitable for everyone interested in Asia who wishes to broaden their horizons and get to know Asian cultures. Students combine academics with the other advantages of living abroad and appreciate the experience as a whole. Most participants are students from the fields of business, technology, political science and tourism, who aren’t able to find or who do not receive a study abroad place in Asia from their home institutions. Many students from other fields of study also take part in the programs and take interesting electives or minor courses. Students from many different study backgrounds take part in the programs and we encourage students to take courses outside their major subjects. You never know how beneficial different kinds of studies may be later on in life. Your major is not an obstacle when you are planning on going on exchange through AE. Students have been able to add the studies completed abroad in their degrees, at the very least in their elective studies, if not in their majors. Read more under study credits.

Which courses are available at the host universities?

You can find course catalogs and course descriptions for each study program on the AE website under study programs. The offered courses mainly consist of business, tourism and the local language and culture. On average, students complete 20 – 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) study credits during their exchange. If you are not studying in Europe, remember to ask your home institution how many credits the courses you complete will equal in your degree. Our partner universities offer high quality tuition, which is thoroughly depicted on our website in the exchange reports and blogs, which have been written by former AE students.

Will my GPA affect my placement in the program?

AE believes that all students should study abroad at some point of their studies. A study abroad semester will benefit the students personal, academic and professional development. Therefore we believe that students motivation to study abroad is the key to success. Therefore we don't think students' grade point average (GPA) doesn't tell the whole truth about the student's capabilities and also students with not the best grades can be accepted in our programs.

Am I required to take an English language proficiency test in order to take part in an AE study abroad program? 

Language proficiency requirements vary from each country and continent to another. Most universities which offer tuition in English require students to take the international language proficiency test TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) and achieve a certain score. Taking a TOEFL test costs about 185 $ and takes time, so to save students time and money, AE has made agreements with the host universities to allow students to take part in the study abroad programs without taking a TOEFL test.
 

How can I receive funding for studying abroad?

Ask your home institution’s exchange coordinator about possible funding for free mover studies abroad. We also recommend trying to find information about grants and scholarships that organizations and foundations give students for studying abroad. However, please keep in mind that many scholarships set conditions that students must fulfill, such as completing studies which can be included in the degree etc.

Can I apply for a study program after the application deadline?

AE can ask the host institution about the possibility of accepting late applications. Please contact AE by phone or email if the deadline for the study program you wish to take part in has ended.

Can I cancel my participation in the study program?

When you apply for a study program, you will be billed 50 € for the application fee. This fee is non-refundable, because it covers the costs of processing the application and ensures that only the most motivated students apply for a study place through us. The invoice for the program fee will be sent 45 days prior to the start of the study program and it is due 30 days prior to the start of the program. If you cancel your participation in the program at least 14 days prior to the start of the study program, you will be refunded 50 % of the program fee. The program fee will not be refunded if you cancel your participation less than 14 days prior to the start of the study program.

How can I acquire a student visa?

Many countries require a passport and visa for long-term residency and studying. The conventions of applying for visas vary from country to country and sometimes even depending on the embassy employee whom you are dealing with. The conventions are often case-specific and may change quickly. AE recommends contacting each country’s embassy directly in case of any exceptions. You can find more information and very thorough, country-specific instructions with examples of filled out visa applications on our website under Visa.

Remember to check the latest information about the visa application procedure and required documents from the target country’s embassy.

Embassy websites:

Thailand: http://www.thaiembassy.org
China: http://www.chinese-embassy.com
Indonesia: http://id.embassyinformation.com

How is accommodation arranged during the study abroad program?

You can choose for yourself where you want to live during your study period. Asia Exchange has gathered a list of popular accommodation options located near the universities at each location. Some universities also offer a possibility for on-campus housing. You can find information about accommodation on the AE website and AE will also send students an orientation guide one month prior to the start of the study program. The guide offers detailed information about accommodation options, booking accommodation and other practical matters about living in the target country. It may take some time to find accommodation independently, especially if you have no previous experience with it. Ask your travel agency for helpful hints, if the task seems too overwhelming.

What insurance policies should I buy?

Each student is required to acquire their own insurance which covers the study abroad period. We recommend taking out traveler’s and baggage insurance for the duration of the study program. Ask your insurance agency for more information about different kinds of insurance policies, which could be beneficial during your studies abroad. Contact your insurance company well in advance, so that you will have a copy of your insurance card and proof of insurance in English with you when you leave.

What vaccinations will I need?

Anyone traveling to Asia should have the most common recommended vaccinations for common diseases such as diphtheria and tetanus, which remain effective for 10 years. (Keep them up to date.) In addition, travelers should have vaccinations for polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Most often vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. However, it’s up to the students to decide which vaccinations to acquire before the study abroad program. Ask your home institution’s health care provider or your personal physician for more information.

When should I arrive at the study abroad destination?

You should arrive at the study abroad destination at least a few days before the start of the study program. It will help you settle in and have enough time to find long-term accommodation before the start of the study program. Some students travel to the destination weeks in advance so they have time for traveling around.

Am I required to wear a school uniform and where can I get one?

Out of all AE’s study abroad destinations, Thailand is the only country which requires students to wear school uniforms. The top is a white dress shirt with long or short sleeves. Women wear black skirts and men wear black pants. The uniform also includes a belt buckle and pin with the university logo on them. There are no exact specifications about the design and the materials, but in general, a school uniform should be nice and neat. AE students have said that it only takes a few days to get used to the school uniform and that it’s actually quite practical, because there’s no need to spend time in the morning thinking about what to wear! The uniforms are youthful and stylish and many students wear them in their free time after returning to their home countries. You can buy an outfit in your home country, but the easiest and cheapest way to get one is to buy it from the exchange destination. The uniform and a few extra shirts cost about 20 €. The host university will help students buy the uniforms during the first few days of classes. Students are not required to wear school uniforms during the first week.

Even in the countries that do not require a school uniform, students are expected to attend lectures in neat clothing. The clothing you wear to the beach is not suitable attire for attending classes. For example, flip-flops and miniskirts are not appropriate.

Should I get to know the destination in advance?

We recommend reading about the target country in advance, for instance by reading material which can be found online and by buying a travel guide (e.g. Lonely Planet). Wikitravel and Wikipedia are great sources of information online.

Cash and withdrawing money?

It’s good to take some cash in your destination country’s currency with you from your home country. The most affordable way of getting cash at your study abroad location is to take cash in your home country’s currency with you and exchange it at a local money exchange in the destination country. Remember to compare the exchange rates and be attentive during the actual exchange. We also recommend taking a Visa Electron or a credit card with you. Don’t wait until you’re all out of cash until you withdraw more, because sometimes there are malfunctions in the ATMs. If you plan on signing a rental agreement immediately after arriving at your destination, you should have at least the first month’s rent and safety deposit with you in cash.

Should I buy a local SIM card for my cell phone at the exchange destination?

When settling in at your destination we recommend buying a local prepaid SIM card, for instance from a 7 Eleven or similar store. A local cell phone subscription is one of the cheapest ways of making calls within the destination country as well as keeping in touch with the folks at home.

How long can I stay in the target country after my studies?

The residency permit guidelines always vary from country to country. For this reason, when leaving your visa application, we recommend that you ask the embassy officials about possible residency restrictions that may apply to people traveling under student visas. Remember to state the beginning and ending dates of your exchange period and the possible reasons for staying in the country longer (traveling etc.).

How soon after the exchange will I receive my Transcript of Records?

AE sends the transcript of records from host universities within a month after the end of the study program. In some cases it may even take two months for the transcript to arrive, which is very common among Asian universities. Please contact AE if, for some reason or other, you need your transcript in a hurry.

How can I transfer the credits completed abroad into my degree?

Most institutions accept studies completed abroad into a degree, as long as they meet the demands set by the institution. Sometimes a course from abroad can substitute for a compulsory course at your home institution, or the courses can be added to your degree as electives. The studies you complete abroad will not be added to your degree automatically, but you must apply for credit transfers separately from each faculty. You can get detailed information about transferring credits from your home institution. Usually, students are required to submit a transcript of records from the host institution, detailed course descriptions about the courses they have completed and any possible work which has been completed as part of the course. Careful preparation and presenting as much material as possible at the home institution helps ease the credit transfer process. Remember to ask what your home institution’s requirements are regarding credit transfer.

Unable to find the answer to your question?

You can send us your question by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will answer your question as soon as possible. All our students receive an orientation guide approximately one month before the start of the study program, which includes information about the host university, accommodation and settling in at the destination.