How to plan an exchange program?

April 18, 2021 |

Looks very hard when you’re starting to plan an exchange program, there are too many things to do, a lot of searches and many documents, but do not freak out. Take time to organize everything that you need to know, thereby everything becomes clearer and easier.

When I started thinking about going abroad two years ago, I had no idea where to start. There are many agents, countries and different prices. In the beginning I had three countries in my mind, Australia, Ireland and Canada. However, Canada only allows students to work while studying a professional course.

Let’s go. I love to do my notes on notion, it’s free, you can log in and use it on your computer, laptop and other devices. So create a white page or use a template and start to do notes to your dream come true.

Plot your goal

First, before starting any search, ask yourself, what is your goal about the exchange program? It’s learn English? It’s a professional course? Do you intend to study and work?

This step is very important to you planning your exchange program. After this step, it’ll be possible to choose a country, because depending on your goal that particular country will not fit, for example, in Australia and Ireland international students studying English can work, already in some countries you can only study.

Financial planning

The cost of your exchange program will vary depending on your chosen destination and what lifestyle you plan to have, even the choice of agency.

Set aside some time and write all your spending, analyze which one are essential and which ones you can reduce or even cut, save this money. It seems obvious, but if you stop drinking one coffee daily, in one year you will save a little, and it will help you with your travel abroad.

Choose the destination – Country and city

Do a list with the countries that you like, have a look at the weather, also search about the lifestyle of this country, culture and gastronomy. Also search the cost of living in this country and city. If you intend to study and work, check if the country allows English students to work while studying.

I chose Newcastle – Australia to do my exchange program, after choosing the city, I searched about which schools offered the courses for international students. In Australia, you can use a cricos website to find these schools. In Newcastle there are only two schools if you choose to study English, TAFE and Newcastle University. I didn’t do it by myself, I chose an exchange agency to help me.

I chose TAFE because it was cheaper than Newcastle University. It was AU$ 220.00 per week while Newcastle University was AU$ 420.00. I regret had choosing the cheapest one. Pay close attention to the cost-benefit of the schools, often the cheapest is not the best option.

Choose course, school and OSHC

First choose the city, find the course available in this city, thereby look at the schools that offer this course. Do you have a course in mind? Search about the course in the city that you chose. Now you have a list of the schools that offer this course, and you can compare cost-benefits of schools. After searching about the school on the internet, make sure it has good location, units elsewhere and if the school allows you to change the unit.

It’s mandatory all international students in Australia have a OSCH (health insurance), for the duration of your study period in Australia.

Your OSHC needs to have cover from the day you arrive in Australia and you need to purchase it upfront for the expected duration of your stay, because you need this document to apply to the visa. Some things that OSHC cover

Dental check up – 1 visit per calendar year
Bupa Optical – AU$ 50 voucher – 1 visit per calendar year
Visiting a General Practitioner (GP)

I had BUPA, I went to a GP, gynecologist and ophthalmologist, I had a routine checkup all covered by BUPA. I didn’t choose BUPA, I didn’t know anything about health insurance, I was lucky that BUPA was good. Check what the insurance covers before choosing one.

Choose the agency after these steps, because some agencies do not work with the city that you chose. I chose Newcastle and when I was looking for an agency many of them said that they do not work in this city.

Choose agency

After you need to choose the agency, this step is very important! You can do all by yourself, however having someone to know the process by your side will make you more comfortable and for sure will help in everything both when you are in your country and when you arrive in your chosen country.

Search about the agency on Facebook groups and internet. Agency with experience and history can influence a lot in the approval of your visa. Those with a good reputation are more attentive and detail when applying for a visa.

Be wary of very low values, the agencies usually have very similar values, what changes the most is the advantages and promotions of each one, in some agencies you need to pay fee and other no, the first agency I hired I paid AU$ 150.00, when I renovated my visa with agency Tagarela I didn’t pay fees.

So pay close attention before hiring the agency, the damage will not only be financial but also emotional.

Enrollment

The school will ask for some documents for you to register, registration is done before the visa is applied, you need to have your COE to apply for the visa. If you have the help of an agency, they will prepare everything for you and will only request the necessary documents, if you do all the process by yourself you need to check which documents are necessary on the government website.

Visa documentation

After choosing a country, city, school and agency, the agency will send you a list of all documents necessary to do your exchange program. If you are planning to go to Australia you can check the documents on the government website.
Example if you are from Brazil, you need these documents:

Identity

Passport
Birth certificate
National identity card or driver license

Evidence of intended study

A confirmation of enrollment (COE) for all intended courses if applying outside Australia

I wrote a letter to talk about my genuine temporary entrant, I wrote about my parents that they need my help, I also said the course will help me get a better job when I come back to my country. My agency help me to write this letter.

Under 18 year old student

Form 157N – Nomination of student guardian in Australia
Confirmation of appropriate accommodation and welfare letter from the student’s education provide
Letter of support from the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Australian Department of Defense stating that arrangement have been made for the student’s welfare

Health insurance

Health insurance must be Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC for yourself and any accompanying dependants from at least one week before your course starts and for the duration of your stay in Australia

Genuine Temporary entrant requirement

Evidence to show that you meet the genuine temporary entrant requirement for student visa.

Proof of employment – your current or most recent employment which includes payslip or a contract, you can also attach your recent resume.
Qualification – a certified copy of your academic transcription, educational certificate or letter from overseas education institution

Migration agent – Form 956 and 956A

Provide a completed and signed Form 956 and Form 956A

Medical Exam

Some students may be asked to take a medical exam/or a radiological check-up to show they’re in good health. You must book an appointment with a doctor who has been approved by the Australian immigration department. I had a doctor appointment and a radiological check-up. The appointment was very quick and the doctor only asked some questions, that is it.

Approved visa

This will be one of the best news you’ve ever had. I was so excited when the agency called me and said this. I was so excited! If you’re from Brazil you will need to get a vaccine ( “Febre amarela”).

Now is the time to buy your ticket to Australia, I like to use SHOPBACK to get a cashback. I’ll write more in English about my life in Australia, also some tips about the day of your dream journey.

My experience

After a lot of research, I hired an agency called Information Planet. I spent about AU$ 9.000,00 ( school + agency fee + enrollment + OSHC + flight ticket), Australian dollar was $2.98

My Spending in July|August 2018