+ B. Comm. (International Experience) Advisory Session February 2015 J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics Dr Ger Turley, Dr Ann Torres, Ms Angela McLaughlin

+ Global Learning Opportunity Internationalisation is now a key priority for the School of Business & Economics B. Comm. International Experience Study abroad Possible to combine with work placement/internship Other International Business Study Opportunities Summer School Programmes in other countries (Watch out for information on these). Important opportunity to gain a competitive edge Your chance to be involved!

+ BComm (International Experience) Degree There are two models available for BComm students Model 1 Study abroad for both semester one and semester two at one of our partner universities Model 2 Apply to seek a work placement in one of the final year commerce specialisms (in accounting, HR, Economics, marketing, or business information systems) for semester one and Pursue international study in the USA, Hong Kong, Australia or Europe in semester two at one of our partner universities.

+ BComm (International Experience) – Eligibility and Fees Students require a minimum average of 50% in their first year commerce and second year semester one commerce examination results to apply Students must pass all modules on first attempt in second year commerce. Fees: the normal university fees are payable There is a tuition waiver with our partner host institutions abroad; i.e., no tuition is payable abroad

+ Work Placement & International Study Currently 38 (25 BComm and 13 BCommAcc) students are participating in the International Experience year We plan to accommodate up to 50 students by 2016 When you go to work as an intern in a business environment in Ireland and/or travel to study at a university in another country, you will act as an ambassador for the Bachelor of Commerce programme, the School of Business & Economics, the National University of Ireland, Galway and for your country

+ Placement Opportunities Students apply for a place as an intern in accounting, marketing, human resource management, IT, economics or related area Most internships are paid, but some are unpaid This is an opportunity for you to work in the area that you intend to specialise in your final year and see if you really like this type of work It gives you an opportunity to develop and expand your skills It is a CV building opportunity to differentiate yourself in the competitive graduate market place

+ Placement Opportunities – Host Companies J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

+ Placement Opportunities – Host Companies J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

+ Assessment – Work Placement 1. Complete a weekly workplace learning journal 2. CV 3. Attend both a briefing session in advance of placement, and a debriefing session towards the end of your placement & present to your peers and School staff 4. Complete an evaluation 5. Must pass to progress to final year J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

+ Review Session: CV & Application Form Thursday, 19 th of February a.m. to 11 a.m., Friar’s Ms. Angela McLaughlin Sign up at the end of session – limited to 20 spaces J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

+ International Study: choice of modules to take and study abroad Study business courses through English in one of our partner academic institutions This is an additional year of study so there are no prescribed or required courses that you must take We advise you to choose courses that are of interest to you but make sure not to take courses that will be part of your final year specialism when you return to NUI Galway to complete your degree studies Choose courses that might attract many international students such as Global marketing, Global employee relations, Global IT strategies….. Part of the experience is gaining insights into how students from other cultures think, work, and approach the solving of problems/case studies - This is the critical learning that you will take with you for your working life You must have your list of courses approved by Dr. Ann Torres or Dr. Ger Turley

+ International Study - our policy and practice Where possible we endeavour to send a minimum of two students to the same international study destination so that they can support each other We try to send no more than three commerce students to the same destination, to encourage you to interface more with local and other international students and to get the most from the cultural experience

+ Opportunity to Study Abroad BIS & B. Comm. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA Lehigh University College of Business & Economics, Bethlehem, PA, USA Kogod School of Business, American University, Washington DC, USA Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA University of Hertfordshire, England (Erasmus) University of Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, England (new 2015) (Erasmus) ESC La Rochelle, Burgondy, France (new 2016) (Erasmus)

+ Opportunity to Study Abroad B. Comm. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Competitive Placement) Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA (Competitive Scholarship) Uppsala Universitet, Sweden (Erasmus) University of Groningen, Faculty of Economics & Business, Netherlands (Erasmus) Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (Erasmus) University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (new 2015) University of Applied Sciences, Steyr, Austria (Summer School unavailable in 2015) ESC Rennes, France (Summer School available in 2015)

+ Opportunity to Study Abroad B. Comm. Accounting & B. Comm. SUNY (State University New York), Albany, NY, USA Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA Concordia College, Minnesota, USA ESC Dijon, Burgondy, France (Erasmus) EBS Business School, Rheingau, Wiesbaden, Germany (Erasmus)

ERASMUS EuRopean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students So far, across Europe, over 3,000,000 students have participated Bilateral Agreements between universities in various subject areas allow EXCHANGE of students – NO TUITION FEES. Workload of study period abroad is set out in student’s LEARNING AGREEMENT and is recognised by the Home University A MOBILITY GRANT may be available to assist with costs.

+ Erasmus – Some Terminology Home University: NUI Galway, the university abroad with which we have an exchange agreement, and to which we may send our students Bilateral / Exchange Agreement: a “contract” between 2 universities that allows a particular number of students to be exchanged in a particular subject area Academic Coordinator: A designated staff member of academic staff at NUI Galway who is familiar with the partner university’s Business programme and will provide guidance on making your application, selecting your courses, etc, and with whom you are expected to keep in touch before and during your study visit.

+ Erasmus Requirements You remain registered as an NUI Galway student while studying abroad You won’t need to pay tuition fees to the host university – however, you will have to pay the normal full-year fee to NUI Galway You must take, and pass, modules giving you a total number of ECTS credits as determined by the School of Business & Economics

+ The Advantages of Participation in the Programme Academic development Personal development Cultural and social aspects: Get to know another country and its culture Perhaps learn some of the language Make new friends Expand your horizons…. A positive addition to your CV

+ Costs of going to Europe on Erasmus Cost per semester will be approximately €3,000 - €5,000 taking into account one-off expenses incurred in the first month and including accommodation, household bills, food, travel, academic materials etc Some partner university websites will have information about the costs associated with spending a year studying there.

+ What you should budget for … and what funding is available General Costs of Living (accommodation; heat/electricity/household bills; food) Travel costs Books, etc Non-tuition fee to NUI Galway Erasmus Mobility Grant €1,700 (approx.) for the year or €900 - €1,200 for 4 months Disability/Special Needs Grant (if applicable) Local Authority Grant (if applicable) Back to Education Grant (if applicable)

+ Estimated monthly cost of studying in Europe COUNTRYAPPROX. COST PER MONTH IN € Belgium€850 France€850 Germanybetween €600 & €800 Netherlands€1,000 SwedenSEK 9,000 (€1,000) UK£900 (€1,100) Average cost of € 900 per month

+ Examples of Erasmus grant in 2014/15 for 4-month study visit Belgium: €1,000 France: €1,200 Germany: €980 Netherlands:€1,000 Sweden: €1,220 UK: €1,393 P LEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS THE TOTAL GRANT FOR A 4- MONTH STAY, NOT THE MONTHLY AMOUNT !!! Average total grant of € 1,100 per SEMESTER

+ If you are selected by the School to take up an Erasmus place in 2014/15... Please make sure to complete an ERASMUS APPLICATION FORM, which will be available from the International Affairs Office. This is your ERASMUS GRANT APPLICATION FORM: if you are late in submitting it, you will not receive a grant. Deadlines on website, usually late April and late November. This is not the same as the application form you’ll have to submit to the host university.

+ Compliance Please note that (i) The minimum Erasmus study visit period is 3 full months. If you do not complete this minimum period, you will not be eligible to keep your Erasmus grant. (ii) Students who do not fulfil the academic requirements of their study programme abroad may have to repay some or all of the Erasmus grant.

+ More Information on Erasmus Erasmus website: “Outgoing Students” For all academic information (courses at partner universities, etc), please contact the relevant academic coordinator. International Affairs Office, NUI Galway February 2015

+ International Study: Funding & Scholarship Limited funding for international study in the USA or Hong Kong in 2015/16 Villanova Scholarship Students who are eligible for grant support for third level education will continue to receive those grants. The NUI Galway Fees Office will help facilitate you in the processing of grant payments where the student is abroad and cannot sign for the grant if you made contact with them once you have been accepted for transfer to the four year B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree Programme J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

+ Progression to Final Year of your Commerce Degree You must pass your work placement You must take and pass a minimum number of courses during your period of study abroad (to be agreed with the international study co-ordinator Dr. Ann Torres or Dr. Ger Turley) You will NOT be allowed to progress to your final year of commerce studies until you have successfully completed both semesters of the International Experience year

+ BComm (International Experience) Application Process Application closing date: 26 th February 2015 at 5 pm. Applications will be reviewed and a short list of eligible applicants will be drawn up. Eligible candidates will be interviewed to assess their suitability for internship/international study. Interviews will take place 4– 6 th March. Provisional offers of acceptance to transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree will be made 10 – 13 th March, acceptance due by the 20 th March. This will be conditional on passing all second year commerce examinations at the first sitting and achieving an overall average grade of 50% in second year commerce. Those who apply and are accepted for the internship/international study model will need to make themselves available for interviews to secure an internship place.

+ Application process for Placement Opportunities 1. Acceptance of offers: 20 th March Work closely with the Placement Officer 3. Placement opportunities will then be circulated as they become available 4. Indicate expression of interest and send on CV/application form 5. Applications/CVs forwarded to employers 6. Employers shortlist for interview 7. Attend for interview 8. If offered the placement position, you must accept J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

+ How do I find out more? Applications/Interviews – Feb/March 2015 Discuss with the B. Comm. International Experience team: Ms Angela McLaughlin: Dr Ger Turley: Dr Ann Torres: International Office:

+ Questions? J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics