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Studying<br />

the guide for Caribbean students<br />

<strong>abroad</strong>


UGGLA<br />

Studying<br />

the guide for Caribbean students<br />

<strong>abroad</strong><br />

Kenisha Russell


Application guidelines 51<br />

DOCTORAL DEGREES<br />

Master of RESEARCH<br />

(MRES)<br />

As stated on the previous page this<br />

degree is awarded on completion<br />

of a project work (dissertation),<br />

which is approximately 35,000-<br />

40, 000 words with extensive<br />

SEVERAL POST-<br />

GRADUATE<br />

QUALIFICATIONS<br />

bibliography. In the United<br />

Kingdom, this graduate degree is<br />

available in a range of academic<br />

disciplines. It differs from the MPhil<br />

in that it is more organized and<br />

structured by department or advisor<br />

that provides extensive guidance.<br />

Application<br />

requirements<br />

for master´s<br />

The Application process is similar<br />

to that of undergraduate studies.<br />

Please see previous section:<br />

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES.<br />

This may be classified as a<br />

PhD (or a Dphil). This is the<br />

most well known research<br />

qualification. The normal time for<br />

completion is between 3-4 years,<br />

even allowing for differences<br />

between and among countries.<br />

Some doctoral programmes now<br />

include a taught element and<br />

it may be started immediately<br />

following a first degree or after<br />

a master´s course. But, it is the<br />

norm for individuals who would<br />

like to complete doctoral studies<br />

in the Arts and Humanities to first<br />

complete a Master´s course.<br />

Where should<br />

i study?<br />

As advised in the previous section,<br />

the choice of which country to<br />

study is an individually based<br />

decision. There are a plethora of<br />

factors that should be considered<br />

before you make a final decision;<br />

factors such as:<br />

• The academic requirements.<br />

• Availability of funding.<br />

•The type of course you are<br />

considering.<br />

•The modes of study available; that<br />

is, the type of postgraduate degree<br />

you would like to complete.<br />

•Visa requirements.<br />

• The quality of the course and the<br />

quality of the institution.<br />

• The recognition of available<br />

research facilities.<br />

• Personal considerations; if you<br />

are able to work on graduate<br />

assistantships, how you will cover<br />

living expenses.<br />

Choosing the right<br />

working environment<br />

In addition, based on the<br />

descriptions of the varying types of<br />

course you should ask yourselves<br />

these questions:<br />

• Will I be working in a<br />

group setting or individually?<br />

Completing research alone can be<br />

very isolating and requires a huge<br />

amount of motivation. You should<br />

give thought to the conditions<br />

under which you work best.<br />

• Make an effort to meet or<br />

learn more about the professors<br />

who will supervise your research.<br />

It is integral to have a good basis<br />

of understanding to build a


Canada<br />

James Gosling / inventor of JAVA<br />

chapter 2


Canada<br />

COUNTRY OVERVIEW<br />

65<br />

GREENLAND<br />

ICELAND<br />

Newfoundland<br />

and Labrador<br />

Quebec<br />

brunswick<br />

Nova Scotia<br />

ottawa<br />

Despite intensive immigration<br />

of skilled and highly<br />

trained peoples to Canada,<br />

the country is still facing a skills<br />

shortage. So if you have a vision<br />

of the career path you would like<br />

to pursue and, if your area of<br />

NOT JUST TO TRAIN<br />

STUDENTS BUT TO<br />

RETAIN THEM.<br />

the second largest country in the<br />

world, with a land mass of 9.9<br />

million square kilometers. It is<br />

situated north of the United States<br />

between the Atlantic and Pacific<br />

Oceans. The landscape is varied<br />

and extensive; it includes flat<br />

prairies, mountainous and<br />

coastal regions and frozen<br />

landscapes.<br />

ALASKA<br />

yukon<br />

Territory<br />

Nunavut<br />

Northwest<br />

territories<br />

british<br />

Columbia<br />

Alberta<br />

Saskatchewan<br />

Manitoba<br />

ontario<br />

UNITED STATES<br />

oF AMERICA<br />

interest is in any way related to<br />

a long list of skill or professional<br />

areas needed in Canada, then this<br />

country offers one of the best and<br />

most welcoming opportunities<br />

for international students. In<br />

fact, the government has many<br />

policies in place to not just train<br />

students but to retain them.<br />

These policies are designed with<br />

the hope that, upon completing<br />

your education, you will want to<br />

remain in the country. Canada is<br />

geographically large, with most<br />

areas being culturally diverse<br />

yet not demographically dense.<br />

Canada has been categorized as<br />

MOST POPULOUS CITIES = 1 million people<br />

Toronto<br />

Ontario<br />

Montreal<br />

Quebec<br />

Vancouver<br />

British Columbia


Canada<br />

67<br />

West<br />

coast<br />

British<br />

Columbia<br />

North<br />

Yukon<br />

Nunavut<br />

Northwest t.<br />

Prairies<br />

Manitoba<br />

Saskatchewan<br />

Alberta<br />

These are the five main regions<br />

in the country. Canada is unique in<br />

that it is one of the only (if not the<br />

only) developed nation that relies<br />

as heavily on primary industry<br />

as it does on its manufacturing<br />

sector. This is as a result of the<br />

vast natural resources which<br />

are spread across varied regions<br />

of the country. As such, many<br />

educational institutions reflect this<br />

mix of industry and manufacture.<br />

For example, Canadian institutes<br />

of higher education tend to be<br />

highly regarded in fields such as<br />

engineering because of their need to<br />

Central<br />

canada<br />

Ontario<br />

Quebec<br />

atlantic<br />

Nova Scotia<br />

New Brunswick<br />

Prince Edward Island<br />

New Foundland & Labrador<br />

continuously prepare professionals<br />

with expertise on the vast untapped<br />

resources.<br />

According to the International<br />

Monetary Fund (IMF), the<br />

Canadian economy is the eighth<br />

largest in the world (2007). Its<br />

GDP was approximately $1.274<br />

trillion, with growth of 2.7%. It<br />

is part of the G8 and other ‘rich<br />

clubs’ such as the OECD. Due to<br />

the world financial crisis in 2008,<br />

the economic growth was expected<br />

to slow down significantly, with<br />

national growth predicted at<br />

0.8%. The success of the Canadian<br />

economy is in large part due to a<br />

very well adjusted political climate.<br />

The government of Canada is a<br />

mix of the British parliamentary<br />

ECONOMY IS THE EIGHTH<br />

LARGEST IN THE WORLD<br />

and United States federal systems<br />

of government. There are three<br />

levels of government, these are<br />

federal, provincial and municipal,<br />

each having some overlapping<br />

responsibilities. Although the<br />

system of governance does reflect<br />

some influences from the US,<br />

Canadians consider themselves<br />

very different from Americans.<br />

The country is very multicultural,<br />

and although it has remained<br />

predominantly Catholic, there<br />

are several other faiths, including<br />

protestants and non-Christian<br />

religions. There has also been<br />

a growth of Islam, Hinduism,<br />

Sikhism and Buddhism.<br />

more info:<br />

www.gc.ca<br />

Canadian<br />

dollar<br />

C$<br />

hdr.undp.org/en/statistics<br />

www.countryreports.org<br />

www.destineducation.ca


Canada<br />

WHY CANADA?<br />

69<br />

Roberta Bondar / astronaut<br />

If you have some interest in<br />

Canada but are still not sure if<br />

this is the place to further your<br />

studies, here is a list of reasons<br />

why Canada may be considered a<br />

good study destination:<br />

• The education system in<br />

Canada is one of the best<br />

in the world<br />

Qualifications from Canada are<br />

universally recognized and there are a<br />

range of institutions and certifications<br />

that prospective students are able<br />

to chose from. You might also find<br />

SOME OF THE LOWEST<br />

TUITION FEES AMONG<br />

ENGLISH-SPEAKING<br />

COUNTRIES<br />

it interesting that Canada has some<br />

of the lowest tuition fees among the<br />

English–speaking countries.<br />

• Strong government support<br />

Due to the Canada’s desire<br />

to have a more coherent and<br />

competitive educational system<br />

the government, with the backing<br />

of the Association of Universities<br />

and Colleges of Canada, is<br />

attempting to attract international<br />

students. One of the measures<br />

introduced is the creation of a law<br />

that introduced new immigration<br />

measures that will allow<br />

international students to work for<br />

up to one year after completing<br />

their education. Another incentive<br />

is that university students are<br />

able to work on campus without a<br />

work permit.<br />

• Multicultural society<br />

As an international student<br />

you will definitely not feel<br />

like a stranger in Canada.<br />

This is because Canada<br />

has a large multicultural<br />

community. Canada has<br />

welcomed more than 10<br />

million migrants over the last<br />

century, while simultaneously<br />

promoting Canadian values. The<br />

country has adopted a policy of<br />

multiculturalism which works<br />

to promote and preserve the<br />

traditions of the various migrant<br />

communities.


Canada<br />

75<br />

General<br />

requirements<br />

Language<br />

requirements<br />

Though Canada is officially<br />

bilingual, prospective students are<br />

not required to be able to speak<br />

both languages. The language<br />

requirement is largely dependent<br />

on the university to which you<br />

apply. You will be required to<br />

show proficiency in the language<br />

SHOW PROFICIENCY IN<br />

THE DAILY LANGUAGE<br />

of daily operation * . Canadian<br />

French language universities<br />

normally assess individuals<br />

on a case by case basis. On the<br />

other hand, English language<br />

universities have a set criteria.<br />

On the preceding pages you will<br />

find general requirements for<br />

English language proficiency<br />

certification but do remember to<br />

double-checked with individual<br />

universities. Applicants who<br />

have not completed three or more<br />

years of post-secondary work<br />

at a Canadian institution or at<br />

an institution at which English<br />

was the primary language of<br />

instruction, or have not<br />

been employed for a<br />

similar period of time in a<br />

position in which English<br />

was the primary language<br />

of business, will be required to<br />

provide certification of English<br />

language proficiency.<br />

Frank O´Gehry / architect<br />

* Individual departments or institutions<br />

may require higher scores. Test scores are valid for<br />

two years from the test date. Test results must be sent<br />

directly to the admissions office.<br />

Language schools:<br />

www.languagescanada.ca


Canada<br />

77<br />

• Accepted examinations<br />

and required scores:<br />

Test of English as a Foreign Language<br />

TOEFL<br />

• plus Test of Written English (TWE) or<br />

• Computer-based TOEFL plus Essay or<br />

• Internet-based TOEFL<br />

(offered through the Educational Testing<br />

Service, Princeton, NJ, USA)<br />

• 550 minimum overall score with a minimum of 50 in each section<br />

plus 4.0 minimum for the TWE; or<br />

• Computer-based minimum overall score of 213<br />

plus 4.0 minimum for the Essay; or<br />

• Internet-based minimum overall score of 90<br />

plus 24 minimum in Speaking and Writing sections,<br />

except the following Engineering departments:<br />

Chemical Engineering<br />

Civil and Environmental Engineering<br />

Electrical and Computer Engineering<br />

Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering<br />

Systems Design Engineering<br />

minimum overall<br />

score requirement:<br />

80 with minimum<br />

section scores of:<br />

22 in Writing<br />

20 in Speaking<br />

20 in Reading<br />

and 18 in Listening.<br />

Michigan English Language<br />

Assessment Battery<br />

MELAB<br />

85 minimum overall score; minimum of 80 in each section<br />

International English<br />

Language Testing System<br />

IELTS<br />

6.5 minimum overall score; minimum 5.5 in each section<br />

more info:<br />

www.ielts.org<br />

www.melab.ca<br />

www.cael.ca<br />

www.cantest.uottawa.ca<br />

Canadian Academic English<br />

Language Assessment<br />

CAEL<br />

Canadian Test of English for Scholars<br />

and Trainees<br />

CanTEST<br />

70 minimum overall score; minimum 60 in each section<br />

4.5 minimum overall score; minimum 4.0 in each section


United Kingdom<br />

121<br />

United<br />

Kingdom<br />

Doris Lessing / writer<br />

chapter 3


United Kingdom<br />

129<br />

ADMISSION<br />

AND funding<br />

Norman Foster / architect<br />

Traditionally, students from<br />

the Caribbean tend to<br />

mistakenly regard England<br />

as the United Kingdom. However,<br />

as previously stated, the UK is<br />

divided into four geographic<br />

regions. In general the admission,<br />

scholarship and visa information<br />

for all four geographies is the<br />

same. These four<br />

regions mean that<br />

there are other<br />

options, including<br />

but not limited to<br />

England, which you<br />

could consider. All<br />

four regions are considered in<br />

this chapter so as to provide you<br />

with the information you need for<br />

informed decision making.<br />

The British higher education<br />

system is based on a series of<br />

lectures, seminars, tutorials and<br />

self-directed study; which exposes<br />

students to a wide range of<br />

learning techniques and provides<br />

added preparation for the working<br />

world. Students who are coming<br />

from Caribbean countries with<br />

curriculum models based on the<br />

British system will be familiar with<br />

much of the educational customs;<br />

for example, the British academic<br />

year is divided into three terms<br />

(autumn, winter and spring).<br />

Each term is approximately 10 to<br />

12 weeks, with 3 week breaks in<br />

between each term.<br />

THE BRITISH EDUCATION<br />

SYSTEM EXPOSES STUDENTS<br />

TO A WIDE RANGE OF<br />

LEARNING TECHNIQUES<br />

At some universities, particular<br />

subjects require students to<br />

complete a foundation course<br />

first adding extra time to the<br />

normally required three years<br />

for undergraduate studies. A<br />

foundation course consists of a<br />

class or a number of classes that<br />

bring the student up to university<br />

level of understanding in the<br />

subject area, before commencing<br />

core courses of the degree. Degrees<br />

can be awarded for study of a<br />

single academic subject (single<br />

honours), a combination of two


United Kingdom<br />

133<br />

Entry requirements vary by<br />

course and institution as such<br />

these are general requirements.<br />

For example, students applying<br />

to art and design courses are<br />

required to provide copies of a<br />

portfolio or examples of work.<br />

Therefore, you should check<br />

the entry requirements for each<br />

selected course carefully. Entry<br />

requirements can be checked by:<br />

• looking at the profile information<br />

in the course search window on<br />

the UCAS or hot courses website,<br />

• checking the course prospectus,<br />

• contacting university or college<br />

admissions department<br />

Entrance requirements<br />

Students should also check their<br />

qualifications (including any for<br />

which they are currently <strong>studying</strong>)<br />

with the universities and colleges<br />

they want to apply to.<br />

Transcripts<br />

Prospective students will be<br />

required to provide institutions<br />

with certificates/transcripts<br />

that show that they have passed<br />

all of the required exams. The<br />

institutions may ask that these be<br />

translated into English, if your<br />

country’s main language is not<br />

English. Also check with their<br />

university or college on whether<br />

they need the originals or certified<br />

photocopies.<br />

LANGUAGE<br />

REQUIREMENTS<br />

The United Kingdom institutions<br />

accept a wide range of exams to assess<br />

an individuals’ English language<br />

proficiency. Listed below are a<br />

few that are very prevalent in the<br />

Caribbean. *<br />

University of Cambridge<br />

International Examinations<br />

CIE<br />

International English<br />

Language Testing System<br />

IELTS<br />

Test of English as a Foreign Language<br />

TOEFL<br />

* Be aware that there are other options.<br />

more info:<br />

TOEFL<br />

www.ets.org/toefl<br />

www.ets.org/toefl/locations<br />

institutions that accept<br />

TOEFL<br />

www.ets.org/toefl/ukdirectory<br />

Tests to assess English<br />

language proficiency<br />

www.ucas.com/students/<br />

nonukstudents/englangprof<br />

There is one fundamental<br />

difference in the higher<br />

education system in the UK:<br />

In England, Northern Ireland<br />

and Wales the undergraduate<br />

studies normally take 3<br />

years to complete, while in<br />

Scotland the length of study<br />

is 4 years.<br />

• GCE O Level English Language (grade C or above).<br />

• IGCSE First Language English (Syllabus number 0500) - grade C or above.<br />

• IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus number 0510) - grade C or above.<br />

Regulated by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and the International<br />

Development Programme Education Australia. Most UK HEIs require an overall<br />

score of 5.0-7.5, depending on the content of the course. The test report form is<br />

considered valid for two years and candidates receive a band score for each of the<br />

following skill areas: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Applicants should<br />

offer academic rather than general training, reading and writing modules.<br />

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test is offered in internet-based<br />

(iBT) and paper-based (PBT) formats. The TOEFL iBT consists of four sections:<br />

Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, and the entire test is four hours long.<br />

Scores are divided according to the four sections and an overall total score is<br />

provided. The test is recognised and accepted in over 6000 institutions globally. View<br />

the complete list of universities and colleges that accept TOEFL at www.ets.org/<br />

toefl/ukdirectory. Each institution will list their TOEFL score requirements on their<br />

website and these may vary.


United Kingdom: Scotland<br />

189<br />

Working<br />

while<br />

<strong>studying</strong><br />

Scotland has many part-time<br />

vacancies available for students,<br />

particularly in the service sector.<br />

Working on a part-time basis will<br />

enable you to earn some extra<br />

money while you study. The work<br />

experience you gain may not<br />

necessarily be in the area in which<br />

you intend to seek employment<br />

after you complete your studies.<br />

It does, however, give you the<br />

opportunity to learn and practice<br />

transferable skills that will look<br />

good on your CV when applying<br />

for jobs back home after you<br />

graduate.<br />

Work after<br />

studies<br />

In the summer of 2005, Scotland<br />

launched the Fresh Talent<br />

Scheme. The Fresh Talent<br />

Working in Scotland Scheme<br />

applies to any student who<br />

successfully completes a HND,<br />

undergraduate degree course,<br />

master’s, PhD, postgraduate<br />

certificate or diploma at a<br />

Scottish further or higher<br />

education institution to apply<br />

to stay in Scotland for up to<br />

two years after completing their<br />

studies in order to work. There<br />

are no restrictions on the type of<br />

paid work.<br />

more information:<br />

www.scotlandistheplace.com


Wales<br />

chapter 3.4<br />

Michel Kaiser / Marine biologist


United Kingdom: Wales<br />

COUNTRY OVERVIEW<br />

193<br />

60km<br />

Ceredigion-Cardiganshire<br />

Pembrokseshire<br />

North Wales Coast<br />

and borderlands<br />

Anglesey<br />

and<br />

Snowdonia<br />

Carmarthenshire<br />

Mid Wales<br />

and brecon<br />

beacons<br />

ENGLAND<br />

Wales is approximately two<br />

hours west of London<br />

by rail or by road.<br />

Although it is not a long journey<br />

you will find that Wales is a very<br />

different place. First, there is a<br />

difference in language. Although<br />

English is spoken in Wales, the<br />

Welsh also have their own local<br />

language. It is one of the oldest in<br />

Europe, spoken fluently by about<br />

one in every five persons in the<br />

population. The landscape is also<br />

english is spoken,<br />

but the welsh also<br />

have their own local<br />

language.<br />

Swansea, Gower and the Vale of Neath<br />

Cardiff and Coast, & Valleys of South Wales<br />

Wye Valley<br />

and Vale of Usk<br />

very different in character from the<br />

countryside in the England. The<br />

facts and figures might lead you<br />

to believe that Wales is small, but<br />

it covers an area of around 8,000<br />

square miles (or 20,800 square<br />

kilometres). But if you were to roll<br />

it out flat, as the locals normally<br />

say, it would be bigger than Texas.<br />

The vast outdoor spaces offers


United Kingdom: Wales<br />

197<br />

that combine the expertise of<br />

education institutions with the<br />

worlds leading companies, such<br />

as the Institute of Advanced<br />

Telecommunications and the<br />

Institute of Life Science; both at<br />

Swansea University.<br />

more information:<br />

UCAS<br />

www.ucas.co.uk<br />

Home office<br />

www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk<br />

admission<br />

Llantwit Road, Treforest,<br />

Pontypridd, CF37 1DL<br />

Castle Grounds, Cathays Park,<br />

Cardiff CF10 3ER<br />

Old College, King Street,<br />

Aberystwyth SY23 2AX<br />

Bangor, LL57 2DG<br />

Lampeter SA48 7ED<br />

Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP<br />

Western Avenue, Llandaff,<br />

Cardiff CF5 2YB<br />

College Crescent, Caerleon,<br />

Newport NP18 3YG<br />

Plas Coch,<br />

Wrexham LL11 2AW<br />

Mount Pleasant, Swansea SA1 6ED<br />

Carmarthen SA31 3EP<br />

Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NS<br />

18 Custom House Street,<br />

Cardiff CF10 1AP<br />

and funding<br />

Welsh universities<br />

Each university in Wales<br />

offers on-line search facilities<br />

to find information on all<br />

courses. However, like the rest of<br />

the UK, applications can be made<br />

at the UCAS website.<br />

www.glam.ac.uk<br />

www.rwcmd.ac.uk<br />

www.aber.ac.uk<br />

www.bangor.ac.uk<br />

www.lamp.ac.uk<br />

www.swan.ac.uk<br />

www.uwic.ac.uk<br />

www.newport.ac.uk<br />

www.newi.ac.uk<br />

www.sihe.ac.uk<br />

www.drindod.ac.uk<br />

www.wales.ac.uk<br />

www.open.ac.uk<br />

visa and<br />

immigration<br />

The regulations are the same<br />

as the rest of the UK. Please<br />

see Home office website.<br />

University of Glamorgan<br />

Royal Welsh College<br />

of Music and Drama<br />

Aberystwyth University<br />

Bangor University<br />

University of Wales, Lampeter<br />

Swansea University<br />

University of Wales Institute,<br />

Cardiff<br />

University of Wales, Newport<br />

Glyndwr University<br />

Swansea Metropolitan University<br />

Trinity University College<br />

University of Wales<br />

Open University in Wales


Community<br />

Elizabeth Higginbotham / Professor of Sociology<br />

chapter 4.1<br />

colleges


United States 229<br />

special<br />

interest<br />

programmes<br />

• dance<br />

Basic skill<br />

programmes<br />

Teach academic and fundamental<br />

skills necessary for tomorrow’s<br />

job problem solving, negotiating,<br />

organizing, creative thinking,<br />

listening, and leadership.<br />

ADULT AND<br />

VOCATIONAL<br />

EDUCATION<br />

TECHNICAL AND<br />

JOB TRAINING<br />

PROGRAMMES<br />

• music<br />

• art<br />

• motive technology<br />

• aviation and aeronautics<br />

• building and construction business<br />

• electronics<br />

• emergency medical technology<br />

• police and fire department training<br />

• child and family studies<br />

• other areas with promising careers<br />

ABBE<br />

Adult Basic<br />

Education<br />

AHS<br />

Adult High<br />

School<br />

Comp. Ed.<br />

Compensatory<br />

Education<br />

ESL<br />

English as<br />

a Second<br />

Language<br />

designed for those individuals who<br />

would like to improve basic skills in<br />

reading, math, and language.<br />

Alternative to GED completion: leads<br />

to a high school diploma<br />

for adults with mental retardation<br />

or adults functioning on a level<br />

equivalent to mental retardation<br />

resulting from brain injury<br />

University<br />

transfer<br />

programmes<br />

• dual enrollment, “2+2”<br />

GED<br />

General<br />

Equivalency<br />

Diploma


United States<br />

243<br />

Ranger College<br />

San Jacinto College<br />

South Plains College<br />

South Texas College<br />

Southwest Texas Junior College<br />

Tarrant County College<br />

Temple College<br />

Texarkana College<br />

Texas Southmost College (partnered<br />

with University of Texas-<br />

Brownsville)<br />

Texas State Technical College Syst<br />

Harlingen<br />

Marshall<br />

Waco<br />

West Texas<br />

Texas State University System (+)<br />

Lamar Institute of Technology<br />

Lamar State College-Orange<br />

Lamar State College-Port Arthur<br />

Trinity Valley CC<br />

Tyler Junior College<br />

Marshall Community & Tech C.<br />

New River Community & Tech C.<br />

Pierpont Community & Tech C.<br />

SW Virginia Community & Tech C.<br />

WVirginia NorthernCC<br />

W Virginia State C & Tech C.<br />

Huntington Junior College<br />

Potomac St College of WV Univ<br />

• WISCONSIN<br />

College of the Menominee Nation<br />

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa CC<br />

Wisconsin Tech College System<br />

Blackhawk Technical College<br />

Chippewa Valley Tech College<br />

Fox Valley Tech College<br />

Gateway Tech College<br />

Lakeshore Tech College<br />

Madison Area Tech College<br />

Mid-State Tech College<br />

Milwaukee Area Tech College<br />

Moraine Park Tech College<br />

Nicolet Area Tech College<br />

Vernon College<br />

Victoria College<br />

Wade College<br />

Weatherford College<br />

Western Texas College<br />

Wharton County Junior College<br />

• VERMONT<br />

Community College of Vermont<br />

Landmark College<br />

Sterling College<br />

• VIRGINIA<br />

Richard Bland College<br />

Virginia CC System<br />

Blue Ridge CC<br />

Central Virginia CC<br />

Dabney S. Lancaster CC<br />

Danville CC<br />

Eastern Shore CC<br />

Germanna CC<br />

J. Sargeant Reynolds CC<br />

John Tyler CC<br />

Northcentral Tech College<br />

Northeast WI Tech College<br />

Southwest WI Tech College<br />

Waukesha County Tech College<br />

Western Tech College<br />

University of WI Colleges (+)<br />

Baraboo / Sauk County<br />

Barron County<br />

Fond du Lac<br />

Fox Valley<br />

Manitowoc<br />

Marathon County<br />

Marinette<br />

Marshfield / Wood County<br />

Richland<br />

Rock County<br />

Sheboygan<br />

Washington County<br />

Waukesha<br />

• WYOMING<br />

Wyoming CC Commission<br />

Casper College<br />

Lord Fairfax CC<br />

Mountain EmpireCC<br />

New River CC<br />

Northern Virginia CC<br />

Patrick Henry CC<br />

Paul D. Camp CC<br />

Piedmont Virginia CC<br />

Rappahannock CC<br />

Southside Virginia CC<br />

Southwest Virginia CC<br />

Thomas Nelson CC<br />

Tidewater CC<br />

Virginia Highlands CC<br />

Virginia Western CC<br />

Wytheville CC<br />

• WEST VIRGINIA<br />

Community & Technical College<br />

System of West Virginia<br />

Blue Ridge C & Technical C<br />

Community & Tech C at West<br />

Virginia Univ Inst of Tech<br />

EW Virginia C & Tech C.<br />

Central Wyoming College<br />

Eastern Wyoming College<br />

Laramie County CC<br />

Northwest College<br />

Sheridan College (N WY CC Dist)<br />

Western Wyoming CC<br />

• PUERTO RICO<br />

Huertas Junior College<br />

Instituto Comercial de Puerto Rico<br />

Junior College<br />

(+) : 2-year campuses


Universities<br />

chapter 4.2<br />

Joan Herbers / zoologist


United States<br />

253<br />

average cost<br />

for a postgraduate<br />

application is $70 usd<br />

Average costs *<br />

US Universities fall under<br />

two major categories: public<br />

(state supported), and private<br />

(independent) institutions.<br />

International students’ tuition<br />

expenses at state schools are based<br />

on non-resident costs, which are<br />

still usually less expensive<br />

than those of private<br />

universities. The cost of a<br />

programme in a US school<br />

does not necessarily affect<br />

its quality. A brief idea<br />

on the difference in cost may be<br />

derived from the table to the left: **<br />

University<br />

type<br />

private<br />

private<br />

state<br />

state<br />

cost<br />

high<br />

low<br />

high<br />

low<br />

average<br />

USD<br />

25 000<br />

15 000<br />

20 000<br />

10 000<br />

* Keep increases in perspective. All numbers<br />

are approximate figures.<br />

** Tuition fee differs according to the<br />

universities and varies widely with courses. It can<br />

vary from as low as $5000 a year for state universities<br />

to as much as $30000 per annum for some private<br />

universities. For more specific details, please contact<br />

the universities.<br />

Marita Bolles / contemporary music composer<br />

The following list of<br />

universities does not contain<br />

all the universities in the U.S.,<br />

we only list states that are<br />

usually populated by caribbean<br />

nationals.


Denmark<br />

Reinhardt Møbjerg Kristensen / expert on the microscopic tardigrades<br />

chapter 5


Denmark<br />

319<br />

Una Canger / linguist specializing in languages of Mesoamerica<br />

must apply and have been granted<br />

a residence permit before you<br />

arrive in Denmark. To be granted a<br />

residence permit, you must be able<br />

to document your:<br />

• Enrolment into a course of<br />

further education which is<br />

approved by a state authority<br />

or which is offered by a stateapproved<br />

educational institution<br />

• Ability to support yourself<br />

during the programme and show<br />

proof of being able to pay the<br />

tuition<br />

• Competency in speaking and<br />

understanding the language used<br />

to teach the course.<br />

The immigration rules emphasize<br />

that normally, students must have<br />

obtained a residence permit before<br />

entering Denmark. You can submit<br />

your application in your country of<br />

origin, or in the country where you<br />

have resided permanently for the<br />

past three months. Please see a list<br />

of Danish consulates located in the<br />

Caribbean at the end of this chapter.<br />

If there is no consulate situated<br />

in your home country, contact the<br />

Danish Immigration Services:<br />

The Immigration Service<br />

Ryesgade 53<br />

2100 Copenhagen Ø<br />

Denmark<br />

Tel: 004523308587<br />

Email: study@us.dk<br />

Although the norm is to apply for<br />

the residence permit outside of<br />

the country, in certain cases it is<br />

possible to submit an application<br />

in Denmark but this depends on<br />

your grounds for being in the<br />

country. For instance, if you were<br />

granted a residence permit on<br />

grounds other than study, then you<br />

can apply for a residence permit<br />

while in the country. If you wish<br />

to apply for a residence permit<br />

as a student, both you and the<br />

educational institution in Denmark<br />

must supply information for the<br />

processing of your application.<br />

Once you have been accepted the<br />

educational institution in Denmark<br />

will begin the application process<br />

by completing their part of the<br />

application form and attaching<br />

the required documents. This<br />

paperwork will then be sent or<br />

see the list of danish<br />

consulates in the<br />

caribbean<br />

given to you with the attached<br />

documents. Then you should<br />

complete your part of the form,<br />

attach the rest of the required<br />

documents, and submit the entire<br />

application to the embassy or<br />

consulate in the country of your<br />

residence.<br />

Required<br />

documentation<br />

*<br />

Applicants should submit the<br />

following documentation a<br />

minimum of 2-3 months prior<br />

to departure. The application<br />

form (ST1) contains a detailed<br />

description of how you and the<br />

* The Consulate General advises against<br />

making any final travel arrangements, particularly<br />

purchase of non-refundable air tickets for a specific<br />

date, prior to approval of your visa application.


Denmark<br />

work permits<br />

323<br />

Family visa<br />

If you have been granted a<br />

residence permit as a student on a<br />

higher educational programme for<br />

three years or more, your family<br />

can normally accompany you to<br />

Denmark. It is a requirement that<br />

your family can support itself<br />

throughout the entire period, and that<br />

you will all live at the same address.<br />

However, your partner or spouse is<br />

allowed to work full time during his<br />

or her stay in Denmark.<br />

Working<br />

while<br />

<strong>studying</strong><br />

All students from outside the<br />

European Union are automatically<br />

granted a permit to work for<br />

a total of 15 hours per week<br />

during the school term. During<br />

holiday months students will be<br />

granted permission to work fulltime;<br />

that is, full time work in<br />

June, July and August. Danish<br />

employers require high levels of<br />

qualifications for employees and so<br />

it is sometimes challenging to find<br />

part time employment. Therefore,<br />

prospective students would have<br />

to be persistent.<br />

Work after<br />

studies<br />

If you complete a higher<br />

educational programme in<br />

Denmark, the immigration services<br />

will normally grant you a grace<br />

period for you to find suitable<br />

employment. If you do find an<br />

organization willing to employ<br />

you, they are then able to apply for<br />

a work and residence permit on<br />

your behalf.<br />

Embassies<br />

in the<br />

Caribbean<br />

+53 (7) 338 128<br />

Paseo de Marti (Prado) 20<br />

Cuba<br />

+ 53 (7) 8668144<br />

Piso 4, Apt. 4 B Zona 2<br />

Fax: +53 (7) 338 127<br />

10200 Havana, Cuba<br />

dancons@enet.cu<br />

Phone: +1 (809) 732 1234<br />

Jose Amado Soler 49<br />

Dominican Republic<br />

Fax: +1 (809) 541 2743<br />

Edificio Gampsa Piso 1<br />

Santo Domingo<br />

dmnconsul@maersk.com<br />

Phone: +509 223 2551<br />

35, Ave. Marie-Jeanne<br />

Haiti<br />

Fax: +509 222 5156<br />

P.O. Box 1334<br />

Port-au-Prince<br />

shmadsen@hotmail.com<br />

Phone: +1 876 923 5051<br />

449 Spanish Town Road<br />

Jamaica<br />

Fax: +1 876 923 5055<br />

Kingston 11<br />

rammoja@mail.infochan.com<br />

Phone: +1 868 624 3587<br />

21 Ferndale Terrace<br />

Trinidad and Tobago<br />

Fax: +1 868 627 44804000<br />

St. Anns<br />

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago


Denmark<br />

325<br />

EMPLOYMENT:<br />

VACANCY SOURCES<br />

Niels Kaare Krabbe / ornithologist and bird conservationist<br />

Hidden<br />

vacancies<br />

There are many opportunities to<br />

work in Denmark and it takes an<br />

astute and persistent individual<br />

to carry out a fruitful job search.<br />

Unlike many other developed<br />

countries, the typical way to<br />

apply for a job in Denmark is to<br />

use a Cover letter and CV but<br />

the accompanying evidence is<br />

also integral to the application<br />

process; relevant certification,<br />

copies of qualification and referee<br />

letters from previous employers<br />

should be sent along with your<br />

application letter.<br />

In-depth research on the company<br />

to which you are applying is<br />

equally important as it increases<br />

your chance of being hired. Use<br />

as many resources as possible to<br />

find company information if you<br />

are seeking to send speculative<br />

letters. Look at company<br />

directories and the yellow pages.<br />

These are available free of cost<br />

in Danish libraries, for example<br />

The Copenhagen Business<br />

School Library may be a useful<br />

resource. It is an academic library<br />

which holds information on<br />

various types of businesses and<br />

career areas such as accounting,<br />

advertising, banking and finance,<br />

research the<br />

company to which<br />

you are applying<br />

computer science, foreign trade,<br />

law, marketing, statistics and<br />

social sciences sectors. Your<br />

research should be reflected in<br />

the fact that your application or<br />

cover letter must be directed to a<br />

specific person at the company;<br />

otherwise, your application may<br />

be discarded.<br />

It is important to note all other<br />

elements to creating a job<br />

application (the general rules<br />

on cover letters and CV) as<br />

presented in CHAPTER 11-<br />

WORKING ABROAD.


Denmark<br />

327<br />

Danish CV<br />

CVs should be kept brief and<br />

factual with work experience<br />

being viewed as more important<br />

than extra-curricular activities.<br />

A Danish CV should be in the<br />

following order:<br />

• Begin with your name, address,<br />

and contact information.<br />

• Business qualifications follow,<br />

based on the requirements listed<br />

in the job advertisement, with<br />

work experience sequenced<br />

to match your business<br />

qualifications.<br />

• Education.<br />

• Personal information, including<br />

date of birth, marital status,<br />

number of children,<br />

• Nationality (as a non-native it<br />

is advisable to clarify your work<br />

permit status)<br />

• Finally, you should briefly list<br />

your outside interests.<br />

• Newspapers<br />

As in most countries, job<br />

advertisements appear in the<br />

Sunday editions of the newspapers.<br />

The Kidon Media-Link website is a<br />

one stop shop for links to various<br />

regional Danish newspapers. The<br />

main newspapers for adverts are:<br />

• The English weekly paper<br />

• The Copenhagen Post<br />

• Jyllands-Posten<br />

• Politiken<br />

• Berlingske Tidende<br />

• Dansk Industri: is a weekly<br />

journal that covers a wide range<br />

of information from trade and<br />

industry relations and this may be<br />

useful in your job search.<br />

more info:<br />

www.kidon.com<br />

www.cphpost.dk<br />

www.jp.dk<br />

www.politiken.dk<br />

www.berlingske.dk<br />

www.di.dk<br />

ONLINE RECRUITMENT<br />

SERVICES AND JOB<br />

LISTINGS<br />

Jobbank<br />

www.jobbank.dk<br />

JobsInCopenhagen<br />

www.jobsincopenhagen<br />

Job opportunities with<br />

English as the main<br />

working language;<br />

Job Index Denmark<br />

www.jobindex.dk<br />

Karriere Vejviser<br />

www.karrierevejviser.dk<br />

Monster (Denmark)<br />

www.monster.dk<br />

Stepstone (Denmark)<br />

www.stepstone.dk<br />

Higher<br />

education<br />

career<br />

support<br />

Students registered at higher<br />

education institutions may want<br />

to ask for help and advice from<br />

the careers center located on their<br />

university campuses. Career<br />

support is offered in universities<br />

to graduates by student advisers<br />

and also by employment officers<br />

or labour unions. The university’s<br />

careers services is particularly<br />

focused on facilitating the<br />

transition from <strong>studying</strong> into<br />

employment and is less<br />

orientated towards providing job<br />

placements.<br />

more info:<br />

The Copenhagen Business<br />

School Library<br />

http://uk.cbs.dk/library


Denmark<br />

329<br />

Interviews<br />

This is largely dependent on<br />

the position for which you<br />

have applied and could be an<br />

individual or panel interview.<br />

Business dress is usually expected<br />

on these occasions. There is an<br />

increasing use of group activities<br />

and psychometric tests as part of<br />

the selection process, especially by<br />

larger organizations.<br />

Work<br />

patterns<br />

• Not unlike the Danish education<br />

system, the working culture is<br />

team-orientated and the working<br />

environment is characterised by<br />

open and informal manners.<br />

• The normal working week is<br />

37 hours and employees’ normal<br />

holiday entitlement is five weeks,<br />

although within the public sector<br />

this is generally six weeks.<br />

• Danish companies offer good<br />

working conditions, modern<br />

conveniences and technical<br />

equipment of a high standard.<br />

• Most workplaces offer continuing<br />

education to their employees and<br />

the development of qualifications<br />

is seen as a high priority.<br />

Hans J. Baagøe /<br />

professor researching on scandinavian bats


Finland<br />

chapter 6<br />

Markku Kulmala / Professor in Aerosol and Environmental Physics


Finland<br />

361<br />

visa and<br />

immigration<br />

International Office<br />

P.O.Box 412 (Keskuskatu 34)<br />

virve.hakamies@scp.fi<br />

Seinäjoki University<br />

of Applied Sciences (SeAMK)<br />

South Carelia Polytechnic<br />

Svenska Yrkeshögskolan<br />

Sydväst Polytechnic<br />

Tampere Polytechnic -<br />

University of Applied Sciences<br />

Turku University<br />

of Applied Sciences<br />

of Applied Sciences<br />

Vaasa University<br />

of Applied Sciences<br />

FI-60101 Seinäjoki<br />

International Office<br />

global@syh.fi<br />

Koulukatu 5 B<br />

FI-55120 Imatra<br />

P.O. Box 6 (Fabriksgatan 1)<br />

FI-65201 Vasa<br />

International Office<br />

international.office@tpu.fi<br />

P.O. Box 21 (Teiskontie 33)<br />

FI-33521 Tampere<br />

International Office<br />

int.office@turkuamk.fi<br />

Sepänkatu 3<br />

FI-20700 Turku<br />

Admissions Office<br />

hakutoimisto@puv.fi or<br />

Wolffintie 30<br />

FI-65200 Vaasa<br />

All students that would like to<br />

study in Finland for a period<br />

of more than three months<br />

are required to apply for a residence<br />

permit at a Finnish mission in their<br />

home country (Please see a list of<br />

Finnish Missions contact details at<br />

the end of this chapter). Finnish<br />

residence permits are normally<br />

granted to students who will<br />

undertake studies leading to a<br />

degree qualification or to exchange<br />

students who are supplementing<br />

their learning experience for a<br />

limited period of time. Residence<br />

permits are not normally granted<br />

to students who just want to<br />

undertake language courses.<br />

Linus Torvalds / inventor of Linux


Netherlands<br />

chapter 7<br />

Theunis Piersma / shorebird biologist


Netherlands<br />

visa and<br />

immigration<br />

395<br />

All international students who<br />

are from non-EU countries<br />

and who would like to<br />

study in the Netherlands require<br />

a visa to enter and remain in the<br />

country. All information regarding<br />

the legal entry of foreigners is<br />

outlined in what is refered to as the<br />

Aliens Law. It is advised that you<br />

obtain the document and read the<br />

information thoroughly. The three<br />

most common visas required for<br />

foreign students are:<br />

the procedure is<br />

lengthy and will take<br />

about three to six<br />

months or longer<br />

• A short-stay visa (VKV) – for<br />

visits of up 3 months stay, issued<br />

by the Dutch embassy;<br />

• An authorization for temporary<br />

stay for visits that are more than 3<br />

months stay (MVV), issued by the<br />

Dutch embassy;<br />

• A residence permit issued by the<br />

Alien Registration Office in the<br />

Netherlands after one’s arrival in<br />

the country (VTV);<br />

The universities in the Netherlands<br />

offer far-reaching assistance to<br />

students who need to complete the<br />

visa process. Some universities go<br />

as far as offering qualified students<br />

financial assistance in the form of a<br />

grant to cover the cost of their visa<br />

application.<br />

Another service that many higher<br />

education institutions offer is<br />

assistance to expedite the visa<br />

process by applying for it on your<br />

behalf. Ask your future<br />

host institution about<br />

this process. Remember,<br />

you may not, under any<br />

circumstances, collect an<br />

MVV in the Netherlands;<br />

not even if your host<br />

institution in the Netherlands<br />

initiates the application on your<br />

behalf. MVVs can only be collected<br />

at the Dutch embassy or consulate in<br />

your home country (or the country<br />

in which you legally reside).<br />

If your host institution applies for<br />

an authorization for temporary<br />

stay for you via the shorter<br />

procedure, you have to pay a<br />

handling fee of 250 Euros. If<br />

you apply for an authorization<br />

for temporary stay yourself, you<br />

have to pay a handling fee of 433<br />

Euros. Paying the fee does not<br />

automatically mean that your<br />

application will be successful.<br />

The fee is also non-refundable; it<br />

will not be returned even if your<br />

application is unsuccessful.<br />

The first step in the visa process<br />

is to apply for an Authorization<br />

for temporary stay (machtiging<br />

tot voorlopig verblij, MVV). It<br />

is extremely important to have<br />

this visa before entering the<br />

Netherlands. You can apply for<br />

an MVV at the Dutch embassy or<br />

consulate in your home country or<br />

the country in which you legally<br />

reside; that is the country in which<br />

you have resided for more than 3<br />

months. The procedure involves<br />

completing an application form<br />

along with all relevant documents.<br />

The procedure is lengthy and will<br />

take about three to six months,<br />

sometimes even longer. Therefore,<br />

as outlined in CHAPTER 1, create<br />

a timetable and ask for all relevant<br />

information during the application<br />

process in order to avoid delays<br />

due visa issues. As soon as you<br />

have your acceptance letter you<br />

should apply for your visa.<br />

After entering the Netherlands,<br />

students that are intending to stay<br />

for longer than three months are<br />

mandated to obtain a residence<br />

permit (verblijfsvergunning). If<br />

you are not a visa national but<br />

have entered the country and will<br />

remain there for more than three<br />

months, you are still required<br />

to apply for a residence permit.<br />

You or your host institution<br />

(university or university of<br />

applied sciences) has to apply<br />

for your residence permit within<br />

five days of your arrival in the<br />

Netherlands.<br />

It is important for you to arrive<br />

with the correct visa. If you are in<br />

the Netherlands on a short-stay<br />

visa, you can never be issued a<br />

residence permit. Be sure to have<br />

the correct document in your<br />

possession. A short-stay visa is for<br />

stays for three months or less, or an


Netherlands<br />

397<br />

Ben L. Feringa/Professor of Molecular Science<br />

MVV if you intend to stay for more<br />

than three months and if your<br />

nationality requires it.<br />

Required<br />

documentation<br />

The documents that are usually<br />

required for the MVV are as<br />

follows:<br />

• A valid passport<br />

• Non-criminal record.<br />

• Proof that you are no risk to<br />

public order, national peace or<br />

security.<br />

• Sufficient means of support,<br />

for example, earned income or<br />

scholarship<br />

• Tuberculosis tests.<br />

• Civic integration examination<br />

more info:<br />

www.internationalstudy.nl<br />

board pass grade or proof of<br />

exemption.<br />

• Health insurance with a Dutch<br />

insurer that covers your stay.<br />

• Proof that you are enrolled in an<br />

educational institution that has an<br />

agreement with the Immigration<br />

and Nationality department (IND).<br />

• You have sufficient long term<br />

means of support.<br />

• You are aware your stay is of a<br />

temporary nature.<br />

Student visas are approved under<br />

certain conditions, therefore your<br />

residence permit will only remain<br />

valid if you are:<br />

• Participating in a foundation<br />

course for the purpose of enrolling<br />

in a full degree programme. The<br />

residence permit will be valid for<br />

a maximum of 12 months. It is not<br />

possible to extend this visa for<br />

another period of preparation, after<br />

the prep year. However, you may<br />

apply for a regular study permit;<br />

• A student at a higher education<br />

institution. This residence permit<br />

will be valid until the end of the<br />

academic year, until September 1st.<br />

This visa may be extended once<br />

you provide proof of continued<br />

enrollment.<br />

• A student doing a traineeship,<br />

the residence permit will be valid<br />

for a maximum of 12 months. It is<br />

not normally possible to extend it.<br />

Visa<br />

extension<br />

Given that the residence permit<br />

for students are normally<br />

granted for one year intervals,<br />

students undertaking a degree<br />

programme will be required to<br />

extend the permit at least once.<br />

This may be done by sending<br />

the relevant documents and<br />

fee to the immigration services.<br />

Nevertheless, the IND usually<br />

sends a reminder letter with the<br />

relevant forms three months<br />

before the expiration of current<br />

permits. It is integral that the<br />

extension process is started before<br />

the expiration of any current visa<br />

or you may be presented with<br />

unliveable consequences.


Sweden<br />

chapter 9<br />

Hanna Dahlkvist / cellist


Sweden<br />

459<br />

Jesper Waldersten / illustrator<br />

The decision on whether to<br />

accept an applicant rests with the<br />

institutions. Make sure you satisfy<br />

all the necessary requirements<br />

before submitting an application.<br />

If you are not sure, contact the<br />

department responsible for the<br />

programme in which you have an<br />

interest directly. After the deadline<br />

passes, each institution will assess<br />

your application, based on their<br />

in-house selection procedures.<br />

Decisions are usually made based<br />

on various criteria, such as grades<br />

obtained, results from previous<br />

courses and degree projects.<br />

Given there are so many courses<br />

from which to choose, before logging<br />

in to the system, you can do a<br />

search to find degree programmes<br />

of interest to you, use the search<br />

function at the Study in Sweden<br />

webiste. Each programme or<br />

individual course has a unique<br />

application code. After you have<br />

found one or more programmes that<br />

you would like to apply to, you can<br />

then proceed to the central application<br />

system, in order to register the chosen<br />

programme (s). An added benefit of<br />

checking the courses at the Study in<br />

Sweden website is that you can learn<br />

the application codes and this is a<br />

good way to later check that you have<br />

applied to your intended programme<br />

choice. The current application<br />

processing fee is 900 Swedish Kronor.<br />

Application deadline :<br />

March 15 of each year<br />

The Swedish academic year<br />

is divided into two semesters.<br />

The autumn semester stretches<br />

from the end of August until the<br />

middle of January. The spring<br />

semester begins in the middle<br />

of January and ends mid-June.<br />

Some universities also offer single<br />

subject courses during the summer<br />

months (June-August). Application<br />

deadline for international students<br />

is March 15 of each year; this is<br />

largely to facilitate the long visa<br />

process. This deadline is rigidly<br />

enforced and all documents<br />

received outside of this deadline<br />

will not be considered as part of<br />

the application.


Sweden<br />

461<br />

General<br />

requirements<br />

LANGUAGE<br />

REQUIREMENTS<br />

Some students may be exempt from<br />

formal language tests. They are:<br />

• Students with a bachelors<br />

degree from a university where<br />

English is the main language of<br />

instruction, in accordance with<br />

the recommendations in the latest<br />

edition of International Handbook<br />

of Universities.<br />

• Students with a bachelors<br />

degree (equivalent to a Swedish<br />

kandidatexamen) where English is<br />

the main subject.<br />

• Students with 30 higher<br />

education (HE) credits from a<br />

Nordic country where the language<br />

of instruction of the course is<br />

English.<br />

more info:<br />

www.studyinsweden.se<br />

Examples of tests used<br />

and minimum scores:<br />

TOEFL<br />

Test of English as a<br />

Foreign Language<br />

IELTS<br />

International English<br />

Language Testing<br />

Service<br />

EFL<br />

Cambridge examination<br />

Melab<br />

Michigan English Language<br />

Assessment Battery<br />

scores: 500-550 (paper-based test)<br />

173-213 (computer-based test)<br />

61-79 (internet-based test)<br />

5.0-6.0 (no band lower than 4.5-5.0)<br />

grades A or B<br />

85 - 90 points<br />

• Swedish<br />

Students who would like to<br />

complete a full degree in Swedish<br />

are required to show written<br />

and oral skills meeting the level<br />

required for upper-secondary<br />

education. This prerequisite may<br />

be shown by completing the<br />

nationwide test of Swedish for<br />

university studies (TISUS.)<br />

RECOGNITION OF<br />

QUALIFICATIONS<br />

The national agency for services<br />

to universities and university<br />

colleges undertakes evaluation<br />

of completed foreign uppersecondary<br />

education. They may be<br />

contacted at:<br />

Verket för högskoleservice<br />

Box 24 070<br />

104 50 Stockholm<br />

Tel: 08-725 96 00<br />

Fax: 08-725 96 01<br />

Recognition of higher academic<br />

degrees is undertaken by Swedish<br />

NARIC, a section of the National<br />

Agency for Higher Education


Sweden<br />

465<br />

your home institution. This should<br />

not be more than two pages.<br />

• Two letters of<br />

recommendation (Mandatory):<br />

From professors/academic<br />

supervisors, describing the interest<br />

your cv should not<br />

be more than<br />

two pages<br />

of cooperation and long term<br />

impact of a study/research visit to<br />

Sweden as well as confirming the<br />

applicant’s status (holder of a PhD<br />

degree, or registered PhD student).<br />

The letter should also evaluate<br />

the applicant’s English language<br />

proficiency. This is not necessary<br />

for students/researchers working<br />

in Swedish language. These letters<br />

should be sent to the:<br />

The Swedish Institute<br />

Box 7434<br />

103 91 Stockholm<br />

Sweden<br />

All documents or the envelope<br />

should be marked with the<br />

reference number of your<br />

confirmed application. This should<br />

not be more than two pages.<br />

• Copies of university<br />

degrees (Mandatory): Copies<br />

of the highest degree obtained,<br />

translated into English and<br />

certified by the university.<br />

• Research proposal<br />

(Mandatory): A research<br />

proposal describing the<br />

scientific quality of the<br />

project as well as its<br />

originality, methodological<br />

approach and relevance. This<br />

should not be more than five<br />

pages.<br />

• CV of the applicant<br />

(Mandatory): Outlining your<br />

previous studies, degrees and<br />

English language proficiency. This<br />

should not be more than two pages.<br />

• CV of the intended<br />

supervisor/contact person in<br />

Sweden (Mandatory): This should<br />

not be more than two pages.<br />

• List of publications<br />

(Optional): This should not be<br />

more than two pages.<br />

• Personal motivation<br />

(Mandatory) : Expected long term<br />

impact and goals, choice of Sweden<br />

as your study/research destination<br />

and reasons for seeking financial<br />

support. This should not be more<br />

than one page.<br />

•It is also mandatory that<br />

Students use the application forms<br />

provided by the institute. It may be<br />

found on the Institute of Sweden’s<br />

website.<br />

more info:<br />

Swedish institute<br />

www.si.se<br />

Danica Kragic / professor of robotics


Sweden<br />

employment:<br />

vacancy sources<br />

487<br />

Swedish CV<br />

Your CV should be no longer than<br />

two pages and can be written in<br />

either chronological or reverse<br />

chronological order. It can also<br />

be written in either first or third<br />

person. The CV can be relatively<br />

comprehensive but do not write<br />

long blocks of text; bullet points<br />

with a couple of lines of text are<br />

often the norm.<br />

Heading<br />

Curriculum Vitae<br />

Meritförteckning<br />

You normally use a heading for<br />

your CV. In Swedish a CV can be<br />

called both Meritförteckning and<br />

CV, though nowadays CV is the<br />

most commonly used.<br />

Personal Information<br />

It is usually only your name and<br />

surname(s), Address, Contact<br />

telephone number/s, fax and<br />

email. This doesn´t need a<br />

heading on its own and is often<br />

just written on the top of the CV<br />

(see example, page 488).<br />

Professional Experience<br />

Arbetserfarenheter<br />

Company name and sector. Dates,<br />

duties, achieved goals, etc.. Use<br />

the order that is better for you<br />

depending on the experience<br />

you want to emphasize: from the<br />

oldest to the newest, or vice versa.<br />

Read more about the two ways of<br />

organizing your work experience<br />

in these two kinds of resumes.<br />

Studies<br />

Utbildning<br />

List all levels of your studies.<br />

Title, place, city, dates of studies<br />

(it’s better to list these in a<br />

chronologically inverse order).<br />

Under this section you can<br />

also include courses, seminars,<br />

congresses or conferences that are<br />

relevant in relation to the position.<br />

Long or prestigious courses are<br />

also interesting. Point out its<br />

duration in hours. Do not write<br />

down the ones that are not relevant<br />

or not recent.<br />

Languages<br />

Språk<br />

Which ones and what is your level:<br />

high, medium or low. Point out if<br />

you can translate, speak or write.<br />

Computer Skills<br />

Dator erfarenhet/färdighet<br />

Programmes<br />

applications<br />

database<br />

Internet, etc.<br />

Miscellaneous<br />

Övrigt<br />

Other relevant information that<br />

you don’t know where to put,<br />

such as geographic and job<br />

mobility, driver’s license (pointing<br />

out the category), having a car,<br />

etc. Explaining your hobbies is<br />

something that you should usually<br />

try to do because that is something<br />

which tends to come up at the<br />

personal interview. It has the effect<br />

of pursuing your personality.<br />

See an example of a Swedish<br />

CV on the next page<br />

Gunnar Broberg / historian researching on animal´s relation to humans


Switzerland<br />

chapter 10<br />

Mario Botta / architect


Switzerland<br />

497<br />

The constitution also confers<br />

sovereignty - that is, supreme<br />

political power - on the<br />

population, which elects<br />

a parliament. The Swiss<br />

parliament, in turn, elects the<br />

members of the government,<br />

called a Federal Council. The<br />

country also has a legislative<br />

body, the Federal Assembly,<br />

which is composed of two equal<br />

The economy is<br />

classified as one of<br />

the most capitalist<br />

in the world<br />

chambers. The Council of States,<br />

with 46 members representing<br />

the cantons, and the National<br />

Council, with 200 members<br />

allocated according to the strength<br />

of the party.<br />

There are currently four main<br />

political parties: the Swiss People’s<br />

Party, the Radicals, the Social<br />

Democrats and the Christian<br />

Democrats.<br />

For much of the twentieth<br />

century Switzerland has been the<br />

wealthiest country in Europe.<br />

Swiss residents enjoy low tax<br />

rates, in comparison to the<br />

rest of Europe, with similarly<br />

high standards of living. Yet,<br />

unlike many European states,<br />

residents are required to have<br />

insurance against unemployment,<br />

occupational accidents and<br />

occupational illness.<br />

A 2005 survey by the Swiss<br />

Federal Statistical Office<br />

found that the average<br />

Swiss spent just over a<br />

third of their household<br />

budget on taxes and<br />

insurance. Nevertheless, the<br />

strong economic performance of<br />

Switzerland could make <strong>studying</strong><br />

there rewarding experience. The<br />

country’s economy is classified as<br />

one of the most capitalist in the<br />

world and it boasts high levels of<br />

stability and modernization.<br />

The main industries are:<br />

• Pharmaceuticals<br />

• Banking and Insurance<br />

• Watch production<br />

•Tourism<br />

• Mechanical and Electrical<br />

Engineering<br />

The country has high levels of<br />

freedoms in all areas of life, and in<br />

1981 an equality law was passed<br />

to ensure equal rights between<br />

men and women. The country is<br />

a collage of various languages,<br />

religious leanings and ethnic<br />

differences. This adds to the rich<br />

cultural tapestry that makes the<br />

country unique.<br />

Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss<br />

franc (CHF). The Euro is also<br />

becoming increasingly accepted.<br />

However, transactions are mostly<br />

done in Swiss francs.<br />

more info:<br />

www.swissworld.org<br />

Swiss<br />

franc<br />

(CHF)


Switzerland<br />

why switzerland?<br />

499<br />

Kurt Wüthrich / chemist researching on proteins<br />

• Accessible education<br />

Educational programmes in<br />

Switzerland are largely accessible<br />

by a wide cross-section of<br />

people and foreigners make up<br />

a high percentage of the student<br />

population. As such, choosing<br />

Switzerland as your place of<br />

study means you will meet and<br />

associate with people from all over<br />

the world. This kind of diversity<br />

is good; it can give you a very<br />

global outlook and an impartial<br />

understanding of life.<br />

• Multicultural &<br />

multilingual country<br />

Switzerland is a multilingual<br />

country with many people being<br />

able to speak French, German,<br />

Italian, Romansh and another 1%<br />

of the population speaking other<br />

languages. If your core interest is to<br />

learn several languages, or if you<br />

would like to learn a new language<br />

or two while you study, Switzerland<br />

is a great option to consider.<br />

• Funding for<br />

postgraduates<br />

Through the Federal Commission<br />

for International Students, the<br />

government provides a small<br />

number of scholarships to foreign<br />

postgraduates only. These help<br />

students undertake research in<br />

fields that are particularly strong<br />

areas for Swiss universities.<br />

you will meet people<br />

from all over<br />

the world<br />

• Balance academic with<br />

hands-on experience<br />

Since Switzerland is a European<br />

business hub, several courses<br />

have links with locally based<br />

businesses, which give these<br />

programmes an advantage that<br />

cannot be beaten. Special strengths<br />

are in banking, machine tool and<br />

precision engineering. Other<br />

strengths include chemical and<br />

pharmaceutical engineering as well<br />

great hotel and tourist education<br />

departments. The country has<br />

been very successful in attracting<br />

the investment of foreign multinationals<br />

and businesses; and this<br />

is one of the reasons for its huge<br />

banking sector. The knock-on<br />

effect of the wealth attracts some<br />

of the most respected academics<br />

in European universities who look<br />

to enjoy the high wages<br />

and comfortable lifestyle<br />

Switzerland offers.<br />

• Doctoral students<br />

Doctoral study is<br />

considered to be<br />

employment and therefore PhD<br />

students are paid members of the<br />

workforce.<br />

more info:<br />

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<br />

Switzerland<br />

www.swissworld.org<br />

www.swissinfo.org


Switzerland 517<br />

universities and subjects<br />

diploma<br />

University of Zurich<br />

• Art Market Studies<br />

• Biology: Behavioural Sciences<br />

• Biology: Developmental Biology<br />

• Biology: Ecology<br />

• Biology: Geneticser of Science<br />

• Biology: Human Biology<br />

• Biology: Microbiology<br />

• Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology<br />

• Biology: Neurosciences<br />

• Biology: Plant Biology<br />

• Biology: Quantitative Biology and Systems Biology<br />

• Biochemistry<br />

• Economics and Business Administration: Banking and Finance<br />

• Economic s and Business Administration: Economics<br />

• Economics and Business Administration: Management and Economics<br />

• Environmental Sciences<br />

• Informatics: Multimodal and Cognitive Systems<br />

• Informatics: Software Systems<br />

• International Sports Organisations<br />

• Medical Biology<br />

EM/MAS<br />

MSC<br />

MAS<br />

MSC<br />

CAS<br />

MSC<br />

• Palaeontology<br />

• Quantitative Finance<br />

Beatrice Weder di Mauro / Economist<br />

DOCTORAL<br />

PROGAMMES<br />

To access information regarding<br />

doctoral programmes, you can<br />

log onto the Swiss universities<br />

website. Where it is possible to<br />

search for doctoral programmes<br />

by discipline or by university.<br />

The site also allows prospective<br />

students to combine their chosen<br />

programmes with the university<br />

at which it is available. The main<br />

criteria that is used to determine<br />

eligibility for a PhD programme,<br />

is the completion of a master’s<br />

degree or equivalent from a<br />

recognised or accredited university.<br />

Similar to the bachelor’s and<br />

master’s programmes, conditions<br />

for acceptance vary among<br />

universities, and interested<br />

students should check the<br />

admission requirements of their<br />

prospective university.<br />

more info:<br />

www.swissuniversity.ch.


Switzerland<br />

525<br />

work permits<br />

On arrival in Switzerland,<br />

you will have to apply to the<br />

police department dealing with<br />

foreigners, to obtain a residence<br />

permit. You must present yourself<br />

within ten days of arrival to the<br />

appropriate police department in<br />

the town where you will be living<br />

with following documents:<br />

• a valid passport, with a copy<br />

and the original of your entry visa<br />

• confirmation that you<br />

have been accepted by a Swiss<br />

university<br />

• a guarantee of sufficient<br />

financial means to support yourself<br />

during your studies (e.g. bank<br />

statement)<br />

• statement concerning your<br />

address in Switzerland<br />

Visa<br />

extension<br />

Based on the prevailing division<br />

of government services between<br />

the federal government and the<br />

cantons, the cantonal authorities<br />

are responsible for the extension<br />

of visas or the granting of aliens<br />

police residence permits. For this<br />

reason, you are required to address<br />

your enquiries regarding visa<br />

extensions directly to the cantonal<br />

migration authorities responsible<br />

for your area of residence. The<br />

procedure is similar to that of<br />

obtaining your previous residence<br />

permit.<br />

more info:<br />

www.bfm.admin.ch<br />

www.eda.admin.ch<br />

Manuela Pfrunder / designer<br />

Working<br />

while<br />

<strong>studying</strong><br />

The student resident permit does<br />

not give you the right to work. In<br />

the case of a summer internship,<br />

the local authorities have to be<br />

informed and they have to agree<br />

beforehand.<br />

Work after<br />

studies<br />

Upon the completion of your<br />

studies, you cannot work in<br />

Switzerland automatically. If a<br />

company recruits you, they need to<br />

apply for another type of residence<br />

permit for you and obtain it<br />

beforehand. Non-EU-citizens can<br />

only get a work permit if their<br />

employer proves they could not fill<br />

the respective position with a Swiss<br />

or EU citizen. This can become a


Working <strong>abroad</strong><br />

537<br />

the necessary finances. As such,<br />

students without the necessary<br />

financial means should start their<br />

job search as early as possible.<br />

Starting the job search early has<br />

a secondary function. If you are<br />

for students<br />

without the<br />

necessary<br />

financial means<br />

able to find employment prior to<br />

submitting your visa application<br />

(or while it is being considered)<br />

some countries allow this to be<br />

calculated as part of the financial<br />

burden of proof, necessary for visa<br />

issuance * .<br />

* This regulation should be checked at the<br />

embassy when you will apply for your student visa.<br />

It is possible for you to make a strong case for your<br />

employment to be considered as financial security.<br />

This is especially true , if the proposed employment is<br />

in a field related to your area of study and you have a<br />

signed and certified contract from the employer.<br />

The first part of this chapter will<br />

be on the various Methods of job<br />

hunting and how you can use<br />

available resources to make your job<br />

hunting successful. Each country<br />

specific chapter contains more indepth<br />

job search sources particular<br />

to that country. The second section<br />

will discuss and evaluate the Tools<br />

of Job Searching, such as resumes,<br />

standard application forms and the<br />

job letter.<br />

this chapter<br />

section 1<br />

various<br />

methods of<br />

job hunting<br />

• how to use<br />

available<br />

resources<br />

section 2<br />

tools of job<br />

searching<br />

• resumes<br />

• application forms<br />

• job letter<br />

Methods of<br />

job hunting<br />

These are some of the most<br />

common places to start<br />

your job searching:<br />

• Personal contacts<br />

• Employers/companies of interest<br />

• Classified ads<br />

• National and local newspapers<br />

• Professional journals<br />

• Trade magazines<br />

• Internet resources<br />

• Professional associations<br />

• Labour unions<br />

• State employment service offices<br />

• Government departments<br />

• Community agencies<br />

• Internships<br />

• Private employment agencies<br />

and career consultants<br />

• School career planning and<br />

placement offices<br />

book:<br />

What Color Is Your<br />

Parachute?<br />

Richard Bolles


my notes


613<br />

this book<br />

© Kenisha Russell<br />

All rights reserved.<br />

No part of this book can be<br />

reproduced, stored in a retrieval<br />

system, or transmitted, in<br />

any form or by any means,<br />

electronic, digital, photographic<br />

or mechanical or otherwise,<br />

without the prior written<br />

permission of the publisher,<br />

except for brief reviews.<br />

Design and illustrations<br />

Martha Sanchez<br />

Typefaces<br />

News Gothic<br />

designed by Morris Fuller<br />

Palatino<br />

designed by Hermann Zapf<br />

Printing<br />

Elanders Fälth & Hässler<br />

Värnamo, Sweden<br />

February 2012

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