Stay abroad as a learning process and self-assessment

Phase 1: Decision-making

By exploring the factors that matter to you, you will gain valuable insights into different countries and universities.

Questions

What is important to me for my studies, my professional future and my well-being? How do I want to grow professionally and personally?

• Academic: Which academic qualities are important to me? High ranking (primarily statement on research)? Innovative teaching methods? Lots of team and project work? Small groups, lots of personal contact with lecturers? Very wide range of courses? Strong selection or high entry barriers for local students? Academic network for later project work or research? Private sector network (company fairs, spin-offs, etc.) for research or traineeships later on?
• Language: Do I want to learn or improve another language? Stay abroad mainly or entirely in English ¨C or also in another language?
• Surroundings: Big city, student city or campus university? Nature experience or a wide range of cultural activities? Active student organisations and university traditions? Distance to friends and family? Accommodation options? Sports facilities? Cost of living?
• Sustainability: Should the stay abroad take place within or outside Europe? How can I organise my arrival and departure in a sustainable way (flight, train, etc.)? How will I get from my accommodation to the campus? How good is the local public transport? How do the countries, universities, organisations and accommodation differ in terms of their sustainability programmes and activities?

Aids

• Websites Student Exchange Office, department, partner university
• Greener Mobility IRO Kit https://movetia.ch/en/how-to/quality-and-impact/green-mobility
• Green Erasmus https://www.greenerasmus.org/browse-topics
• Lecturers, fellow students

Phase 2: Application

You gain a clearer understanding of your goals, aspirations, strengths, and areas for improvement.

Questions

• What goals do I want to achieve during my stay abroad?
• What resources are available to help me reach them? What motivates me to take part in the stay abroad?
• Which skills can I develop or strengthen through my stay abroad?
• What key factors matter most when choosing my destination?
• How will I prepare for my stay abroad ¨C academically, linguistically, and personally?

Aids

• Create an overview (list, mind map, mood board, etc.)
• Study plan

Phase 3: After the stay abroad

Reflecting on your experience helps you recognise your achievements, understand how you have grown, and determine how to apply what you have learned in the future.

Questions

• What goals have I achieved?
• What have I learned, both professionally and personally?
• Which experiences have left a positive or negative impression on me?
• How have I grown and changed personally during my stay abroad?
• Has my perception of ETH and Switzerland evolved, and if so, how?
• Are there any insights from my stay abroad semester that I want to revisit and pursue further?
• What advice or insights would I like to share with future mobility students?
• What would I repeat, and what would I do differently during my next academic or professional stay abroad?
• Which relationships and friendships formed during my stay abroad would I like to continue nurturing?

Aids

• Review the overview created for phase 2
• Write your study report (only required for certain scholarships provided by the Student Exchange Office) [LINK: R?CKKEHR, STUDIENBERICHT]
• Actively nurture the friendships and connections made during the stay abroad
• Take advantage of the services offered by the Career Centre /students/en/careers/Startseite_CareerCenter.html