Students from exchange: four experiences from Seoul, Lyon and Hong Kong

Getting to know another country and another culture, visiting public institutions and international organizations and, at the same time, broadening the academic training received at the University. These are some of the experiences provided by participating in a stay at exchange.  

During this first semester, 73 students from School Law are participating in one of the programs promoted by International Office of School. With a duration of between 4 and 6 months, these classes are being held in 17 countries around the world: Australia, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States. 

Alicia Moreno Montoro, from Pamplona and third year student of Degree of International Office, sends a picture from campus of KyungHee University in Seoul (South Korea), from where you can see Central Building and auditorium in the background. "This experience is turning out to be amazing. I had some pretty formed expectations about what I was going to experience here in Korea, but since I arrived, this country has done nothing but surprise me. The exchange is bringing me a huge change in how I perceive the world. I'm learning life lessons that I wouldn't have found anywhere else," he says. 

The day-to-day life of a UN diplomat

"When choosing the exchange there are two criteria that I particularly valued: the host university and the language. Ideally, the host university should be specialized in a area of particular interest. In my case, Sciences Po Lyon offers a Catalog of very varied subjects on political science and International Relations," explains Isabel González Ripa, a fifth-year Law and International Relations student from Lyon. A native of Logroño, Isabel adds that this exchange is allowing her to improve her French, "a very useful language for working in European institutions. At final, an experience that not only makes me enjoy staff, but also enriches me for my professional future", she concludes. 

In addition, his stay at exchange offered him the opportunity to attend the 51st regular session of the committee Human Rights, which was held from September 12 to October 7. "A week in which I was able to learn firsthand about the functioning of the committee Human Rights. Accompanying different delegations (from Spain and Djibouti among others), I attended meetings and events on various topics such as the challenges of new technologies and Education in Africa or non-violence in conflicts. Being able to be at conference room XX while a historical milestone such as the war in Ukraine was being debated is something I will never forget. In short, it was a week in which I was able to learn and enjoy a lot living the day-to-day life of a diplomat at the UN", he says.

Paola Rosenberg Callejas, from Guatemala, is in her fourth year at International Office. Like Alicia Moreno, her destination for exchange is South Korea, at Yonsei University. "This experience is teaching me to see the world from another perspective and to be open to whatever comes my way. Korea has never ceased to surprise me. It is a country full of contrasts where you can see a traditional temple surrounded by colorful skyscrapers and spectacular mountains. This exchange has shown me that by working hard I can achieve many dreams. This is the committee I give to other students: to strive to achieve the exchange destination you desire and not to feel insecure because it is worth it."

Patricia Chouciño Brindis is in Hong Kong. A fourth year student of International Office, she says she chose this city for its international character, its activity and its culture. "It is being an enriching experience, I am surrounded by friends from Switzerland, France, Germany, Denmark, Tunisia, Holland, Morocco, Italy, Spain etc. The students at exchange are very open-minded and we are all eager to make the most of these months," she says. Hong Kong was a British colony. In this regard, Patricia mentions the mix of cultures and customs, Western and Eastern, that she has found in the city. "I've been very struck by the fact that most of the locals know English here, in addition to Cantonese. They have the steering wheel on the right side..., etc. Despite being from such different cultures, it is grade that there is a lot of presence of international citizens and they are very used to living with it." 

70 agreements with universities in 30 countries

Currently, the International Office of the School manages more than 70 agreements of exchange with universities in 30 countries, to facilitate the mobility of students like Isabel, Patricia, Alicia or Paola during their stay at the University. 

There is a destination for each student, but not all destinations are for all, warn from the International Office. Among other things, it is worth considering the academic calendar of the host university, the grade average required and the language. 

Between January 9 and 16, the application process of exchange will be open through the platform. The deadline deadline to submit the documentation and form is Monday, January 16, at 14h. Students must apply for the exchange and attach the required documentation, including the TOEFL. From the 23rd to the 27th, places will be granted in person.

In addition, the School Law School is also a destination for another 44 students who have chosen the University of Navarra as their center for this first semester exchange . They have come from Australia, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan and Uruguay.