In-country Study

In-country Study is a key component of both the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and the coursework Master of Arts in International Studies. It provides a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the language and culture of another country through a learning program at a host university; through involvement in the life of the local community; and through assignments which are supervised by the Institute.

When?

Students taking the combined degree with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies must spend two semesters of study at a university or other higher education institution in the country that is their major. In-country Study is usually taken in the fourth year of a combined degree. Students taking the Master of Arts in International Studies may spend one semester of study in the country of their major.

Where?

All In-country Study is taken in countries where English is not the predominant language. In-country Study is organised by the Institute in over 40 universities in Canada (Québec), Chile, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latino USA, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand. It may be possible for students to study in other countries through either the Heritage major (if students have significant prior knowledge of a particular language and culture) or the Independent Study major (if there is access to the necessary university-level language studies in Sydney).

What?

Each student's individual study program depends on their level of language competence and the subjects and other learning experiences that are available at their host university. All students must also complete assignments which are assessed by staff of the Institute.

Costs

In-country Study 1 and In-country Study 2 are full-credit subjects at UTS for which HECS is payable at undergraduate level. Students receiving student financial support in Australia are still eligible to receive it while they are engaged in the period of In-country Study.

The costs of tuition at overseas universities and of travel between Sydney and the student's place of study are paid by UTS, except in cases where a scholarship has been awarded to a student with provision for these costs. Visa fees are also paid by UTS and students are covered by the UTS Overseas Insurance Policy. Students undertaking the Heritage or Independent Study major may be required to bear some of the tuition costs at the overseas university.

Students pay the costs of accommodation and other living expenses during their period of In-country Study. Students should be aware that the living costs vary from country to country and that in some countries living costs are high. The UTS medical service is available to students for medical examinations for visas, vaccinations and other country-specific health advice.

Admission to In-country Study

Under normal circumstances, students can only proceed to a period of In-country Study within the International Studies program after they have successfully completed all earlier stages in the degree program. Students who have not successfully completed all earlier stages may proceed to a period of In-country Study only with the permission of both the Dean of the faculty in which their degree is based and the Director of the Institute for International Studies.

Prerequisites

Before undertaking the subject In-country Study 1, students need to have successfully completed the required subjects in their International Studies program. These subjects are listed under their major code in the Study Package Directory.

Before undertaking In-country Study 2, students need to have successfully completed In-country Study 1.

Content and assessment

Students with a basic level of language competence usually follow a program of study which continues to develop their knowledge and understanding of the host country's language and culture. Those whose level of language competence is adequate, study subjects related to the development of the contemporary society – history, economics, politics, society and culture – of the host country alongside students from that country. Those whose level of language competence and understanding of local culture is close to that of a native speaker may choose freely from a wide range of subjects with the approval of the host university and the Institute for International Studies.

In all cases, students undertake a reduced study load at the host institution. In addition to the classes attended, all students are expected to complete assignments administered by the Institute for International Studies, and these, together with a satisfactory report from the host institution, are the basis for assessment.

Any study undertaken at the host university during the two semesters of In-country Study is part of the In-country Study experience. Students may not credit any subjects completed at their host university during the period of In-country Study towards the professional component of their combined degree.

Conditions of participation for In-country Study

Before students engage in a period of In-country Study, they may be required to meet appropriate financial and enrolment requirements. They are also required to agree to be governed by the Institute's Conditions of Participation for the period of In-country Study and to abide by the rules and regulations of the host institution and the laws of the host country. The Conditions of Participation are as follows:

'As a student of UTS participating in a period of In-country Study within the International Studies program, I understand that I remain subject to the rules and regulations of UTS and undertake to:

accept financial responsibility for all personal expenses, including accommodation and food, during a period of In-country Study
meet all academic requirements that precede the period of In-country Study
abide by the Regulations for In-country Study Travel Arrangements as set out by the Institute for International Studies
participate in any pre-departure preparation specified by the Institute for International Studies
advise the appropriate faculty and the Institute of any changes in an academic program while overseas in accordance with applicable UTS dates and the guidelines of the Institute for International Studies
arrange for UTS Students' Association fees to be paid each semester during the period of In-country Study
7. abide by advice from the Student Administration Unit regarding HECS payments, re-enrolment proxies, and examination assessments
abide by the laws of the host country
abide by the regulations of the host institution
behave personally and professionally in an appropriate manner for a representative of UTS, and
consult with staff of the Institute for International Studies and advisers at the host institution should any problems arise in relation to academic or other matters during a period of In-country Study.

I understand that failure to abide by these conditions may result in disciplinary action.'

Partner universities hosting In-country Study programs

Canada (Québec)

Université Laval, Québec City

Chile

Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago
Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Valparaiso

China

Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
Yunnan Normal University, Kunming
Shanxi University, Taiyuan
Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin

France

Université Michel de Montaigne Bordeaux 3, Bordeaux
Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Caen
Institut National des Télécommunications, Evry
Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon
Université de Poitiers, Poitiers
Université de Reims, Champagne-Ardennes, Reims
Université Rennes 2 – Haute Bretagne, Rennes
Université Robert Schuman, Strasbourg
Université de Toulon et du Var, Toulon
Université de la Nouvelle Calédonie, Nouméa

Germany

Universität Duisburg–Essen, Duisburg
Georg-Augustus Universität Göttingen, Göttingen
Universität Hamburg, Hamburg
Universität Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe
Universität Konstanz, Konstanz
Universität Potsdam, Potsdam
Universität Regensburg, Regensburg
Universität des Saarlands, Saarbrücken
Universität Tübingen, Tübingen

Indonesia

Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta

Italy

Libera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione IULM, Milan
Politecnico di Milano, Milan
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan
Università degli studi dell'Aquila, L'Aquila
Università degli studi di Bergamo, Bergamo
Università degli studi di Bologna, Bologna
Università degli studi di Catania, Catania
Università degli studi di Ferrara, Ferrara
Università degli studi di Genova, Genoa
Università degli studi di Lecce, Lecce
Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena
Università degli studi di Trieste, Trieste

Japan

Gifu University, Gifu
Hokkaido University of Education, Hakodate Campus, Hakodate, Hokkaido
Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Kyushu
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Kyoto
Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu, Kyushu
Nishogakusha University, Kashiwa, Chiba
Obirin University, Machida, Tokyo
Okinawa University, Naha, Okinawa
Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka
Tokyo Institute of Technology, O-okayama, Tokyo
Sapporo University, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Yamanashi University, Kofu, Yamanashi
Yokohama National University, Yokohama

Latino USA

California State University, Sacramento
University of Miami, Florida
University of Texas, Austin

Malaysia

Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Borneo
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang

Mexico

Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara
El Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITSEM), Monterrey
Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa

Spain

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid
Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid
Universidad de Cantabria, Santander
Universidad de La Rioja, Logroño
Universidad de Málaga, Málaga
Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona
Universidad Pública de Navarra, Pamplona
Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca
University Alfonso X El Sabio, Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid area)

Switzerland

Université de Lausanne, Lausanne
Universität Zürich, Zürich
Universität Berne, Berne

Thailand

Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen

The Institute reserves the right to make alterations to the location and content of any program of In-country Study at any time.

Academic support and pastoral care

In-country academic advisers from each host university assist the Institute's staff in monitoring students' progress and provide academic support and pastoral care. At the end of each semester of In-country Study, the host university reports to the Institute on each student's progress. Country coordinators from the Institute for International Studies visit each student at least once during their In-country placement and regular contact is maintained with students and with the host universities' academic advisers.

Before departure, students receive both a subject outline and a detailed study guide which together outline the study program for each host university, including the range of subjects available, assessment guidelines and criteria and advice on practical matters associated with settling into the life of the local community. The study guide also includes contact numbers for Australian embassies and consulates, which are advised of students' names and programs of study prior to their departure from Australia.

An emergency policy has been developed and students are advised of procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

Alternative arrangements

Some students may find it impossible to leave or stay away from Australia for a whole year for a variety of reasons. The Institute maintains a system of pastoral care. In exceptional cases, provision is made for students to vary their program of study to fit individual circumstances. Under those circumstances, students may be required to complete their International Studies program by taking subjects from the list of approved alternative subjects. Any variation in the International Studies program is subject to the approval of the Board of Studies of the Institute.

The Institute reserves the right to vary the In-country Study component of the International Studies program in the event of unsafe conditions in a particular region.