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Institution:
Mobility type:
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Faculty:
Study level:
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Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

South Africa 2018/2019 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Education

Another faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Pre-school Education

Level of study during period of placement:
Bachelor

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2018

Period of placement (from-to):
2018-07-01 - 2018-12-31

Number of months:
6

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
https://www.mandela.ac.za/

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
transcript of records

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
3-4 month ahead

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
acceptance letter, criminal record certificate -clear, Visa Fee, valid Passport, proof of accomodation acceptance, account statement

Length of wait for visa:
3 weeks

Fee for the visa:
1000 CZK

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
yes

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
first week of semester we register all our courses together with support body from international office

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
no

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
- choose option -

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
2 NMU credits = 1 ECTS

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
frontal methods on lectures and projects and practical seminars

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
a little bit lower

How did you receive study materials?:
online portal - e-learning or at the first lesson

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
CLS 100 - Community service learning

How well is the school library equipped?:
well equipped,

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
There are some PCs in the library, but most of the time are occupied, so it is better to take your own notebook

Options from printing and copying:
at the library (more than 5 copy machines)

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
first week of semester - orientation week , excursions, trip to natures,

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
4

or describe in your own words:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
Campus key , off campus living

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
300 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
accomodation, energy, cleaning in once in month at the apartment

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
bed, matrace, table, shower, chair

no blankets, no kitchen equipment

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
3 km from South campus

What are the catering options?:
restauranst and shops around, cafeteria at South campus

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
dairy products are a bit more expensive but meat is cheaper than in czech

Transport to location of placement:
there is no public transport, only few busses provided by university
It is better to rent a bike or hire a car.

Rough prices for transportation:
-

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Rent a bike or a car, (affordable cars hire - Karl http://www.affordablecarhire.co.za/)

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
One bus in an hour, you can't count with it always, bette to use UBER

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
proof of payment, register and their portal - nothing complicated

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
It is necessary to have local insurance, i used MOMENTUM health.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
no

Did you work during your studies?:
no

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
there is really low chance to find job there

Tips for free-time activities:
surfing, traveling, contact with local people and culture

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
105000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
-0 CZK

Number of supported months:
6

Total number of months:
6

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
own savings

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:
-

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
45000 ZAR

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
35000 ZAR

b/ amount of tuition fees:
-0 ZAR

c/ amount of other fees (which):
-0 ZAR

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
20000 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
4000 ZAR

b/ of which for catering:
2500 ZAR

c/ travel and recreation:
1500 ZAR

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
23 ECTS

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
21

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

What problems did you have with recognition?:
-

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
3

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
2

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
no

What would you recommend to take with you:
basic medicaments, also warm clothes, snow in South African mountains is nothing special, flash ligh then there is often load shedding, headband - in PE is strong wind from the ocean side, I am open to help someone with preparations form next stay

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
orientation week and the wide choice of free time activities and UNIclubs,

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Problem with registration of courses - not everything what seems to be available to register is open i n the semester

Further comments:
I enjoyd it and I will alway support people to go out for semester abroad! It is life experience.