EXCHANGES
One of the major functions
of EGEA is to facilitate exchanges of geography students between different
universities across Europe. The exchange works in a similar way to a secondary
school language exchange, rather than an Erasmus exchange, with each university
hosting the other for about a week. The host nations students accommodate the
guests in their homes and looks after them during the visit, then the same
happens in return. Contacts for organizing these exchanges are made at the regional
and European congresses, or via email by using the database at the EGEA Europe
website.
Each year we will try to
set up two exchanges. If you are interested in taking part in organizing or
participating in an exchange, or have any questions, please contact us now, egeaglasgow@c4.com.
The Exchanges committee is a
part of EGEA and organizes exchanges. This page provides information on what an
exchange entails.
Exchanges, together with the yearly congresses, are the main way of achieving
the goals of EGEA; exchanging knowledge and experience in the geographical
field, as well as getting to know each others culture.
In the exchanges this is
done by participating in a cultural and scientific program which comprises of
workshops, lectures and excursions, that is organized by the receiving entity.
An exchange usually involves
a relatively small group of students, in the range of 5 through to 20 persons,
which visit the other entity for a week and participate in the scientific
program. First one entity visits the other, then the other way around. In
principle it is so that the hosting entity pays for the stay and the food of
their guests, and the visitors are to pay for their own traveling expenses.
Flexibility is very
important to the EGEA-exchanges. This is clear in the fact that the extent of
the visit as well as the number of people participating can vary widely, as
well as the possibility to combine the exchange with (regional) congresses,
other exchanges or personal traveling wishes.
A second important component
of an EGEA-exchange is that it should be affordable. This means that one will
travel in the cheapest way possible and that during the exchange one is likely
to stay at student’s homes, as well as enjoying the hosts home cooking. This
all means that you will get an up close view of the daily life, that you will
never get were you to travel to the same destination as a tourist.
The core of the exchange is
the exchange of knowledge and experience, but also making new fiends and
establishing contacts that can benefit you later on, for example, in arranging
studies or work abroad. This is done by participating in the scientific program
and by going out in the evenings and socialize. Because geography is
interpreted differently in every country, its interesting to learn about these
different interpretations, which may help reflect on your own view on
geography, and provide you with fresh insights.
During the exchanges our
foreign visitors will roam the streets of Glasgow for a week, would you like to
become a mentor and guide them through Glasgow and the University? Or would you
like to help the committee in any other way, please email us at
egeaglasgow@c4.com.