Has anyone ever gone in a exchange program? or do you know someone who has? how hard was it get accepted?

I am really interested in this, I would like to spend 6 months or a year in Spain, France, or anywhere in Europe really.

When I was browsing in the Mcmaster website I found this: http://oisa.mcmaster.ca/outgoing_exch.cfm

if you watch the video you'll notice most students there are in humanities. Does anyone know why that is?

Not necessarily Humanities. A friend is in Bio and Math and she's spending this upcoming semester in France to learn French. So it doesn't really have to be relevant at all. As for the application, I remember it was pretty competitive, based on grades and references letters I believe.

Originally Posted by ~*Sara*~

Not necessarily Humanities. A friend is in Bio and Math and she's spending this upcoming semester in France to learn French. So it doesn't really have to be relevant at all. As for the application, I remember it was pretty competitive, based on grades and references letters I believe.

Yeah I wouldn't mind going there even if I'm just taking electives and learning the language. I think it would be a good experience.

Originally Posted by Eternal Fire

Yeah I wouldn't mind going there even if I'm just taking electives and learning the language. I think it would be a good experience.

Definitely. It's something I've thought about doing as well. Have you checked the website? http://oisa.mcmaster.ca/ There's a feature to search for exchange programs and whatnot. Also, in September (not sure if they're open now), drop by the ISS office in Gilmour Hall and they should give you all the info you need

Originally Posted by ~*Sara*~

Definitely. It's something I've thought about doing as well. Have you checked the website? http://oisa.mcmaster.ca/ There's a feature to search for exchange programs and whatnot. Also, in September (not sure if they're open now), drop by the ISS office in Gilmour Hall and they should give you all the info you need

Oh wow, that search engine seems pretty useful, it covers all countries and all kinds of programs. Thanks for the tip.

Edit: Do you know if you can apply more than once if you don't get into the program the first time? like the year after that?

Originally Posted by Eternal Fire

Oh wow, that search engine seems pretty useful, it covers all countries and all kinds of programs. Thanks for the tip.

Edit: Do you know if you can apply more than once if you don't get into the program the first time? like the year after that?

Yeah I know, it's really extensive! You're bound to find something you like. I'm pretty sure you can especially for summer terms, but I'm not too sure about full-year exchange programs because that's set more to take place during 3rd year. I would send the ISS office an email though and get your questions cleared up to see if this is really something you'd like to do

Originally Posted by Eternal Fire

Has anyone ever gone in a exchange program? or do you know someone who has? how hard was it get accepted?

I am really interested in this, I would like to spend 6 months or a year in Spain, France, or anywhere in Europe really.

When I was browsing in the Mcmaster website I found this: http://oisa.mcmaster.ca/outgoing_exch.cfm

if you watch the video you'll notice most students there are in humanities. Does anyone know why that is?

Hey!

I'm sort of "on exchange" right now. By sort of, I mean that i'm not doing an academic exchange, but I'm doing an internship in France for the summer through the Ontario Rhone Alps Program. Here's the website:

http://www.ora.ouinternation al.ca/...search-program

There's a similar program called the OBW exchange (except its in Germany) that's also geared towards studentss in science/engineering who want to work/do research in Europe. If that's something that interests you, you shoud definitely check it out.

IMO it's easier than doing an academic exchange because you don't have to worry about your courses being approved or credits being transferred etc and it doesn't mess up your schedule when you get back to Mac. If you want more info, let me know. I'd be happy to answer questions!

EDIT: I just realized I didn't answer your question about how hard it was to get accepted... The ORA summer research program JUST started this year, so I don't think they had a lot of applicants. The OBW Summer research program, as far as I know is fairly competitive and a little more complicated because you have to find your own supervisor at your host school. I think for both programs you need to show prior interst in research and a minimum GPA (not sure exactly what the cut-off was), and you need a professor from Mac to nominate you. I know friends who have had similar summer research experiences in Europe through other programs, but I can't remember which ones right now :(