Internationalising Higher Education

A student exchange between Aston University and Korea University has funded by the Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education (PMI2). Aston University has been keen to expand opportunities for students to spend time abroad as research shows that, increasingly, international experience increases a student's ability in intercultural team working. PMI2 funding has enabled Aston University to offer scholarships for students to spend their third year placement or summer in Korea. They made an agreement with Korea University to exchange students, and offered students in the UK scholarships to help fund study in Korea. A total of 17 students will visit Korea this year - six undergraduates are spending a full year abroad and the remaining students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, attended an international student summer school. A pre-departure briefing took place for students going to Korea, involving the learning of basic Korean phrases, as well as the new culture and customs of the students' new temporary home country. A recent visit to the students in Korea showed that they are all thriving. This poster will outline the exchange between Aston University and Korea University and the benefits of international student mobility.