Prepare for your exchange
All you need to know as a student when preparing to go abroad on exchange, for example finances, planning, motivation letters and more.
- Kick-off event: International Experience Week
Join us for the opening of the International Experience Week! Inspiring speakers will kickstart the event by telling you about their experience with internationalisation. Enjoy a drink whilst making the most of this opportunity to connect with peers, colleagues and other people from the world of academia.- Intended for: All students and staff
- Date/time: Monday 9 October – 17:30 - 19:15
- Location: KOG building – Restaurant
- Should I stay or should I go? Doubts, hesitation, uncertainties, panel discussion
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time: Wednesday 11 October - 19:00-20:00
- Location: KOG A1.44
- Speakers: International Relations and former exchange students
- Details: Are you not sure whether an exchange experience is best suited for you? Come to this panel discussion to hear from both Leiden University staff and students about their experiences abroad and the hesitation and uncertainties they encountered in their decision-making process. Our panel members will answer your questions to clear your doubts and inform you to aid you in making your choice!
- Workshop: Future-proofing your career with border-crossing competences
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time: Thursday 12 October 18:00-19:00
- Location: KOG B0.41
- Speakers: International Relations
- Details: Intercultural skills and inner development goals have become essential components of thriving in today's globalized work environment. Discover more about these skills, which will encourage you to view the world from different perspectives and break free from culturally ingrained assumptions. Learn how you can leverage your international learning experiences and see how these skills will enhance your future.
- Diversity and inclusion at home and abroad: international exchange and the ‘other’
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time: Friday 13 October 16:00 - 17:00
- Location: KOG A0.51
- Speakers: Leiden University Diversity Officer
- Details: Beautiful traditions, untouched nature and quirky subcultures: the image of studying abroad is often tied to a sense of curiosity and excitement about the ‘other’. At the same time, studying abroad in itself can come with uncomfortable experiences of being ‘othered.’ In this session, we critically reflect on processes of inclusion and exclusion in relation to the study abroad experience and alternatives for approaching intercultural encounters at home and abroad.
- Budgetting during your time abroad: learn how to become financially resilient!
- Intended for: International students
- Date/time: Friday 13 October 17:00-18:00
- Location: KOG A1.44
- Speakers: International Relations
- Details: Going on exchange is an invaluable adventure but unfortunately, it isn’t free. Budgeting is a good way to get the most out of your exchange without missing beautiful experiences! This session informs you about making a budget for your exchange and helps you to plan financially for your experience abroad.
There is also a budget calculator available online. You can download the presentation about financial literacy & resilience here. For more information, visit the Digipass website.
- Conscious Globetrotters: Guide to a Sustainable and Green Exchange
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time: Wednesday 11 October 19:00-20:00
- Location: KOG C0.06
- Speakers: Leiden University Green Office
- Details: Are you planning to go abroad on exchange and hoping to minimise your carbon footprint as much as possible? Join LUGO at the International Experience Week for a workshop on how to travel and set up life sustainably during exchange. We’ll share tips on green travel options, exploring secondhand/local stores and other reuse options, efficient packing, and much more!
- Workshop: Writing a Cover Letter
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time: Thursday 12 October 17:00-18:30
- Location: KOG B0.32
- Speakers: Leiden University Career Services
- Details: Imagine: you’ve seen an interesting job opening or internship opening. More often than not, you’ll have to send in a CV and cover letter. Writing those can be quite difficult. How do you make sure that yours stand out among the other applications? Which aspects are important to emphasise and how can you formulate best? In this workshop, you will receive tips on how to build a professional CV and learn what elements a convincing cover letter needs. Our career service professionals with help you to present yourself at your best. Register now!
- Scholarships and finances: Ways to finance your time abroad (2 sessions)
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time:
- Session A: Thursday 12 October 19:00-20:00 KOG C0.06
- Session B: Friday 13 October 18:00-19:00 online
- Speakers: Scholarships Team
- Details: Going abroad but not sure how to finance your international adventure? During this session, the Scholarship Team will inform you on which Scholarships are available, deadlines and how to apply.
- You can also download the presentation of this session.
- Aon Insurances - Insurance for your stay abroad (online)
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time: Thursday 12 October 17:00-18:00
- Location: online
- Speakers: Aon Insurances
- Details: Going abroad? Don't forget your insurance policies! Aon Insurances will help you sort out the proper coverage for your stay abroad with their packages specially designed for students going abroad. Interested? Visit this online workshop!
- Studying Abroad and the Advantages of Joining an (International) Student Association
- Intended for: All students
- Date/time: Wednesday 11 October 20:00-21:00
- Location: KOG C1.31
- Speakers: Leiden United
- Details: Are you planning on or thinking of studying abroad for a while during your studies? In this session, the Leiden United board members will tell you everything you need to know about studying abroad. Every board member will talk about their own experiences of studying abroad, whether as Internationals coming to the Netherlands or as a Dutch student studying in another country. In the second half of the session, we will tell you more about the advantages of joining an (international) student association while studying abroad. Through this session, we hope to give you some insights about studying abroad and to inspire you with our own experiences.