UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME:

By agreement between Stellenbosch University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (SU and VPI) in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, two third-year forestry students from each institution may be selected as exchange students every year. The Department of Forestry at VPI and SU is part of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Resources and ranks amongst the best educational forestry institutions in the world. The selected students enrol and pay their tuition at their home university but attend classes at the host university. Participating students are responsible for all costs, such as air travel, visas, books and accommodation, while at the host university.

The American academic year commences with their "Fall Quarter". This starts in late August, so students from Stellenbosch will be in America for the second semester of their third year and the first semester of their fourth year.

It is not possible to guarantee that exchange students will have exactly the same suite of courses as the other students, but this is not regarded as a major obstacle. Their chosen combination of courses will be subject to approval by the lecturers concerned.

Applications for participation in the exchange programme must be lodged with the Dean of the Faculty of Agrisciences before the end of April. Should there be more than two applicants, selection will be made on the basis of academic merit and personal disposition, at the sole discretion of the Dean.

In order to qualify for an exchange (JI) visa, applicants will have to prove to the United States Ambassador that they have guaranteed funding of at least US $6 500 (to cover books, food and accommodation) plus health insurance. The exchange visa will permit successful applicants to accept part-time employment in order to supplement their income while in the USA, but the time available for such work will be a limiting factor. The above assumes that exchange students will earn about $2 000 for the six weeks during the summer before they return home.

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