University students begin their exchange semesters abroad

Thirty-three Birzeit University students have started semesters at European universities under the Erasmus Plus student exchange program. 

The students, who are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s programs at Birzeit University, began taking classes in law, computer engineering, English literature, business administration, economics, gender development, and electrical engineering at the partner institutions. 

Currently, there are Birzeit University students in 13 universities across seven European countries - the Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne University and the University of Burgundy, in France; the University of Cyprus, in Cyprus; the University of Helsinki and the University of Tampere, in Finland; the Fachhochschule Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the Philipps University of Marburg, in Germany; the University of Iceland, in Iceland; the University of Deusto, the University of Almeria, and the University of Malaga, in Spain; the University of Glasgow, in Scotland; and the Sapienza University of Rome, in Italy. 

As part of the Erasmus Plus program, the courses that the students pass successfully while they’re on exchange will count toward their degrees at their home universities. 

Amir Khalil, the external academic relations officer at Birzeit University, said that exchange programs help students broaden their horizons academically and culturally, and gives them a global perspective on challenges and issues, whether locally or internationally. 

Students who wish to take a semester abroad in a partner Erasmus Plus institution take part in regular information sessions - led by Khalil and usually featuring Erasmus Plus alumni who discuss their experiences abroad - on the application process and the logistics of travel and studying in overseas. 

During their exchange semesters, and when they return, the students are in constant communication with Birzeit University on their studies and their experiences, providing comments and advice on their journeys from start to finish.