This module accounts for the semester spent abroad by students across various programs at UL, for whom a semester abroad on Erasmus Placement, or studying at a non-EU university, is a compulsory element of their curriculum.

During the semester abroad, students are exposed to opportunities and challenges in expanding their cultural horizon, studying in a different institutional setting, and also having to integrate in the student life at the host university and in a foreign country. Students will have to complete courses (attend and pass) at the academic institution abroad according to a previously agreed learning agreement. The learning agreement is approved by Academic Coordinators from both their home (UL) and host institution.

- Develop and apply decision making and planning skills in pursuing their course of study - Improve their communication, negotiation and problem solving skills by having to navigate challenges in studying at a different academic institution and cultural environment - Revise, summarize and evaluate their own academic and personal development during a semester of study abroad. - Practice and improve knowledge of a foreign language - Contrast and compare the teaching and learning experiences between their home and host institution - Evaluate and reflect on the differences in teaching and learning of their own discipline in two academic settings

- Develop intercultural awareness, sensitivity and competence - Identify and deal with the emotional challenges of adapting to a new country and a new academic setting - Experience and value the benefits and challenges of living in a foreign country - Display confidence in living abroad independently - Relate well to students and lectures from a different institution and cultural background

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The successful completion of the Academic Exchange semester is based on proof that students completed and passed the courses agreed with the Academic Coordinators in the learning agreement. Students have to present the transcript of results produced by the host institution to the International Education Division, in order to show the credits and grades achieved for the courses followed abroad. These results are evaluated by the Academic Coordinators in each Department/Faculty, and a PASS/FAIL or equivalent grades are entered in the SAA system by the Academic Coordinators. At the end of the semester of studying abroad, the students are required to complete a reflective report. They evaluate how their knowledge in the specific field of study, or indeed, outside their discipline, benefited from the semester abroad. They demonstrate how knowledgeable they have become about the cultural differences between Ireland and their destination country. They are expected to act proactively and responsibly, because their reports will consolidate the International Exchange Program at UL, by facilitating better and more prepared experiences for future cohorts of UL students going on a similar exchange. In reporting on their past experiences, students learn to articulate how many aspects of one's life are challenged once the living circumstances change (e.g., different country, different university, different social setting etc). In case they had to study in a different language, or followed language courses, students should reflect on their communication skills, and articulate the value of communicating in more than one language. International exchanges are periods of new possibilities and opportunities opening up channels of creativity that students may not have been aware before travelling. Students are required to report on such situations that created an opportunity for them to think outside the box and transform a difficult situation in a learning opportunity. They are expected to reflect on the innovative ways of adapting and functioning in the new environment, as well as on the difficulties they may have encountered. Especially if the demands of the new situations could not be met by their personal or institutional resources, it is important to reflect on this, and try to explain and understand the situation with the benefit of hindsight.