Welcome to the Outgoing Erasmus and International Exchange website within the Department of Sociology

LATEST

An Information Evening for current Senior Freshmen students going abroad in their Junior Sophister year will be held in late October/early November – details to follow. Please note that we now offer 8 Erasmus exchanges and 5 non-EU international exchanges!

1.Erasmus Exchanges

The Erasmus programme is named after the philosopher, humanist and theologian Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1465-1536). Erasmus lived and worked in several parts of Europe, in quest of the knowledge, experience and insights which only such contacts with other countries could bring. By donating his fortune, he became a pioneer of mobility grants. Research shows that a period spent abroad not only enriches student lives in the academic field but also in the acquisition of intercultural skills and self-reliance.

I therefore strongly encourage you to spend either half a year or a full year studying at another university abroad. This is a unique chance for all of you to obtain education in another European country and acquire new linguistic, social and civic skills which you need in today’s increasingly interconnected knowledge-based society. An Erasmus exchange is an invaluable asset in terms of your employability! Comments from recent TCD Sociology exchange students highlight just how much you will gain during your time abroad.

My year abroad was one of the most valuable, enjoyable and enriching experiences of my life so far. The Erasmus programme gives you the opportunity to understand and explore different cultures from all over the world. I have forged many great friendships and regard this aspect of Erasmus life deeply important. If you consider yourself interested in what lies beyond this island nation then an Erasmus exchange programme is a must! (Matthew Turner – Copenhagen, Denmark).

Adapting to French culture was challenging at first but after a few weeks it was like I had lived there all my life. My French improved infinitely. The French take pride in teaching sociology as many famous sociologists hail from there. To go into all my experiences would result in a dissertation full of laughs, good craic, parties, travelling and loads of new friends. It is such an amazing experience and will stay with you for the rest of your life (Maria Swan – Lille, France).

I applied to go to Tübingen because I liked the idea of living abroad for a year and wanted to take the opportunity to do something different. I only had Leaving Cert German, but I found that it was easy enough to get used to the language within a few months. Selecting the right courses was very difficult but the sociology classes were very interesting and are more similar to the tutorials that we have in TCD. The social life was amazing (Marcus O’Carroll – Tübingen, Germany).

With very dark winters, very bright summers and all the snow you could want, Umea definitely offers a different way of life to Dublin. I rarely met a Swede who didn't speak near perfect English, but Swedish courses are offered to learn the local language. The international office there were fantastic and organized trips, nights out and loads of social events for the huge number of international students. I can't recommend going there highly enough (Roisin O'Grady – Umea, Sweden).     

I would like as many of you as possible to have a similar experience in addition to your education here at Trinity College. Students usually go abroad during their third (JS) year but those studying languages are encouraged to go during their second (SF) year or for half a year only during their third year. The Department currently has 8 Erasmus partners:

Charles University Prague – Department of Sociology, International Office
University of Copenhagen – Department of Sociology, International Office
University of Helsinki – Department of Sociology, International Office
Istanbul Bilgi University – Department of Sociology, International Office
University of Tübingen – Department of Sociology, International Office
Umeå University – Department of Sociology, International Office
University of Malta – Department of Sociology, International Office
University Lille 1 – Department of Sociology and Anthropology, International Centre

Note that all of our continuing and new Erasmus partners (with the exception of Lille and Tübingen) offer a large number of courses in English. These exchanges are open to all of you in Sociology regardless of your degree programme. You will be pleased to hear that funding is available for all Erasmus students. This covers travel and some additional costs. The average grant for a full academic year abroad will be around €1,500 depending on destination. For further details, please consult the International Office webpage. All Irish grants and scholarships continue to be paid whilst you are away on an Erasmus exchange.

Students intending to be away on Erasmus may be allowed to waive the Calendar requirement to take course 3.24 (Researching Societies) in JS year by writing to the Head of Department. This means that there are no mandatory courses for you at Trinity but I strongly encourage you to select a research methods course at your host institution and to design a balanced curriculum that includes thematic, methodological and theoretical aspects. Feel free to select thematic sociological courses not currently on offer at Trinity.

If you decide to spend only half a year abroad, you will be examined on the basis of work completed during the other half at Trinity plus any examinations in the courses you take at the host university. If you decide to spend a full academic year abroad, you will take courses equivalent to those at Trinity via the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and your marks obtained abroad will be converted back into a Trinity grade. In either case, I shall advise you and approve your Learning Agreement for your stay abroad.

2. International Non-EU Exchanges
The Department currently has 5 non-EU international exchange partners, with the latest being McGill University in Montréal, Canada. Please note that you apply via the International Office with places being limited to 2 students per university. Unlike with Erasmus exchanges, the minimum academic requirement is an Upper Second (II.1). You may be competing against fellow Trinity students from other departments for some exchanges.

Please note that these are non-fee-paying exchanges and therefore a great opportunity for you to study for half a year or a full year at some of the best universities outside Europe. Most of our partners are in the Top 50 according to the latest Times Higher Education Supplement Global University Ranking. You need to be aware however that there are costs involved for overseas flights as well as accommodation and maintenance.

The following 5 international exchanges are currently available to Sociology students:

Australian National University – Department of Sociology, International Office
University of Melbourne – Department of Sociology, International Office
McGill University – Department of Sociology, International Office
Boston College – Department of Sociology, International Office
University of California – please note details below regarding application procedure

The University of California (UC) system includes the campuses at Berkeley, Los Angeles, Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and San Diego. Successful Trinity applicants will be given a link to the UC on-line application form.  You are asked to identify three campuses of your choice and prepare a study plan for each. However, there is no guarantee that you can go to one of your three preferred campuses.

For all other international exchange partners, I strongly advise that you consult their departmental and institutional pages as early as possible and also enquire whether you need to register on their courses by a specific deadline. This may be especially the case in the United States. The onus is on you to liaise with the relevant administrative staff at the host institution about courses and any other matters, following selection at Trinity College.

Please discuss the possibility of an Erasmus or International Exchange with your parents during Michaelmas Term, making sure you understand the financial implications and commitments involved in going abroad. Note that the Department of Sociology operates a very strict cancellation policy. Once you are selected and sign the mobility grant form (Erasmus exchanges), you can only withdraw from an exchange in the most exceptional cases with a medical certificate or tutor note submitted to the Sociology Office.

If you have any questions about our Erasmus, International Exchange and Visiting Student programme in Sociology please do not hesitate to contact me on daniel.faas@tcd.ie but make sure you have studied this website and all the links carefully first.  

Dr. Daniel Faas, Erasmus and Visiting Student Coordinator

Office hours: Wednesday 14:00-15:30, Room 2.02, 3 College Green