FSH Facing Exchange Problems

BONNIE PUN

If students want to have an unforgettable memory and learn about other cultures, one of the best ways is to join the International Exchange Program.

However, only a few students in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSH) were chosen to study abroad via the International Exchange Program.

It is because Japan is the only exchange partner country. "The Center for Japanese Studies in our faculty has a nine year history in this exchange program. So, there're more Japanese-related exchange activities," said Dr. Liu Bo Long, Dean of FSH.

An English Communications graduate, who refused to give her name, joined the exchange program to Japan in the summer of 1998. She said, "It's an unforgettable experience and I've learnt many things, so students should study abroad if they have a chance." She also admitted that the language barriers and different daily habits could be solved if both parties cooperate with each other.

Dr. Liu hoped every FSH student could have a chance to go abroad. "Students in English Studies must go to a Western country for exchange, as they will be more interested to study in a Western country," he said.

Problems exist when inviting Western countries to be exchange partners with FSH. Dr. Liu expressed that FSH has contacted several Western universities, such as the State University of New York and the University of Georgia. However, their students are not interested in studying in Macau.

"The problem is, without a mutual exchange, our students will have to pay all the fees if they want to study abroad. A fee waiver isn't attainable if the exchange school doesn't send their students to Macau," Dr. Liu explained. In this case, our students will have to spend about HK$150,000, which is a big burden to UM students.

Dr. Liu pointed out there are no special requirements for students to apply for the exchange program. Students who were interested in studying abroad and had taken English Studies are qualified to apply.

For this, some students have expressed their opinions. May Chao, an English Communications student, said she did not have enough money to study abroad. "The fee is very expensive even though our faculty would support my plane tickets. So, I don't want to study abroad," she said.

Dr. Liu expressed that they will also continue to develop the exchange program in spite of the problems. They will do more promotion in Western universities and attract more foreign students to come to Macau. Nevertheless, FSH continues to invite other universities to become exchange partners. "We're contacting some Taiwan Universities which have English Studies programs. However, the first priority is to consider if there will be a mutual fee waiver, and if the university will admit the study credits of our students," Dr. Liu said. Dr. Liu adds, "We're confident to solve the problems but we need some time."