Ever thought about going abroad for a period of time, either during your studies, for an internship, or volunteer work? Or maybe after graduating at VUB? Time to come to the Go Abroad Fair to get inspired!
The annual VUB Go Abroad fair will take place on 14 October, from 10:00-16:00, in Room Mandela (the room below auditorium Q). The fair will showcase 25 organisations, as well as the VUB International office team, offering a very wide range of go abroad-opportunities for VUB students, from going on a studies exchange for a couple of months or a year, to internships, to volunteerism, and further study opportunities abroad after graduating. In addition, there will be an info session (hybrid) on the day from 12:00-13:00 in Building D, room D.005, where more in depth information will be given on mobility options with the VUB and funding. The fair is the perfect moment to find out where you can go and what you need to do or consider.
Organisations at the fair
But who exactly will be at the fair besides the VUB International office? Well, some of the international partners have come over especially to present their mobility options: some of our EUTOPIA partners: the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), and Universitatea Babeș-Bolyai (Romania), and some of our global partners: Stellenbosch University (South Africa), Kyungpook National University (South Korea), International University of Rabat (Morocco), University ‘Marta Abreu’ of Las Villas (Cuba), and the University of the Western Cape (South Africa). There will be a more detailed info session on all the mobility options for students among all the EUTOPIA partners on Thursday 16 October; you can register for this via this link. The EUTOPIA alliance itself will also be present at the Go Abroad Fair.
In addition, we’ll have EF Taalreizen (volunteerism), AIESEC (volunteerism and internships), Bouworde vzw (volunteerism), Vlamingen in de Wereld (support abroad), Go Strange – Jint (volunteering, internships & scholarships), IAESTE (work experience), VUBMUN (student organisation, public speaking, international politics), and the VUB Study finance department (scholarships). We’ll have a focus on the US with the Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) and Fulbright Commission. Representatives will be there from the Study in China booth, as well as from the Embassy of Japan in Belgium will also have a stand. And of course, the EU representation will be there: Erasmus by Train, the European Commission Blue Book Traineeship programme, and the European Parliament’s Schuman Traineeship. And the Flemish Council for Flemish Universities and Colleges of Higher Education (VLUHR) will also have a stand at the fair about erasmus+ traineeships after graduation.
Win a weekend away!
During the fair there will also be a chance to win a weekend away in Europe! What do you need to do? Come to the Go Abroad Fair, and when you enter you’ll be handed a boarding pass. On the back you’ll find a grid, where you need to collect 10 stickers from 10 different organisations at the fair. Once that is filled, you can write your details and deposit the boarding pass in a box. We’ll notify the winner within the next days following on from the fair.
Need inspiration?
Robin went to Spain for 6 months: “The exchange was a chance to explore new places, meet people from different backgrounds, and improve my Spanish. It was an unforgettable journey that helped me grow personally and professionally.”
Aâron went to South Korea for 5 months: “I always wanted to discover the world and see how other people live. I also wanted to go far away but with a university that fit. The difference between Belgium and South Korea is big, but I learned so much. I totally recommend going abroad!”
Come along on 14 October to Room Mandela (below Q), and discover your international adventure!
Want to know more about going abroad for your studies, internships or for volunteer work?
- Check out our website with loads of information and testimonials to inspire you!
- Contact your faculty coordinator, or the VUB International Relations office (exchange.outgoing@vub.be).
- On 25 November, we’ll be organising the Go Abroad Café – your chance to chat informally with VUB students who have been abroad and are happy to share their stories and experiences with you, while you have snacks and a drink.