GGC Exchange Program: Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas, Lithuania)
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2024!
ABOUT GGC'S EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Grizzlies have traveled to many places in Africa, Europe, South and Central Americas, and Asia.
One of our missions is to increase the number of GGC students participating in study abroad programs across disciplines and expand student participation in a broad range of other international opportunities.
GGC's Exchange programs enable students to study for a semester or an academic year at a college or university with which GGC has an exchange agreement. This means that GGC students can study abroad for the same price as GGC's tuition and fees. Classes may be taught in English, the host language, or both. Courses taken through GGC exchanges or with GGC exchange partners count as transfer credit.
Exchange programs are a great option if you're looking for an immersive, flexible experience. You will have access to the same services and resources as full-time students at your host university, and many exchange students get involved with local student organizations and clubs while abroad.
ABOUT VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY
Discover a place of life-shaping experiences in a unique liberal atmosphere, a vibrant creative working environment and a diverse community of inspiring students and scholars.
What distinguishes Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) is our visionary approach towards organising studies, scientific research and academic community life. Scholars from Lithuania and abroad who participated in the reestablishment of VMU in 1989 have also defined our principles, which we have been following ever since: a commitment to foster a liberal and democratic learning environment, emphasising the importance of aesthetics, honesty, tolerance and independent thought. We promote these ideals while nurturing creativity, academic progress and cultural identity within our community.
Come and study as an Eramus+ exchange student at Vytautas Magnus University for one or two semesters and experience new ways of learning and personal achievements together with around 300 international students. Explore Kauanas, the second largest city in Lithuania and an important economic, cultural, and political center.
Semester and yearlong exchanges are available for GGC Students.
To learn more about VMU, check out the international exchange students website here.
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
*Read this application process and other sections of this brochure thoroughly and reach out to the Office of Internationalization (internationalization@ggc.edu) for any questions or additional information.*
Monday, April 1, 2024 is the deadline to sign up for all Fall 2024 exchange programs.
There are TWO applications you will need to complete, one for GGC and one for the university to which you are seeking the exchange.
GGC APPLICATION
This GGC application process will work in phases; some “materials,” questionnaires, learning content modules, and other requirements might show up as you move along the application (as your status is moved from “pending” to “accepted” to “committed”). Therefore, do not think once you have completed the initial requirements that you are fully accepted and good to go. Once your application status has been moved to “committed” then you will know that you can move to complete the SECOND application (the university's application on their separate website).
HOST UNIVERSITY APPLICATION
Your second application will require you to have a nomination/recommendation from our office, so please remember to fill out the GGC application first.
Click here to complete VMU's Eramus+ international exchange students application for NON-EU/EEA countries. Detailed information such as course options, semester start and end dates, accommodations, important deadlines, and more can be found on the international students page.
It is a good idea to reach out to Moriah King (mking36@ggc.edu) early in the process to help you navigate the host university application and required materials. Moriah is your primary point of contact, so feel free to reach out for help. If she cannot help you directly, she can get you in contact with whoever can.
COURSE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION
REGISTERING FOR COURSES AT VMU
Before arriving at VMU, students will have a chance to register for courses online. Prospective students will review the course catalog and select their courses using VMU's online application form. VMU recommends a course load of 24-36 ECTS; however, you must meet with your academic advisor to decide how your course load fits in your degree of study.
To browse the 2023-2024 course catalog, click here.
TRANSFERRING CREDITS TO GGC
As a part of the application process, students should see a Course Approval Form and Transient Request Form in their "requirements" section after beginning this application.
Instructions are listed, forms are hyperlinked, and reach out to Moriah King (mking36@ggc.edu) to understand more about how to fill out these forms and who you will need to work with to complete them. Make sure to include backup courses in these forms, as your preferred options might be canceled, fill up, or otherwise become unavailable.
Academic advisors cannot advise on course equivalencies. This will be handled with the Study Abroad Point of Contact and Dean approvers, which Moriah can help you determine. The student is responsible for determining which courses they would like to take abroad and how they would like to be transferred into their degree program. Students must work with an academic advisor to understand how GGC courses will fit into their degree program, but again, they cannot advise on course equivalencies themselves.
Prior to departure, confirm with the registrar that you are registered correctly prior to departure.
This step is critical for receiving academic credit towards your degree, in addition to receiving financial aid for the term, if applicable. Make sure that you have registered for courses that have been pre-approved in your Course Approval Form/Transient Form! If you are unable to register for your preferred courses, make sure to send us updated forms.
After program completion, grades do not automatically transfer back.
It is the student's responsibility to have a transcript sent back to GGC in a timely manner for review to have courses reviewed and entered into their degree program thereafter. Please be aware of different grading scales abroad and how those might transfer to GGC. Please also be aware of different academic calendars and how those most likely will not align exactly with GGC's term dates.
COST & FINANCIAL AID
PROGRAM COST: GGC students can study abroad for the same price as GGC's tuition and fees when participating in an exchange program. However, the total cost to participate varies, when factoring in such costs as room and board, airfare, passport and visa fees, personal expenses, and incidentals. Additionally, all GGC Global Grizzlies are required to obtain international health insurance.
FINANCIAL AID: Your GGC financial aid can pay towards tuition if you study abroad through the GGC Office of Internationalization, meaning if you fill out the GGC app and are fully accepted/committed. Although you will not be taking courses at GGC, you will at that point still be considered a matriculated student with our office's nomination/recommendation. You will need to speak with the financial aid office to confirm the exact amount that your financial aid can cover for tuition, how you usually would for a local semester at GGC.
Bear in mind that your financial aid cannot pay for costs such as airfare, food, housing, etc. You will make any room and board payments directly to the host university.
CONTACT
For more information, click 'Request Info' below or contact the Office of Internationalization (internationalization@ggc.edu).
