Assessing DLSU’s exchange programs

In today’s global society, an internationalized University such as DLSU needs to battle pressures to keep its head above the academic competition. As such, DLSU’s exchange programs must cope with the growing demand for study opportunities worldwide.

Under the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking system, an international university’s foreign student ratio accounts for five percent of its overall grade.

In an interview with The LaSallian, Reodel Masilungan, Director for the International Center (IC), assures that DLSU is stepping up to the plate with its partner institutions in Japan, France, Singapore, Korea, and several others under the ASEAN and the European Union.

DLSU’s desirability

In addition to DLSU’s international status and convenient application process, the University’s trimestral system and English-based programs have made DLSU a viable prospect among international students. Moreover, the reputation of the country as hospitable and economically viable has complemented DLSU’s desirability.

Rather than attending universities that require proficiency in its native language, foreign students prefer going to countries that speak English. Motonao Suzue, a graduate student from the Osaka School of International Policy, shares that DLSU helps him get an education in English, which is different from other Southeast Asian nations.

Contrary to a semestral schedule, DLSU’s trimestral calendar coincides with the academic calendars of foreign countries, notably Japan, Korea, America, and Europe.

Moreover, even without scholarships, Philippine universities are cost-friendly to most foreign students.

Akiko Baba, an exchange student from Soka University, acknowledges the hospitable Filipino culture. “I like Filipinos because they are very friendly.” In addition, cross-enrollee Jake Souma, from the aforementioned university, thinks that Filipinos have an open mind, and that they feel free to express themselves.

Masilungan believes that a combination of these characteristics has made DLSU appealing. “By word-of-mouth from other foreign exchange students who came here, it’s very interesting to study in La Salle because the [educational] system [is] similar to their education practices abroad.”

The same benefits, however, cannot be found for Lasallians eyeing an exchange program. Masilungan noted that studying abroad means big expenses, especially for outbound students in countries with higher living costs.

To alleviate budgetary burdens, he reveals that the International Center, in cooperation with Dr. Alvin B. Culaba, External Vice President for External Relations and International Relations, will give high-performing scholars partial or full funding to ease their expenses.

DLSU undergraduate student Pauline Jannina Mangubat (III, AB-ISJ) enjoyed a 10-day international seminar, paid by sister institution Fukuoka University.

Along with her satisfying experience in Japan, she reports that the IC ensured that her application process went smoothly.

Garnering publicity

The availability of exchange programs was formerly announced through the My LaSalle e-mail system, where it was at the mercy of intermittent disruptions within the mailing system.

This year, however, the exchange programs will also be publicized via academic units, actively involving the faculty and student organizations. “We course it through from the Deans down to the department heads,” explains Masilungan.

He furthers, “We’re working on a more functional publicity campaign.”

Masilungan also announced that starting next term, the IC will be coordinating with the Office for Strategic Communications (STRATCOM) for the creation and dissemination of promotional posters.

Strengthening DLSU’s programs

Beyond posters, flyers and promotion, DLSU must first ensure that its exchange programs are attractive, and that important information is openly available.

As the DLSU website stands as of presstime, the nature of its structure may obscure important information from international students, including available exchange programs. According to students’ feedback, no specific web page is dedicated to such updates. Moreover, many students often do not receive e-mails from the IC that include additional information.

Even the subjects are unclear, Osaka student Suzue admits, referring to the lack of a detailed course syllabus that included prerequisites, requirements and detailed information about subjects under his graduate program in DLSU.

He added that foreign students are asked to enroll in special classes, such as BASIFI (Basic Filipino for Foreigners and Non-Filipino Speakers) in place of Tagalog-based FILKOMU (Komunikasyon sa Filipinolohiya). “When I tried to take that, there wasn’t any information online,” Suzue reports.

Notwithstanding the sparse information available, Suzue had to approach the Filipino Department and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Vice Dean to fix his problem. “I asked them about the BASIFI course, and they told me they didn’t know when it would really start.” Even after he applied as an auditor, no classes were being held in the third week of the trimester.

“Perhaps, if I could join in the club activities, it would be better.” Suzue also shares that he was disappointed that he cannot join student clubs, especially as a second term exchange student. “I got a sort of booklet for International Students. There was a list of club activities, but the thing is, there are no contact details.”

The International Center

Given such inconveniences, Suzue attests that the IC has been accommodating and helpful to his concerns, guiding him when he was confused about his application and program.

Soka University students Akiko and Jake admit that they sometimes feel lonely. During these times, they stay at DLSU’s International Center to socialize with fellow Japanese students and other international students within the University. The IC has become a hangout place for most foreign students.

Recent issues and future plans

The International Center experienced several deterrents in carrying exchange students.

According to Masilungan, more than five years ago, a security issue arose in the United States wherein “certain advisories” prohibited American students to study in DLSU, resulting to a stale exchange process. The IC is still trying to “revive” its relations with the US.

He adds that last September 2011, student VISAs had to be directly renewed by brokers and travel program representatives instead of the University, making the process more tedious. A limited number of associates accommodated the students in renewing their VISAs.

For the third trimester, the IC will promote ASEAN programs and strengthen relations with its partners, focusing on Universities that offer courses with English components that are creditable to DLSU course subjects.

Reaching its target?

According to Masilungan, the International Center wants to keep at least 50 inbound and 50 outbound exchange students per school year. The IC saw 42 inbound students and 30 outbound students so far this school year.

In an article published on Ateneo de Manila University’s (ADMU) website last September 2012, their International Exchange Student Program saw 52 inbound students last June to October 2012. Next semester, ADMU is expecting 49 inbound students, double DLSU’s goal for inbound students for the entire school year.

DLSU maintains linkages with Lasallian institutions abroad, including Universidad La Salle, Universidad La Salle – Noroeste, Universidad De La Salle – Columbia and Centro Universitario La Salle – Unilasalle in Mexico; L’Institut Polytechnique La Salle Beauvais in France, and La Salle Barcelona in Spain.

Notable Asian linkages include the Temasek Foundation and the ASEAN University Network. Japanese partnerships include research universities such as Osaka University and Hiroshima University, in cooperation with the Japanese Student Services Organization (JASSO) for scholarships.

Although DLSU’s website reports partnerships with numerous (around 300) universities, research institutions and organizations, a September bulletin from the External Relations and Internationalization office lists only 24 universities with active programs offering exchange student opportunities. Roughly eight percent of the total university linkages have been utilized.

The exchange student program is not offered to all. DLSU also claims to hold exchange programs for students with a qualifying CGPA of 2.0 and above, but is short on programs that accommodate students with a CGPA lower than 2.5.