Semester Exchange Abroad – Directorate of Partnerships

Overview

The Semester Exchange Abroad (SEA) program is designed for ITB students who wish to spend one or two semesters at a host university abroad—either at one of ITB’s official partner universities or a generally recognized international institution. Students participate in academic coursework or research, earning credits that can be officially transferred back to ITB.

Benefits of joining the SEA program extend beyond the classroom, allowing students to expand global perspectives, establish international cross-cultural connections, improve self-confidence, and master new languages.

SEA Categories

SEA-Reg (Regular Application)

This category applies to students targeting partner universities with bilateral agreements (MoU/MoA) or institutions within networks like AUN-ACTS, AIMS, and ASEA-UNINET. To apply, students must be nominated through ITB’s International Relations Office (IRO). Exchange types include coursework and research, typically requiring alignment with your ITB study program.

SEA-GE3 (Global E3 Application)

Reserved for students applying to the Global Engineering Education Exchange (GE3) Network. Interested students first submit internal documents to IRO ITB before proceeding with a direct application on the GE3 website. Program alignment is crucial for credit transfer eligibility.

Special Case: Erasmus+ Scholarship — Some ITB partners have specific Erasmus+ agreements that co-fund exchange programs. Availability depends on the funding allocated by the host university per semester, often requiring a separate application procedure.

Student Eligibility

For both SEA-Reg and SEA-GE3 (Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral levels):

Bachelor’s Students: Must have completed their 4th semester before the exchange starts.
Master’s and Doctoral Students: Must have completed their 2nd semester before the exchange starts.
Research-based Exchange: Graduate students are typically required to identify and contact a prospective professor at the host university.
Fast-track Students: Must complete previous degree courses before starting an exchange at a higher degree level.
Language Proficiency: Good command of English is mandatory (requirements vary by host).

List of Universities

For SEA-Reg

Destinations are divided into five regions: Southeast Asia, South & West Asia, East Asia, Europe, and Oceania & the Americas.

Each university has a specific quota that influences selection.
Not all partners are open to all degree levels (Bachelor/Master/PhD).
Research Exchange Options: Australia (Deakin), France (INSA Lyon), Japan (Hokkaido, Kyoto, Kyushu, Meiji, Osaka, Shibaura, Toyohashi), Malaysia (MMU, UKM, UPM), Mexico (Tec de Monterrey), Netherlands (Twente), South Korea (POSTECH, SKKU), Taiwan (NCHU).

View University List Spreadsheet

For SEA-GE3

Over 70 member universities globally (Asia, Europe, Americas, Middle East). No fixed application limit; acceptance is determined by IIE and the host university.

Open Global E3 Website

Application Periods

Batch 1

Fall Semester Exchange

Period: Nov 1 – Jan 20 (Tentative)
Departure: August – December
Duration: ~5 months.

Batch 2

Spring Semester Exchange

Period: June 1 – Aug 20 (Tentative)
Departure: January – May
Duration: ~5 months.

Watch 2021 Info Session on YouTube →

Application Procedures

Step 1 Internal Submission to IRO ITB

Submit Academic Transcript, English Proficiency Certificate (TOEFL/IELTS), Financial Guarantee, and Health Guarantee. Students apply to only one category (SEA-Reg or SEA-GE3) with up to 5 university choices.

Step 2 Internal Selection

IRO ITB conducts selection based on quota. SEA-Reg students are contacted for placement confirmation before nomination. SEA-GE3 students receive guidelines for the GE3 portal.

Step 3 Nomination & Host Application

IRO ITB nominates students to partners. After nomination, students apply to the host's portal. For GE3, deadlines are March 1 (Batch 1) or Oct 1 (Batch 2).

Step 4 Notification of Acceptance

Students receive final notification from the host university, the GE3 system, or via IRO ITB.

Tuition, Funding & Preparation

Financial Information

Tuition: Waived at host university (except Boston Univ). Students pay 50% of ITB's BPP.
Self-Funded: Students cover travel, visa, accommodation, living costs, and health expenses.
Scholarships: Occasionally available from certain partners but not guaranteed.

Preparation & Departure

Admitted students must independently manage: Visa applications (via Embassies), Housing/Accommodation (coord with host IO), and Health requirements (vaccinations, insurance).

During the Exchange

Consult with Study Programs to ensure course compatibility. Upon completion, students return to ITB to finish their degrees. Transcripts are sent to IRO ITB first.

Contact & Support

Email IRO ITB: iro@itb.ac.id

For GE3 Technical Inquiries: ge3@iie.org

For university-specific academic questions, please consult the exchange coordinator listed on the host university’s GE3 profile.

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