Those students that plan to go abroad for an exchange should already prepare to maintain high GPA and remain active in extracurricular activities

October 5, 2018

Belal Ahmad Ataee, a senior student of International and Comparative Politics who is minoring in Journalism and Mass Communication talks about his personal academic achievements. Belal shares his impressions about exchange semester within a framework of Erasmus+ Mobility Program at the Philips University of Marburg, Germany.

He did numerous activities during an exchange program, such as: arranging photo exhibition, attending Europe’s one of the biggest youth event “European Youth Event-2018” in European Parliament, which was held in Strasburg, France. Moreover, he conducted a research on the life of Afghan refugees in Germany which became his senior thesis topic.

Belal Ahmad Ataee has always been an active student throughout his university life. He got to a Dean's list during the sophomore and junior years. Currently, he secured a place in President's list. Furthermore, he has initiated and arranged a lot of programs and activities in AUCA community such as, AUCA MUN Club, AUCA Quiz Contest, AUCA Scrabble Tournament, Photo Exhibition on child labor, and currently he is working on a Photo Exhibition about women in Borqa. 

The major differences between AUCA and Philips University are that at AUCA the attendance is very important but in Philips University being present or absent does not make any difference. The main reason behind this difference is that in Europe students feel their responsibilities and study without any pressure or force above them. However, AUCA students need some assistance and strict rules because students in Central Asia are not so much used to work independently.

He believes that everyone should once become the part of a mobility program during his/her academic life. This opportunity provides a chance for visiting different countries and experience different cultures. Those students that plan to go abroad for an exchange should already prepare to maintain high GPA and remain active in extracurricular activities. Belal claims that maintaining high GPA or serving most of one's time for extracurricular activities and volunteer programs does not lead one to be the best candidate for an exchange program. Nevertheless, you should give an equal time and importance to all these criteria and have to have a long-term plan too.

Since it is hard to combine both academic and extracurricular activities, Belal has succeeded in both fields. Let’s wish him the best of luck for his future career.

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