dunroving

So are there any, or not? It sounds like you need to do some more research. Have you even asked your International Office about exchanges? What university is it?

caleyjag

Exactly.

I find it hard to believe there is no program at all. I've bumped into US students in the UK studying (partying) at institutions that were quite far removed from the top end of the tables.

As mentioned, it is possible to set up your own exchange, however that will generally cost you an awful lot of money.

The beauty of exchanges is that they usually make arrangements so that you don't have to pay the US fees.


As an alternative, if you can't find an exchange, the next best thing is to do a BUNAC work abroad program. However, instead of working in a theme park or camp like most kids do, see if you can find summer work in a research group. Use your google skills to figure out who does what, and then just start carpet bombing them with emails explaining how awesome you think their work is. It worked for me. I had a nice summer in San Francisco pottering about in a lab (in addition to my year abroad!).

You haven't told us what you study yet. That would help a lot.

mdx989

I should probably look into it. I daresay there are, but AFAIK they are only small-scale exchanges to European countries.

That sounds interesting; I'll have a look.

Sorry about leaving that out, I meant to include it.

I'm currently studying Computer Science BSc.

caleyjag

To get to the point, that is good news.

Now the trick is to figure out an angle in research, rather than IT jobs. Figure out if there are particular areas of research you'd like to have a stab at.

First port of call is to contact the faculty at your university who work in those or similar areas to see if they have any connections in the US.

If that doesn't turn up anything, just start rolling out the letters to the US guys.
You will probably have to try quite a few before you get a bite, but you never know. Make it clear that BUNAC will sort out all the paperwork for visas, but that you could do with a cash bursary.

If they are not willing to give you a bursary, but can give you a solid project, and it's a good school, I would employ your savings and take it. Most profs would be happy to employ a free student.

Now, I suspect BUNAC's subscriptions for this summer are already full (they can only do J1 visas for June - October, and you need to be a matriculated student in the UK when you apply.)

So you are looking at summer 2010 in the US, assuming you can't organize a year abroad for 2010-11 instead.

Note that California has some very, VERY good CS departments. Summer in California? I can think of worse things!

Easy!

augigi

If you don't want to take any of the suggestions, then stay in the UK. Your options are easy - do an exchange, or come to the US as a foreign student. One is far more expensive than the other. You choose.

mdx989

Please don't be disrespectful. It is not easy at all; as has already been said.

I'm not yet sure that my University offers any such exchange opportunities. As for the second option; I only have the £20k and it's been established that that is not really enough.

caleyjag

This is great advice, although the OP has a while to go till they have to worry about the exposure of their thesis!

I put my thesis on my website, and tagged the site as best as I could. A few months later a big american company found it on google, decided what it was what they needed, and offered me a job.

Sorted!

augigi

I'm not being disrespectful. I just don't understand why people post a question, then shoot down every suggestion made.