For complete NIFT details goto http://blog.malvikajain.com/nift-admission/

 

Aditi asked me if the exchange/ twinning programme at NIFT needs an entrance exam. Well, no it doesn’t.

 

Twinning programme means you pay tuition fees at NIFT and the other college. Exchange means you pay only NIFT’s tuition fee.

I did the 7^th semester at Ryerson, Toronto. Missed the 7^th semester at NIFT. Rejoined NIFT directly for the 8^th semester. While I went for one semester only, a friend of mine, Moby, went for a year.

 

First, the college people send a notice for Exchange Programme to third year students, also fourth year sometimes. The notice is sent to all the students of all the UG and PG courses, at all centres. The notice has a list of colleges that people from FC, FD, tech etc can apply for; colleges in Italy, England, Canada. The notice also states expenses to be expected; like accommodation, food and travel, tution.

 

Then, you say you are interested, ask the office for a form and fill it. It asks you the colleges you would like to go to in order of preference. It is good if you choose a college where people have been regularly going to for exchange because those colleges are like sure bets. The procedure of exchange differs from college to college and sometimes it may not work out at all, as happened for a friend of mine.

 

I went to Ryerson College in Toronto. Was kickass. They asked for my marks and Statement of Purpose. I don’t know if marks matter because a girl who flunked once also went on an exchange programme, in another college though; I think hers must have been twinning where you pay both ways. Please write a crisp Statement of Purpose. College authorities abroad don’t want “Education is the light of life” kind of SOPs. Make it smart and meaningful and honest.

 

Do try for the exchange programme. Don’t opt out right in the beginning for reasons like money because all that might work out in the end, especially if you have a relative in the city you wish to go to. Even if big money is spent, it is totally totally worth it. An enriching experience absolutely.

 

Here is an idea of my expenditure:

+ Hotel room rent with food included = CAD $1000 per month for 4 months

(But could have gone for rooms at CAD$ 400 per month as well.)

+ Add flight tickets (roundtrip) = CAD $1000 approx.

+ Compulsory Medical insurance = CAD$ 250.

The rest was for shopping, eating out, having fun.

Nothing much on college as they gave us hand-outs and all facilities.

 

And when you are set to go, take lots of ball pens, not clothes! Rs 2 ball pens at $2 make you miss your homeland!

Moby Pahwa went to Canada from FC, Mumbai for 1 year, starting late 2008. Here is what he has to say:
The best thing that happened to me, during my UG at Nift was my exchange programme, Though my UG course isn’t over yet, but i doubt any thing even close to good will come my way in my last year at NIFT, Ha!!! I went to Ryerson, like Malvika. LOVED IT, SO totally worth it!!! U’ll be amazed at how much u learn in just 4 months.
About funds, don’t worry. I think Nift from this year is funding half of the total expenses. Thats so cool!
If ur from Mumbai, tell them ur from Bombay(they don’t know Mumbai). People, at least in Canada have a misconception that BOMBAY is something like Paris n LA…hah n if u tell them that that local trains don’t have doors, ull see the most unique facial expression on this earth. It’s hilarious. Try it!
It’s the first time two students from Ryerson are coming to Nift Delhi n Mumbai for an exchange. All the best (Bombay-Paris-LA..hahahaha)

N thanks a lot Malvika for literally writing my SOP. Owe it all to U!

MOBY

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Anshu Jaiswal went for 1 semester exchange programme to Canada again in 2008, from FD, Chennai. Here is her bit:
Hmmmmm ……. even I went for the exchange to Ryerson only. Definitely it is totally worth it. Some people wonder is it good? Do you really learn something? They say it might be of no use, it’s a waste of time and money. So I really want to tell all these confused people to clarify with students who have been on exchange instead of forming opinions without experience. In India, you just cannot get the exposure, infrastructure and the sense of fashion people have abroad.

And yeah, it is not like you apply and you will be selected for sure. Out of all the NIFT centres only a few students get this opportunity. So don’t lose it.

AJ , NIFT CHENNAI 2005-09

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