Applying to the Exchange Program

Applying to the Exchange Program 

The “letter of intent,” or “essay” that students are asked to write when applying to the 

exchange program is a form of proposal. It will help if you read the handout on writing 

proposals first, as many of the strategies mentioned are applicable. You might also want 

to keep the following things in mind. Please remember that none of this is meant to be 

prescriptive, and it has not necessarily been set up in any specific order. 

Which term do you plan to be away, and what school and program are you applying 

to? Most readers will be expecting to find this information somewhere near the beginning 

of the letter, as it provides a context for what follows. 

Your audience is a committee made up of faculty and staff from ECUAD. They will 

be familiar with the program you’re working in and the faculty members who are writing 

your reference letters. In some cases, they may be familiar with your work, but when 

you’re writing the letter, it’s important to imagine that you’re addressing an audience that 

doesn’t know you. In other words, it’s important that you don’t assume that they already 

know you’re a photography or ceramics major — or that you already speak Spanish or 

French or Dutch. 

You are trying to stand out from the other one hundred (or so) applicants. Your ability 

to communicate your ideas is important. You need to express yourself clearly and lucidly, 

and, given you only have 300 words, you need to be concise and accurate. 

Do some research. Find out as much as you can about the school and the programs 

offered. How do you see yourself fitting in? Why do you think it will be beneficial for 

you to study abroad? How will it enhance your work as an artist? Many students who 

apply to the exchange program assume that a sentence like, “Travelling to a new country 

and studying with new instructors will help me develop as an artist.” That’s pretty much a 

given. Your committee will be wanting you to narrow this down and be a bit more 

specific. How exactly do you see this happening? Why? 

In a way, exchange students become ambassadors for Eciad. The selection committee 

will be looking for responsible, self-motivated, independent individuals who will 

“represent” the Institute. Again, it is important to avoid using general statements, like 

“I’m responsible” without providing some evidence of this. What makes you responsible, 

self-motivated, etc.? 

What do you think you will gain from going to another school? In other words, what 

might you bring back in terms of new skills, knowledge, creative process? What might 

you be able to share with your fellow students and the faculty when you return?

Have you travelled before? Do you have a second language? Do the instructors at the 

school(s) you are applying to speak English? Will you be required to take academic 

courses in another language? How do you see yourself handling these kind of obstacles? 

Do you even see this as an obstacle? 

Budgets are usually presented on a separate page, but it might be appropriateto 

mention thatyou have considered the costs of residence, books, materials, etc. and you 

know you are more than capable of surviving financially for the term of study. 

The handout on Writing the Artist’s Statement will provide you with a few questions you 

might think about. The Writing Centre also has a number of examples of student 

proposals, letters of intent, and successful applications. Make an appointment and we’ll 

be glad to go over them with you, to help you get started, and to work with you at various 

stages.

Applying to the Exchange Program

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