My Journey of studying at ICMS as a Freemover – experience report from Joseph A.
Unlike many other study abroad students, I came to ICMS as a freemover. Since my home university does not have partner universities in Australia, I had to organise my stay independently. For me, this was definitely the right decision, as all my wishes were fulfilled here: an English-speaking country, good weather during my winter semester, the opportunity to work alongside my studies, and of course surfing, which I absolutely love. All this and more is offered by the International College of Management Sydney.
The additional effort can mainly be seen in the organisation and the costs. In my case, tuition fees had to be paid both, to my home university and to ICMS. However, due to my dual study program, I have the advantage that the fees at my home university (a private institution) are covered by my practical training partner, so only the ICMS fees were left for me to cover. Fortunately, there are many funding opportunities, such as the ICMS Housing Scholarship, Auslands-BAföG, PROMOS, or additional scholarships from the DAAD. It‘s worth gathering information early, ideally a year in advance, since many application deadlines close early. More students than you might think actually receive support through Auslands-BAföG or a scholarship. Many fellow students also work during the trimester, which can be easily combined with studying. Instead of classic final exams, most courses at ICMS have assessments such as written assignments, giving you a lot of flexibility in how you manage your time.
I also felt very well supported in terms of organisation. ICMS guided me clearly through all the steps: which documents to submit, which applications were necessary, and how to prepare. There were also Zoom meetings with updates and Q&A sessions. It was especially important to secure on-campus housing early, sign the contract with ICMS, and apply for the visa, which is usually approved without issues. I flew with Vietnam Airlines, who often offers affordable flights.
One advantage of being a freemover is that you are not dependent on the limited number of spots your home university offers for partner institutions. Perhaps ICMS will even become a partner university of my home institution in the future, provided the corresponding application is approved.
With my experience report, I hope to answer questions, ease concerns, and encourage others to see and seize opportunities even outside the traditional paths. The extra effort is absolutely worth it, as you are rewarded with an unforgettable and valuable time at ICMS in Manly.
