Colleges and universities throughout the world offer study abroad opportunities to their students. One of the most popular and effective study abroad programs that colleges promote is the exchange program.
What is a study abroad exchange program? A study abroad exchange program is a partnership between universities in different countries to swap, or exchange, students for a semester or year and allows each student to pay tuition and earn college credit at their respective home university.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
What is the duration of an exchange program?
Most colleges offer semester or year-long study abroad programs through their “partner” or “sister” universities located in a foreign country.
Do colleges offer more than one exchange program to their students?
Many colleges offer multiple exchange program opportunities to their student body in multiple foreign countries and in multiple areas of study.
What is the purpose of an exchange program?
A study abroad exchange program allows the student to study abroad at an approved “partner” or “sister” university in a foreign country for the purposes of cultural immersion, and/or foreign language immersion that allows the student to enjoy experiences much different from those encountered at home, all while earning college credit in their areas of interest.
What areas of study are available in an exchange program?
The areas of study in an exchange program are totally dependent on the offerings of the host institution
What is a College Foreign Exchange Student?
A college foreign exchange student is enrolled and pays tuition at their home college or university, but through a partnership with a foreign college or university, the student enjoys an opportunity to travel, meet new people from different cultures, expand their understanding of the world and its opportunities, and study courses in their areas of interest, all while living in a foreign country.
Does the student have to speak another language to participate in an exchange program?
Students are not necessarily required to speak another language in many exchange programs. Today, an increasing number of universities in many countries offer courses in English. But, if the purpose is second language acquisition, it’s beneficial if second language immersion in the foreign country is available.
Where do students live in an exchange program?
Students most often live in university housing, although there may be other options available.
Is Financial Aid available in exchange programs?
Financial aid and study abroad scholarships may be applied toward most exchange programs.
Are exchange programs affordable?
In an exchange program, students are enrolled in their home university and pay the equivalent home university’s tuition and fees, as well as passport costs and visa costs. Additional costs incurred by the student may include international travel expenses, in-country transportation, international medical insurance, room and board, daily living expenses while living in the foreign country, and any other personal expenses, such as excursions, souvenirs, and extracurricular activities.
How is college credit assigned?
Student’s grades earned abroad are applied to the student’s GPA as transfer credit at their home university.
EXAMPLES OF EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
The University of North Texas currently offers (as of this writing) exchange programs in 14 countries, including Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
The Scotland exchange program is offered at the University of Dundee. Classes are taught in English and a wide variety of courses are offered, including Anthropology, Arts, Computer Science, Design, English, History, Humanities, Interior Design, Mathematics, Media Arts, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, and Sculpture.
For more information, click the University of North Texas Exchange Programs link.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
As of the writing of this article, Carnegie Mellon offers exchange programs in nine countries, including Australia, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Singapore and Switzerland.
For students wanting to study engineering, the exchange program with Technion International in Israel is a great option for Carnegie Mellon students. according to the Technion International website, “Technion is internationally recognized as one of the best engineering schools in the world. Technion has arranged over 200 partnership agreements with schools around the world and has designed exchange and mobility programs with over 60 schools internationally.”
For more information, click the Carnegie Mellon Exchange Programs link.
University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
The University of Wyoming offers various exchange programs. One of their popular exchanges is with Pforzheim University. Their program accepts “200 to 250 incoming students every year from over 30 countries around the world.” The University’s International Study Program (ISP)
“offers 60+ business courses taught in English.” Engineering courses are also available. In addition to attending classes, the ISP “provides field trips to German & European firms/institutions.”
For more information, click the University of Wyoming Education Abroad Program Link
Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
Wichita State University (WSU), in Wichita, Kansas, has exchange agreements with universities in France, Japan, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, South Korea and England. In most cases, students pay their housing and meal costs at the host institution.
WSU’s exchange agreement in Sweden is with the Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS)
“Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS) is located in the city of Jonkoping which is in the south of Sweden about 200 miles from the capital city, Stockholm. The University has approximately 2,000 students with about 650 of those students from other countries. Exchange students take the equivalent of 12 to 15 U.S. credit hours per semester, including business courses taught in English and a Swedish language course. JIBS also usually offers a program in the summer during the months of June and July for business students.”
For more information, click the Wichita State University Study Abroad Program Link.