Semester Abroad Guide

84 Pages·2014·2.89 MB·English

by  Connie Rees

Semester Abroad
Guide

Fall 2015 & Spring 2016
university college utrecht
Foreword Dean Rob van der Vaart 1

Foreword Exchange Officer Carla Kist 2

1. Practical information 3

1.1 Before going on exchange 3
1.2 During your exchange 7
1.3 After your exchange 12

2. Destinations 14

2.1 Overview of destinations 14
2.2 Destinations within Europe 16
2.3 Destinations outside of Europe 40

Africa 40
Asia 43
North America 57
Latin America 73

Special programs 76

Useful Websites 82
Foreword Dean Rob van der Vaart

Exchange is a great opportunity! Not only will you experience daily practice of
education in a different setting (pedagogy, system, rules, et cetera) and be able to take
classes that are complementary and enriching to what UCU has to offer, but you will also
make new friends, be immersed in a different culture, and get the chance to see places
that you might not visit otherwise. What is equally or maybe even more important, is the
fact that you will be forced to find your way and place in a different setting – which is
not always easy – and learn and grow from that experience.
Many UCU students use the opportunity to spend one semester abroad. There are
many options and you should only apply after thorough orientation. This Semester
Abroad Guide will make your orientation a lot easier. Please study the general
information in this Guide in detail, since going on exchange will require quite a lot of
initiative from you.
A good way to start your orientation is to think about (possible) exchange from
the perspective of your academic ambitions and course planning. Which partner
universities offer really interesting and enriching courses from your perspective? When
you approach your orientation like this, you will often come to the conclusion that “far
away” does not always match with “best course options” (for you). If you start from a
place perspective (like – “I want to go to Australia”), you might eventually come to the
conclusion that you cannot take the courses over there that best strengthen your profile
and academic CV.
This Guide will certainly help you in your deliberations and hopefully you will find
a place / profile combination that will suit your ambitions.

Rob van der Vaart
Dean, UC

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Foreword Exchange Officer Carla Kist

Dear Students,

The UCU-Semester Abroad Guide, together with the Study Abroad flyer, is a
starting point for your orientation and information on a semester abroad. Furthermore,
there are other sources of information like the Study Abroad Fair; websites of the
destinations; exchange students who formerly went abroad and students at UCU from
other universities. Last but not least: your tutor can help. With all the input you should
have a good sense of where you want to go.
We update the online Guide each year. We also add the experiences from the
students who went on exchange in former years. Nevertheless, you will see that some
gaps still need to be filled. As soon as new information becomes available, it will be
published on the Intranet. Apart from that, don’t forget that the websites and Facebook
pages of the exchange destinations always have the most up-to-date information.
Also, some study abroad opportunities are still in progress, so this guide is just a
snapshot of the situation in September 2014.
When you want to discuss your semester abroad plans with me, or if you would
like to have more information about certain destinations, please read this Semester
Abroad Guide first, before coming to my office hours or making an appointment. In any
case: I hope that you will have a great study abroad experience, which is intellectually
and personally valuable for you!

Carla Kist, Exchange Officer UCU

College Hall, room 107
Office hours:
Tuesday 13-15 hours; Thursday 15-16 hours;
Tel. [phone];
E-mail: [email protected]

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1. PRACTICAL INFORMATION

1.1 Before Going on Exchange

How exchange works
As an exchange student, you can study for one semester at a host university in a
foreign country. This is, of course, a great opportunity to: follow courses that are not
offered at UCU, live abroad for a few months, experience a different university, culture
and language and, more generally, have the time of your life!
Formally, as an exchange student you remain registered at UCU, and you pay the
tuition fee to UCU and not to your exchange university. Because of the exchange
agreement, the host institution agrees to admit you as a student and gives you access to
all education facilities.
At UCU, you typically go on exchange in your 4th or 5th semester. An exception is
the China Program at the University of Hong Kong, where you can go in your 3th
semester (always in fall).
In exceptional cases, it might also be possible to go on exchange in your last
semester. In the past, this has mainly been allowed to former board members from
UCSA and ASC in their extra (7th) semester. In those situations there may be additional
requirements, e.g. having done all needed 300-level courses and having written your
thesis. Again, this will only be allowed for very good reasons and must be approved by
the UCU Examination Board.

Where you can go
UCU has been working very actively on increasing the number of exchange
programs available to its students. Therefore, we now have more than 30 destinations
on offer, at least 15 in Europe (from UK to Italy) and 22 outside Europe: in Africa, Asia,
North America and Latin America. You can find the complete list of the universities on
page 13. You can also go to other destinations offered by Utrecht University
International Office.

Rules for exchange
The UCU Student Handbook 2014-2015 gives an overview of study abroad
options (page 8) and includes paragraphs on Academic Rules and Regulations . Please
read them carefully and take special note of the required criteria for going on exchange.
Also note that some destinations do hold extra requirements, e.g. on the number of
credits taken or on a higher average GPA than 3.0. You will find the specific
requirements in this guide.

We will repeat the rules on study abroad here (paragraph 3.19 in the Student Handbook
2014-2015):

3.19 Study abroad (see also page 19-20 Student Handbook 2014-2015)

3.19.1 Students can apply for permission to study abroad for one full semester in
semester 3 (China/Chinese Studies program only), semester 4 or semester 5 (all
available exchange programs). Information about application for study abroad is
published on the intranet.

3.19.2 Educational activities abroad administered by UCU may be subject to specific
requirements and are subject to the terms of the agreement made with parties involved.
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3.19.3 Students are eligible for study abroad for one full semester if they have
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
• No shortage of credit
• Transfer credits totalling no more than 30 ECTS
• Proficiency at the intermediate (2) level in the language of instruction at the host
institution.
• No social or academic probation during exchange semester (see § 5)
These criteria must be met at the time of application as well as at the time of departure
for a study abroad destination.

3.19.4 UCU may set a maximum limit on the number of students receiving permission
for study abroad in any given term/semester; eligibility for exchange therefore does not
automatically qualify a student for study abroad.

3.19.5 Study abroad at an institution that is not part of an exchange agreement with
either UCU or UU requires permission from the Director of Education and Examination
Board.

3.19.6 UCU approval of an exchange semester does not guarantee a place at the desired
host university.

3.19.7 Students who cancel their exchange after the cancellation deadline are liable for
administrative fees (see intranet and semester abroad guide for more information).

3.19.8 Students must submit a learning agreement with their final course plan as soon
as they have registered at the host university.

3.19.8.1 The Examination Board judges course content and possible overlap to decide
which courses can be taken for credit. All changes in this agreement must be approved
by the Examination Board. Courses taken on exchange that have not been approved will
not carry credit at UCU.

3.19.8.2 Should the student hope to use a course taken on exchange for a specific UCU
requirement (e.g. required level 3 course, language and culture requirement,
methodology requirement) this must be indicated explicitly in the learning agreement
request, and specific information on content, workload, level, assessment must be
included.

3.19.9 The student is responsible for completing a course program abroad that meets
the UCU study load of 30 ECTS per semester. All courses, credits, and grades achieved
on exchange will appear on the UCU transcript. The number of credits registered on the
transcript will be converted to ECTS. Numerical grades are converted to the UCU letter
grades.

3.19.10 If extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control make it impossible for
a student to complete the equivalent of 30 ECTS per semester, the student must inform
the Exchange Officer and his/her tutor; any credit shortage must be remedied as soon
as possible. A request for permission to complete less than 30 ECTS has to be
sent to the UCU Examination Board.

3.19.11 The official transcript issued by the host institution will be attached to the
student’s transcript upon graduation.

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How to make a choice?
In general you can go to all destinations abroad. There are some host universities
with whom we only have an exchange contract for certain subject areas. You can find all
information in the description of each host university. All UCU destinations have been
chosen because of their excellent quality, high in academic ranking and/or being a
Liberal Arts and Science Faculty or College.
It is important for you to talk to your tutor about your whole curriculum at UCU
and the way your semester abroad courses fit into your study program. This can be a
rather strict program, like the special UCU programs of China Studies (Hong Kong) or
the Transnational Law Program (TLP), or it can be that you are more flexible in choosing
your courses and the time when you can go abroad (in your 4th or 5th semester). In case
you study pre-med at UCU, most of the times you’ll have to plan your semester abroad
carefully, including some of the mandatory courses abroad.

Application Procedures 2015-2016

1) On Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Study Abroad Fair takes place. It starts with
a general information session at 13.30 hours in the Auditorium. From 15.00 hours
onwards there is a Study Abroad Fair in the lounge of Dining Hall with information about
most UCU- exchange and some UU -destinations. Exchange students will represent their
university. They will answer your questions and give personal advice. The fair is meant
for first and second year students who think about studying abroad in the academic year
2015-2016.
2) On October 29th, 2014 the Exchange-Exchange Event will take place
3) Before or by November 14, 2014 you must fill out and give to the Exchange Officer
a UCU-exchange application form. The exchange application form will be handed out to
you at the Study Abroad Fair. Alternatively, you can find it on UCU Intranet. You can
indicate on this form either UCU-destinations, or central UU-destinations.
4) In the academic year 2015-2016, at least 38 UCU exchange destinations abroad are
available. All host universities are of outstanding quality and many of them have a
Liberal Arts & Sciences profile. This makes it easier for the UCU Examination Board to
approve all courses to be counted towards your curriculum requirements and graduation
at UCU. Therefore students are encouraged to study abroad through a UCU contract.
Each semester there are 60-70 places available at UCU-destinations.
5) You can apply for a UCU exchange partner (see list UCU destinations) and indicate a
maximum of 3 different destinations. You have to send the signed application form on
paper (including the exchange course information 2015-2016, exchange motivation
letter 2015-2016, language proficiency form and financial plan ) before Friday
November 14, 2014 to the UCU-Exchange Officer Carla Kist, College Hall, room 107
Campusplein 1 or leave it at Reception Desk in College Hall. Attention: keep a copy of
your application form, because you need it to upload for your online application in Osiris
(see below)! Make sure that the documents for your application are printed one-
sided and do not contain staples; also do not forget to sign your application form by
yourself and the course information form by your tutor.
You also have to apply separately online for your UCU-destinations through Osiris. There
you need to upload a copy of your UCU-application documents in word or PDF. This
procedure also has to be done by November 14, 2014. Only after you applied through
Osiris, your exchange application is complete!
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6) If you decide to apply for a central UU destination, you can indicate the UU-
destinations on your UCU-application form. You also have to apply separately for UU-
destinations through Osiris. It is your own responsibility to arrange your study abroad
through the International Office of UU at Heidelberglaan 8. See for information on UU-
destinations: www.uu.nl/students/exchange. You cannot combine UCU- and UU
destinations in your UCU-application form. So make sure you fill in either three UCU-
destinations or three UU-destinations. Otherwise, your application will be considered
invalid.

7) When your UCU exchange application is approved you will be notified for a nomination
before or by February/March 2015 by UCU or by UU International Office. The first
students who will receive a notification are the applicants for fall 2015 California and the
University of Madison, Wisconsin (in December 2014). You will be informed by e-mail
about the different host application procedures by the UCU-exchange Officer. For UU-
destinations you will be informed by the UU International Office.

Host university application procedures

When you are selected for a certain destination by the Exchange Office, UCU
nominates you to the host university. The host universities have their own application
forms and/or procedures that vary from just an on-line application to a complicated
procedure with many forms to be sent, either by you as a student, or by the Exchange
Officer. Also, there are many different deadlines. Therefore, sometimes it takes quite
some time before you hear something, either from the Exchange Officer, or from the
host university. When you are selected for fall semester, the procedure must be finished
by the end of June. When you are selected for spring semester, by the end of October
you can count on being placed and admitted at the host university.
In general your application documents will be sent by urgent mail at the latest
one week before the deadlines of the host university mentioned in this booklet and on
the websites of the host universities. You will receive instructions from the Exchange
Office regarding the UCU-deadline for submission of your host university documents to
the Exchange Officer.
Once you have submitted your applications forms, you have to indicate which
courses you’d like to take, based on the overview of courses that are offered in the
semester or quarter you are going abroad. This can be an insecure period of time,
because sometimes it is not very clear whether or not you will be placed in your
preferred courses. Only when you arrive at your host university, you can actually
register and enroll in all available courses.

Withdrawal
It can happen, of course that you have to withdraw at a certain stage after you
are nominated for a host destination. When you cancel before the first of May 2015,
for going abroad in fall 2015, and July 1, 2015 prior to your exchange in spring
2016, there are no costs involved. When you cancel after the first of May or the
first of July respectively, prior to the semester of your exchange, you have to
pay €200. Your stay at University College will then depend on the availability of a room.
You always have to talk to your tutor and the exchange officer, to explain the
reasons why you want to withdraw. You’ll have to send a cancellation form to the
Exchange Officer.
If you re-apply for exchange in an alternative semester in the future after prior
withdrawal, then your placement depends on availability of spots. You might thus not be
placed at your favorite destination or you cannot go on exchange if you postpone your
exchange plans after withdrawal.
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1.2 During your exchange

Residence permit
Depending on the country you are going to, you should report and/or registrar at
the local Immigration Authorities within three to eight days upon arrival. This also
applies to EU-residents who intend to study longer than three months in one of the other
EU-countries. Do not forget this! Are you an international student from outside EU?
Please contact the UCU Admissions Officer regarding (prolongation of) your Dutch
residence permit and visa-requirements abroad.

Housing
Housing arrangements vary, depending on the host. At some host institutions,
room and board will be an integral part of the (on-campus) housing arrangements.
Others may offer off-campus housing. Some host universities provide housing; others
only assist in finding a room. Make sure you know what type of accommodation facilities
is provided. This includes location, limitations and whether you are sharing a room with
one or more students, such as in a dorm room.
If housing is not arranged you could book temporary accommodation for a few
nights in a youth hostel or motel well in advance. This is especially important if you
arrive on a weekend or public holiday. When you arrive before your study program
starts, the host university is not required to provide housing for you. Then, finding a
temporary room is your own responsibility.

Representational role
You should be aware that you are ambassadors for University College Utrecht,
while on exchange. Your conduct in the host country will have a bearing on the
reputation of UCU. Consequently, exchange students are expected to maintain the
highest standards of academic achievement and personal conduct while participating in
an exchange program.
Also, host institutions may call upon UCU students to represent UCU in exchange
related events for their students. You are expected to participate in these events. This is
fun, because you meet many host university students. Some of them might come to
study at UCU the next academic year!

Finances

 Costs of exchange
As an exchange student, you don’t have to pay the tuition fee of the host university;
you’ll pay the fees of UCU. You will have to pay for housing, however, also if on-campus
housing is provided for. Depending on the university and country you go to, this might
be either cheaper or more expensive than the housing costs at UCU. Amounts are given
with every destination, but these are only indications. (Currencies have been converted
according to the rates of September 2014 they can and will change over time.)
Other costs that you should take into account are your travel costs, like flights –
especially when you go outside Europe, this will be a large expense -, the costs to obtain
a visa (inside Europe not needed for EU-students), health insurance (extra mandatory
health insurance, specifically in the U.S.) and of course your living costs. Again, these
can vary a lot depending on your destination: for example, in many Asian countries, the
costs for food are low, whereas in the States you might sometimes be obliged to
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purchase a more expensive meal plan. Previous exchange students gave two main
pieces of advice regarding finances:
1) You’re likely to travel around more than you would do when being in Utrecht. This
is a very good idea – you’re abroad, after all – but this travelling will cause
additional costs. Take that into account!
2) Inquire about any discounts for students that might be available and make sure
to have an International Student Identity Card, an internationally accepted proof
of student status (in some university towns, public transport is completely free
for students!).
Try to estimate in advance your expenses as well as possible, so that you won’t
encounter disappointments! In this guide you find estimated living costs per destination.
Also, on most host university websites there is an overview of expected costs per
semester.
Dutch students (and certain International students) who receive
‘Studiefinanciering’ will keep receiving it during their exchange, as long as they remain
full-time registered as a student at UCU and their exchange is recognized as part of their
UCU program. This is the case when you study abroad through a UCU or UU exchange
agreement. International students with a (UCU) scholarship will keep their grant, while
studying abroad.

Travel and Living Costs
The costs of your semester abroad will depend on the country you go to and the
length of your stay. Available grants will only cover a (small) part of your expenses so
you should expect to spend additional personal savings and/or to receive parental
support. Expensive destinations: USA (visa, health insurance and housing costs), Paris
(housing and living expenses), certain destinations in Asia (travel costs).

Insurance
You should of course be properly insured while abroad. Please check with your
insurance company whether you are covered while abroad. Differences between
insurance companies are tremendous.
Should you need special/extra insurance for your exchange, we recommend AON:
https://www.students-insurance.eu/ or Holland Zorg: http://www.hollandzorg.com/.
Some host universities (mostly American universities), require you to take their
university insurance as well.

OV-refund
Dutch students can get a refund for their OV-studentcard, by requesting an OV-
vergoeding-buitenland. Make sure you send in the proper form two months before you
leave. The form is available on: http://www.duo.nl/Images/8731_tcm7-411.pdf.
You will receive € 102,29 (in 2014) extra per month because you do not use your OV-
student card during your absence. Your application form has to be signed by UCU for
approval, which can be done by the Exchange Officer.

ERASMUS

You can apply for an ERASMUS-grant when you are going to study abroad in
Europe. You are not eligible for Erasmus when you go abroad outside Europe. If you are
an EU or EEA student, going on exchange within the EU or EEA, you can apply for an
Erasmus scholarship. Make sure you hand the form in to Student Services (International
Office of Utrecht University) two months before you leave.
Applying for a scholarship can be done online in Osiris. Information can be found
through this link: https://www.uu.nl/students/exchange. Students going on exchange
through UCU need a signature from the Exchange Officer.
 Students going on exchange on a UU program need a signature from the
coordinator at International Office UU (Student Services).
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