Students wishing to spend part of their degree programme in North America must decide a year in advance: The application deadline for exchange places is 21 November. Tina Grummel from the International Office provides helpful tips.
Lonely Pacific beaches, vibrant cities or national parks full of greenery - the USA and Canada are popular travel destinations for good reason. Studying at one of the many universities in these countries is also very popular. In 2016 alone, around 12,000 students in Germany found their way to North America. Among them were some Oldenburg students who, thanks to the university's exchange programme, were able to spend a semester or two on the other side of the Atlantic without having to pay the often high tuition fees.
There are 14 partner universities in the USA and four in Canada to choose from. The spectrum ranges from small universities, such as the University of Wisconsin, with only a few thousand students, to very large universities, such as Florida State University, with around 40,000 students. "Every university has its own speciality," says Tina Grummel. The English specialist, who coordinates the North America programme at the International Office, advises interested students to do one thing above all else - to look into studying abroad in good time. "Many are surprised that they have to apply a year in advance," she emphasises.
Plan a higher budget
Anyone who wants to take the leap across the pond in the coming winter semester should therefore decide soon: The application deadline for the North American programme is 21 November. But which university in the USA or Canada is the right one? Grummel advises students to find out about the partner universities in advance - for example, whether they like the location and whether the subjects on offer match their own degree programme.
From her experience, the programme coordinator knows that universities in major cities or in California are particularly popular. However, places that don't seem so attractive at first glance are often a good alternative. These can include the small towns of Rochester in Michigan and Laramie, which are home to Oakland University and the University of Wyoming. "The cost of living here, for example, is significantly lower than on the coasts," says Grummel.
In any case, students have to plan a higher budget than usual for their stay in North America - even if they don't pay tuition fees. Just like here, universities charge semester fees. Some universities charge application fees, food is more expensive and rent alone can be up to 500 dollars per month. There are also costs for international health insurance, visas, language tests and, of course, flights and local travel.
Students feel like a community
In addition to receiving a study abroad grant or financial support from parents, prospective students should not be afraid to apply for a scholarship. These are not just for top candidates, emphasises Grummel. "The criteria for being the best consist of many things - such as voluntary work or special motivation," she adds. Anyone interested in a stay in North America should therefore enquire about funding options early on.
Once they arrive in the USA or Canada, students quickly realise the differences to life here in Germany: Bachelor's students in particular usually live on campus, often in rooms for two without a kitchen and often with shared bathrooms. "The independence we know here doesn't usually exist there," says Grummel. Instead, the university campus offers everything that young people need to live: Cafés, grocery shops, cinemas and sports facilities. Students meet in clubs and societies to do sports or get involved in social activities, play theatre or chess. "The students feel like a community and identify strongly with their university," emphasises Grummel.
Friendly and helpful lecturers
The study programme is also different. The system is much more school-based; students often only take three to five intensive courses per semester. Tests are held every one to two weeks and the reading workload, for example for literature students, is large. At the same time, each student has their own advisor who is always available, as Grummel reports: "The students who come back praise the friendliness and helpfulness of the lecturers."
To get the most out of their stay, students should also be flexible in their choice of courses, advises the programme coordinator. Courses in economics, for example, are also popular in the USA and are often overcrowded. "Many are disappointed when they don't get a place on their chosen course," she says - perhaps because the university favours local students. But instead of getting annoyed, exchange students should think about a plan B and switch to another course.
Whether the USA or Canada is the right place to study abroad is ultimately up to those interested to find out for themselves. "Every country has its treasures," says Grummel. However, the programme coordinator has good news for those who ultimately apply for an exchange place in North America: "We can usually make everyone happy with a place." (cb)
