STUDENTS: Exchange Program Important Information

This page includes important information and tips for Willamette Early Career MBA students interested in participating in our international exchange programs.

• Career Services
• Course Load and Credits at the Exchange Institution
• Course Load, Credits and WU MBA Regulations
• Cost and Expenses
• Financial Aid
• Passport
• Student Visa
• Travel Arrangements
• Housing
• Health Insurance
  
• Ability in the Country's Language
• Communicating with the Exchange Institution

Career Services
Exchange students should plan ahead to be sure their job search continues to progress while on exchange. Exchange students can keep up with the activities of the career services office via email and the Internet, develop a network of contacts in their career area of interest prior to departure, and maintain communication with contacts while abroad.

Students selected to participate in an exchange program must have completed the career services section of GSM 598 and 599, and meet with Beth Ursin, Director of Career Services, before departure to discuss their job search plan for the period of exchange.

Course Load and Credits at the Exchange Institutions
Exchange students must enroll in and earn a grade of "pass" or higher in 30 ECTS credits of approved elective course work at their exchange institution during their one semester of exchange (30 ECTS credits equals 15 WU MBA credits). The specific number of courses that must be taken to earn 30 ECTS credits may vary with the exchange institution.

Exchange students must order an official copy of their transcript from the exchange school at the completion of the exchange semester. The official transcript should be mailed to the Director of Admission of the Willamette MBA program.

Course Load, Credits and WU MBA Academic Regulations
Exchange students will be concurrently enrolled at Willamette (GSM 740 or 741 - 15 credits) and the exchange institution during the fall semester program. Completion of 15 WU MBA credits requires successfully completing and passing 30 ECTS credits at the exchange institution.

GSM 740 and GSM 741 are graded Pass/Fail for MBA students. Passing grades received from the exchange university will be recorded as "Pass" by the Atkinson School. The Atkinson School transcript will list the name of the exchange institution, courses completed and the P/F grade assigned.

GSM 740 and GSM 741 are graded courses for JD/MBA students. The Atkinson School transcript will list the name of the exchange institution, courses completed and the grade assigned by the exchange institution.

A maximum of 15 semester credits from GSM 740 or 741 can be applied toward graduation requirements of the Willamette MBA program. Students participating in an exchange program should refer to academic regulations governing the total number of Pass/Fail, waived or transfer credits which may be applied toward MBA graduation requirements. In general, the combination of credits from the following courses cannot exceed 24 credits: Pass/Fail courses, Exchange Programs, Foreign Language Study, Internship, Independent Study, Research, waived credits, and transfer credits.

Cost and Expenses
Exchange students pay tuition and fees for the Willamette MBA program to Willamette University for the semester of exchange. No additional tuition is payable to the exchange school. Some programs may have secondary fees for computer use, etc. Students are responsible for all personal expenses during the exchange semester. The cost of living and standard of living varies with the country. Typical expenses for which you should plan include but are not limited to:

Financial Aid
Exchange students are enrolled as Willamette MBA students while on exchange, so your financial aid will be awarded as if you were spending fall semester at Willamette. Adjustments to financial aid budget limits may be possible to help cover air fare, etc. Be sure to see Katy Wilson , Senior Financial Aid Counselor, at the Willamette University Financial Aid Office.

Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to apply for a visa and to enter and leave most countries. If you do not have a Passport, apply for your Passport now. If you do have a Passport, be sure that it is valid for at least 3 months beyond the end of the exchange semester. If it is not valid for 3 months beyond the program, renew your Passport now. Information about the application and renewal process for U.S. Passports is available on the U.S. Department of State website.

• Airfare
• Country entry fees (if required)
• Textbooks and course packs
• Living, accommodation, food, entertainment, etc.
• Travel
• Health Insurance
• Immunizations (if required)
• Passport and Visa fees and travel (if required)
• Local student fees

Student Visa
Students selected for an exchange program will receive documents needed to apply for a visa from the host institution. Exchange students are responsible for submitting the required documents to the appropriate governmental agencies in a timely manner. Be sure to refer to the country's embassy web site for up-to-date information about visas.

Visa information for Denmark is available at the Embassy of Denmark website. Specific information is available at http://www.gknewyork.um.dk/en/menu/PassportVisa/Studentpermit/

Visa information for France is available at the Embassy of France website (see Long Stay Visa about half way down the page). Excellent visa information is also available at the Consulate of France website. Students participating in the Bordeaux program must go to a French Consulate to apply for the visa. The closest French Consulate is in San Francisco. A complete list of consulate locations where you can apply for a French visa is located online. Students planning to go to France must have made reservations for their return flight to the U.S. before they apply for the visa.

Travel Arrangements
Exchange students must make and pay for their own travel arrangements. Students planning to go to France must have made reservations for their return flight to the U.S. before they apply for the visa. Two web sites found helpful by previous exchange students are statravel.com (for student fares) and kayak.com (features data
from a variety of travel sites).

Consider purchasing a Eurail Pass for travel around Europe.

Housing
Some exchange institutions have student housing available to exchange students, at varying costs. At other locations, you will need to live in local housing. The host exchange institution may provide assistance in locating housing.

Health Insurance
Participating exchange students will be required to carry adequate health insurance as per the rules and regulations of the host exchange institution. When approved by the host exchange institution, students may be eligible to use Willamette's student health insurance or their private insurance coverage while on exchange. Willamette's student health insurance will be valid for the fall semester of exchange, as long as the student has registered and paid fall semester tuition and fees (including health insurance) to Willamette University. The Willamette plan covers health expenses, emergency medical airlifting and repatriation of remains. Students with private insurance coverage should be sure to check with the insurance carrier about coverage while abroad. The plan may not cover health expenses while abroad, emergency medical airlifting or repatriation of remains. Supplemental policies for medical evacuation and repatriation are available. International students should contact Chris Andresen about health insurance issues.

It is not always possible to bill insurance directly while abroad. Exchange students should plan to pay out of pocket for any health expenses incurred while abroad, get medical receipts and seek reimbursement from insurance after returning to campus.

Ability in the Country's Language
Exchange courses are taught in English, but the degree of ability in the local language required at each school varies. English is widely spoken in some countries and less so in others. However, in all cases, some ability in the local language will help exchange students get the most from their experience.

Communicating with the Exchange Institution
The exchange institution will contact students and ask them to complete an application form and provide other supplemental information. All forms and requests for information should be completed as soon as possible and returned to the exchange partner school.

More Information
Questions about international exchange programs should be directed to Judy O'Neill, Director of Admission. Students should not contact the exchange institutions for information. Direct contact with the exchange institution will be provided to students selected for participation.