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
• Cost and Expenses
• Financial Aid
• Passport
• Student Visa - Fall Semester or Dual Degree
• Student Visa - Summer Semester
• 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 508, and meet with Beth Ursin, Director of Career Services, before departure to discuss their job search plan for the period of exchange.

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:

• 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

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
All exchange students need a Passport. If you do not have a Passport, apply for your Passport now. A valid U.S. passport or passport from your country of citizenship is required to enter and leave most countries and to apply for a visa. If you do have a Passport, be sure it is valid after the new passport regulations take effect on June 1, 2009 and 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.

Another helpful site is the U.S. Passport section of VisaHQ.com

Student Visa - Summer Semester Exchange Program
Students participating in the summer exchange programs at CBS or EMS may not need to get a visa, depending on their country of citizenship. European regulations waive the visa requirement for a short stay of under 90 days for students who are citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela. For a more complete list of countries and situations see http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_159/coming-to-france_2045/getting-visa_2046/do-you-need-visa_1559.html

Another helpful site for information about visa requirements based on your country of citizenship and your country of destination is the visa section of VisaHQ.com

Student Visa - Fall Semester or Dual Degree Exchange Program
Students selected for a fall semeseter or dual degree exchange program must apply for and receive a visa. Students will receive documents needed to apply for a visa from the host institution. 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.

Another helpful site for information about visa requirements based on your country of citizenship and your country of destination is the visa section of VisaHQ.com

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, Assistant Dean and 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.