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Frequently asked questions about the exchange program:
What is the URI-Braunschweig Exchange?
The University of Rhode Island and the Technische Universität
Braunschweig have developed a one-to-one student exchange program with focus
on engineering and business subject areas. The exchange was founded as a new
model for student exchange with support from the U.S. Department of
Education and the van Meeteren Foundation in Germany. It is an affordable
program enabling students to study at the partner institution for a semester
or year without sacrificing progress toward the degree at home. 
When did the exchange begin?
The first students were exchanged beginning in the fall semester of 1995. Approximately
fifteen students are now exchanged in each direction annually.
Who can participate? The initial focus is on students in engineering and business fields. The US
Department of Education has funded this effort because so few students
in these fields study abroad, even though business and technology have
become so internationalized in recent years.
Where is Braunschweig? You will see on the enclosed map that Braunschweig is in the heart of
Germany, directly west of Berlin and southeast of Hamburg and Hannover.
What is the Technische Universität
Braunschweig? The Technische Universität Braunschweig is the oldest technical
university in Germany, which recently celebrated its 250th anniversary.
Even though it is best known as a prestigious school for technical subject
areas, it has also - like URI - become a comprehensive university, with many
fields represented. Braunschweig offers breadth and depth in many disciplines.
Do I need to know German to study in
Braunschweig? Yes. German is the language of instruction, and a key reason for your going
there. There is clear need for young Americans in business and engineering
fields who know the German language and culture.
How much German do I need? Generally speaking you will need to have completed German through the
sixth-semester level. There are ways to accelerate your learning of the
language, however. If you are a freshman or sophomore at this point, and
get started on your German right away, then you will be able to go to
Braunschweig for a semester or year during your junior or senior years.
How can I learn German? Start right away by signing up for the special sections of German for
business and engineering students. You can speed the process by attending
URI's German Summer School of the Atlantic next summer, for which the grant
will provide scholarship support. You can do two semesters worth of German
in six weeks (eight credits) in this program. Braunschweig also offers an
intensive German course for foreigners just before the semester begins,
which is available to
URI exchange students free of charge!
How much does the program cost?
Approximately the same as staying at URI. In most cases, many of the
additional costs such as transportation will be paid by a gift from the van
Meeteren Foundation.
Will I receive credit? Yes. Assuming you complete the scheduled courses successfully, your work
will transfer to URI with full credit. You will receive both German language
credit, and credit for the courses taken in your major. General education
courses can also be taken in Braunschweig.
Can I study in Braunschweig as a student in the
International Engineering Program? Yes. All work in Braunschweig will be fully accredited, and will count as
progress toward both the BA and BS degrees.
Why should I learn German and study in
Germany? Germany is the strongest economic force in Europe, with critical access to
the emerging Eastern Europe. There are huge German investments in the U.S.
as well as American investments in Germany. And these companies all need
engineers and business professionals with good German skills. URI students
graduating from the International Engineering Program, for example, have all
either been accepted for high quality graduate programs or have found
excellent jobs with international companies.
Is it possible to study in Braunschweig and do an
internship with a German company? Yes. URI has already placed well over
100 student interns with more than
twenty German firms. Study in Braunschweig could either be preceded or
followed by an internship with a company.
Can graduate students participate in the URI -
Braunschweig Exchange? Yes! URI and the TU Braunschweig welcome grad students into the program, and
are now developing an innovative Dual Degree Program. This will enable
engineering students to do part of their graduate work at their home
institution and part of their work abroad, and then to receive degrees from
both universities. With degree status from both a European and a North
American university, dual degree students will be highly qualified for the
global workplace.
How can I learn more about the URI-Braunschweig
Exchange? To learn more about the URI-Braunschweig Exchange, call or write to:
Professor John M. Grandin
URI-Braunschweig Coordinator
Department of Modern Languages
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
tel: 401-874-4283
fax: 401-874-4694
Email:grandin@uriacc.uri.edu
Professor Gabriel Lengyel
Mr. Richard Vandeputte
College of Engineering
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
tel: 401-874-2091
fax: 401-782-1066
Professor Chai K. Kim
Institute for International Business
College of Business Administration
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
tel: 401-874-4205
fax: 401-792-4312
Email: chaikim@uriacc.uri.edu |
