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the netherlands: University of Groningen Exchange

This is a semester or year long exchange program for which instruction is in English.  Specific exchanges are with RuG's Faculties of Spatial Sciences (Geography), Behavioral and Social Sciences (Psychology/Sociology), the Arts (Communication, History, Political Science, International Relations), or Business (only two students per semester).

Fast Facts:

Program Type:Exchange
Term/Duration:Semester or Academic Year
Fall 2012 Program Dates (approximate):August 28, 2012 - February 9, 2013
Credits:Full-time
Supplemental Application Process:Yes
Application Fee:$20.00
Program Fee:$500
Tuition:$2785 NYS Residents; $7410 Out-of-State Residents
Fall/Academic Year Application Deadline:March 1
Spring Application Deadline:October 1

The Country and City

The Netherlands is a small country of 16 million people situated mainly below sea level in northwest Europe.  Today it is an enthusiastic member of the European Union, and an affluent, advanced nation.  Its international outlook is reflected in the sitting of the International Court of Justice and International Court of Human Rights headquartered in the Hague.  Its largest city, Amsterdam, is a European city of great beauty and culture.  In Rotterdam, Europe's largest port can be found. 

The city of Groningen is situated in the north of the country, not far from the German border, and as such is the cultural and economic capital of the northern Netherlands.  The city has a population of 190,000, and has received numerous awards and distinctions, including best city of the Netherlands 2010, best student city of the Netherlands 2006, European city with the highest quality of life 2007, and safest city of the Netherldans 2005.  With over half the population under 35, the city of Groningen is lively and hospitable.  The city of Groningen is also consistently recognized as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.

The University

The University of Groningen (RuG) was founded in 1614 and is one of the oldest research universities in Europe.  The university itself is composed of nine separate departments, or 'Faculties', offering 58 Bachelor's and 119 Master's degree programs: Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Medical Sciences, Philosophy, Spatial Sciences, and Theology and Religious Studies.  The University of Groningen has a student body of 27,700, including over 3,300 international degree seeking and exchange students from over 115 different countries.  There are also some 840 students studying for their Ph.D. 

The Program

SUNY Geneseo's exchange program with the University of Groningen enables undergraduate students to take classes for a semester or academic year in the following Faculties:

  • Faculty of Spatial Sciences: Geography, Dutch Land Management courses.  The Geneseo exchange program with University of Groningen is coordinated by the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, and is the oldest Faculty exchange Geneseo has with the University.
  • Faculty of the Arts: American Studies, English Language and Culture, International Relations, Communication, History, Political Science, Dutch Studies
  • Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences: Sociology and Psychology

You must apply for the program through, and be approved by, SUNY Geneseo before participating in this exchange.  Because the University of Groningen is a large, decentralized research university, each Faculty has its own criteria for accepting exchange students.  Please read the Eligibility and Faculty Exchange Restrictions sections to the right to see if specific acceptance criteria apply for the Faculty you wish to study at.  The University of Groningen is on a different academic schedule than SUNY Geneseo (their fall semester runs from September - February and their spring semester runs from February - July).  For this reason, certain Faculty exchanges may only be open for one semester or for the academic year.  Please refer to the above links for details on when each Faculty exchange is available.

In addition to researching information about your specific Faculty using the links above, you can also find general information on being an exchange student at the University of Groningen on their International Office Webpage.

Housing

Students usually stay in one of the six international students houses run by the Housing Office, an independent, non-profit organization that the University of Groningen works with to provide housing for international students.  Every house is equipped with a washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, dishes, pans, cutlery, vacuum cleaner and a public phone.  In addition, all the rooms have a bed, mattress, sheets, pillow and blankets, desk/table, lamp, chair and a cupboard.  You can visit the Housing Office's website to learn more about available international students houses and pricing: http://www.housingoffice.nl/.  You will not apply for housing until after you have been approved for the exchange, and have been put in touch with your Faculty coordinator.

Eligibility

SUNY students must be approved by SUNY Geneseo before participating in the exchange.  Students must have sophomore standing or above and must be in good academic standing. 

Faculty Exchange Restrictions

As with all exchange programs, the number of Geneseo students who can attend the University of Groningen for a semester or academic year will be limited by the number of students that Geneseo recieves from Groningen that semester or academic year.  In addition to this, the following Faculty-specific restrictions/limitations apply:

  • Psychology students: spring semesters or academic year only.  Geneseo Psychology students can only attend RuG for the spring semester or the whole academic year; the fall semester exchange is not available to Psychology students.  The Psychology faculty at RuG holds their fall semester final examinations in February; SUNY Geneseo students will not be able to take their exams in time for the start of the semester at SUNY Geneseo, and thus will not receive credit for any of their Pyschology courses.
  • Sociology students: fall semester recommended.  The Sociology faculty at RuG offers more courses taught in English during the fall semester than during the spring semester.  Sociology students wishing to attend RuG for the spring semester should be aware of this, and should be prepared to take the majority of their courses within another faculty, such as Spatial Sciences or Psychology. 
  • Spatial Sciences students: can attend either semesters or the academic year.

All students please note: You must take the majority of your courses within the Faculty you are going through for the exchange.  All exchange students will be requried to take a Dutch Studies/Land Management course offered specifically for exchange students by the Faculty of Spatial Sciences (the course includes topic site-visits throughout the Netherlands).  You do not have to go on the exchange through the Faculty that is your major.

Orientation

A series of orientation meeting will take place to prepare student for their experience the semester before their departure.  Written information and personal communications with the program director and Study Abroad Office staff will also help students prepare.  On-site orientation in Groningen will take place before the beginning of the semester.

Application Deadline

Fall/Academic Year: March 1

Spring: October 1