Exchange from Waterloo is truly world-wide. In 2011 we added seven new destinations, the largest single-year increase since the program began 32 years ago, and now have a total of 72 academic institution partners on five continents (see chart below). Most of our new programs in 2011 were added because the President of the University, Feridun Hamdullahpur, who obtained his advanced degrees in Turkey, went there and signed agreements with some of that country’s major institutions. Turkey is an amazing country, straddling Europe and Asia; if you go there on exchange, you’ll be taught in English.
Another of our recent additions to the range of exchange partners is the Danish Technological University (DTU), located in the suburbs of Copenhagen. I had the opportunity to visit DTU earlier this spring. It is frequently ranked number one in Scandinavia (though our partners in Lund, Sweden, and Trondheim, Norway, might dispute this), and offers a wide range of programs. One of its specializations is wind turbine design; most wind-power installations use the results of DTU research. You will find teaching in English in all our Scandinavian exchange partners.
You can see in the chart that most of our exchange partners are in Europe. We have 10 exchange programs in France and 7 in Germany. The majority of courses in these countries are taught in French and German, respectively, but you can find quite a range at the 3B and 4A levels in English. Nonetheless you need to learn the language. But think of this: A quarter of all Canadians speak French first – why not learn the language and promote better understanding among our fellow citizens? As for Germany, the German technical universities where we exchange were the cradles of modern engineering and science education. It’s worthwhile to understand their language and educational systems; moreover, the fee arrangement we have made for study in most German technical universities results in amazing savings for people who go on exchange there.
If you are in 1B or 2A, the time to start organizing your exchange adventure is now. Depending on your program, you will be eligible to go in 3A, 3B and/or 4A. There are plenty of openings available, and there is time to learn languages. Get in touch with Cindy Howe in the Engineering Undergraduate Office (CPH 1320, cindy@uwaterloo.ca) to get yourself “on the list”.
If you are in 3A now, your main opportunity for exchange remaining is 3B Winter 2013, (or, perhaps 4A Fall 2013). But most of our programs are full, and the deadline for applications is May 31. However, Exchange to France and Germany is not yet fully subscribed for Winter 2013, and we can stretch the deadline a little for places there.
Exchange is an opportunity that nobody should miss. It is a great, fun, life-changing way to broaden and deepen your education!
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