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ETH Exchange - Zurich |
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The CSE department piloted the ETH exchange program in Spring 2007, and it continues to thrive. At this time, the program can support sending one or two undergraduates each year.
Undergraduate students interested in this year-long (Autumn-Spring quarters) exchange program should consult a CSE advisor with their questions. We host an information session during Winter quarter for students who are considering going to ETH the following school year. The session is run by the exchange program coordinator (Tom Anderson), a CSE advisor, and, as the program ramps up, we will include majors who have participated in the exchange before. This session is your opportunity to ask questions, hear about others' experiences, and find out how to apply to participate in the program. The application typically consists of a brief statement of interest, as well as a review of your academic performance. Our goal is to notify students selected for the exchange by March.
This exchange is most appropriate for juniors (who have completed most of the 300-level courses) and seniors, if you want to be able to take courses in English. ETH only offers courses in English at their third year bachelor's level and up, which is more or less equivalent to our senior year classes and above. Newer majors who can follow courses in German can be considered for the exchange, too. Brand new DA students will be good candidates for the program after a year or two in the major. All students participating in the exchange will also have access to free German courses while at ETH. Knowledge of German will not only benefit you in classes, but also in navigating Zurich.
The ETH exchange, like other exchanges at UW, operates under the Home Tuition Program (students continue to pay UW tuition but no tuition at the visiting school). In addition, students are required to concurrently enroll and pay a UW IP&E fee to maintain these benefits while away:
Students are responsible for travel costs and living expenses while in Zurich. However, ETH currently provides a monthly scholarship for one student of CHF 1750 to help with housing and living expenses. If two students go to ETH on exchange in a given year, and only one scholarship is available, the funding will be split between them.
Once notified, students selected to study abroad will work closely with the undergraduate advisors and the CSE exchange coordinator at ETH on details such as submitting an application to the university (formality for enrollment purposes) and for a visa, housing, and choosing classes. Please consult Information for Admitted Exchange Students on the ETH site for additional details.
The ETH Exchange Student Accommodations page links to various housing options, and the exchange coordinator at ETH should be able to provide you with guidance related to finding a room. Overview of the housing situation from the ETH site:
The ETH Zurich does not own or rent rooms for students (exception: one small 3-story house in Dietikon). Lodging for students is offered by institutions related to the ETH and the University, but they are independent from these schools. An on-campus dormitory does not exist! The quality and price of furnished rooms may vary quite considerably. Renting furnished apartments or houses is not advisable due to the high price, renting contracts with high deposits and extra costs. Single rooms are common. You find offers with or without cooking facility, apartment sharing, cleaning and washing service, bedding, provision of meals. All student accommodation in the city and the suburbs is located no further than 30 minutes from campus by using public transportation.
ETH Course Catalog (available in German and English)
You can search for courses according to different criteria, for example level of study, department, study programme, language of instruction, etc. If the catalog for the semester(s) you plan to be at ETH Zurich is not yet online, you should use the catalog from the previous year to establish your study plan. It's possible to change your study plan later on, but only if you obtain the permission of your departmenatl exchange coordinators.
Generally, all courses open to regular ETH students are also open to exchange and visiting students. It is possible to combine courses from the bachelor's and master's level, but you must have the necessary prerequisites to follw the chosen courses. A few courses are restricted, e.g. in the number of participants. The course description will indicate if that's the case.
Exchange students must earn between 20 and 30 ECTS credits per semester (excluding language courses). As a general rule, you have to take at least 2/3 of your courses in your home department at ETH.
CSE Student Feedback on Courses
Other Helpful Links & Information:
Obtaining a Passport (Apply early! Current processing time is 10-12 weeks.)
Swiss Consulate
ETH Department of Computer Science
Student Feedback:
Q&A on the ETH Experience
Living at ETH and in Zurich
Courses at ETH
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Computer Science & Engineering University of Washington Box 352350 Seattle, WA 98195-2350 (206) 543-1695 voice, (206) 543-2969 FAX [comments to mreardon] |