1999-2000 Catalog
Student Services
Campus Resources: What's Available
Exchange Programs in the U.S. and Abroad
National Student Exchange
UAF is one of 150 public colleges and universities throughout the United States, its territories and Canada with membership in the National Student Exchange (NSE). Through this program, qualified students at member institutions may apply for exchange enrollment at another participating school. NSE enables students to study in different geographical areas and take advantage of specialized courses on unique programs that may not be available on their home campuses. Participation in the program is limited to one year.
Exchanges generally take place during your sophomore or junior year. To apply, you must be a full-time degree-seeking student with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Tuition is assessed by the host institution at the in-state tuition rate, or the student may choose to pay tuition at UAF. The application deadline is Feb. 15 prior to the term of exchange. For more information, contact the NSE coordinator in the Office of Admissions, (907) 474-7822.
International Study Abroad and Exchange Programs
Every student should seriously consider spending a semester or year abroad as part of their UAF education. There is no better way to master a foreign language and learn about other cultures of the world. In study abroad and exchange programs, students enroll at UAF and receive UAF credits while attending classes abroad. Thus, you may use your Alaska Student Loan and most other forms of financial aid to study abroad and participate in international exchange programs. We strive to keep UAF study abroad programs and exchange programs affordable. We encourage students to begin planning for a study abroad or exchange experience early in their UAF careers, particularly since prior study of a foreign language is required for some programs and highly recommended for others. Study abroad and exchange programs are administered by the Office of International Programs, 465 Duckering Building, (907) 474-5327.
UAF students have access to 24 Australian universities for one or two semesters through an affiliation with AustraLearn, a U.S. center for Australian universities. Students can choose the university that best fits their interests. A variety of academic specializations and living arrangements are available, depending on the university selected and the surrounding community.
McGill University is an English-speaking university located in bilingual (French and English) Montreal, Quebec. Students have access to the entire catalog of this fine university, with the opportunity to practice their French in the surrounding community.
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is a modern comprehensive university steeped in old world tradition. University buildings are spread around one of Europe's most beautiful cities. An increasing number of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels are offered in English. Danish language courses are available.
Center for InterAmerican Studies, Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca is high in the Andes of southern Ecuador. Students may receive instruction in Spanish language at all levels and courses in the history, culture and society of Latin America taught in Spanish for intermediate to advanced students. Home stays with an Ecuadorian family are arranged. The program is quite economical. The academic calendar consists of fall, winter and spring quarters; students are encouraged to consider attending both the winter and spring terms.
The University of Sussex, England
UAF students can attend this comprehensive university of 8,700 students in Brighton, on the southern coast of England for one or two semesters and choose courses from their entire catalog. Students live in campus residences, and thus experience English student life firsthand.
University of Lapland, Finland
The University of Lapland provides instruction and pursues research mainly in the fields of education, law, social sciences and art and design. There are about 2,600 students and approximately 400 faculty and staff. The academic year consists of two semesters: fall and spring, in addition to the University of Lapland International Summer School.
Hokkaido Education University, Japan
Hokkaido Education University in Sapporo, the capital of Japan's northernmost island, offers a course in Japanese culture aimed primarily at education majors.
Hokkaido University was founded in 1876, and is the farthest north of the major national universities in Japan. It is located in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. In addition to training in Japanese language, English language courses are offered in Japanese Culture and Society, environmental studies of northern regions, crop biology of northern regions, and contemporary engineering in Japan.
Nagoya Gakuin University, Japan
NGU is a small private university located near Nagoya, the third largest city in Japan. NGU offers a well-structured and diverse course of study in Japanese language and culture for foreign students from a number of different countries. One year of prior study of Japanese language is required and two years is highly recommended. Study in Japan is a requirement of the Japanese Studies major at UAF. Exchange students usually live in a new international students' house on the NGU campus; some home-stay opportunities are available.
University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The Foreign Student Study Center of the University of Guadalajara offers instruction in Spanish language at all levels and courses in the history, culture and society of Latin America taught in Spanish for intermediate to advanced students. Programs are available in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta (which is preferred for summer study). Instruction is concentrated in five-week terms (four weeks at Puerto Vallarta); students must attend at least two terms (three at Puerto Vallarta) to earn full-time semester status. Students live in the home of a Mexican family. The program is very economical.
The Agricultural University of Norway (NLH)
The Agricultural University of Norway, located in s at the head of Oslo Fjord, emphasizes agriculture, resource management and economics and wildlife biology and management. Some prior knowledge of a Scandinavian language is required.
Center of Russian Language and Culture, St. Petersburg, Russia
A department of St. Petersburg State University, the center provides instruction to foreign undergraduate and postgraduate students, teachers and business professionals who are interested in Russian language and culture. The program includes semester, year-long and summer courses with additional individual study options. Class size is small and the center accepts students at all levels, beginning to advanced.
Yakutsk State University, Russia
The city of Yakutsk, capital city of Republic Sakha (Yakutia), is located on the Lena River, one of the great north-flowing rivers of Siberia. Yakutia has much in common with Alaska: vast undeveloped and lightly populated lands from tundra in the north to boreal forest in the south, an economy based on natural resources and great cultural diversity. Students develop their language skills in a Russian-speaking environment while they experience both the indigenous and the Russian cultures of the area. We offer both summer and academic year programs. Due to grant support, the cost is quite modest. Students live in the home of a Russian family. Prior study of Russian and a sense of adventure are required.
LuleΠUniversity is a technical university located at the head of the Gulf of Bothnia, near the border with Finland. Student exchanges have emphasized engineering and mining, but are expanding to include international business and education. Many courses are taught in English so prior knowledge of Swedish is not required; study of Swedish language is a part of the exchange experience.
Mandarin Training Center, Taiwan
The Mandarin Training Center at Taiwan National Normal University in Taipei offers intensive Chinese language training. No prior Chinese language training is required, although training for students at the intermediate and advanced levels is available. Since UAF does not offer Chinese, study abroad is the easiest way for UAF students to acquire Chinese language skills.
VENUSA/University of the Andes, Merida, Venezuela
Merida is a beautiful city of 300,000 on the east slope of the Andes. Habitats ranging from the Andean mountains to tropical lowland forest are easily accessible from Merida. Fall and spring semesters are offered. Spanish language is taught at all levels. Courses in the history and culture of Latin America are taught in Spanish for more advanced students, and some courses (including Tropical Ecology) are offered in English as demand warrants. Students live in the home of a Venezuelan family.
UAF offers study abroad programs in Europe through its membership in the Northwest Council on Study Abroad, a consortium of public universities in the Pacific Northwest. Most NCSA programs offer three terms per year (September through December, January through March and April through June). Students may elect to attend successive terms at the same or different sites. A comprehensive fee of approximately $5,500 per term covers tuition, room and board with a host family, textbooks and excursions integrated with the courses. Intensive language study is included (except in London), as well as content courses, primarily in the social sciences and humanities, taught in English. Home stays offer the opportunity to practice the language and experience the everyday culture of the country.
Vienna, Austria Vienna is the traditional cultural center of central Europe and is now a political and economic center as well. German language is taught at all levels. The fall term emphasizes business and politics; the winter term includes more fine arts. Cost is $6,500 per term.
London, England The vibrant metropolitan center of England, London offers a ceaseless banquet of cultural events and performances. Classes are held in central London, near the British Museum.
Angers, France Angers is in the Loire River Valley of western France, but only 40 minutes from the coast and one and a half hours from Paris by the fast train (TGV). The program is in the Centre International d'Etudes Franaises (CIDEF) on the campus of the Catholic University of the West. They offer an 11-week program in fall, a 15-week program in spring (February through June), and several four-week summer sessions. French is taught at all levels.
Athens, Greece Greece is the source of Western civilization and of the European culture which continues to influence American society today. The program in Athens provides an opportunity to study culture, history, archeology, art history and classical studies at their source. The Athens of today is a modern European city. Neither modern nor classical Greek language are required for this program, although study of them is available.
Macerata, Italy Macerata is a city of 50,000 dating from the high medieval period. It is rich in examples of Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It is located 25 minutes from the Adriatic Sea, and about four hours from Rome and Florence. The hilltop location ensures a mild climate. The academic program at Macerata involves less study of the Italian language than does that at Siena, and more course work in English. No prior knowledge of the Italian language is required.
Siena, Italy Siena is located in the Tuscany Hills, 40 miles from Florence. Language instruction is included, and no prior study of Italian is required. Content courses often stress art and architecture, which are in abundance in and around Siena. Students share apartments with American and Italian students.
Oviedo, Spain Oviedo, a town of 200,000, is located in the Celtic region of northern Spain, away from the main tourist routes. It preserves much architecture and art from pre-moorish Spain. The academic program is carried out in conjunction with the University of Oviedo, and is intended for students who wish to perfect their Spanish language skills. At least one year of university-level Spanish is required, and course work is available for students at more advanced levels.
Western Undergraduate Exchange
UAF participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming may enroll in designated degree programs at a reduced tuition rate (the in-state tuition plus 50 percent of that amount). For a complete list of applicable degree programs or for more information, contact the UAF Admissions Office, (800) 478-1823 or (907) 474-7822.