Exchange Program
Study in Rochester, NY
As of November 2022, the team of Jun.-Prof. Dr. Judith Rauscher (American Literature and Culture) coordinates the department's exchange program with the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Rochester, NY, USA.
Students at the University of Cologne can apply for the two scholarships/TA-assistantships that the program offers each year. What makes the program special is that, in two semesters (August-May), stipend holders will complete an M.A. in Comparative Literature at the University of Rochester while teaching introductory German language courses and recitations for the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.
Please note that in order to obtain the M.A., students must write a 10-page term paper in conjunction with a course on American Literature and Culture taught by Judith Rauscher (lecture or seminar), for which the credit will be transferred to the University of Rochester. This term paper is ideally written in the summer semester before the exchange year. The transfer credit is due in December/January of the exchange year.
Fluency in German (native level or equivalent), as well as a pronounced interest in American Literature and Culture as well as one other field of literary and/or cultural studies offered at the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, is required to apply for the program.
For more information about the exchange program, please contact Verena Wurth (verena.wurth[at]uni-koeln.de).
Important dates for the 2026/2027 Exchange:
Info Session: 27.11, Philosophikum S54, 16:00 - 18:00, if you would like to attend but could only do so via Zoom please email american-studies[at]uni-koeln.de
Application Deadline: 11.12.
Interviews: 18.12.
Timeline
| Information Event | Early-Mid November - This year: 27th of November, Philosophikum S54, 16:00 - 18:00 |
| Application at University of Cologne Due | End of November - This year: 11th of December |
| Notification of Interview Round | Early December |
| Interviews at University of Cologne | Early-Mid December - This year: 18th of December |
| Acceptance/Rejection Notification | Mid December |
| Fulbright Travel Stipend Application Due | Early February* |
| Enrolment Process at University of Rochester Start | Mid January |
| Prepare Visa Application Process (complete NSIF) | End of February |
| Visa Application Process at U.S. Embassy | April |
| PROMOS Stipend Application Due | Mid April |
| Gerhard Michel Stipend Application Due | Mid June |
| Enrolment in a Master’s Program at University of Cologne*** | July (latest) |
| Transfer Credit Due | End of July** |
| Arrival in Rochester | Early-mid August |
| International Graduate Student Orientation Program | Mid August |
| Fall Term Start | End of August MLC Research Seminar, 2 Comparative Literature courses + course |
| Fall Break | Mid October |
| End of Classes | Early-Mid December |
| Winter Break | End of December - Mid January |
| Spring Term Start | Mid January 3 Comparative Literature courses |
| End of Classes | Early May |
| M.A. Exam | End of April to early May |
| Graduation Ceremony | Mid May |
*May be subject to change, and is no requisite for your exchange year.
**We strongly advise to complete the transfer credit term paper before your arrival at Rochester because of the high demands of your studies there. Submission is possible until December, at the latest.
***Potentially arrange a semester on leave of absence (“Urlaubssemester”) at the University of Cologne.
Info Session, November 27, 4 p.m.
Graduate Studies in the U.S.
Join us for an info event on the Rochester exchange.
If you would like to attend but could only do so via Zoom please email american-studies[at]uni-koeln.de.