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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).

Timeline

Information EventEarly-Mid November
Application at University of Cologne DueEnd of November
Notification of Interview RoundEarly December
Interviews at University of CologneEarly-Mid December
Acceptance/Rejection NotificationMid December 
Fulbright Travel Stipend Application DueEarly February*
Enrolment Process at University of Rochester StartMid January
Prepare Visa Application Process (complete NSIF)End of February
Visa Application Process at U.S. EmbassyApril
PROMOS Stipend Application DueMid April
Gerhard Michel Stipend Application DueMid June
Enrolment in a Master’s Program at University of Cologne***July (latest)
Transfer Credit DueEnd of July**
Arrival in RochesterEarly-mid August
International Graduate Student Orientation ProgramMid August
Fall Term Start

End of August 

MLC Research Seminar, 2 Comparative Literature courses + course   
    in teaching foreign languages

Fall BreakMid October
End of ClassesEarly-Mid December
Winter BreakEnd of December - Mid January
Spring Term Start

Mid January

Comparative Literature courses

End of ClassesEarly May
M.A. ExamEnd of April to early May
Graduation CeremonyMid 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