Studying Abroad
The Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) at the University of Washington is dedicated to developing international relationships with universities and organizations from around the world. In particular, we promote a direct exchange program with the University of Twente (UT)'s Department of Communication Studies in Enschede, the Netherlands. Our partnership with UT goes back more than ten years, and approximately 20 UW students have participated. In exchange, about 20 UT students have attended UW.
Current HCDE undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply for the direct exchange.
Exchange Resources
UT International Students website
UW Office of International Programs and Exchanges (IPE)
UW Go Global! International Scholarship Resources
FAQ: Studying Abroad
1. How is the UW/UT exchange run?
From the IPE website: UW Exchanges
Department exchanges offer the opportunity for UW students to enroll in regular courses at one of the UW’s international partner institutions. Students pay an exchange fee similar to University of Washington tuition in exchange for a tuition-free period of study at the partner institution.
Exchanges require a high degree of independence, as there is often no on-site director to help exchange participants with local arrangements. Students organize their own housing (in apartments or residence halls), select their own courses and, in general, seek to integrate themselves into the daily life and culture of their host countries. Many universities around the world offer courses in English. Others require advanced proficiency in the language of the host country.
2. What types of classes are offered at UT?
Course offerings include:
- Interface and interaction design
- ICT and organizations
- Project ICT and organizations
- Knowledge management in learning organizations
- User support
- Computer games studies
- ICT, Society and policy
- Interactive marketing
- Research in interactive marketing
- E-government: communication and organization
- Visual literacy and visual communication
3. How much does an exchange cost?
The exchange is designed to be affordable. HCDE students will pay their quarterly UW tuition while attending UT. Additional costs include airfare, housing, and an IPE concurrent enrollment fee. Scholarships resources are available on the UW's GO! Global page. Additional opportunities include UTwente scholarships, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (particularly for Engineering students).
4. What is concurrent enrollment?
Concurrent enrollment means that a UW student is enrolled in Foreign Study credits while taking classes at an international institution. FSTDY credits are placeholders and allow you to be treated as a current full-time UW student while you are concurrently an international student at UT.
5. Where will I live?
Visiting international students can apply for student housing (dorms) on the UT campus, or find home-stays or private accommodations in the town of Enschede. Visit the UT website for detailed information and resources regarding housing.
6. How long will I be abroad?
HCDE students have the option of studying at UT for either one, two, or three UW quarters. UT is on a semester calendar system, so the length of time at UT will differ from the UW quarter schedule. HCDE students typically study for autumn quarter, and are able to return for the start of winter quarter at UW.
7. How do I apply to the UT exchange program?
The application process will usually begin 4-6 months before the first quarter of the exchange. The next opportunity to apply to the UT exchange for Autumn 2013 is March 15, 2013 (attend classes at UT in August 2013 until either December 2013 or January 2014). Contact Stephanie White in HCDE Advising by March 15, 2013 if you are interested in applying.
8. What are the international opportunities other than the UT exchange?
HCDE students have participated in other UW sponsored international programs, including Exploration Seminars, Evans School exchanges, and others. Visit IPE for more information: http://studyabroad.washington.edu/.
9. How can I find out more about studying abroad?
Contact HCDE's Undergraduate Advisor, Stephanie White.
