Office of Global Business
 Summer Exchange

France

Spend three to five weeks in the summer on the Summer Exchange Program at one of our partner universities in Strasbourg, France or Vallendar, Germany. Take your studies abroad and learn how business is conducted in the European region!

Application Deadline: SU24 - February 1, 2024 (Application Open!)

Applications will be received online and will be admitted on a first come first serve basis. 

 Apply for France (In-Person) Closed for 2024-25 Apply for Germany (In-Person)

 MBA Germany Information (In-Person/For Graduate Level Only)

Please note that the information on the Summer Exchange Program on this page is subject to change. Meet with your Fisher Academic Advisors in advance, to understand how the exchange program may academically impact your business degrees.

  • Highlights

    Summer Strasbourg at Council of Europe

    By going abroad on the Student Exchange Program, students are able to:

    • Part-take in a structured summer academic program abroad for a deeper country immersion at a host institution
    • Pay your current OSU tuition in summer, and study at the top business schools abroad in France or Germany 
    • Experience a new education system to enhance your global business knowledge and awareness as you earn OSU credits at the host institution.
    • Enjoy a structured academic experience to scope out one of your dream career locations, become global business ready, expand your global network, experience the next level of personal growth, or brush up your cultural and language skills. 


    *Please note that you may NOT contact or apply to the host institution until you have been accepted to the Student Exchange Program through the Fisher College of Business.

  • Eligibility

    All applicants must meet the following criteria and must not go abroad in their graduating term. If you end up not meeting the criteria after admitted to the program, you will be dropped from the program at your own cost:

    • Fully admitted into a Fisher College of Business major
    • Must be a Sophomore or above (first-year students with sophomore rank are not eligible to participate)
    • 3.0 or above GPA
    • Completed pre-requisites of ECON 2001 and ECON 2002, upon application
    • Remain eligible based on the Office of International Affairs eligibility requirements and conditions for participation
    • Must have a valid passport for 6 months after your program end date, upon application


    *If you wish to participate in the Summer Exchange Program in your rising sophomore summer term (summer after your freshman year), you must meet a different and higher eligibility criteria. Contact the exchange coordinator for details.

    International Students

    • The program does not allow students to go back to their citizenship country as an exchange student (i.e. Chinese citizens to China)
    • In order to participate, international students must be able to obtain all required travel visas and confirm their eligibility to return to the U.S. after the program (i.e., a multiple entry visa).
    • All students/international scholars holding a U.S. visa who are participating in an Office of Global Business (OGB) program and have questions about international travel, may schedule an appointment with the Office of International Affairs (OIA) International Student Services advisor.
  • Application Process

    STEP 1

    • Learn: Select your Summer Exchange Program location between France and Germany and learn about your specific location including academics, housing, travel arrangements, etc. Travel locations, program dates, and summer OSU tuition rates will differ depending on the Host Institution you select. 
    • Ask: Should you have questions about the program please fill out the Student Interest Form. Meet with your Fisher Academic Advisors in advance, to understand how the exchange program may academically impact your business degrees.
    • Attend: Come to an Information Session to learn and ask about the program.


    STEP 2

    • Deadlines: The application deadline is February 1 for in-person programs.
    • Application: Complete the online application and interview for your selected summer exchange location. Applications will be received online and will be admitted on a first come first serve basis. Slots are limited for each exchange location and will close once full, so apply early to get into your first choice! By submitting an application you will be agreeing to the OSU Cancelation Policy and the program Drop Policy (found under "Summer Exchange: Steps After Admission" below). 


    STEP 3

    • Funding: Explore various education abroad funding resources.
    • Nomination: Receive communication from the program manager about your nomination and next steps moving forward with your program (i.e. orientation, preparations, etc.). You will have to work with the host institution to be fully accepted to your nominated exchange program.
    • Orientation Session: You must complete the mandatory online OIA Health and Safety session and the Fisher pre-departure orientation provided in Feb/Mar prior to your departure for the summer exchange program. Failing to successfully complete the orientations will disqualify you from participating in the Summer Exchange Program.
    • Travel Arrangements: It is the students responsibility to prepare their own travel arrangements (passport, visa, flights, housing, insurance, flights, health and safety preparations etc.) on the Summer Exchange Program, so start planning for the arrangements once fully accepted by the host institution.


    More details on the processes after nomination can be found in the "Summer Exchange: Steps After Admission" section below.


    Preparing for the Application

    Section 1: Applicant Questions Text Field

    Be ready to answer each question below in around 150-200 words on the online application considering the below points:

    1. What led you to select this particular study abroad program?
    2. How will you prepare yourself for the difference in culture, academics, and so on?
    3. How will your participation in this program help you reach your personal and academic goals?
    4. How do you plan to be a good representative of Ohio State Abroad?


    Section 2: Application Document Upload Field

    Submit the below required documents on the online application.

    1. Resume
    2. Advising Report


    Section 3: Recommendation Letter (Undergraduate students only)

    Request a letter of recommendation on the online application. You will need a name and OSU email of an OSU Faculty, Course Instructor, or Graduate Teaching Assistant who has graded you in a OSU class. Enter this information on the application for the system to send a recommendation request. It is advised that you speak with the instructor you will be asking to write your recommendation letter, prior to submitting your application, and follow up after you have submitted your recommendation requests to check that your recommender have received the system email, as they tend to go to junk mail.

    It is requested that the instructor writing the letter covers the students’ academic performance and classroom behavior/interactions that would support the students' maturity and ability to successfully perform in a different academic setting/educational system abroad, as well as represent Fisher College of Business positively to our partner universities around the world.


    Additional Information

Summer Exchange: Steps After Admission

  • Open/Close Before Departure

    Orientation

    You must complete the mandatory online OIA Health and Safety session and the Fisher pre-departure orientation by Feb/Mar. Failing to successfully complete this orientation will disqualify you from participating in the Summer Exchange Program.

    Host Institution Application

    Follow Host Institution instructions to complete their application by their deadlines. Host application deadlines differ per exchange partner. Once you have successfully completed the application, you will receive a formal acceptance letter from the Host Institution.

    Visas 

    Review information below for past visa information. Visas for international students vary by travel destination and student nationality. As it may take some time to process a visa, please prepare in advance. Allow enough time to process documents and to renew the F-1 visa (if applicable), since the visa application may request you submit a valid F-1 visa. You also must insure that you have the necessary documents to legally return to the U.S. after the program.

    France

    • U.S. Passport Holders: In the past, U.S. citizens did not need to apply for a visa. However, visa requirements may change so double check with the French Embassy/Consulate for the most updated information.
    • Non-U.S. Passport Holders: You will be responsible for obtaining your own visa for this program. In the past it was required to have a French "short stay visa for studies" based on the travel itinerary and nature of the program, but double check with the host institution on the exact visa you should obtain according to your specific nationality. Visa requirements may change, so check with the French Embassy/Consulate for the most updated information.

    Germany

    • U.S. Passport Holders: In the past, U.S. citizens did not need to apply for a visa. However, visa requirements may change so double check with the German Embassy/Consulate for the most updated information.
    • Non-U.S. Passport Holders: You will be responsible for obtaining your own visa for this program, if applicable. Check with the host institution on the exact visa you should obtain according to your specific nationality. Visa requirements may change, so check with the German Embassy/Consulate for the most updated information.

    Housing

    You must arrange for your own housing for the Summer Exchange Program. Information on arranging suitable accommodations and paying for the accommodation will be provided by the Host Institution. 

    International Airfare

    International flights to and from the program destination is the responsibility of the student. It is required that you arrive/leave per instructions of the host institution you are attending.

    OSU Placeholder Course Enrollment

    Check that you are enrolled in 5 - 7.5 OSU credits of the BUSADM 5797 Study at a Foreign Institution course at OSU, as a placeholder for your term abroad. Number of credits will depend on the host institution you select.

    OIA International Health Insurance 

    Make sure you receive your mandatory OIA International Health Insurance card before departure. For more information about insurance, please visit OIA's Insurance page.

    Drop Policy

    In order to continue in the program, you must complete the online OIA Health and Safety session and attend the FCOB pre-departure orientation provided in Feb/Mar prior to your departure for the summer exchange program. If you fail to attend these orientations, you will be dropped from the program at your own expense. You will be charged a $200 cancellation fee and your $150 application fee will not be refunded. Any travel arrangements which will require any fees due to your drop from the program will be your responsibility (i.e.: flights, housing, etc.).

    The Ohio State University does not allow students who have records of felonies or sexual offenses or who are on disciplinary probation to participate in The Ohio State University sponsored programs. In accordance with this policy, all students who have accepted their position for the Office of Global Business programs will be required to go through a disciplinary check by the Office of Student Conduct. A check is conducted both at the point of application to the program and prior to departure. Should either check reveal that you are on disciplinary probation, your application will become nullified and your acceptance rescinded. If you are found on probation after you have paid your $150 application fee, the application fee will not be refunded and you will be charged a $200 cancellation fee. This policy is subject to change and you can find the most updated information on OIA's Conditions for Participation page.

    Prepare for Departure

    It is your responsibility to work independently in securing all required documentation and complete the necessary processes of exchange. If you struggle on visas, resident permits and/or housing, it is recommended that you inform the Exchange Coordinator two months before departure for additional assistance.

    A list of exchange preparation items includes, but is not limited to:

    • Travel preparation (Passport/ Visa/ Travel Insurance, etc.)
    • Housing arrangements
    • International flight
    • Health arrangements (Prescriptions/ Disability/ Medical services/ Travel consultations/ Health insurance, etc.)
    • Course enrollments abroad
    • OSU summer tuition and fee payments
    • Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans
    • Safety research and planning (Local law & regulations/ Safety procedures/ Emergency contacts, etc.)
    • Pack for your summer abroad
    • Communicate your travel plans with the Exchange Coordinator/OSU

     

    *Use precaution when committing to accommodations abroad. OSU is not responsible for any of the information provided to students, nor for any issues or damages which may result.

  • Open/Close While Abroad

    Arrival Check-in 

    Communicate to your contacts back home and the Office of Global Business of your safe arrival at your host country.

    Confirming Course Enrollments

    Check that you have been enrolled properly into the courses you should be taking abroad at the host institution.

    Keep Open Communication

    • Collect information about transcript dispatch dates.
    • If needed, inform the Host Institution and Office of Global Business of your graduation date and request to have your transcript process expedited.

    Make the Most of Your Time Abroad

    • Initiate personal/business/alumni connections abroad.
    • Keep a record of your experience abroad to use towards recruiting season. (journals, blogs, etc.)
    • Actively engage in the local activities to learn different cultural aspects of life, education, and business in your host country.
  • Open/Close Returning to the U.S.

    Return Check-in 

    Communicate to your contacts back home and the Office of Global Business of your safe return to the U.S.

    Transcript Process

    • Transcripts are received and processed by the Office of Global Business.
    • Review and respond promptly to the Office of Global Business emails regarding your transcript. Delay of your response will affect efficient grade postings and may result in an account/graduation hold.
    • Grades will be posted on Buckeye Link. Check that the grades are posted correctly under the "academics" tab.

    Continue to be Global

    • Participate in the Global Option in Business program to continue your global education.
    • Join the Fisher Exchange Network or International Business Club student organizations.
    • Help update student support materials for exchange.
    • Be a global programs ambassador. Encourage peers to go abroad, speak at panel sessions or information sessions, help promote study abroad, etc.

Global Option in Business

The Summer Student Exchange program fulfills the "Global Experience" requirement for the Global Option in Business, a university approved micro-credential program.

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