STUDENT REPORT
Name of the University: Simon Business School, University of Rochester
Exchange semester: Fall 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
When and how did you receive information from the exchange university, and did you
encounter any difficulties?
I received everything I needed through the mail. No difficulties. I received the last piece of
paper in July, which was a little late since we needed those paper to apply for the visa.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
How did you apply for your visa, what did it cost and did you have difficulties?
I applied through the internet. It is a long process and lots of forms to fill out. The cost
was $200 for Norwegian students and $160 for Visa application fee and $200 for
SEVIS fee for Vietnamese students.
Travel
How did you travel to your destination?
We flied with either Norwegian Air or SAS. The cost was around 3000 – 4000kr for a
round trip.
Housing
Was housing provided by the university? If not, did you receive support from the school?
We lived on-campus at Goler House (or 15 min away from school). Since we are
exchange student for just a quarter, we could only apply for a sleeping room oncampus. There is, however, very limited quantity of this kind of room (only 3 or 4 per
quarter), you have to apply early to be able to live here. Then
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you get a sleeping room, refrigerator, microwave and toilet (no kitchen). This was a
nice area, and it was very cheap to live here (2500 NOK a month, and you only pay
the exact days you live there).
I also applied for a sleeping room but could not get it because of unavailability. Then,
I got a contact with friend of my friends who lived near Goler House. This house I
lived was a typical American house with front balcony, garage, living room, laundry
room, kitchen. I paid around $450 per month including electric, internet.
Costs
Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food, transportation,
and other personal expenses?
Rent
NOK 2500
Books
NOK
Food
NOK 2500
Transport
NOK 40
Other
NOK 3000
-
(travelling)

At Simon, you do not have to use books. Lecture notes is enough.

We have free shuttle bus from Goler House to school every day. There also free
shuttle from school to entertainment centre, shopping centre, and downtown, but
less frequently. The city bus costs only $1 for a single ride.

Other cost is mainly travelling and shopping cost. It depends on person.
Culture and language
Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
No, everybody spoke English.
How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
You do not have so much time to travel during the semester since the semester is quite
short and intensive. We have been to only Canada and NYC during studying time.
However, you could spend time before and after studying travelling. We spent one
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month before or after to travel to West Coast, and some to Chicago, Hawaii, Florida,
and Puerto Rico.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
2.1. The school (location, size, study structure, special academic areas etc.)
Simon is one of the top business schools in the USA. With approximately 300 students
in the MBA/MS programs, the Simon School is small in size compared to most other
American Business Schools. Further on, Simon has an internationally diverse student
population. The great focus on team-study approaches and creative business problem
solving exposes Simon students to enriching interaction with faculty and fellow
students.
The school is located at the UofR’s River Campus, a couple of miles south east of
downtown Rochester. Overall, the reading material is less than at BI. However, Simon
requires weekly assignments and frequent other reports, presentations etc. Students are
also required to participate in class discussions. Simon offers a challenging, but very
good leaning environment. Further details can be found at:
http://www.simon.rochester.edu.
On campus, there is a athlete centre including gym centre, squash court, swimming
pool, basketball field, etc.
2.2. Course registration
When and how did you register for courses?
Online, August 18th. Nate would send out an email notified what you had to do.
When did the add/drop period end?
Early October, three weeks into the semester.
2.3. Academic calendar
Arrival date:
September 12th
First day of the semester:
September 22nd
Last day of classes:
November 25th
Examination period:
December 1stDecember 5th
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Any special events/holidays:
Asian MBA fair; no
classes 8th and 9th
October.
Thanksgiving break
November 25-30 (but
is also the week before
exams)
Other:
2.4. Arrival
Describe the introduction week
We have orientation day and Dinner with Dean.
2.5. The International Office
As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
Yes, Nathan Kadar, who was in charge of us were very nice and welcoming, and easy
to get in contact with, before and after the arrival.
2.6. Promoting BI and Norway
What kind of activities were you involved in to promote exchange to Norway at your
exchange university?
We had a beer tasting and auction, where we presented beers from Norway which the
students could taste and buy in the auction.
2.7. Social activities
How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange students?
There was not much socializing among native and exchange. Most of students in
Simon are from China and India. The student union held Happy Hour (two free drinks
at a downtown restaurant) every month where you can go out and meet new friends.
Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for exchange
students?
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There was not many events for exchange students, but a lot of events happening at
school that we could attend like Happy Hour, Halloween Contest, Thanksgiving
dinner, Culture night of India and South East Asia.
III. ACADEMICS
3.1. In the classroom
Describe the teaching style (practical, theoretical, cases/lectures, formal/informal etc.)
The teaching was both practical and theoretical. There was a lot of cases from real
firms, and we were given an assignment for each course to deliver almost every week
(Four or five assignments in total per week). A lot of working in groups.
How is the level and workload compared to that at BI?
The workload was a bit more heavy than BI. Mostly there was power point
presentation. No need for books.
3.2. Course materials
Describe the course materials used (books/literature, online articles, Powerpoint, level of
course material etc).
You have reference books but not compulsory. A lot of literature and online articles
and case for analysis. Lecture note and powerpoint slide.
3.3. Exams
Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
Mostly lectures (but these were in turn based on course materials).
How was the course evaluated (include all that apply)?
o Final exam (written, presentation)
o Mid-term exam (written, group paper and presentation)
o In-class quizzes throughout semester (some with questions related to the cases)
o Small homework assignments and case analysis
o Presentations
o Group work
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o Class attendance
o Class participation/debates
o Activities outside of the classroom
All classes had Final exams, and most had also a mix weekly assignments, term
papers, class partipaction, presentations and mid-terms. All courses had group work
(in most courses you could choose your own group).
3.4. Library and technology
Describe the facilities
We used the library at University of Rochester a lot. It took 5 mins from Simon
building to the library. There were some private group rooms at Simon building as
well. On Simon there was an IT center which we could print for free from anywhere
on the house. If you have any problems with your computer (install Microsoft Office,
Antivirus program…), you could bring it to IT centre.
3.5. Description of courses
Course code &
Master/
name
Bachelor
MKT 431
Master
Consumer
Exam form
-
1,5 hour Midterm
-
Term paper and
Approv
ites
ed as
None
Elective
None
Elective
None
Elective
Comments
presentation
Behaviour
Negotiation
Prerequis
Master
Theory and
-
3-hour written exam
-
6 assignments
-
Term paper and
presentation
Practice/Barganin
-
2-hour written exam
-
6 assigments
423 Pricing
-
Class partipaction
Simon. The workload
Policies
-
1,5-hour Midterm
is relatively heavy, but
-
3-hour Final Exam
g for value
MKT 414/ STR
Master
Famous course at
as a student you learn
a lot.
Social Media
Master
-
1 individual
6
None
Elective
assignment
Analytics
-
2 group assginments
-
Class participation
-
Final exam (home
project)
-
5 assignments
Budgeting and
-
Class participation
finance. The time
Corporate
-
2-hour Midterm
value of money, net
Objective
-
3-hour Final exam
FIN 402 Capital
Master
None
Elective
Basic course in
present value and the
weighted average cost
of capital is the main
syllabus.
-
7 case analysis
Economics of
-
Class participation
great amount of
Competitive
-
Group project and
interesting cases related
presentation
to theory learned in
-
1.5-hour Final exam
class.
-
4 problem
STR 421
Master
Strategy
OMG 402
Master
None
None
Elective
Elective
Interesting professor. A
A great extent based
Operation
assignments and 3
on mathematics. The
Management
Goal assignments
majority of students
-
1.5-hour Midterm
are MBA students,
exam
-
which means that
3-hour Final exam
most of them have
experience within the
field of operations.
Both midterm and final
exam are open books
and computer without
wifi.
-
3 assignments
Financial
-
1 graded Fact case
really energic and
Reporting I
-
2 hour midterm
inspiring professor.
-
2 hour final exam
ACC 423
Master
None
Elective
Professor Wasley is a
The course itself is an
introduction to the
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financial reporting,
with a focus on the
notes and how to
communicate and read
a firms financial
position through these.
-
4 assignments
Advanced
-
1 group project
absoulutely advanced.
Managerial Data
-
2 hour midterm
The main focus was
Analysis
-
3 hour final exam
APS 425
Master
None
Elective
This course was
time series and
multiple regression
analyze. The course
was really
timeconsuming. But
absolutely informative
and useful before
writing your master
thesis.
IV. Final notes
How do you think the exchange experience will affect you from a cultural and social
viewpoint?
The cultural is similar, but Americans are more open-minded.
How do you think the exchange experience influence your future career possibilities?
Yes. The exchange experience will increase your English skills. The school also have
a good reputation, so it’s good to have on your CV. But you also have to work for it.
The workload compared to other exchange schools, is probably extensive.
We all had a great time in Simon.
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You could use our comments as testemonials in future exchange brochures.
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