STUDENT REPORT. Pace University.
Name of the University: Pace University
Exchange semester: Fall, 2012
I GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL
1. Describe the school and its surroundings – very short
The school is located in the financial district in lower Manhattan.
2. Number of students - graduate and undergraduate – number of exchange students
There are about 12 000 students attending Pace University NYC, 8000 are
undergraduate.
3. Study structure
The study structure is quite different from BI. You are supposed to attend all classes, and
most professors take attendance. The classes are also a lot smaller than at BI, with 15-30
students in each class. Most classes have one or two midterms, group projects, and
homework, and therefore require the students to work continuously over the entire
semester.
II PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Information before you left
 When did you receive the information package from the University?
In the end of May
 Any difficulties?
No
Visa Procedure and travel experiences
 What problems, if any did you encounter?
None.
 Does the visa cost anything?
Yes, about 1000 NOK.
 How did you order your ticket – any problems?
I ordered my tickets through KLM.
Academic Calendar
 Arrival date – introductory week
I arrived in New York on August 16. There was an orientation day on August 29, for
exchange students, there where no introduction week.
 First day of the semester?
September 5.
 Last day of classes?
December 14.
 Examination period?
December 17 to 21.
Reception
 How was the reception at the school?
They where nice, I didn’t talk much to them, but when I did they where happy to help.
 Was the administration and faculty well prepared for your arrival?
Everyone was very well prepared and welcoming.
 Did the school’s students participate in the reception of the exchange students?
Yes, students participated in the reception of the exchange students.
Housing
 Did you have housing at your disposal or did you have to find your own housing?
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I found housing before I arrived in New York by my self. However, most of the other
students I know of did not find housing until after they arrived, which give you the
opportunity to see the apartment(s).
What support did you receive from the school in locating housing?
None, but I did not request it.
Any special issues or good ideas for prospective students?
Housing in New York is expensive, in many cases you need to use a broker. Brokers cost
about one month rent. It is also possible to contact buildings directly without using a
broker. Long island city (Queens), Brooklyn or New Jersey are some options if you want
lower rental prices.
The university has on campus housing, however, I do not know if it is an option for
exchange students. I did not receive any information about it.
Costs
 Describe the most important expenses such as rent, books, food, etc.
Rent is expensive anywhere in New York. I paid about 9500 NOK pr month in rent, this
included internet, landline telephone, TV and electricity. Books are expensive as well, but
it is possible to rent them, witch is a bit cheaper.
The International Office
 Is there an international office?
Yes
 How does the international office function?
The international office is easily accessible and can assist you with whatever you need.
 Do you receive all relevant information?
Yes, I did.
Exchange promotion
 What kind of activity did you take part in to promote exchange to Norway at your
exchange university?
There was an international exchange day at the university, where I told students about BI
and Norway as an exchange opportunity.
Social Activities
 How is your relationship with other students?
Good, most Americans are friendly and welcoming.
 How is the relationship among the exchange students?
Very good.
 Is there a student organization, and if so, are the exchange students part of it?
There are a lot of student organizations you can join if you want to.
 Are there any special activities and gatherings for exchange students?
No, not as far as I know.
 How do you like it at the school?
I liked it a lot, the people are very friendly and the professors are talented.
Culture and Language
 Do you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
No
 How are the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
Most students don’t have classes on Fridays, so during the weekend you can travel to
nearby cities.
III ACADEMIC INFORMATION
The Teaching situation
 In which language are the courses taught? Any problems?
The courses are taught in English, no problems.
 How would you evaluate the level of study in relationship to the level at BI?
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About the same as at BI. There is a lot more work to do during the semester, with
midterms, homework, and group-work. However, if you do everything as you are
supposed to, I think it is easier to get a good grade than it is at BI.
Is the teaching primarily practical or theoretical?
Theoretical.
Are the professors using cases, group work or lectures (or a mix)?
Mostly lectures, but it differ from professor to professor, some use only lectures, while
other use a mix of everything.
How is the workload compared to that at BI?
I would say it is almost the same, maybe a bit more.
How is the relationship between faculty and students?
Good.
What is the relationship between the students in the classroom?
Good.
Required Literature
 Is the literature in English?
Yes
 How do you estimate the level of the literature?
The same as at BI.
 Is the literature used for detailed knowledge or a broad overview?
Mostly for a broad overview, however, it differs from course to course, some courses was
more detailed orientated than others.
 Is exam based on the literature or on the lectures?
Both.
Exams
 What types of exams were you given?
Multiple choice, true or false, fill-in, and short answers.
 What knowledge level was required to pass the exams?
Most exams were easy to pass.
Other
 Do students have easy access to the library and it’s resources?
Yes
 How is the access to the computers?
Good, they have a big computer lab, and it is also possible to borrow laptops at school.
 How is IT used in the teaching or as a distributor of information?
Most professors use PowerPoint’s and blackboard.
Description of Courses
MGT 340 International management
Prerequisites: MGT 250 = ORG 3402 organisasasjonsadferd og ledelse.
Exam form: one midterm (20%), one final (20%), case presentation (20%), weekly online
quizzes (20%), blackboard discussion participation (12%), and class participation (8%)
ECO 238
Money and banking
Prerequisites: ECO 105 = SØK 3520 mikroøkonomi
ECO 106 = SØK 3525 makroøkonomi for økonomer
Exam form: two midterms (22% each), one final (24%), online homework quizzes (10%),
homework problems (10%) and group project and class participation (12%)
ECO 325
Money and capital market
Prerequisites: ECO 105 = SØK 3520 mikroøkonomi
ECO 106 = SØK 3525 makroøkonomi for økonomer
Exam form: one midterm (30%), one final (30%), online homework quizzes (30%), and group
project and class participation (10%)
FIN 351
Principles of investment
Prerequisites: FIN 260 = BØK 3411 finans og økonomistrying I
ECO 106 = SØK 3525 makroøkonomi for økonomer
MAT 111 = MAT 2910 matematikk for økonomer
Exam form: one midterm (30%), one final (30%), two group projects (20%), four homework
assignments (10%), and attendance and class participation (10%).
Mathematics of finance
Prerequisites: MAT 111 = MAT 2910 matematikk for økonomer
Exam form: 3 small midterms (around 50%), one final (around 40%), and homework (10%).
If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact me!