Student Report
Name of the University: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.
Exchange semester: Fall 2012
Practical Information
The first contact
After being chosen by BI for an exchange at the University of Utah (U of U) at the end of
February/beginning of March we realized that the deadline for applications to the U of U was
already surpassed. Being the first student BI sends to the U of U we had some initial issues.
However, I soon got in contact with one person in Utah responsible for exchange students. To
start the visa process early I asked them to scan and send me all necessary documents when
they were ready instead of waiting a couple of weeks for them to arrive by mail.
Visa process
The American visa process is both cumbersome and time consuming. First you need to gather
all required documents proving you are admitted to a US university. After that you have to
apply online and schedule an appointment with the US embassy in Oslo. I suggest starting this
process early, because you will probably have to schedule your appointment a month ahead in
time due to availability. You need to make sure you have all original required documents with
you to the embassy (easily found on their website) and expect to use 4-5 hours. They will tell
you after the short interview whether you are granted the visa or not and get your passport
back within two weeks with your visa.
I think the whole visa process and all applications cost me 1200-1500 NOK.
Finding classes
If you are a graduate student, finding courses will be harder than for undergraduate students.
You need permission codes to enrol which is granted by the professors. Consequently, you
should find classes early and email the respective professors. Even though classes have
prerequisites you should email the professor and tell them why you want to enrol and if you
have relevant experience from BI that might mitigate the prerequisite.
Since I was the first BI sent to the U of U we had problems with this process because they had
implemented a new system at the U of U. Still, you have to be patient in the process of finding
classes. I believe they have more or less the same system for enrolling in classes in most US
universities.
Travel
Naturally I travelled by plane and booked my tickets right after my visa was granted. I left the
4th of August even though I did not have to be there before a week later. I did it to get settled
in the apartment and to become familiar in Salt Lake City.
My greatest advice regarding travel arrangements is to book your tickets directly through an
airliner. I booked my tickets via a ticket agency and they will not let you change your ticket if
you want to change your plans.
Housing
The University provides dorms to exchange students. However, I chose to live in an
apartment off campus. As with most US universities the rules on campus are fairly strict
regarding alcohol etc. The school representative pointed me in the direction of where to look
for housing and I found a nice apartment.
If you chose to live off campus you should make sure to live close to the TRAX (transit
system). I lived across the I-15 in relation to downtown and the U of U and I do not
recommend living that far from campus if you do not plan to buy a car. The bus service is not
like in Oslo with fewer departures. However, the TRAX is very good.
Costs
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
6000 NOK including furniture and utilities
1000 NOK at beginning of semester
1500 NOK
Public transportation is free with your student card.
Culture and language
I did not have any language issues as the language is English. The American culture is not
that different from the Norwegian, so you should not have any problems adapting.
During the semester I have become much better and more confident speaking English. I think
this will benefit me both privately and professionally in the future. I believe employers
appreciate students taking a semester abroad and the language skills you acquire.
As many know about 50 % of the population in Utah are Mormons. There are all kinds of
rumours about Mormon people which are not true. However, they are conservative and live
by strict moral rules with no alcohol etc. I believe the state laws in Utah are shaped by the fact
that half the population is very religious, which I think is for the better compared to many
other US states.
Climate, skiing and Salt Lake City
Utah is the second driest state in the US and I think there were about 15 days of rain for the
whole semester. When I arrived it was 40 degrees and the sun was shining every day. Due to
the desert, the air is very dry.
As in Norway Utah has four distinct seasons. However, it was still around 20 degrees in the
end of September. After that the fall came quickly and the winter in the end of November.
Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002 and is very famous for having several
world class ski resorts. It is said that Utah has the best snow on earth and if you enjoy skiing
this is the place for your exchange. Unfortunately I had to go home before the season really
started but the snow was still amazing in December. I went several days to Snowbird Ski
Resort which had about 1.5 meters of powder snow in the middle of December.
During the summer/fall the mountains offers great opportunities for mountain hiking and
biking. You can rent all kinds of outdoor equipment very cheaply on campus, including tents,
sleeping bags, skis, bikes etc.
Downtown Salt Lake City is probably almost the same size as downtown Oslo. The city has a
grid-to-grid system with the Temple as the centre making it really easy to navigate and find
where you want to go. Salt Lake City is also very clean with good building standards and
offers a lot of different activities and events. I experienced the city as very safe.
Due to the fact that USA is an enormous country there are long distances. There is a six hour
drive to Las Vegas, 11 hours to Los Angeles and 7 hours to Yellowstone National Park from
Salt Lake City to mention some places.
The University of Utah
The U of U is located just east of downtown up in the mountain side providing a very nice
view of both the Wasatch Mountains, downtown and Salt Lake Valley. The population in the
areas surrounding Salt Lake City is about 400,000 and 2,500,000 in the whole valley.
The campus area is huge with its own hospital and colleges within business, economics,
engineering, law, medicine, arts, sports science etc. Walking across campus takes 20-30
minutes and there are several campus shuttles if you do not want to walk.
There are in total over 30,000 students enrolled at the U of U divided on all the different
colleges. There are many international students from all over the world, mostly Asia. I
estimate approximately 300 exchange student the fall semester of 2012.
Adding classes
As mentioned above I had problems registering for classes and had to register after I arrived
with help from a very nice professor, Karin. She has Norwegian ancestors and was very
helpful with finding classes. Since you are new to the university you are considered a
freshman even though you are a graduate student meaning you are last in line for registering
classes. However, I did not have any problems with being considered a freshman when
registering for classes. You are able to register from classes from July 31st and the last day of
adding/dropping classes is the first week of September. I suggest you meet with an advisor at
the U of U.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
4th of August
20th of August (student welcome week from August 13th)
7th of December
December 9th – 14th
Fall Break, Thanksgiving
Introduction week
The introduction weeks last for approximately seven days the week before the classes start.
We were welcomed both by faculty staff and many student ambassadors. The faculty staff
held several information sessions and the student ambassadors showed around campus and
participated in all social events.
The introduction week contains a lot of social activities the first week both during the day and
evening. Here you get the opportunity to both meet fellow international students and local
students.
The International office at the U of U is located at the centre of the campus and can help you
with most issues you might have or send you to the appropriate place. They held several
information sessions during the first week. All sessions and activities were held in English.
I was never asked to formally promote BI at the U of U but I did talk a lot about it to fellow
students, both international and locals.
Social activities
During the semester I got a lot of new friends, both from the US and all over the world. I
spent most of my time with other international students because you get to know them from
the beginning. Every exchange student is in the same situation as you coming to a new
country without knowing anyone. The relationship among both international and local
students is very good and the student environment in Salt Lake City is very good in general.
There are many student organizations with a vast array of agendas welcoming international
students to join. In addition, there are many gatherings arranged by the international office
during the semester for international student such as dinners etc.
Academics
The American Classroom
My experience is that the American classroom is not that different from BI. However, there is
more focus on participation which is usually a part of your grade. Of course everything was
taught in English and the teaching is more practical than at BI. My experience is that the
classes were easier at the U of U. They did not dig as deep into the theories as BI with more
focus on practical use.
The workload was less than at BI for the classes I attended. The relationship between students
and professors is very informal and they are very helpful and understanding. The relationship
among students is the same as in Norway.
The Professors use a lot of cases from real life both during classes and as deliverables as a
part of your grade. Some professors also give chances for achieving extra credits by handing
in something voluntarily.
Course materials
The materials vary from class to class. In some classes you have to buy books and some
professors post all the required reading online for free. Some professors use powerpoint while
others use the whiteboard.
The amount of course materials was the same as BI. However, the professors would typically
narrow it down before the finals as opposed to BI where everything is fair game for the final
exam. The reason is that you have midterms and they will not test you for the same material
twice.
The level of the material was easier than at BI. It is not as theoretical and easier and faster to
digest. At least for the classes I attended.
Exams
All classes have process evaluations containing midterms, presentations, participation, cases
and final exams. It is not like BI where your final exam accounts 100 % of your grade. All my
finals counted for 40 % or less.
All my midterm exams were written in class at school. The same accounts for all my finals
except a take home exam in Industrial Organization.
The exams were both based on course readings and lecture notes.
The final exam period is pretty busy with all exams within 1-2 weeks. However, as mentioned
above the professors tend to narrow the readings down significantly.
Technology, buildings and the library
The U of U was established in 1850 and has been expanding ever since. Some of the buildings
are old and in bad conditions for teaching but most buildings are of good quality. The
business school is completely new and still under construction and has classrooms with great
technology and comfort. The technology around campus is also good.
The library is fairly new and very big, almost as big as BI with fewer stories. The library is
open until 2 am during the semester and open 24/7 during the final exam weeks. They also
give away free food to students at the library during the final week.
Classes
Course code
& name
Master/
Bachelor
Master
Exam form
Prerequisites
Approved as
Comments
Process
None
Elective
ECON 6360 –
Industrial
organization
Master
Process
None
Elective
ECONA 6420 –
China & Global
economy
Master
Process
None
Elective
OIS 6040 –
Data analysis
and decision
making
Master
Process
None
Elective
OIS 6060 –
Operations
management I
Master
Process
None
Elective
Focused in using
accounting to support and
develop strategies. Some
parts were tricky, but if you
are familiar with
accounting this class should
not be a problem.
Mergers, Oligopoly, game
theory, antitrust law,
collusion, price
discrimination etc.
Interesting class with lots
of real life examples. A
good class.
The history of the Chinese
economy and the
integration with the global
economy. Mostly reading
and interesting.
A mild statistics class with
the focus on using basic
statistics in Excel. A very
practical MBA class and
not theoretic as I am used
to at BI.
A class focused on
operations with cases from
real life. One of the
assignments is a game
played over 1 week where
you run a factory. A very
good and practical MBA
class.
ACCTG 6210 –
Strategic cost
accounting
Concluding remarks
The semester on exchange has been the best 4.5 months of my life. I regret not taking
advantage of the opportunity of exchange during my bachelor degree. It has been an amazing
semester with a lot more experiences that I could never imagine before I left Norway.
I can definitely recommend the US and Salt Lake City to anyone. If I could I would do it
again.
While you are there experience as much as you possibly can because the time is passing
extremely fast!