Student Report
Name of the University: Western Michigan University (WMU)
Exchange semester: Fall / Spring, 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
It took some time before I got any reply from Western Michigan University. Everything
happens by e-mail and mail. You will get a contact person; my contact person answered
everything I asked. However, I had some difficulties with my course selection, but you will
meet a personal advisor that helps you with your choice of courses.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
Personal, I think the VISA was expensive (About 1500 NOK). I did not have any difficulties
regarding the VISA.
Travel
I was supposed to take plane all the way to Kalamazoo. However, I will recommend arrive
and departure from Chicago. There are busses and trains going every day from Chicago to
Kalamazoo and vice versa.
Housing
I was living in Davis Hall at campus (I will recommend this place or other halls in the little
three). The dorms are OK. You cannot expect the same living standard here as in Norway
Costs
- Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food,
transportation, and other personal expenses?
Houserent
Ca 3000,- NOK
Books (one
time)
Food
Transport
Other
Ca 1800 NOK
Ca 3750 NOK
150 NOK
1000 NOK
Culture and language
I experienced no language problems with the facility or other students. Everybody speaks
English very well. There are some cultural differences, like food. However, it is similar to
European/Norwegian culture. Everything is so much bigger in the US. Bigger roads, bigger
cars. Everything.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The school is so big that there are busses inside the school take you from one location to next.
However, downtown Kalamazoo is not so big. Location for the school is OK. Easy to go to
Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Ann Arbor etc. Study structure is different in the US. In the US,
you get evaluated as the progress in school continues. You usually have a final exam that
counts 25 % of your grade. During the spring semester, you get a spring break for usually 7-9
days.
Course registration
I tried to register for my courses as early as possible, however some of the courses I wanted
required prerequisites, by allowing access to courses you need to talk to an advisor. You will
do this when you arrive WMU. Tip: Do this as soon as possible, courses are filling up
quickly. You usually get one week of drop and add of courses.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
1. Janauary 2014
6. Janauary 2014
4th of April
7th of april – 26 april
Spring break
Arrival
I had a little a trouble getting their January 1. because a snowstorm arrived at that time. The
first two days (2 and 3 of January) was introduction days. Gave us all information needed.
They also took us shopping for the required materials for the doors etc.
The International Office
I got all information needed by the international office.
Promoting BI and Norway
There were no promotional activities during the semester.
Social activities
Usually you will be living in doorms with a native student or an exchange student. I was
living with a French person, we got to know a lot of native students as well as exchange
students. There was not a problem to get to know native students. Celcis office is creating
many activities for exchange students, such as down ski, basketball game, trip to Florida etc.
There are lot of activities to do.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
The teaching style is not as we experience at BI, there are usually 30-40 students in class.
They count class participation as a part of your final grade. The courses are both practical and
theoretical. The teacher is a combination of formal and informal. They want to discuss etc.
The workload is easier than BI.
Course materials
The books are quite expensive. Usually you need to buy a book in each course.
Exams
Exams are usually based on a combination of books and lectures.
The courses are evaluated by a final exam, in class quizzes throughout the semester,
assignments, group work, class attendance and class participation.
Library and technology
Internet is accessible all over campus. The library is useful for research. You can use
computers during lectures.
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
BUS 2200 –
Introduction to Global
Business
Bachelor
2-hours written
exam
CIS 1020 – Business
Computing
Bachelor
45 min
comprenehive
quiz
No
Elective
ENGL 1050 – Tought
and writing
Bachelor
Just projects, no
final exam
No
Elective
MGMT 2140 –
Exploring
Entrepreneurship
Bachelor
Quizes throught
the semester and
projects
No
Elective
Fin 3510 – Investment
analysis
2-hour written
exam
Prerequ Approved as
isites
Yes,
Elective
Statistic
s
No
Elective
Comments
Recommend
this investment
analysis course
Give you a
global
perspective on
business
Gives you
better
understanding
in Excel and
Access
Improves your
English and
different styles
such as MLA
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
After one semester at WMU I have experienced a lot of cultural differences and gained a
global perspective. I have now global contacts from all over the world. By experience and
learn a new cultural society will give me a greater advantage in my future career. I have also
gained experience in English both written and oral.