Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich-Northwestern Exchange)

» General Information

Location:

Zurich, Switzerland

Description:

Northwestern study abroad students will engage in a combination of course work and research. The research will translate back to Northwestern as independent study credit. Students will work with Northwestern and ETHZ advisors before departure to design a research project and to be placed in an appropriate research group.



Terms:

Fall-Winter Quarters, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

Sponsor:

Northwestern University Exchange with ETH Zurich

Website:

ETH Zurich

Program Contact:

, International Program Development Office 1800 Sherman Ave., Ste. 4-700, Evanston, IL 6020 Phone: mailto:international@northwestern.edu

» Related Links

» Other Programs in Switzerland

Language Requirements

Two years or equivalent of college-level German. Classes are generally taught in German (varies by department, some are in English), although texts and exams may be in English.

Northwestern Requirements

When choosing a world-class institution, careful academic counseling and planning is essential to successful integration into non-American settings. Work with the International Program Development office (847-467-6953), your college and departmental advisors, and follow up with your own research. This will make issues such as credit, cultural adjustment, and course selection work for you as an individual student. A high degree of independence and initiative are also qualifications for an exchange program, which often offers less structure and on-site support than other types of programs.

Academic Specialties

  • The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or ETHZ, is a science and technology university that is known throughout the world for its outstanding research record. Indeed, 20 Nobel Prize Winners are associated with ETHZ.
  • Excellent research conditions, state-of-the-art infrastructure and an attractive urban environment add up to the ideal setting for study abroad.
  • Some 350 professors, 40% from abroad, provide a fertile educational environment for 12,000 students from over 80 countries.

Course Type

Direct university enrollment for science and engineering students. 

Students may receive up to 6 Northwestern credits for 1 semester or 12 credits for the academic year.

Additional Information

Additional Enrichment Opportunities: Students attending ETHZ for the winter-spring quarters or full year may attend the three-week intensive German class at ETHZ (late-September until mid-October). For those attending ETHZ in the summer, the crash course runs the first three weeks of March.

Housing

ETHZ, which has no accommodations, assists students in finding nearby dormitory-like housing.

Program Costs

2008 prices: TBA

Application Requirements

Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:
  1. Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard. Call 847-467-6400 or e-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
  2. After recieving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application it is not available online.
Northwestern students must complete three applications for this program:
  1. ETH application available on the ETH-Zurich web site.
  2. Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad.
  3. IPD application.
Northwestern Students must also conduct two interviews as part of the application process:
  1. Students must interview with the IDP office.
  2. Students must meet with Professor John Paluch, the program's academic adviser, to being their course planning.

Contact Returnees

Northwestern students may enter this section of the site for a list of students who participated in this program.