Exchange Program for Graduate Students
with the University of Munich

UAB and the University of Munich (LMU) have initiated an exchange program for Ph.D. students. The department hopes to pay the stipends of two students per year while they study in Munich. We feel that the best time to do this is the first year after the qualifying exam. The basic requirements for selection of the students are the successful completion of the qualifying exam (joint program exam) and that an advisor is selected before departure. (Approval of the advisor concerning courses at LMU and other collaboration should be completed before departure.) Application Procedure: You should write an informal letter of intent addressed to the UAB/LMU Exchange Program Committee discussing the following questions: What is your background in the German language? What do you hope to gain from this experience? How long do you intend to stay? Discuss any other special circumstances that might relate to this proposal. The deadline for the application for the year 2003/2004 is May 31, 2003. Selection: The selection will be based mainly upon academic standing, the potential benefits to the student and the university, and the amount of available funds.

Some Random Facts:

• LMU has two terms per year: the first term is mid October to mid February and the second term is mid April to mid July. Normally, the student should plan to complete both terms of study.
• The courses taught especially for this exchange program will be given in English.
• Before the beginning of the first term a German course will be taught for exchange students. If you participate in the program, you should plan to take this course.
• The bare minimum living costs are estimated to be about $500 to $800 per month depending upon the exchange rate.
• It is a requirement of the State of Bavaria that each student enroll as a program student at LMU and pay the student activity fee (~$25/term) & health insurance fee (~$50/month).
• Each student will pay his or her regular tuition to his or her home institution and will receive all the privileges and benefits accorded to regular degree seeking students at the host institution. All housing and meal costs will be the responsibility of the student. The host institution agrees to provide accommodation in residence halls or assist in finding off-campus accommodations.
• The obligations of each institution under this student agreement section are limited to the exchange of students and extend neither to spouses nor dependents. Expenses of accompanying spouse and dependents are the responsibility of the student.
• UAB graduate students wishing to participate in the exchange program must get approval from the UAB Graduate Dean, in addition to the Chair of the Department and the Dean of the School.

Chad Wilson has collected some information for students going to Munich. Alexandra Kaffl, Johannes Ruckert, and Philipp Schlicht provide a similar site here for German students coming to Birmingham.