Exchange programs immerse students fully in the host university life and culture, allowing them to take courses with local students and faculty, and participate in on campus activities. In addition to sending students on exchange, Drexel also welcomes incoming students from many exchange partner universities.

Academics: Exchange programs provide direct immersion into the host university academic experience. Similar to study at Drexel, students select courses from the host university catalogue according to their interests and plan of study. They take courses alongside local matriculated students with the same academic culture and assessment standards. For this reason, students receive credit/no credit on their Drexel transcript. Courses are often taught in English and the local language depending on the partner.

Onsite Experience: students on exchange enjoy full immersion into the academic, extra-curricular, and social dimensions of being a student at the partner university, such as living in the residence halls and joining student organizations. They are often part of a large group of international exchange students coming from many other countries, providing a diverse cross-cultural experience. Any supports that the partner university has in place (i.e. counseling, tutoring, etc.) are made available to exchange students.

Program Development: Exchange partnerships are often inspired by faculty research collaborations at universities abroad and / or because their curricular offerings are a good match for Drexel.  Working with an exchange partner is beneficial because it allows for selecting courses directly from the partner’s existing catalogue, offering a wide range of options. Exchanges are not cohorted and thus do they have enrollment minimums. Drexel generally prefers university wide exchange agreements that are open to all majors, rather than those limited to one program. University-wide agreements are more flexible and sustainable over time.

Financials: Students pay tuition to their home universities on both sides of the exchange. As long as the exchange remains balanced between Drexel and the partner university, there are no fees incurred and exchanges are cost neutral for both universities. Students pay for housing and other non-educational expenses directly to the host university rather than through Drexel Central.

Considerations for developing a new full term program (free-standing or exchange):

• Curriculum: What courses (if any) must students in this major take during this term abroad? Are there areas of specialization offered abroad that would enhance/compliment their Drexel curriculum?
• Program Model: is the department / program seeking a university partner with good curricular match, whereby students take courses from the catalogue with local students – or seeking a bespoke option with students taking select courses together as a cohort? If bespoke, does this major have enough students to sustain a cohorted program?
• Academic Calendar: what term(s) are most suitable for students in this major to study abroad? How does the term(s) align with the potential partner’s academic calendar?
• Language of Instruction: (for exchange programs) does the potential partner offer substantial courses in the desired disciplines that are taught in English?