Bilateral Exchange Programs
California State University, East Bay Bilateral Exchange Programs are established through formal reciprocal agreements with overseas universities. Under these agreements, a Cal State East Bay student and a student from the host partner university exchange places while continuing to pay fees at their home university. Students who participate on these exchange programs receive assistance when they arrive at the overseas institution but students must be independent, mature, adaptable, and flexible.
- Features of Cal State East Bay Bilateral Exchange Programs
- Eligibility
- Countries
- Application Procedure
- Application
Features of Cal State East Bay Bilateral Exchange Programs
- Coursework available for numerous majors
- Not all programs require prior language study
- Students may go abroad for one quarter, one semester or more
- Students earn resident credit while studying abroad
- Students pay CSUEB tuition for the quarter before departure
- Students are considered to be full time students while abroad
Eligibility
- Enrollment at Cal State East Bay for one quarter prior to departure
- Cumulative G.P.A. of 2.7
- Upper division standing (90 quarter units) by the time you study overseas
- Completion of all required remedial courses prior to departure
- Graduate business students are eligible to apply for the program in Finland. Note: The Chambery Summer Session Program has another application process.
Countries
Application Procedure
- Review the Bilateral Exchange Country Information Sheet and Coursework (found in the country-specific box in the Resource Library or online).
- Meet with your Major and GE advisors to see if courses taken abroad can be used to apply towards your degree. Upon successful completion, your coursework will count as CSUEB resident credit, appear on your CSUEB transcript, and be calculated into your CSUEB grade point average. Whether a class can be counted towards a major or general education requirement depends on your major department and the GE advisor. You should therefore speak with your both advisors prior to departure. If you find that classes in your major are not offered at a location you would like to study, consider declaring another minor or major! Tip: Take course descriptions with you when you meet your advisors.
- Meet with a Financial Aid Counselor to see if you are eligible for financial aid and to review the costs of the program. Financial aid (except for work study) may be applied to the CSUEB Bilateral Exchange Programs. Find out when and where aid will be dispersed. You may have to plan ahead with how you will pay for expenses if your financial aid check is late.
- Make an appointment with the Exchange Programs Advisor to pick up a host application. Call 510-885-2880 to schedule an appointment.
- Complete and submit the CSUEB Study Abroad Bilateral Exchange application, host application, and any supplemental materials (i.e. housing materials, photos) by the application deadline to the Exchange Programs Advisor. Remember to print clearly and legible. The application is often the first impression of a student, so please be neat and complete.
Note: Recommendations can be accepted by the student provided it is in a sealed envelope with stamp or signature of faculty or department. It is your responsibility to follow up with faculty to ensure the recommendations reach the Exchange Programs Advisor by the application deadline. - Depending on the program, study abroad interviews may be scheduled within two weeks of the program deadline. These interviews are mandatory.
- For most programs, acceptance notification will occur within one to two months after the program deadline. Acceptance is based on the applicant's motivation, recommendations, transcripts, and on the availability of bilateral "slots" available at the partner university. Notification will occur by email to your university Horizon email account.
- You are required to notify the Exchange Programs Advisor of your decision to participate in the bilateral exchange program within two weeks of acceptance notification. In the event that you do not reply, it will be assumed you have declined the placement.
- Accepted students are required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation and must submit all acceptance documents prior to departure. Accepted students are also responsible for obtaining the necessary visas for entry into the host country.
- Upon the completion of the program, host university transcripts will be received by the Exchange Programs Advisor and forwarded to the Records Office to be applied to your academic records. This process can take anywhere from 2-5 months. If you decide to study abroad in your last semester, please be advised that the posting of your degree may be delayed until transcripts are received and credits are applied. You may have to enroll in an additional quarter.
Application
Download the Bilateral Exchange Program Application (PDF, 235k, opens in new window)
