Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Study abroad alongside Dutch and other international students at Wageningen University in Wageningen, the city of Life Sciences. This exchange program will allow students to directly enroll in university courses and experience life as a Dutch student. University courses are based around the ultimate importance of maintaining a habitable planet Earth, as well as providing a reliable food supply for man and beast. Wageningen University is an English-based university, and registered students will have the option to take Dutch language courses for free with a private tutor on campus.
A city of nearly 35,000 inhabitants, Wageningen is a historical town known for its small and cozy characteristics but with the allure of a big city. Wageningen is situated on the north bank of the Lower Rhine, on the border between Gelderse valley and the Veluwe. It is also the central city in Food Valley, regarded as the largest food and nutrition research and development area in the world. The city's geographic location, at a convergence point of several different landscapes, makes Wageningen one of the most environmentally diverse regions of the Netherlands.
Getting to Your Program
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Wageningen but are given guidelines for arrival dates and times.
Visa
U.S. citizens do not require visas, but must apply for a residence permit before departure. A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the program is also required. You will apply for your own residence permit. IAP will provide you with residence permit information.
Non-U.S. citizens should check with Embassy of the Netherlands to determine any special regulations pertaining entry into the Netherlands at any time.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
During the onsite introduction days, students will be able to register for classes, learn about the University and the surrounding area, meet other students and attend social events.
Housing
A non-university affiliated company, The Social Housing Corporation Wageningen (SSHW), houses both Dutch and international students. Students live in single rooms and share bathrooms and kitchens with Dutch and international housemates. Bedrooms are furnished with a bed, mattress, desk, chair, wardrobe, safe and linens and the kitchen is fully stocked. Buildings also have washing machines and a shared telephone.
Excursions and Activities
Joining a club or student organization while abroad is a great way to meet people with similar interests, become involved in the university, and learn more about the local culture. Wageningen University offers many student clubs and organizations such as choir, orchestra and various sports teams.
As a student, you can also participate in the Sport and Movement program, which offers 31 sport activities and provides specialized instruction in a wide range of sports. The Sport and Movement program also offers unique sports such as aerobics, aqua fit, fitness, squash, Tai Bo and inline skating.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
On-Site Support
Staff
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
Program Handbook (Spring - 2012-13)
Academic Calendar (Spring - 2012-13)
Wangeningen Handbook Fall 2013 (Fall - 2013-14)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Established in the 19th century during a European agricultural crisis, Wageningen University focused its first 45 years on agriculture, forestry and horticulture education. The university has now expanded its departments to include environmental control, nature conservation and other related subjects. Research at Wageningen University includes new scientific disciplines such as biotechnology, molecular biology and computer sciences. Wageningen University is a part of the Wageningen University and Research Centre with a student body population of 5,000.
At Wageningen University, the academic year, which runs from the beginning of September to August, is divided into five eight-week terms. Each eight-week term consists of three parts: six weeks for classroom teaching, one week for exam preparation, and one week for exams. Wageningen students typically take two courses per term usually having one class in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The academic calendar of Wageningen University has six periods. In period 1, 2, 5 and 6 you should choose up to 12 ECTS credits per period (equal to 6 UW credits). Period 3 and 4 are two short periods in which you can choose up to 6 ECTS credits each (equal to 3 UW credits).
Students studying in the fall typically take classes during periods 1 and 2. Students studying in the spring take classes during periods 3, 4, and 5. Please refer to the calendar below for academic calendar information.
The below dates are estimates only. You should refer to the Academic Calendar link for specific dates.
Period 1: Early September-late October
Period 2: Late October-mid/late December
Period 3: Early January-early February
Period 4: Early February-mid March
Period 5: Mid March-late April
Period 6: Early May-early September
Affiliate Institution(s)
www.wur.nl/NL/
Program Web Page(s)
Exchange Program
Academic Calendar
Foreign Courses
Available Courses
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
