Exchange Semester
High Priority for International Collaboration
The high priority for international collaboration results from the mission statement and goals of the Institute for Management Information Systems and the Institute for Information Systems and New Media. In general, communication with the worldwide scientific community is indispensable to all scientific staff. The prime medium for this purpose is the Internet. If submitted papers have been accepted, conference attendance in foreign countries is sponsored through the university's travel funds; the Institutes' funds are used to support preliminary and - in the case of postdoctoral staff - additional financing of up to 100 percent of the accumulating costs. Dissertations generally cover the state of current international research related to the chosen topic. Postdoctoral staff is encouraged to spend a sabbatical year at a renowned research institution in a foreign country.
The Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU) has a partnership agreement with the renowned McGill University. On part of the WU (and the Committee for International Relations respectively) Prof. Hansen is commissioned to coordinate and safeguard the partnership between the WU and McGill University and is assisted by Antje Sester.
Exchange Semester at McGill University
Each winter term two students of the WU may be exchanged with students from McGill University. Thereby, attention has to be paid that the number of WU students sent to McGill University equals the number of McGill University students studying in Vienna.
WU students interested in spending an exchange semester at McGill University can get information and apply for an exchange semester in the course of an undergraduate program at the Zentrum für Auslandsstudien (ZAS). Reports of prior McGill University exchange students are available at the ZAS and provide a good means to prepare for the exchange semester. For the application the ZAS specifies time limits and special forms, which can be obtained from the ZAS. Application requirements depend on the study program and may be viewed at the ZAS website.
The partnership commissioner and his assistant receive the filled-out forms of all applicants for an exchange semester at McGill University and invite each applicant to an interview. This interview is held in English and - if applicable - in French and intends to evaluate the professional and personal qualifications of each applicant. Preference is given to those applicants who leave an excellent professional, communicative, and personal impression and thus are at the utmost probability able to cope with the challenges of studying at McGill University.
Applicants should bear in mind that the courses offered at McGill University may differ in scope from the courses offered at the WU. In general, lectures are held twice per week, students are expected to perform preliminary and follow-up course work, and group work is regarded of high importance. Moreover, it should be considered that an exchange semester involves extensive costs caused by accommodation, travelling, food, books, materials, and excursions. Additionally, a private health insurance is required in most cases.
Ahead of their departure accepted students are strongly recommended to check with the relevant examiners at the WU in how far the courses attended at McGill University can be accredited.
After returning from McGill University the exchange semester is evaluated. For this purpose students have to agree to compose a five-page report about their experiences at McGill University during the selection interview.
