The Haenicke Institute for Global Education administers 21 exchange programs and updates information for exchange partners annually. The proposed number of exchange seats is discussed by e-mail with the international office at the partner university. Only applications coming from the international office of the exchange partner university will be accepted for exchange seats.
WMU has active reciprocal student exchange programs with the following universities:
- Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
- Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia
- Université de Laval, Quebec City, Canada
- Négocia, Paris, France
- Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Universität Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
- Universität Passau, Passau, Germany
- Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Daito Bunka University, Tokyo, Japan
- Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
- Otaru University of Commerce, Otaru, Japan
- Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan
- Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
- BI Norwegian School of Management, Oslo, Norway
- Hogeschol van Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Stockholm Institute of Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Växjö University, Växjö, Sweden
- Bogaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
The following resources are intended for interested staff, faculty, and students at WMU's exchange partners:
1. Why should I enroll at Western Michigan University (is there really a Kalamazoo?)
WMU has been exchanging students with some partners since 1961. International students enjoy the university, the friendliness of a large college town and the close proximity to Lake Michigan's beaches.
Learn more about WMU at:
You can also watch a short video overview of WMU.
Our website has lots of useful information about what it’s like to be an international exchange student at WMU.
Click here to subscribe to the WMU International News – an e-zine we send out several times per semester.
Finally, you may be able to contact students from your home university who are currently studying at Western. Contact the international office of your home university or WMU's Cathleen Fuller.
2. Staff for exchange programs
- WMU's exchange relationship are under the responsibility of Dr. Donald G. McCloud, Dean of the Haenicke Institute.
- Cathleen Fuller, manager, International Degree Programs and Articulation Partnerships , is the main contact for international exchange students applying to WMU. NB: Send all application materials to Cat Fuller.
- WMU students applying for an exchange overseas work with the appropriate study abroad coordinator. Click here for information on study abroad coordinators.
3. English language requirements
| TEST | Restricted enrollment | Unrestricted |
| TOEFL Paper | 500 | 550 |
| TOEFL CBT | 173 | 213 |
| TOEFL IBT | 62 | 80 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 7.0 |
- <500 TOEFL (173 CBT, 62 iBT)
If our exchange partner university sends a student with less than 500 TOEFL (or equivalent), this student will need to enroll in WMU’s English as a Second Language program - Career English Language Center for International Students (CELCIS) – and will not be able to take any other regular university courses for credit that semester. The tuition waiver will not apply for these courses unless requested by the exchange partner in advance. Students will be required to pay the full price as stated on the CELCIS website.
Some students may wish to attend an intensive session at CELCIS in the summer in hopes of reaching 550 TOEFL at the end of the summer and thereby obtaining unrestricted enrollment privileges for the fall semester. Again, we will not apply the tuition waiver unless specifically requested by our exchange partner institution in advance.
- 500-549 TOEFL (173 - 210 CBT, 62 – 79 iBT)
These students will be admitted with restricted enrollment. This means that they will automatically be enrolled in either ENGL 3600 or ENGL 3610 for 5 credits. This system is commonly referred to as a “bridge” program by some US universities. These courses serve as a “bridge” out of the intensive ESL unit and into the regular university courses. Students are allowed to enroll in regular university coursework but must also complete ENGL 3600 or 3610. These courses are not part of CELCIS – the intensive ESL unit. Successful completion of ENGL 3600 or 3610 is equivalent to 550 TOEFL and gives the student unrestricted enrollment privileges in the following term.
We will apply the tuition waiver for a maximum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students (9 credit hours for graduate students) in this category. This total quota includes the bridge courses ENGL 3600 or 3610. Therefore, students coming to WMU through our exchange agreement with a TOEFL score of 500-549 would be allowed to take a maximum of 7 additional credit hours in regular courses for their first term (4 hrs for graduate students).
- >550 TOEFL (213 CBT, 80 iBT)
These students are given unrestricted enrollment privileges in all courses offered at the university as consistent with their degree program and contingent on the required prerequisites. The tuition waiver is applied for all of their coursework to a maximum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students (9 credit hours for graduate students).
NB: Please refer to the application form for other acceptable English proficiency standards. Some graduate programs require a higher TOEFL score, see department website.
4. Tuition and fees waiver
Our agreement provides for a maximum of 12 credit hours per student per semester at the undergraduate level or 9 credit hours per student per semester at the graduate level. Should your students wish to take more than this number of credits, they will pay non-resident tuition for the additional credit hours.
There are a number of fees that are assessed to all students (exchange students included). Listed below are the normal fees associated with registration at WMU. These fees will be waived for exchange students:
- Enrollment Fee
- Sindecuse Health Center Fee
- Student Recreation Center Fee
- Records Initiation Fee
- International Student Fee
- Student Assessment Fee
There are other fees associated with the courses that students take that will vary from student to student. These fees are charged at the time of course registration, and vary considerably for each exchange student depending on his/her choice of courses. These fees are unknown at the time we initially estimate our program costs for WMU students (at least a year in advance).
Therefore, it is the responsibility of exchange student to pay for these fees:
- SEVIS Fee
- Extended University Technology Fee
- College Level Course Fees
- Professional College Fees
- Graduate Adjustment Fees
- Late Add Fees
For a complete description of these fees and how/when they are assessed, please visit
this page.
5. Application process
We will send a stock of paper applications to the international office of our exchange partner institution if requested. Exchange student applicants should complete the international student application form on paper and send it to Cat Fuller at WMU, via the international office of their home university. Exchange students should NOT use the on-line application system.
All application materials for exchange students should be sent directly to Cat Fuller. The application deadline for Fall 2009 is April 1, 2009. For Spring 2010, the application deadline is August 1, 2009. Please ensure all materials are sent to her by this date. Late applications will be considered, but in order to assist your students in obtaining their desired class schedules, we need to have the applications in by the deadline.
GRADUATE STUDENT APPLICATIONS: Graduate admission for exchange programs will be permitted only if requested in advance directly to Ms. Fuller. Additional information/application procedures may be required.
6. Course information and selection
Exchange students are eligible to take courses in all programs at WMU, contingent on appropriate prerequisites and English language proficiency. Graduate students may take a maximum of 9 credit hours per semester.
The undergraduate and graduate catalogues at WMU are available here. Exchange student applicants should propose double the required number of courses to allow for scheduling and capacity conflicts. Submit the course selection form, signed by the international office at your home university, along with the application. Include a copy of appropriate learning contracts or forms used at the home university. For assistance in choosing courses or finding information on schedules, contact Cathleen Fuller.
NB: Exchange student applications submitted without a course selection form signed by the home university will not be processed.
7. Housing
Information regarding housing at WMU will be sent separately. We recommend that your students stay on campus, in either one of the 20 residence halls or three apartment style complexes.
Our residence halls support nearly 5,000 students who enjoy the friendships, living/learning focus, and diversity of campus life. Residents can take advantage of activities in the hall, leadership opportunities, high-speed internet, staff available 24 hours, close proximity to the Dining Halls, and many other campus conveniences designed to support busy college students.
- The Valleys
- All rooms are suites where two student rooms share a connecting bathroom
- Close to the Haworth College of Business
- Main Campus
- Halls offer larger rooms with smaller communities
- Close to academic buildings, the library, Bernhard Center, and Student Recreation Center
- Big Three and Big Four
- Community-style living where students on each floor share a bathroom
- Some 3 and 4-person rooms in the Big Four
- Little Three
- Private bathroom or suite-style setup
- Restricted to upper-class students
Rates for Fall 2008/2009 are as follows (prices quoted are per
semester/double occupancy.) Rates for Fall 2009/Spring 2010 have not yet been set. Rates are also subject to change without notice.
2008-09 rates - Room type and meal plan
| Double room |
Per Semester |
Total |
| Gold or 20 meal plan |
$3,782.50 |
$7,565.00 |
| 15 meal plan |
$3,688.50 |
$7,377.00 |
| 10 meal plan |
$3,472.50 |
$6,945.00 |
| Super Single |
| Gold or 20 meal plan |
$4,909.10 |
$9,818.20 |
| 15 meal plan |
$4,815.10 |
$9,630.20 |
| 10 meal plan |
$4,599.10 |
$9,198.20 |
Room Only
(available in Harison, Henry or Stinson halls only) |
| Double Room |
$1,951.00 |
$3,902.00 |
| Super Single |
$3,077.60 |
$6,155.20 |
Meal Plan Options
- Bronco Gold
- Unlimited access to dining halls
- Up to two Carryout sack lunch meals per day from any dining hall
- Provides one Late-night Carryout meal per evening. (Late-night Carryout closed Friday and Saturday)
- Beginning balance of $50 in Dining Dollars each semester
- Bronco 20 meal
- Access to any dining hall or Carryout up to 20 times per week, Monday breakfast through Sunday Late-night Carryout
- Beginning balance of $75 in Dining Dollars each semester
- Bronco 15 meal
- Access to any dining hall or Carryout up to 15 times per week, Monday breakfast through Sunday Late-night Carryout
- Beginning balance of $50 in Dining Dollars each semester
- Bronco 10 meal
- Access to any dining hall or Carryout up to 10 times per week, Monday breakfast through Sunday Late-night Carryout
- Beginning balance of 25 in Dining Dollars each semester
If your student is interested in the Residence Halls, please have them complete the Residence Hall Application form and submit it with their admission materials to Ms. Fuller.
Application dates vary, so we recommend that exchange students submit a housing application as soon as they receive their WIN number (student I.D. number). This number is issued by WMU and can be found on their admission letter. Once they have their WIN number, they can apply for housing
on this page.
A powerpoint presentation on Housing options and room layout is also available
for download.
8. Health care and insurance
WMU has a medical facility, Sindecuse Health Center (SHC), located in the center of main campus. All students enrolled at WMU are eligible to receive health care services at SHC – including acute (same day care); preventative care; sports medicine; diagnostic/laboratory services; medical social work; immunizations; massage therapy – just to name a few. The SHC is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
All international students are required to carry health insurance if health care coverage is not provided by their sponsor.
Students will be automatically enrolled in the University-sponsored policy upon admission to the university. It is your student’s responsibility to show proof of coverage and request approval of alternate policies at the SHC during the first two weeks of the semester/session. No refunds of insurance fees can be given after that time.
Insurance fees are revised each year. Fall 2007 (8/20-12/31/2007) costs $475 for basic coverage. Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 combined was $831.
9. Transcripts
Due to the privacy laws in the United States, the international office at WMU cannot send a copy of an exchange student’s transcript directly to their home university (see FERPA brochure for more information.) They should request a copy be sent to their home university before the end of their exchange semester. They can obtain the necessary paperwork at the Registrar’s office or via on-line download here. The Haenicke Institute CANNOT obtain official transcripts for exchange students.
10. Administrative information sheet (to be completed by international office)
International office, please complete this form and return to Cathleen Fuller.
11. What should you bring to Kalamazoo?
Coming to America
(Or more exactly, Kalamazoo and WMU!)
The key is to travel light - but you don’t want to regret leaving anything important at home!
