Munich Exchange: Why Munich?

After Berlin, Munich is the most intriguing German city, especially from a cultural perspective (museums, opera, music concerts, theater) and for its unusual blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Classical, and Modern architecture.

The Fakultät f. Architektur of the Technische Universität München (TUM) has a long-standing tradition and is currently one of the three leading German schools of architecture (Berlin and Darmstadt are the other two leading schools). Three internationally well-known architects, Cotello from Madrid, Horden from London, and Thomas Herzog from Basel, are part of the faculty of the Fakultät f. Architektur/ München; all three participate in this exchange as studio instructors.

Summer 2009 Program Information

The International Programs Committee is pleased to announce the continuation of the graduate student exchange between Champaign and Munich, which started in 1999. So far, more than fifty University of Illinois students have attended the TUM.

As part of the exchange program, three German students are enrolled in our undergraduate program every year.

The School would like to again send a group of six students to Munich for participation in the Summer Semester of 2013 (May 1 to mid-July) study program: studio project (for 6 credit hours), independent study project (optional for 3 credit hours, with the agreement of the proper TUM professor), study excursions (part of the studio program, but optional). TUM offers some of courses in English and our students could select from these courses as well to take (If you have questions regarding courses in English and their examination dates, please contact the Architecture Departmental coordinator Ms. Yolande Hoogendoorn directly <hoogendoorn@tum.de>)

Eligibility

Graduate students, including graduate students with limited standing in their graduate standing, can apply and participate in this program. 6th-year students are also eligible if they defer receiving their degree until the end of the summer.

Program

This exchange program between the Technische Universität München or TUM (Munich, Germany) and the School of Architecture was instituted in 1998.

As a result three students from Munich come to UIUC for a full academic year for their studies at the architecture undergraduate program, while six UIUC graduate students travel to Munich for an intensive period of architectural studies in the summer. In this period UIUC Graduate students receive academic credit for their participation in a design studio, and have the opportunity of developing travel-related Independent Study work for graduate credit under the supervision and guidance of professors from the host institution and UIUC's faculty liaison Prof. Botond bognar.

Participating U of I students are not required to speak German, since the faculty at TUM speaks English. Many Germans do also have some mastery of English, which is widely understood in most situations. However, students are encouraged to study German, as even a minimum of language ability will help them get along better in their daily life.

The host institutions provide tuition and service fee waivers to participating exchange students. However, students need to pay €42 (http://www.studentenwerk.mhn.de) and are responsible for their own transportation, lodging and other living expenses.

Costs

UIUC summer study fee (approximately $523-you register for 0 credit then receive the above mentioned credit upon your return); CISI Study Abroad insurance ($67-required by the UI Study Abroad office); UI student insurance ($256-according to UI a student must carry while enrolled in summer school, unless you are eligible to be exempt); money for room and board for three months in shared rental apartments: approximately $350-450/room per month; housing deposit ($200); travel to Europe (~$1,300) and while in Europe; plus a $250 program fee. The School may be able to provide some financial assistance in the form of scholarships.

How to Apply

If you are interested in the exchange or would like more information, contact Molly Helgesen at mhelgese@uiuc.edu or Professor Botond Bognar at bbognar@illinois.edu. Applications for the exchange are due Friday, October 12 Friday, 2012 (submit to Molly in Room 104 TBH). The application consists of a written statement (1-2 pages) about why you are interested in the program, what you expect to do and accomplish within the program: in school and beyond, plus a portfolio. Along with the application, there is a $30 non-refundable program fee due at the time of application (make checks payable to University of Illinois). Participants will be selected by October 19, 2012. TUM needs to know who will be enrolled in their Spring Semester (mid-April to mid-July) by late October.