Office of Global Engagement

International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange Program

Each year, the Office of Global Engagement welcomes visiting students from international partner institutions to spend one or two semesters as non-degree seeking exchange students at Brown University.

The International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange Program welcomes applicants who wish to enroll in undergraduate-level academic work during the fall or spring semesters. 

Applications for the International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange program are now open for Fall 2024 and Full Year 2024-2025. 

  • Applications for Spring 2025 will open in May/June 2024.

Who May Apply:

  • Current undergraduate students enrolled in a full-time, degree-granting program at one of Brown University's Exchange Partner Institutions are eligible for the International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange Program.

The Office of Global Engagement currently accepts applications from undergraduate students enrolled in degree-granting programs at the following institutions.

Exchange Partners for 2024-2025:

  • Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • École Polytechnique 
  • Humboldt Universität, Germany
  • Keio University, Japan
  • Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden

Step 1 - Request Official Nomination from Home Institution

Notify the exchange coordinator at your home institution of your interest in applying to the Brown International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange Program. Prospective visiting students must request that their home institutions submit an official nomination to Brown's Office of Global Engagement prior to initiating their online application to Brown.

  • Exchange Partner nominations should be sent to the Office of Global Engagement via email at globalbrown@brown.edu 

Step 2 - Submit Online Brown Visiting Student Application

Once nominated by your home institution, submit the online Brown Visiting Student Application in ViaTRM.  This will include biographical information, academic records, and an essay to describe your motivation to participate in the International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange Program at Brown University.

As part of the online application, you will be asked to to have representatives from your home institution submit the following materials on your behalf:

  • Official transcripts for all college courses and all courses currently in progress.
  • A digital form from an exchange coordinator attesting that you are currently in good academic and judicial standing at your home institution.

Step 3 - Confirm Your Participation

If you are admitted to the program, you must confirm your participation in the program in Via TRM and attend a mandatory pre-arrival orientation for visiting international exchange students. 

In selecting visiting exchange students, we are particularly interested in your motivation for seeking visiting student status. You should demonstrate a strong record in all college work to date and must be able to present a specific academic reason for studying at Brown. You should be familiar with the offerings of the University and must indicate on your application the specific courses of study in which you would like to enroll.

Your decision to apply to Brown as an International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange student should be made only after you have thoroughly examined your academic and personal needs and Brown’s ability to meet them.

Please note that enrollment as an International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange student is approved on a semester-by-semester basis. This program is not intended for students who are planning to apply to transfer to Brown as degree candidates.  

Semester I - September enrollment:

  • Exchange Partner Nomination Deadline: March 1
  • Brown Visiting Student Application Deadline: March 15
  • Notification of Admission: April 1

Semester II - January enrollment:

  • Exchange Partner Nomination Deadline: September 15
  • Brown Visiting Student Application Deadline: October 1
  • Notification of Admission: November 1

Students who are admitted to the International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange Program may not defer their admission, but are welcome to re-apply in the semester preceding the preferred date of entry.

There is no financial assistance available from the University for visiting students, except for those in Exchange Partner programs with special financial arrangements.

Visiting students will have access to all Brown University facilities, including libraries, athletic facilities, and special lectures.

Please consult the Bursar’s website for information on tuition and required fees.

Visiting students are expected to live in on-campus housing.  
 

  • Visiting students will be assigned an academic advising dean who will support them with course registration, academic advising, and academic support services. 
  • Please note that enrollment in some courses may require the permission of the instructor.
  • Transfer credits for courses successfully completed during an exchange semester are subject to the policies and approval processes of the home institution.

Chris Van Booven, Assistant Director of Global Programs

  • In accordance with United States immigration laws, all students accepted to the International Visiting Undergraduate Exchange Program must enroll in full-time study during their time at Brown.
  • This program is not intended for high school graduates who wish to spend a gap year or gap semester at Brown, nor is it intended for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. 
  • Please note that students applying to transfer to Brown may not apply simultaneously to both the transfer program and the visiting undergraduate student program. 
  • Undergraduate students from Tougaloo College who are interested in spending a semester at Brown University as a visiting exchange student should visit the Brown-Tougaloo Semester Exchange Program website for guidance on submitting an application.