Header image for the English Department's Guide to Spring 2018 Student Exchanges.

Are you interested in participating in a student exchange? Do your wish to take advantage of one of the many opportunities that have emerged for students in Puerto Rico to study in universities in the US next Spring? Then this guide will provide some resources and advice to achieve this goal. Let’s begin with some considerations:

Calendar Considerations

Because we have an extended Fall semester due to Hurricane María you want to pay special attention to the calendar and see if it’s a viable option.

  • The Fall 2017 semester ends on January 25 and has final exams until February 3, 2018.
  • This means that if the Spring semester in the university you’re going to has an overlap with our extended semester, you need to make arrangements with your professors to cover the material and/or take the final exam.
  • While some of the universities require a previous commitment from the institution as part of the application process, I suggest applying first, and if you get accepted, then negotiate completing the semester.
  • Plan on leaving as late as possible to minimize the impact of missing classes at UPRM.

What Courses to Take

Taking courses at other institutions is not difficult, if you know what you’re doing. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Meet with your advisor and go over your curriculum to determine what courses you need to take.
  • You should have filled in an online curriculum with your advisor already, but if you haven’t yet, here’s a blank one. (Grad students: use this or consult the Graduate Handbook).
  • If you haven’t filled in the curriculum, get a copy of your transcript and arrange a meeting with your advisor.
  • Keep in mind the Course Offering Master Schedule in your planning.
  • Once you know what courses you need to take, see what courses are being offered in the university you’re applying to (or accepted at), seeking equivalent courses.
  • Even better, put together a wish list of courses you’d like to take and see how they match up before you meet with your advisor.
  • Keep in mind that English 3300: Special Topics in Language and Literature is an option for English courses that don’t match our offerings. You can take up to 6 credits of this course.

Completing the Process

  • Go to the Registrar’s Office (2nd floor Celis) and get the “Autorización para tomar cursos en otras instituciones” form.
  • Fill it in (but not the courses) and visit the necessary departments for authorization of your proposed courses.
  • To expedite the process, bring printouts with your proposed courses, course descriptions and/or course syllabi.

In this, as in all things, the more prepared you are, the smoother things will go.

Good luck!